Dr. Luke Book...Your thoughts

hinghambride · August 2010

I am almost 8 weeks pregnant with twins. Just picked up the Dr. Luke book that was suggested on this board. Seems to offer great info. In your opinion, is she more conservative regarding nutrition, bedrest, naps, time off from work, etc. than your OB?

I haven't seen my OB yet, but from my experience with the practice from my first daughter and from the first conversations about my twins pregnancy with my RE, I think they will ask like it's no different from a singleton pregnancy, just more ultasounds...no big deal...maybe gain a few extra pounds...

With what limited experience I have, I don't agree.

What's your take? Following Dr. Luke's advice? Is it in-line with your OB's advice?

4510heather · August 2010

My OB is pretty conservative and has advocated Dr. Luke's weight gain suggestions. My OB has said I may be put on bedrest at 24 weeks out of precaution. My OB hasn't pushed the naps, etc, yet, but has severely limited my exercise and has told me to take it very easy. So, it seems like my OB definitely favors Dr. Luke's suggestions.

I am taking the advice my Dr. gives me. It's not worth it to me to risk anything, so I am playing it safe. Good luck!

PianoPlayingSarah · August 2010

My MFM never mentioned Dr. Luke. I didn't know anything about that book until after my girls were born.

That being said - I listened to my body. Rested when I needed to. Ate what I wanted, when I wanted. Gained 50-55 lbs. Made it to scheduled c-section at 35 weeks, 6 days.

DarthBaby · August 2010

My OB is waaay more laid back than Dr. Luke. I didn't read the book, but from what I heard here, it is completely different. My OB is more of the "eat healthy, your body will gain what it needs to and we will see how you feel about everything" kind. I think it is a personal choice what you think makes sense for you and your body.

I have only gained 18 pounds, and have what they are guessing are two 7 pound healthy babies that are still cooking, so I have no complaints. I was never put on bedrest and my OB only said "take it easy".

You need to decide what you are comfortable with! Good luck.

pea-kay · August 2010

I followed it, and I had big, healthy babies. I didn't follow it to a tee (who can?) but I did the best I could, focusing on getting as much protein as I could. In the form of Snickers, mainly. :P

barkingdogfarm · August 2010

I agree that your local OB will probably downplay the difference between a singleton vs a multiple pregnancy- remember that Dr. Luke created the University Consortium on Multiple births- which means that she is basing her advice on the outcomes of literally thousands of multiple pregnancies. The Consortium is a group of researchers and practitioners from around the country who collaborate on studies created to improve the outcomes of multiple pregnancies.

That said there is a lot of information out there that will probably scare the heck out of you, so be your own researcher and follow what seems logical and right to you. I am 27 weeks pregnant with di-di twins, and all is well so far- I have found the nutritional recommendations are literally impossible for me to consume, and that has been my biggest hurdle.

Remember that women have healthy twin pregnancies and births all the time! Don't be scared!!

MamaCrystal · August 2010

My OB's office actually gave me my copy of the book, and at my first appt. my doc said "pay attention to the nutrition guidelines in there". BUT, she never once brought it up during the remainder of my pregnancy. I did begin drinking nutritional shakes (like Ensure) in my 2nd trimester, but didn't follow the diets or anything.

I'm mostly glad I read it because it made me take my prenatal care seriously and made me decide to ask for a perinatologist referral. (My OB's office was reluctant to refer me right away, but I'm SO glad I pushed for one. I felt so much better having the peri do my NT scan and anatomy scan, which is all I saw him for.) I had ID girls (shared placenta), so it was a little higher risk than a fraternal pregnancy and I felt better being able to direct my questions to a specialist. I e-mailed my peri about the girls' weights after one u/s and he put my mind at ease : )

MontyMrs · August 2010

pea-kay:
I followed it, and I had big, healthy babies. I didn't follow it to a tee (who can?) but I did the best I could, focusing on getting as much protein as I could. In the form of Snickers, mainly. :P

LoL- OP, thanks for asking this, I've been wondering the same thing.

macchiatto · August 2010

I rotated through 5 OBs and the MFM at my OB practice and ultimately ended up switching to a different OB (and had to see his partner when I was on vacation) so I had 7 different doctors with 7 different opinions.

They were for the most part definitely as conservative as Dr. Luke in treating my twin pregnancy as high-risk with the need for rest, etc. They varied in their calorie recs. I followed Dr. Luke's recs for protein and dairy intake and ate about 2/3 the amount in the other categories, and gained right on schedule. Delivered 6lb10oz and 6lb7oz babies at my scheduled induction at 37w6d.

nikinikinine · August 2010

she's way more conservative than my OB!

My OB didn't give me any calorie reqs at all, told me the babies will take what they need and tell me what they want, and so far she's right. I'm gaining steadily and the babies are growing perfectly.

She also told me I could keep exercising and live like normal, I hiked the highest peak in Massachusetts on Sunday (about 10 miles total) and felt great. My OB thought that was awesome.

Dr. Luke would have had a stroke

allabydreams · August 2010

I saw a MFM doctor in a high-risk practice and he was far less conservative than Dr. Luke. As long as the babies were growing and developing on track, he was not concerned at all with my weight gain. In the end, I only gained 25 lbs and delivered my healthy guys by scheduled c-section at 37 weeks; they weighed 5 lbs 10 oz and 5 lbs 13 oz.

MaygenDL0ve · August 2010

I love Dr Luke's book... It feels like it is my full-time OB! I follow the guidelines and have been tracking my weight gain, and am very proud of the 2 lbs/week I've been gaining the entire 2nd trimester. My real OB had identical twin girls.. She didn't recommend Dr Luke, but she is cheering me on and telling me I'm right on track w/ my weight gain! She said to expect 45-60 lbs weight gain. At 25 weeks, I've gained 32 lbs already, and doing REALLY well. My OB also said if I feel like I want bedrest, she'll give it to me. She already gave me a modified work schedule (which I haven't used yet... still going full time).

I transfered at about 13 wks from a slew of other OBs at a University hospital, and they were all REALLY vague about nutrition, bedrest, exercise, etc. Most of them said 25-30 lbs weight gain is normal for twins.

macchiatto · August 2010

MaygenDL0ve:
I transfered at about 13 wks from a slew of other OBs at a University hospital, and they were all REALLY vague about nutrition, bedrest, exercise, etc. Most of them said 25-30 lbs weight gain is normal for twins.

Wow, that makes zero sense! Of course you wouldn't gain any more with two babies (and in most cases, two placentas, two sacs filled with amniotic fluid, etc.) than with one. Tongue Tied Good thing you transferred!

Shelley-Bean · August 2010

I think the book is really conservative, and stresses me out a little. I actually stopped reading it. I'm going to listen to my body, my OB, and roll with the punches.

MrsH42608 · August 2010

I read most of it over the weekend. I'm going to try and follow the nutritional advice but I don't know as though I can eat as much as she suggests. I like knowing about what vitamins are needed when and amounts of protein, and whatnot so I'll do my best. It did freak me out a little though, just to be honest.

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