Multiple Births - Twins, Triplets, and More!

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[x]   Transcript: If you're expecting two...or more!...babies, you're not alone. Three percent of pregnant women in the United States carry twins. This growing community of mothers of multiples means that you'll be able to reach out for support and advice during your pregnancy. Perhaps your first consideration when pregnant with multiples will be how much you should eat. The good news? It's more than your singularly pregnant sisters! Most doctors recommend eating 300 extra calories per fetus per day. That means that moms-to-be of twins get 600 extra, and moms expecting triplets get 900! But before you reach for the candy bars, remember that those extra calories should come from foods that will nourish your babies. Try to get additional servings of lean protein and dairy. You'll also need plenty of iron and magnesium when you're carrying multiples. Get iron from red meat and spinach, and try whole grains and green leafy veggies for your magnesium. You need that iron to prevent anemia, or your red blood cell count from falling, which is a common problem in multiple pregnancies. Magnesium will help build your babies' strong bones and regulate your blood sugar. Round out that healthy diet by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. This will prevent dehydration, which can lead to dangerous preterm labor. A final hint on bulking up for your babies: You'll probably want to gain between 35 and 45 pounds, nearly twice as much as singleton moms! Most of this weight gain will occur during your second and third trimesters, when you're (hopefully) past that morning sickness phase! When you're pregnant with more than one baby, you need to take a careful approach to exercise. It is VITAL to get the green light from your OB-GYN before working-out. Then, it's okay to engage in gentle exercise, preferably the kind where you're off your feet and your body temperature doesn't raise significantly. Try prenatal yoga or swimming. While you're working out, know when to stop...now is NOT the time to push yourself too hard! If you begin to experience even mild discomfort, stop exercising immediately. A final consideration when you're pregnant with multiples is where and how your babies will be born. Some mothers will have a planned C-section, while others will aim for a vaginal birth. When birthing multiples, most doctors require an epidural, in case an emergency C-section becomes necessary. Most multiple births will take place in an operating room, rather than a standard labor-and-delivery room. This is normal and not cause for alarm! When you're pregnant with more than one, your doctor will want to see you regularly and will take frequent sonograms of your babies. While preparing for more than one baby may seem like twice as much work, keep in mind that the results will be twice as wonderful when they do arrive!

[x]   Bio:

Dr. Catherine Goodstein practices obstetrics and office / surgical gynecology, including hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and vaginal surgery. She is experienced in operative vaginal deliveries. Dr. Goodstein received her BA from Stanford University in 1991 and her MD from New York University in 1996. She completed her ob-gyn residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2000 and was board certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2002.

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