MFM vs Dr. Luke's book?

whitehousem

So, I am 13 weeks with mo/di and saw my MFM for the first time a couple weeks ago. MFM seemed very laid back and told me I didn't need to do anything differently with a twin pregnancy than a singleton. She said I could even keep running (which I have stopped) and didn't have to worry about lifting DD or the older/heavier little boy I watch. Well, I ordered Dr Luke's book on multiples bc it came highly recommended and I received it a few days ago. There is so much info on nutrition, weight gain, resting, drinking fluids, etc., none of which my MFM shared with me. I'm just wondering what other people have experienced. I want to be educated and do what's best for my babies. But I also want to remain active and not over worry about things. Thoughts???? Thanks!

ceechie

My nutritionist highly recommended the diet and the early weight gain. My thoughts were that it couldn't hurt anything to just do it. Milkshakes were my best friend. I made it to 37 weeks and my girls were 7lbs and 7ozs and 6lbs and 5ozs.

chickaboo1974

I stayed active with walking. I increased my calories by increasing the amount of lean protiens and veggies. I did give into cravings but I didnt eat something just because it was higher in calories. My guys were early-34 wks. But they weighed 5lb4oz and 5lb3oz.

PinkinProvence

I threw out the Dr. Luke book after it encouraged gaining 20 pounds in the first trimester. I couldn't trust a book that recommended that. Also, the point if having a doctor, especially MFM, is to provide care personalized to your specific case.

FWIW, I only gained 2 lbs first tri and total 20 lbs so far at week 34 and my boys are measuring pretty big and more than average for a singleton baby. More important than weight is nutrients and tons and tons of water. My MFM never have me any restrictions for activity and encouraged walking and exercising (I was never a runner) until my cervix started shortening at 28 weeks.

rcnavywife

I've used a combo of Dr. Luke's book and what my doctors have told me. The diet and number of calories the book was recommending for me (triplets) was insane. I physically cannot eat that much food! My OB has been happy with my weight gain so I'm not worried. My activity was restricted very early (12 weeks) but that was due to a complication with my cervix.

Kershnic

I'd take the advice of someone who went to medical school and then completed an additional 5-6 years of training in the treatment of high-risk obstetrical patients and has examined you personally a million times over the advice of an author who has never met you and who did not go to medical school.

Brummy14

Like PPs, I followed it loosely, but most closely followed my OBs advice. I hit the "24lbs by 24 weeks" weight gain without going calorically crazy and still remaining active. I was pulled off of exercise at 22w when BH contractions started (no one still has any idea why the girls decided to make an early arrival -- no amount of food was going to keep them baking. Heck, even my RE encouraged I exercise throughout IF treatments and as long as my OB advised)

whitehousem

Thanks everyone. My biggest concern is just the my MFM said I didn't have to do anything differently and didn't even talk about weight gain at all. I think it's good she is laid back but I want to be informed and she didn't really give me much info. I def don't plan to follow everything a book says, but I do think there is some valuable info and guidelines.

PinkinProvence

The only thing my MFM said about weight gain is none/less than 5 pounds in 1st tri and no more than 1 pound/week in 2nd tri.

Sometimes you do have to ask the questions. When is the next time you see her. I saw mine so often that not everything was addressed at once but in digestible bits as they became relevant.

mrs_chewie

I did like the other women here. I got the book towards the end of the first tri. I didn't change my eating habits much, but it validated my desire for protein. It also made me ease up a bit on what I ate. I had to change my mindset about eating. After hearing that it's okay to indulge in more healthy snacks and more protein/veggies, it seemed like the babies started growing like crazy.

Even with them being 7 weeks early, they had great weights, which I partly attribute to the book convincing me to eat when I was hungry.

whitehousem

PinkinProvence said:

The only thing my MFM said about weight gain is none/less than 5 pounds in 1st tri and no more than 1 pound/week in 2nd tri.

Sometimes you do have to ask the questions. When is the next time you see her. I saw mine so often that not everything was addressed at once but in digestible bits as they became relevant.

I did ask specific questions, which is when she said I didn't need to do anything differently. She said just don't gain all the weight at once. I was under the impression (before getting the book) that there were specific weight gain goals for a multiple pregnancy. I do agree that I will get more info as I see her more. I see her again in about two weeks... Saw my regular OB this morning and asked her some additional questions.

I mostly was curious if other MFMs were as laid back and it sounds like there is somewhat of a range. I just couldn't shake the feeling after seeing her that I didn't get much info, but I am a reader so like to research info on my own as well. After MFM said I could run, I tried to run a little but was really crampy afterward and it just didn't feel right, so I'm going to listen to my body. Still getting plenty of other exercise.

On another note, my old OB was super laid back, which was fine bc I had a textbook pregnancy, but I had a difficult delivery and recovery. Her laid back attitude wasn't interested in helping me when I had complications, so I guess I'm a little more on edge about things this time since it's a twin pregnancy.

Anyway, sorry to go on and on and thanks for all the feedback!

KatieGummow

Oh man, that book will scare the shit out of you.  I went into a "depression" for a week because I read it and felt as though I had already failed as a mother.  Just do your best and do what feels right.  As far as lifting the kiddos and running, as long as you were doing it before pregnancy it should be totally fine.  As the kids get bigger and you feel your body straining you should probably stop.  Exercise is NOT my friend with these two.  I had to stop everything but walking.  It hurt my uterus!

I do tend to listen to my OB (I see both an OB & MFM), because she has done multiples and know what is happening to my body.  But she did tell me I only had to gain 25 lbs, and that I am not going to worry about.

Trust me, those babes will let you know if you are doing something wrong.  The best thing to take away from that is to really REALLY listen to your body.  Now when I walk my dog I slow down and take breaks when I feel my belly tighten.

badbridey

My OB had told me that there really wasn't a difference between a pregnancy with a singleton and twins, and my MFM was in shock that they would tell me that. My MFM pretty much agrees with the basic tenets of  Dr. Luke's book, he told me that he's seen the proof of success with his own patients. He's had me increase my food & water intake, rest quite a bit, take additional vitamins, and told me no exercise from here on out.  It seems that there's a wide variation of recommendations even among MFMs, so it just makes everything more confusing...you just have to take all the information in and make the best decisions you can for those babies. 

jessican08

Dr. Luke's book scared me, too but I think she takes the approach of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" which I tend to agree with.

I followed some of the book's advice and listened to my MFM as well. I'm a bit surprised he said there's no difference between a singleton and a twin pregnancy. Our bodies are NOT designed to carry more than one baby at a time which is why a twin (or more) pregnancy is automatically characterized as high risk (otherwise, why the heck would you be seeing a MFM?). True, many women have easy twin pregnancies and make it to their due date but many do not - 50% of twins are born before 35 weeks.

Do what you feel comfortable with. If running makes you feel uneasy, then just walk, it's still great exercise! At the end of the day, you know your body and what decisions you can live with. Wishing you lots of luck and an uneventful pregnancy!

kgs0505

I read the book.  Didn't like it, and it wasn't useful for things that I actually had issues with, like TTTS.  What I did do was listen to my various doctors.  I also made sure to constantly drink water.  It was really important for me to do that to keep contractions down and to keep me feeling well.  I ate what I wanted when I wanted it.  I gained plenty of weight without it being too much, and pretty much all of it in the second and third tri's. If I couldn't eat (I was so nauseated my whole 2nd tri), I could usually suck down a protein shake (Ensure plus), but I tried to eat real food as much as possible. 

As with anything, pick out the info you think is reasonable and talk to your doctors.

kgs0505

jessican08 said:

Dr. Luke's book scared me, too but I think she takes the approach of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" which I tend to agree with.

I followed some of the book's advice and listened to my MFM as well. I'm a bit surprised he said there's no difference between a singleton and a twin pregnancy. Our bodies are NOT designed to carry more than one baby at a time which is why a twin (or more) pregnancy is automatically characterized as high risk (otherwise, why the heck would you be seeing a MFM?). True, many women have easy twin pregnancies and make it to their due date but many do not - 50% of twins are born before 35 weeks.

Do what you feel comfortable with. If running makes you feel uneasy, then just walk, it's still great exercise! At the end of the day, you know your body and what decisions you can live with. Wishing you lots of luck and an uneventful pregnancy!

I suspect the MFM is saying that there is nothing "you" can do differently between a single or twin pregnancy.  Especially early on, everything is the same.  This is why we get monitored more closely.  There was nothing I could have done differently to prevent TTTS simply because I was having twins.  No, it wouldn't have happened in a singleton pg, but there is nothing I could have changed in my actions to keep the girls from getting TTTS.  It just happens.  Stopping running or other vigorous exercise wouldn't have prevented it.  Although, I would add, that if you are uncomfortable running, you should stop, as you have.  You'd probably have to stop earlier than a singleton pg simply because of size, but early on, they are pretty well cushioned in there

Incrediblelife

My docs are very laid back too and have basically not given me any info either, other than "use hunger as your guide", "exercise:continue what you're doing", etc. Left me feeling really unsure how to best take care of myself and bubs. I'm 22 weeks and have started to feel REALLY dizzy and unwell...went and got thoroughly examined and full bloods, nothing is "wrong" (iron is fine too). One thing I am noticing is that I can't use "hunger as my guide"...doesn't seem to be enough. When I eat more, I seem to feel better. Has anyone else had this experience? I'm drinking heaps of water, lots of fruit/veg/protein, but I really seem to be craving milk (was dairy-free before this pregnancy but fully indulging and am ok with it now!)...some say it's the calcium (milk really doesn't have a lot), but others say it's the fat my body is needing. Interesting. Anyway, point being, listen to your body...I think they don't say much as each body responds SO differently!!

10-4LilBuddy

That book scared me so much that I had to stop reading it. I did not gain the weight it recommended and have had issues with my weight the entire pregnancy. I ended up on hospital bedrest for nine weeks, but nothing could have prevented a shortened cervix and contractions.