TRANSCRIPT
Nurse Goodwin
Having twins or even triplets seems to be on the rise in the United States. While having more than one baby can bring great joy, there are definitely more challenges and often greater risks involved. These risks include preterm delivery and other complications that can affect the mother and the babies.
If you learn you’re carrying more than one baby, you and your partner will likely feel both elated and perhaps a little nervous. Having more than one can definitely add stress. As always, discuss your concerns with your healthcare team. It’s so important that you understand how to care for yourself while you’re pregnant and how to be prepared for when you and the babies come home from the hospital.
Your prenatal care will likely require more provider visits than a pregnancy with one baby. Your weight gain and uterine growth will be monitored closely. Pregnancy with multiple babies requires greater nutritional intake and often requires you to rest more than you would with one baby. You’ll be monitored closely for complications, such as hypertension, preterm labor, and premature rupture of membranes.
Take care of yourself! Carrying more than one baby can be very taxing on the body. Listen to your body and rest when you need to — both while you’re pregnant and after your babies are born.
New parents often benefit from having assistance at home when discharged from the hospital. This is especially helpful with multiple births. Plan ahead for your homecoming and explore arrangements that will allow you to get as much rest as possible in the first few weeks home. While you’re pregnant, you might also check out community support groups for parents of multiples so that you can be better prepared for the birth of your babies.
Most women who have multiple births are able to successfully breastfeed their babies. Sometimes this involves pumping or hand-expressing milk. Since most multiple births are preterm, the babies may have some trouble breastfeeding. However, most benefit from breast milk regardless of how they get it. They can get it in many ways. The nursery staff will help you know how and when to feed your babies. Amazingly, your body will automatically adjust the content of your milk to best support premature or full-term babies.