Clubwise: Twins, Triplets or More (TTOM)

Every week, we bring you the latest on the UAE's clubs, associations and groups. We choose one each time and profile it, highlighting its purpose and activities. We also bring you bits of news from other such groups. So that you know what is happening when, where and why

Paula's joy knew no bounds when she conceived after five years of marriage. However, a number of questions about the pregnancy cropped up when she found out she was going to have twins.

With no one to speak to and so much on her mind, she felt isolated and worried.

In order to reach out to mums who had twins or more, Paula Le Flohic started a support group, Twins, Triplets or More (TTOM), last year. Families registered with this group mainly comprise those with twins, but recently two sets of triplets and a set of quads has joined.

Here mums with their babies meet to share concerns, discuss solutions and even swap books and equipment that they have used, so that others may benefit from them.

"From my personal understanding, I realised that discussions throughout pregnancy and through the twin's earliest stages were the most valuable offering anyone could receive," said Paula.

"The group meetings are a casual coming together of mums with their children to talk about current problems being faced by them. During these discussions we learn from each other on how to handle double tantrums, sleep disruption, travel, difficult feeders and even how to breastfeed babies.

"Having twins is a great experience, but living as an expatriate without the normal channels of support that new parents would normally receive from family and friends can make the transition into 'multiple parenthood' traumatic.

"But the emotional backing that I received from being a part of TTOM has helped cope better during my pregnancy," said Rachel Allen, whose twins are due next month.

Larger meetings for the group are also arranged. Guest speakers from Mothercare, Magrudys, Spinneys are invited to talk about specific subjects. It serves as an open forum for discussions that are beneficial to members and the stores receive feedback to improve their services for families with twins, triplets, etc.

TTOM is affiliated with Twins And Multiple Births Association (TAMBA), a pioneering charity in the U.K. which offers the members not only support in the form of national meetings, local clubs, brochures, leaflets, discounts with UK retailers, but also subscription to their quarterly magazine full of stories, research and information all relating to life with multiples.

"TAMBA members in the UAE have a little more as TTOM has received tremendous support from prominent retailers.

"Magrudy's Book Store gives our members a 10 per cent discount at either of their stores in Dubai, Mothercare offers a 10 per cent discount at all their UAE stores and Lou Lou Al Dugong's Play Centre in Lamcy Plaza provides us with a voucher that gives every fourth visit free," said Paula.

"Without the support of these benefactors the club perhaps wouldn't have the same appeal but the majority are just happy for the chance to talk to others with multiples about parenting issues with twins, past or present.

"Double joy or double trouble, whichever way you look at them, twins being two different individuals throw at their mothers a different set of challenges."

Due to the varying ranges, TTOM has been divided into two groups that meet each week during working hours at Dragon Castle.

Those with multiples up to one year and ladies pregnant with multiples attend "Babies Circle" meetings. Those with multiples above one year to about three years of age come to the "Double Trouble" meetings.