Updated February, 2021
Carrying multiples is not the same as carrying a singleton. You need different care, different nutrition, and a different type of support. Read here for my tips and tricks on preparing yourself for these special additions to your family.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! And double or triple that congratulations, since you are expecting multiples. Learning that you are going to take home more than one baby from the hospital in a few months can be overwhelming. You are likely feeling a mix of excitement and terror and a little bit of everything else in between. Don’t worry, these feelings are totally normal. Of course you are excited, pregnancy tends to be exciting. Double the excitement for twins or more. Yet there is always something to be nervous about, and of course, the more babies, the more you have to be nervous about. I’m here with you on this journey though, so let’s cover some things you can expect and other special planning you should do to accommodate your unique situation.
Multiples Pregnancy
Carrying multiples is not the same as carrying a singleton. So even if you’ve already had children, this pregnancy promises to be different. You will need different care, different weight gain, and different nutrition. To ensure you receive the care that is appropriate for your situation, seek out an OB that is experienced in delivering multiples. Unfortunately, some doctors simply don’t have the training for delivering multiples. Finding an experienced provider can help you feel more confident in your decisions and help you feel more secure in your care. You will want to line up a family care provider for after your children’s birth as well. Make sure your provider and you agree on things that are important to you, such as breast or formula feeding, circumcision, and vaccinations. You may also want someone who has experience with premature babies (more about this later) and multiples.
Your multiples pregnancy is going to be different, and so is their birth. Your babies are likely to be smaller than an average singleton because they have to share room inside you. You will want your weight gain to be higher to help them grow as much as possible. Despite your best efforts, there is a very good chance that your babies will be born early. Don’t worry too much because the technology that we have these days is amazing and even if they are born very small, they still have a very good chance of thriving (I gave birth to a 2 pound, 12 ounce baby and they are doing great!). Because there is a high chance of you delivering early though, you should also seek out a hospital that is in reasonable proximity to you and has an excellent NICU in it.
The NICU
I do want to take a moment to talk about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I do not want to scare you, but I feel that failing to talk about it would be an injustice to you. Premature babies tend to end up in the NICU to ensure that they grow completely and are healthy. Frankly, make sure you have insurance that has a maximum out of pocket deductible because the NICU is also very expensive. The doctors and nurses at the NICU will work around the clock to ensure your baby is growing well, healthy, and properly taken care of. You will have a great team of professionals to support you and your baby, but know that there are a lot of really big and scary feelings that go with having a baby in the NICU. Do not hesitate to seek support and even talking to other NICU moms can be really reassuring.
Recovery
Recovering from having multiples is a lot of work. You have all the regular recovery of a singleton, plus all the work of having multiples. There is a good chance you will be recovering from a c-section as well. You need to continue to be careful of diastasis recti and avoid over-exerting your abdominal muscles until you have been cleared by your doctor. If you had a c-section, plan to lift no more than 10 pounds for a few weeks and sometimes your doctor will even advise against driving for two weeks! I highly encourage seeing a physical therapist that specializes in women’s health to get your pelvic floor back in shape, even if you had a c-section. And if you had a c-section, know that the area where your scar is will probably never feel the same again. Work the scar regularly, and if numbness is maintained, ask your family care provider for suggestions, or even seek out physical therapy for that as well. If myofascial release is available in your area, I highly encourage that work as well. It can be expensive (and hurt!) but the long term results are more than worth it.
Postpartum
So you are taking care of you and you have your little ones at home. Now what? More babies means more work. Ask for help. Hands down, don’t hesitate, ask for all the help you can get. People love to offer help, so make sure you take them up on it. Not sure what support you need? Food is always great, as well as little things like a visit for them to do laundry, sweep or mop, do the dishes, or even watch babies so you can take a shower.
Know that right away, your babies aren’t going to stick to any type of schedule you may want. To avoid being awake at all hours day and night though, be sure to work with your support group and your partner (if applicable) to make sure their needs are met, and so are yours. A feeding schedule is my number one suggestion for this, just to ensure that you don’t feel like a human milk machine (even if you are offering formula). Talk with a lactation consultant to get tips for breastfeeding at the same time if that is your desire. Or wake your partner up at night to have them give a bottle to a baby or two while you feed also, or maybe even just get some sleep.
Congratulations again for your extra exciting news. This journey may feel overwhelming right now, but know that you are not alone. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. And remember, you are going to be a great parent!
