First-time motherhood is usually an exquisite combination of joy and shock but the emotions - and sheer hard work - only multiply when there is more than one baby.
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Cas Mahoney, of Chifley, will enjoy her first Mother's Day tomorrow after giving birth five months ago to twin daughters Maylia and Nahla.
And it will be another memorable Mother's Day for Suzy Lawler, of Wagga Wagga, whom many Canberrans may remember for giving birth to quads - Harry, Priyah, Baxter and Ruby - in the national capital seven years ago.
Ms Mahoney, 25, who has a twin sister Melissa, said she found out at eight weeks that she was having twins.
She said the gifts of becoming a mother had been much more than the hardships.
''Just the love and every little thing they give. The smiles and the babble and little chitter chatter,'' she said.
''It's so rewarding to bring these two little people into the world and watch them grow. It's just amazing, it makes me feel so different.''
Ms Mahoney is not with the girls' father but they remain good friends and he is in the process of moving from Victoria to Canberra to be closer to them.
He will be part of the Mother's Day celebrations.
The number of multiple births has been increasing consistently since the 1970s, with 4500 multiple births Australia-wide in 2010.
Ms Lawler found out on the quads' first birthday that another baby was on the way. At the time she wasn't daunted by the prospect of having five babies in 19 months - just surprised it happened so quickly.
''I look back on it now and think of other people going through it and think - you poor buggers,'' Ms Lawler said.
''It's a rollercoaster and a big change - you have to live it to understand it.''
Canberra Hospital staff spoke to Ms Lawler before the quads arrived about the statistics regarding marriage breakups between multiple birth parents because of the increased stresses and pressures they face. Ms Lawler was happily married at the time and ''didn't really pay attention''. About three years ago her marriage ended and she was days away from ending up in a women's shelter with five children under five. She was forced to go back to work and juggle five children.
''But after everything I've been through I wouldn't change it for the world - I'm very lucky to have such a beautiful bunch.''
