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| Acknowledgments | |
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| Introduction | |
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| So You're Having Twins | |
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| Just the Stats, Ma'am | |
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| Why the Increase? | |
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| Fertility Drugs | |
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| Assisted Reproductive Technology | |
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| Age | |
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| Birth Control Pills | |
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| Inherited Trait | |
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| Women Who Already Have Had Children | |
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| Women Who Already Have Had Fraternal Twins | |
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| Race | |
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| Body Type | |
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| Diet, Environment, and Other Factors | |
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| Twin Types | |
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| Fraternal | |
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| Identical | |
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| Semi-Identical | |
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| Determining Twin Type | |
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| Myths or Miracles? | |
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| Now It's Your Turn | |
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| Fifty Pounds and Still Gaining-Thriving in a Multiple Pregnancy | |
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| Prenatal Care | |
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| Choosing a Doctor | |
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| But I Don't Feel High Risk | |
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| Prenatal Tests | |
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| Possible Maternal Complications | |
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| Possible Fetal Complications | |
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| Preterm Labor | |
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| Interventions to Help Prolong Pregnancy | |
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| If Your Babies Are Born Prematurely | |
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| Pregnancy Lifestyle Changes | |
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| How We Feel | |
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| Getting Plenty of Rest | |
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| Exercising Sensibly | |
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| Is It OK to Have Sex? | |
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| When to Leave Work | |
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| Staying Comfortable | |
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| Traveling | |
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| Diet | |
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| Tips for Increasing Chances of a Healthy Pregnancy | |
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| One Final Thought | |
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| It's All in the Planning | |
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| Nursery Essentials | |
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| Crib | |
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| Bouncer Seats | |
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| Car Seats | |
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| Strollers | |
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| Swing | |
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| Clothing | |
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| Blankets | |
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| Toys | |
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| Diapers | |
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| Baby Monitor | |
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| Snugly Sack | |
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| Playpen/Port-a-Crib/Pack-n-Play | |
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| Don't Waste Your Money | |
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| Future Nursery Items | |
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| Two for the Price of One? Money Matters | |
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| Reevaluate Your Budget | |
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| Double-Duty Items | |
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| Breastfeeding | |
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| Do It Yourself | |
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| Freebies, Coupons, and Discounts | |
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| Secondhand Rose | |
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| One More Thing... | |
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| Getting the Family Ready for Twins | |
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| The Birth Experience | |
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| Select a Pediatrician | |
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| Cook Ahead | |
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| S.O.S.-Getting Help | |
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| Preparing Older Children | |
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| Taking Care of Business | |
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| How Are You Feeling, Honey? | |
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| Choosing Names | |
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| It's Almost Time | |
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| The First Month: Dirty Little Secrets Parents Won't Tell You | |
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| Developmental Milestones | |
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| Keeping Your Head Above Water-First Month Survival Tips | |
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| Keep Notes | |
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| Take Care of Yourself | |
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| Sleep When You Can | |
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| Don't Answer the Phone | |
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| Prioritize Chores | |
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| Learn to Tell Your Twins Apart | |
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| Create Baby Stations | |
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| Recognize Postpartum Depression | |
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| Feeding Your Babies | |
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| Breastfeeding | |
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| Bottle Feeding | |
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| Nighttime Feedings | |
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| Bathing and Dressing | |
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| Of Special Concern-Bathing and Dressing Preemies | |
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| The Fussy Hour-Will You Live Through It? | |
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| Fighting the Fussy Fest | |
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| Playtime | |
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| Bonding with Twins: The Truth Versus the Myths | |
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| Techniques to Promote Bonding | |
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| Four Weeks and Counting | |
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| Months 2 Through 6 | |
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| Developmental Milestones | |
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| Home Alone | |
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| Troubleshooting | |
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| Putting Babies on a Schedule | |
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| Support Groups and Play Groups | |
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| Traveling Overnight with the Twins | |
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| Traveling by Car | |
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| Traveling by Plane | |
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| Europe and Beyond | |
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| Getting Out Without the Twins | |
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| Finding a Babysitter | |
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| Is Three a Crowd? Nurturing Sibling Relationships | |
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| Tips for Nurturing the Parent-Child Relationship | |
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| The Postpartum Body | |
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| Applause | |
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| Months 7 Through 12 | |
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| Developmental Milestones | |
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| The Exploring Twins | |
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| Babyproofing Your Home | |
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| Safety on the Go | |
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| Treating Twins as Individuals | |
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| Should You Separate Twins for a Day? | |
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| To Dress Alike or Not to Dress Alike? | |
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| Life After Infancy | |
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| Keeping the Marriage on Track | |
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| Dad's Changing Role | |
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| Introducing Solid Foods | |
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| Feeding Your Twins | |
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| Eating on Their Own | |
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| What a Year It's Been! | |
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| The Toddler Years | |
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| Developmental Milestones | |
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| As Toddlers Grow-Singing the Naptime Blues | |
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| From Two Naps to One | |
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| Exploring the Twin Bond | |
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| The Beginning Bond | |
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| Nature Versus Nurture Theory | |
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| Speech Development | |
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| How Language Begins | |
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| The First Words | |
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| Speech Difficulties in Twins | |
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| Is There a Secret Twin Language? | |
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| Are Your Twins on Target? | |
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| The Terrible Twos-Are They So Terrible? | |
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| Banding Together for Mischief | |
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| A Question of Discipline | |
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| Fighting Between Twins | |
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| Toilet Training | |
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| In Sickness and in Health | |
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| One More Pair? | |
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| School Days | |
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| Developmental Milestones | |
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| The Great Debate: Should You Put Your Twins in the Same Classroom? | |
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| Advantages of Placing Both in the Same Class | |
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| Advantages of Placing Both in Separate Classes | |
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| What the Research Tells Us | |
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| How to Choose What's Best for Your Kids | |
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| Twins and Friends | |
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| Tips to Encourage Outside Relationships | |
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| Twins Asserting Their Independence | |
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| The Need to Compare and Contrast Twins | |
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| The Pitfalls of Labeling | |
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| Playing Favorites | |
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| Twins as Adolescents and Adults | |
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| The Last Word | |
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| This Too Shall Pass | |
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| The Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Fence | |
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| Go with Your Gut | |
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| Appendix | |
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| Suggested Reading and Bibliography | |
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| Twin Resources and Websites | |
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| National Twins Clubs | |
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| Free Samples of Baby Products and Coupons | |
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| DNA Test Kits and DNA Labs | |
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| Index | |