The Latest in Multiple News and Views

Rachel Wiffen - Head of TAMBA NI

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

Tamba NI

Tamba is the only organisation in Northern Ireland which is dedicated to providing information and mutual support networks to families with twins, triplets or more and highlighting their unique needs to all those involved with their care.

Based in Belfast with support from Tamba UK (HQ).

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

Recent Tamba Research Topics

Educational Needs and Experiences of Multiple Birth Children Admissions Criteria Separation

Health and Lifestyle/ Multiples Failing Survey (2009) Basis for PND guide

Adult Multiples (Nov 2010) The Financial Consequences of Multiple Birth

Children

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

Multiples Failing Survey (2010)

Surveyed 1,363 Mothers of multiples (2005): 17% Multiple birth mothers suffered PND

18% Not sure, 10% for singletons Only 1/3 mothers offered pre-natal education

session. Mothers who did not attend were more likely to develop

PND 5-yrs later, these figures have been been reduced

to 11% suffered PND and 13% not sure Believed to be a positive benefit from the Tamba

information evenings.

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

Double the (Financial) Trouble!

62% Multiple birth families were worse off after babies were born (vs 40% for singletons)

13% Multiple birth families in severe financial difficulty (vs 7% for singletons)

Source: Stephen McKay, The Effects of Twins and Multiple Births Families and Their Living Standards, (2010), University of Birmingham

Headlines:

Why??

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

"I wish GET READY FOR MULTIPLES! had been around when I was expecting my triplets. My children bring me immense joy, but in the months after they were born I often felt overwhelmed and not good enough. At times I thought the babies' needs would be better met by me leaving or ending it all.”

Mother of triplets, Maggie Couston,

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

Double the (Financial) Trouble!

Mothers 20% less likely to have returned to workChildcare costs average £54,696 per year per child48% Multiple birth parents use savings to fund

family vs 37% for singletonsUK is out of step with many countries within the EU

Child benefit decreases with additional children Within EU (including Ireland) additional payments are made

to families with multiple birth children

Source: Annual survey from insurance and investment group LV=, February 2010

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

How does Tamba Help? Petitioning Governments and local

Assemblies In NI we offer 5-subsidised events

per year Twinline – for emotional support

and advice Parenting courses (aged 1 - 5 yrs) Hospital talks National and regional magazine FREE publications Website

Rachel WiffenTAMBA NI

7-Things not to say to a parent of twins

“Poor you! It must be impossible with two babies!” “Oh my, you look absolutely shattered!” “Double the trouble!” “Do they have secret language?” “So, are they identical?”

(When they’re clearly not, or a boy and a girl!) “Shame you didn’t get one of each” – when you did! “Was it buy one get one free?”