1. The Latest in Multiple News and Views Rachel Wiffen - Head of TAMBA NI

2. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA 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).

3. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA 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

4. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA 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.

5. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA 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??

6. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA 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,

7. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA NI Double the (Financial) Trouble!  Mothers 20% less likely to have returned to work  Childcare costs average £54,696 per year per child  48% Multiple birth parents use savings to fund family vs 37% for singletons  UK 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

8. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA 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

9. Rachel Wiffen TAMBA 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?”