A few months back, I posted a list of 10 most common questions that a mom of twins gets to hear. I’ve been meaning to go through the list of questions but somehow there were other more interesting topics to write about.

A recent post by Mrs H on Lisa Marie Presley expecting twins sparked my interest again in the issue and I feel it’s now time to tackle question # 10 – Are they IVF babies?

As Mrs H has written

“If not for multiples running in the family.. I’m sure conjectures regarding IVF would be swirling by now.” And she’s right.

In the same way, in last week’s People magazine exclusive interview with Angelina and Brad, the topic of IVF also came up in connection with their twins.

Believe me, it’s not only celebrities who are confronted with this question.

Now I know statistics show that the rate of twinning and having multiples has increased in the last decade or so and this has been attributed partly to assisted reproduction technology. But not all twins and multiples are conceived through IVF. There were twins before the first IVF baby was born and there will always be. And take note – there are many IVF babies out there who are singletons. Do they get scrutinized like twins and multiples? No way!

For me, this is the most stupid and offensive question to come from strangers and casual acquaintances. For one thing, it’s a very personal question and asking it amounts to invasion of privacy. In many cultures and for some people, fertility is a very sensitive issue and unlike Brad and Angelina, some people wouldn’t be “happy to discuss it.” That includes me. Rant over .

I had my first doctor’s appointment yesterday. For me, this was no small feat. I have a phobia of doctors. Not just a minor fear, or “don’t like going,” but all-out anxiety attacks for days before.

I said to my husband, “I don’t think I really thought this through. I’m fine with having the baby, but I don’t know if I can stand nine months of doctor visits.” Even typing this blog, my hands are starting to shake and my stomach feels queasy. (No, it’s not morning sickness).

Fortunately, I’ve found a doctor (one out of six in the office!) who makes me feel very comfortable. We think along the same wavelength, and she listens to me?not just my concerns and questions, but my feelings.

I figure having a baby will be the best thing to alleviate my phobia. Or, as my obstetrician joked, “You’ll either get over it, or it will kill you or us!”

Finding such an understanding, competent doctor didn’t make the anxiety go away, but it helped. When the exam was over, I learned that the baby is healthy, growing well, and it’s normal for me to be outgrowing my regular clothes already.

I was too nervous to ask many questions, but I’m going to arrive at my next appointment with a list.

What questions should you ask during your first appointment, or at least early on in your pre-natal care?

• Ask what pre-natal vitamins the doctor recommends?sometimes, they will provide free samples. (I left with so many boxes of samples, it covered the cost of my co-pay!)
• Ask about any OTC medicines you may have taken or might need to take (if you have a cold or allergy medicine you rely on, it’s better to ask now?and to ask about alternatives?than to be wondering at 3 AM when you wake up sneezing.)
• Discuss your rate of weight gain with the doctor. If you’re gaining too quickly, perhaps she can recommend some nutritional changes that will help. Even if the doctor says you’re gaining too quickly, don’t try to lose weight while you’re pregnant!
• Discuss any exercise programs you are currently doing, how long it will be safe to continue, or any programs you may be thinking about starting.
• Discuss pre-natal screening and tests recommended and when they should be done. (Remember, you have the right to refuse any test).
• Ask about any and all symptoms you may have, including soreness, spotting, aches, pains, nausea, etc. Chances are, they are nothing to worry about, but letting the doctor know will put your mind at ease. Also, she may be able to offer something to alleviate your discomfort.

I’m sure you’ll have your own questions that I didn’t even think of. Write them down before your appointment so you don’t forget, like I did the first time! (You can also use the sheet of paper to jot down the doctor’s answers if she makes specific recommendations.)

Look at your monthly doctor’s appointments as a time of education and preparation for the big day. Even if you’re like me and suffer anxiety over going to the doctor, being prepared with specific goals and objectives in mind will make it feel less like torture and more like the important part of pregnancy that it is!

This information is provided a patient’s perspective and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your medical practitioner.

There?s no more interesting conversation piece than babies. And having multiples actually put you in the limelight. Try it. Go to the mall or the park with a twin pram. Heads will turn and many will definitely ask to have a peek. Initially, I basked in the attention I got when I went out with my twins. After all, which mom wouldn?t want to show off her adorable babies? But then it got to the point when the attention got on my nerves. And then there are the questions. Some are quite normal questions but some are downright stupid and even offensive. Here are the 10 most common questions I encountered during the first 2 years of my twins? life:

1. Are they identical?
2. Who?s older/stronger/weaker?
3. Who`s your favorite?
4. Are they a lot of work?
5. When did you know?
6. Was it normal or CS delivery?
7. Why do you dress them alike/differently?
8. Which side of the family has twins? Yours or his?
9. Do they have ESP?
10. Are they IVF babies?

In the next posts, I?ll tell you how I answered each and every question.
But I`m curious: what are the most common questions that moms of singletons encounter?