All At Once

Sinead Finn & Gabi Holdinghausen

All at Once is a podcast dedicated to raising multiples, because life with multiples deserves its own space.  Whether you're a new or expecting parent to twins, triplets or more, a seasoned parent of multiples, or simply curious about life with multiples, All At Once is your place for real talk about raising multiples. Each episode promises to leave you feeling seen, heard and informed.  Join us, Sinead Finn and Gabi Holdinghausen - two mums with five kids between us, including two sets of twins - as we share honest, unfiltered stories and dive into a wide range of topics. From infertility and birthing to the day-to-day reality of raising multiples, we cover it all, the highs, the lows and everything in between.  This is a safe space to laugh, cry and feel understood, all at once. 

  1. 5d ago

    A Midwife's Twin Pregnancy: From Expert to Expecting with Maggie the Midwife

    Being pregnant with twins is a completely different experience — even when you're a midwife. This week, we're joined by Maggie the Midwife, a registered midwife who's currently 32 weeks pregnant with twin girls. Having spent her career supporting women through pregnancy and birth, Maggie is now experiencing twin pregnancy from the other side. From the physical demands of carrying twins to navigating a high-risk pregnancy, birth options and informed decision-making, Maggie shares both her professional knowledge and personal experience. In this episode, we cover: Finding out you're expecting twins and navigating the initial shockThe differences between singleton and twin pregnanciesUnderstanding the risks, complications and additional monitoring involved in twin pregnancyWhy being classified as high-risk doesn't mean losing your choicesVaginal twin birth, planned caesareans, inductions and birth preferencesThe importance of informed consent and advocating for yourself during pregnancy and birthAccessing continuity of care, student midwives and additional pregnancy supportPreparing for life with newborn twins, including feeding and postpartum supportWhether you've just found out you're expecting twins or you're approaching your birth, this episode is a reminder that a high-risk pregnancy doesn't mean you don't have a choice. Join us for an honest, informative and reassuring conversation about twin pregnancy, birth and feeling empowered throughout your maternity care. Resources & Links Maggie the Midwife — Pregnancy & Postpartum Resources Maggie has created an online learning community offering free downloadable guides covering pregnancy, trying to conceive, postpartum and more. It's free to join, with over nine hours of additional educational modules available for a small fee. Explore Maggie's resources and courses Support for New Mums (Tweed Shire, Byron Shire, Lismore Shire, Ballina Shire and Southern Gold Coast) Volunteer-based practical support for new mothers, including families welcoming twins. Learn more about eligibility and availability in your area.  Visit Support for New Mums Disclaimer: This episode is intended for general information and personal storytelling only and should not be taken as medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different. Always discuss your individual circumstances and care options with your healthcare provider. Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

  2. Oct 19

    ADHD or Just Motherhood? The Mental Load of Raising Twins with ADHD Mums

    Is it ADHD, or is it just the overwhelming mental load of motherhood? For many women, ADHD goes unrecognised until they become mothers. Suddenly, the routines, responsibilities and never-ending mental to-do lists become harder to manage. And when you're raising twins or multiples, that mental load can feel even greater. This week, we're joined by Jane McFadden from ADHD Mums — an autistic and ADHD mum, neuroscientist and certified ADHD and autism assessor — for an honest, relatable conversation about neurodivergence, motherhood and burnout. In this episode, we cover: Why so many women first recognise ADHD after becoming mothersThe mental load of raising twins and multiples when you have ADHDMasking, overfunctioning and the pressure to appear like you have it all togetherRecognising possible signs of ADHD in young children and when to consider an assessmentThe challenges of parenting neurodivergent children when you're neurodivergent yourselfWhy routines and systems can be both helpful and incredibly difficult to maintainUnderstanding your capacity, setting boundaries and letting go of unrealistic expectationsWhether you have ADHD, suspect you might, or simply feel overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the answer isn't to do more — it's to take some of the pressure off yourself. Find out more about Jane and ADHD Mums: Website: https://adhdmums.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhd_mums/ Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

  3. Oct 12

    Twin Parenting Q&A: Sleep, Toilet Training, Toddlerhood & Independence

    You asked, we answered! This week, it's just Gabi and Sinead behind the microphones as we tackle the questions you've been sending through about raising twins, navigating toddlerhood and finding your feet as a parent of multiples. From the logistics of taking two toddlers out alone to toilet training twins at different stages, we're sharing what's worked for us, what hasn't and the things we've learnt along the way. We also get into some of the pressures that come with raising twins — making time for each child, encouraging their individuality and the age-old advice to keep twins on the same schedule (something we have very different experiences with!). In this episode, we chat about: Encouraging individuality and different interests in twinsFinding one-on-one time without the guiltNavigating playgrounds, outings and errands alone with two toddlersToilet training twins and managing different timelinesTwin sleep schedules — structure versus flexibilityCelebrating twin birthdays and making each child feel specialIt's an honest conversation about the everyday realities of raising multiples, with plenty of laughs, different perspectives and a reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting twins. Because sometimes the most helpful thing is hearing how another twin parent is navigating exactly what you're going through. Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

  4. Oct 5

    Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: What Every Twin Parent Should Know with Dr Ini Thevathasan

    Trigger warning: This episode discusses pregnancy and infant loss, including the death of one or both twins, pregnancy termination, premature birth and potential neurological complications. Please take care while listening. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) can be one of the most overwhelming complications to hear about when you’re expecting twins — particularly when you’re suddenly faced with new terminology, frequent scans and a lot of uncertainty. In this episode, we’re joined by obstetrician and Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist Dr Ini Thevathasan to break down TTTS and what it can mean for families carrying twins who share a placenta. We talk through what TTTS actually is, which twin pregnancies are at risk, the different stages and why progression isn’t always predictable. Dr Ini also explains what doctors are looking for during those frequent ultrasounds, when closer monitoring becomes necessary and what happens if intervention is needed. We also unpack laser surgery — how it works, when it may be recommended and what recovery and monitoring can look like afterwards — as well as the realities of navigating TTTS care through Australia’s public and private health systems. We chat about: What TTTS is and which twins are at riskThe difference between stages 1–5 and why TTTS doesn’t always progress in orderWhat doctors look for during ultrasound surveillanceSymptoms mums may notice between scansWhen monitoring becomes treatmentHow fetal laser surgery works and the risks involvedWhat happens after surgeryPremature delivery and other possible outcomesWhat TTTS care looks like in Australia, including for families living rurallyThe questions parents should be asking their care teamMost importantly, Dr Ini explains why specialised ultrasound surveillance is so important for twins sharing a placenta — and reminds parents that they should expect care appropriate for their specific type of twin pregnancy. Whether you’ve recently found out your twins share a placenta, you’re navigating a TTTS diagnosis, or you simply want to better understand the condition, this episode offers a clear and compassionate guide to what can be an incredibly complex part of twin pregnancy. Please note: This episode is for general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always speak with your own healthcare team about your pregnancy and care. Connect with Dr Ini:   https://www.melbournemfm.com.au/Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

  5. Sep 28

    Working Mum, Stay-at-Home Dad: Raising Twins & Rethinking Family Roles | Gabby Bate

    Gabby Bate spent six years at home raising four children, including identical twin boys. Then she and her husband made a decision that completely flipped the traditional family dynamic: Gabby returned to work full-time, while her husband Cam became the stay-at-home dad. In this episode, Gabby joins us to share the story behind their role reversal — and what it has really looked like to challenge the expectations still placed on mums and dads when it comes to work, parenting and who carries the load at home. But Gabby’s journey with twins began years earlier with an incredibly complicated pregnancy. After an early rollercoaster of being told there were two babies, then one, then potentially no viable pregnancy, Gabby eventually discovered she was carrying two healthy identical twins. At 20 weeks, the pregnancy became complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), before the boys were delivered at 30 weeks and admitted to NICU. One twin was transferred to another hospital with a heart condition, meaning Gabby didn't meet him until he was five days old. Then, when the twins were just three months old, Gabby unexpectedly fell pregnant with her fourth child. We follow Gabby’s story from those intense early years of motherhood to the decision, six years later, that she wanted her career back — and the family restructure that followed. We chat about: Finding out she was having identical twins — after initially being told otherwiseFalling pregnant again when her twins were just three months oldSpending six years as a stay-at-home mum before returning to workWhy Gabby became the primary breadwinner and Cam became a stay-at-home dadChallenging traditional gender roles around work and parentingCareer identity, mum guilt, finances, resentment and the mental loadWhat both parents learned after experiencing life as the primary caregiverRaising identical twins as individuals rather than constantly comparing themIt’s an honest conversation about what happens when a family stops asking who should stay home and who should work — and starts asking what actually works for them. Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

  6. Sep 21

    Caterina Mete: The Red Wiggle on IVF, Solo Motherhood & Raising Twins

    Caterina Mete has spent more than 20 years with The Wiggles, eventually stepping into the iconic role of the Red Wiggle. But behind the tours, performances and red skivvy is a deeply personal journey to becoming a mum. In this episode, Caterina joins us to share her path to solo motherhood — from freezing her eggs in her 30s and deciding to pursue motherhood on her own, to miscarriage, fertility treatment and the moment she discovered her final embryo had split into identical twin girls, Dolly and Gigi. We talk about the reality of a high-risk twin pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, a planned C-section and two weeks in NICU, before bringing two babies home as a first-time solo mum. Caterina also shares what life looks like now: raising toddler twins, building a village around her, taking Dolly and Gigi on tour with The Wiggles and learning to accept support without losing her independence. We chat about: Caterina’s 23-year journey with The Wiggles and becoming the Red WiggleFreezing her eggs and choosing solo motherhoodMiscarriage, fertility treatment and discovering she was having identical twinsNavigating a high-risk twin pregnancy and NICUBringing two babies home and finding her feet as a solo mumThe family, friends and Wiggles team who make up her villageWhat it actually looks like taking toddler twins on tourHow becoming a mum has changed the way she performs for children and familiesWhy she believes twins should be raised as two individual people — not constantly comparedIt’s an open conversation about motherhood not always arriving in the way you imagined — and creating a family and a life that looks different from the original plan, but is entirely your own.  Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

  7. Sep 14

    Stop Comparing Your Twins: Paediatric Physio Ali Day on Milestones, Play & Development

    When you have twins, it’s almost impossible not to compare. One rolls first. One crawls first. One starts walking while the other seems perfectly happy taking their time. So how do you know what’s normal — and when there might actually be something worth checking? In this episode, we’re joined by paediatric physiotherapist Ali Day, founder of Little Ones Physiotherapy and author of The Baby Playbook, to take some of the pressure out of baby development. Ali explains why milestones are better thought of as windows rather than deadlines, why twins born on the same day can still develop months apart, and how corrected age should be considered for babies born prematurely. We also get practical about what developmental play actually looks like when you’re juggling two babies — including tummy time, floor play, cuddling and connection — and why supporting development doesn’t need to mean adding another long list of things to your day. We chat about: Why twins don’t need to reach milestones at the same timeHow corrected age affects developmental milestonesTummy time — when to start and how to make it achievable with multiplesWhy quality of play matters more than quantityCuddling, bonding and dividing your attention between two babiesWalkers, activity centres, bouncers and other baby equipmentWhen it might be worth checking in with a paediatric physiotherapistHip dysplasia and why it can be particularly relevant for multiplesWhy free floor play can be one of the best things you can give your babyMost importantly, Ali reminds us that our babies are individuals. One twin being “behind” the other doesn’t necessarily mean they’re behind at all — and supporting their development doesn’t need to be complicated. Resources from Ali & Little Ones Physiotherapy Little Ones Physiotherapy Book an appointment, explore resources and read the blog The Baby Playbook — Hardcover 10% off for All At Once listeners with code ALLATONCE10 The Crawling Playbook — eBook 10% off for All At Once listeners with code ALLATONCE10 Free Milestone Guide — 0–2 years Free Milestone Guide — 2–5 years Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

  8. Sep 7

    Postnatal Depression, Anxiety & Mental Health After Twins | PANDA CEO Julie Borninkhof

    When you’re raising twins or multiples, exhaustion and overwhelm can feel like part of the job. But when does the mental load become something more — and would you know the signs? In this episode, we’re joined by Julie Borninkhof, CEO of PANDA — Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia, to talk about parental mental health through the lens of raising multiples. Julie explains what perinatal mental health can look like, why parents of multiples are at greater risk, and how difficult it can be to recognise when you’re struggling when sleep deprivation, stress and overwhelm already feel normal. We also talk about the impact of high-risk pregnancy, prematurity, NICU and birth trauma, the loss of identity that can come with becoming a parent, and why the mental load doesn’t necessarily ease once you’re out of the newborn stage. We chat about: Why parents of multiples are at greater risk of mental health challengesWhat postnatal depression and anxiety can look likeWhen normal postpartum overwhelm becomes something moreThe impact of prematurity, NICU, birth trauma and sleep deprivationIdentity loss and the mental load of raising multiplesWhy the challenges can continue into the toddler yearsMental health in dads and non-birthing parentsRecognising the signs, starting the conversation and where to seek supportMost importantly, this conversation is a reminder that mental health is something to maintain — not something we should only address when we reach breaking point. If something doesn’t feel right in yourself or someone you love, it’s worth talking about. Learn more about PANDA: Visit panda.org.au for information, resources and perinatal mental health support. If you or someone you know needs support: PANDA — National perinatal mental health helpline: 1300 726 306Lifeline Australia — 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention: 13 11 14If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. Follow along for the raw, unfiltered reality of raising multiples. Instagram: @allatonce_coTikTok: @allatonce__YouTube: @allatonce_coThanks for being here. If this resonated, sharing, rating or leaving a comment helps more parents of multiples find us.

About

All at Once is a podcast dedicated to raising multiples, because life with multiples deserves its own space.  Whether you're a new or expecting parent to twins, triplets or more, a seasoned parent of multiples, or simply curious about life with multiples, All At Once is your place for real talk about raising multiples. Each episode promises to leave you feeling seen, heard and informed.  Join us, Sinead Finn and Gabi Holdinghausen - two mums with five kids between us, including two sets of twins - as we share honest, unfiltered stories and dive into a wide range of topics. From infertility and birthing to the day-to-day reality of raising multiples, we cover it all, the highs, the lows and everything in between.  This is a safe space to laugh, cry and feel understood, all at once. 

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