Dr. Barbara Luke - When Expecting Twins, Triplets, Quads

rubbaduck

Has anyone read this book? I'm about a quarter of the way through, and just read the nutrition section. The book is freaking me out. Don't know if I'm just prone to freaking out at the moment (prego with twins and all), but everything this book says is more strict than my doctor's advice. For example....water intake....I'm drinking about 64 oz each day and this book recommends 50% more than that. WOW! That's a lot of water! I have difficulty getting to my 64 each day!

I just want to do things right for my babies, but don't know if this advice is teh best or not. I have an OB appointment on Tuesday, so I'm going to discuss with Dr. Just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions about Dr. Luke.

jacobandcrystal

I think mostly everyone on this board has read that book : )  It's the main book recommended for multiples.

The nutrition part freaked me out too.  We read it soon after we found out about the twins so it was just a lot to take in at that point.  I actually haven't even opened it in weeks, but I do keep in mind her points.  I was worrying so much about eating enough that I felt frazzled quickly.  Now I just make sure I eat enough meals and snacks and try to be sensible about it.

P.S. I have trouble drinking enough water too.  A few weeks ago I started getting really bad calf pain and my doc mentioned it could be a sign of dehydration : (

lutzcowgirlie

The book is the one that pretty much all the MoMs here will suggest. That being said, you have to consider it as a guideline vs. what you MUST do.

 

The idea is to follow her suggestions for increasing protein and water and to make sure you gain well. I never followed any of her menus and I'm sure I didn't get the full water intake all the time. However, I did try to take heed of her suggestion that weight gain can help the pregnancy and babies thrive.

 

It is scary - especially when she talks about early babies and all the risks involved. There are totally average, uneventful twin pregnancies. But, it is important to know and remember that having twins is a different ballgame and that good prenatal care and diet are essential factors for helping to ensure a successful pg. Good luck!

PianoPlayingSarah

I've never read that book.  In fact, my doctor never suggested it and he's at one of the top rated hospitals in the country.  My triplets were born at 35 weeks and 6 days and weighed 5.3, 4.13 and 4.13. 

Take the book for what's it worth.   Try to follow the guidelines but don't freak out if you can't meet her goals. 

RVAYogini

I'm so glad to have read the book! Yes - it is alot of information. Yes is is a very conservative and cautious approach. But I've seen plenty of babies spend MONTHS in the NICU because the mothers didn't get enough rest and nutrition!?

I would recommend reading it and discussing with your doctor. If there are HUGE differences in advice, do your own research. Unless your doc delivers lots of multiples, chances are they won't be as on top of the information. You have to be your own advocate!

I actually changed doctors in my practice because I found out I'm having twins - while I liked my other doc, my new doc delivers TONS of twins and multiples so she seems to be better informed!?

pea-kay

don't let it stress you out too much! but definitely try to get your water intake up. it's one of the best things for you and the babies.

but the calorie and weight gain stuff IS a bit much. i was supposed to eat 4000 calories a day. um yeah. even for me, a food lover, that was hard. 

some doctors love her, some not so much. my MFM handed me a copy of the book at my first appointment, so i knew which camp he fell into.

jacobandcrystal

Something kind of strange...

My doc's office gave us this book right after seeing 2 on the u/s.  I assumed they felt it was an important read.However, the doc at my next appt. admitted she hasn't read the whole thing.

And, at the book's suggestion, we called our OB to get a peri referral pretty early on.  On the phone I said "In the book you guys gave me, it suggested that I see an MFM..." They gave us the run-around about not really needing one and we ended up having to call back a couple more times for them to give us the referral. I'm SO glad we did, because that peri really knows his stuff!

groovygrl

Ditto the others- good info, good guidelines, but honestly I could not stuff myself full of all hte food she suggests. I tried to get more protein & calcium & have always been a big water drinker so increasing that wasn't too hard for me but otherwise the only major nutrition thing I took from it was not feelng bad for having some ice cream almost every night . But I certainly did not eat 3000 calories a day or whatever she recommended. That book made me nervous about my weight gain in the first tri, early 2nd tri but by mid 2nd tri the weight came easily/quickly. 

Try not to worry GL! 

atc282

I totally agree that Luke's book is an excellent RESOURCE for a multiples PG--like others mentioned, try not to feel overwhelmed though (easier said than done for me at least!) with some of the guideline she suggests....

Even though the water sounds over-the-top, I think it's always safer to drink more than less. I feel i drink a TON but recently was told I have a UTI so I'm thinking I need to be even more conscious if possible! Never hurts, right?

 Hang in there and follow the guidelines you were told by the dr. who is tracking you every step of the way--he/she knows YOUR body.

You're doing a great job!!

MrsARC1105

Ditto PPs.  They are guidelines. I didnt gain a lot of weight, I had severe m/s but the book was very informative and helpful.

Have you talked to your OB about how they manage MoMs to be? 

kimarino13

I am going to start reading the book this weekend, but this has me scared.  I am lucky to get in 40oz of water with the m/s I have been having.  Water literally makes me gag.  Ugh.  I will talk to my Peri about it today when I meet him for the first time.

MrsBee10

I read the book and used it for a quideline. It defeats the purpose to force yourself to eat more than you can handle just to loose it all after

I have followed her weight gain guidelines, increased protein & calcium, and increased water. However I have never counted my calories or measured my water.

I also followed her advise on having a peri (SO glad I followed this one), and resting.

kelliwill

It freaked me out as well.  I think that some of it is helpful and some ofit is a bit much.  My OB and peri are much more relaxed about the weight, and I haven't gained a lot.  I am concerned about it and my peri told me that it will come and that I'm going to look back at my worry and laugh.  Hopefully it will come.  I eat what I can and protein and I was always a big water drinker anyway, but I say talk to you Dr and don't freak out about all the rec's.  She is clearly knowledgable but also VERY conservative and strict in her suggestions.