Childcare problems in mothers with twins as compared with children born singly

PURPOSE: The purpose of this survey was to study childcare problems in the families with twins as compared with singletons. METHODS: The subjects were 234 mothers of twins and 200 mothers of singletons, all born after 1994. RESULTS: 1. Mothers of twins showed significantly higher anxiety during pregnancy compared with those having singletons. There was no significant difference in prevalence of anxiety for infant health between the two groups, but the mothers of twins showed significant higher rate for childcare after delivery, economy, or childcare of other brothers and sisters. 2. Mothers who felt shortage of time for childcare were more frequent in the twin group than in the singleton group. 3. Mothers of twins showed significant more severe fatigue (physical and mental) as compared with those having singletons. They also reported significantly poorer sleeping conditions. In particular, the average sleeping time for mothers of twins was 6.54 hours a day, while for those of singletons, it was 7.32 hours. 4. Mothers of twins who did not receive assistance from fathers for childcare reported more severe physical and mental fatigue than those of twins who were given such help. CONCLUSION: This study indicated a tendency for mothers of twins to show more severe fatigue, poorer sleeping condition and a greater shortage of time for childcare as compared with those having singletons.