Your Secrets to Success: Carrying to 37w+

Raggedy1 · February 2013

I don't know if its different for one placenta v. 2 placentas, but my doc says that 37 weeks is the sweet spot for delivering our MonoDi twins and she'd like to see us make it that far. I know lots of MoMs go 37-40 weeks - but I also know lots of MoMs don't. For those of you who made it that far, do you have something that you point to as your secret to success? I was in a Marvelous Multiples class last night and an experienced MoM said that hers was drinking massive amounts of water (I wish I had asked how much). I'm not saying its anyones' fault if you delivered early, it's just a fear of mine, and I'm a control freak who needs to feel like I'm DOING something active to try to prevent a sometimes unpreventable situation. TIA

tombomb84 · February 2013

I made it to 37 weeks and would have gone longer if I hadn't had an emergency c/s. I don't think there really is a secret and much of it is out of our control, but I did drink a lot of water and I rested A LOT. I put my feet up whenever I could and took tons of naps. Good luck...I hope your babies keep cooking!

Temp123197812503460 · February 2013

i think a lot of it is genetics and luck, and there isn't much you can do to change what will happen.

But to feel like i was doing something i made sure to eat and drink well, and generally take it very easy and not push myself. I also told the babies often that they were not to come out yet . I figured it couldn't hurt.

ETA: Also when I had a concern or felt something different I got it checked out (went to L&D twice before they were born). I wanted to make sure I had given the dr the best chance to intervene in case there was an issue.

Reilly626 · February 2013

From 30 weeks on rested on my couch and didn't do much. Hired housekeepers, hubby did cooking and shopping. Ate well, avoided salt.

karo112 · February 2013

tombomb84:
I made it to 37 weeks and would have gone longer if I hadn't had an emergency c/s. I don't think there really is a secret and much of it is out of our control, but I did drink a lot of water and I rested A LOT. I put my feet up whenever I could and took tons of naps. Good luck...I hope your babies keep cooking!

This exactly. I got pre-eclampsia at 36 weeks 5 days - but in terms of dilation - etc I had none. Those girls won't going ANYWHERE. I did all of these things. Stayed hydrated. Rested. Feet up. Spent a lot of time in the pool actually. It was August in Florida so it was HOT.

jcath · February 2013

My MFM also recommended delivery at 37 weeks for Mono/DI twins so I was induced at 37w0d.

It can't hurt to stay hydrated, rest as much as possible and listen to your body.

What I really think was successful for me as far as weights - I worked with a nutritionist to focus on eating high protein. My girls weighed 6 lbs 12 oz each.

Good luck!

aprilsarahjune · February 2013

Raggedy1:
I don't know if its different for one placenta v. 2 placentas, but my doc says that 37 weeks is the sweet spot for delivering our MonoDi twins and she'd like to see us make it that far. I know lots of MoMs go 37-40 weeks - but I also know lots of MoMs don't. For those of you who made it that far, do you have something that you point to as your secret to success? I was in a Marvelous Multiples class last night and an experienced MoM said that hers was drinking massive amounts of water (I wish I had asked how much). I'm not saying its anyones' fault if you delivered early, it's just a fear of mine, and I'm a control freak who needs to feel like I'm DOING something active to try to prevent a sometimes unpreventable situation. TIA

I drank around 2 gallons of water per day; ate mainly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (and protein bars supposedly to stave off TTTS); and sat on the couch all day starting at 24 weeks during my mono-di pregnancy. I took my prenatals, read a lot of books/blogs/boards about twin pregnancies, and saw my ob and mfm regularly and followed their instructions ...

and my babies were born at 33 weeks.

I understand the compulsion to do everything you can (and I believe you should do everything you can), but as most of us who delivered early will tell you, we tried everything that the full-term moms did or could have done under our circumstances.

Missa_g · February 2013

aprilsarahjune:
Raggedy1:
I don't know if its different for one placenta v. 2 placentas, but my doc says that 37 weeks is the sweet spot for delivering our MonoDi twins and she'd like to see us make it that far.  I know lots of MoMs go 37-40 weeks - but I also know lots of MoMs don't.  For those of you who made it that far, do you have something that you point to as your secret to success?  I was in a Marvelous Multiples class last night and an experienced MoM said that hers was drinking massive amounts of water (I wish I had asked how much).  I'm not saying its anyones' fault if you delivered early, it's just a fear of mine, and I'm a control freak who needs to feel like I'm DOING something active to try to prevent a sometimes unpreventable situation.  TIA
 I drank around 2 gallons of water per day; ate mainly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (and protein bars supposedly to stave off TTTS); and sat on the couch all day starting at 24 weeks during my mono-di pregnancy.  I took my prenatals, read a lot of books/blogs/boards about twin pregnancies, and saw my ob and mfm regularly and followed their instructions ...
and my babies were born at 33 weeks. 
I understand the compulsion to do everything you can (and I believe you should do everything you can), but as most of us who delivered early will tell you, we tried everything that the full-term moms did or could have done under our circumstances.

Agreed.

pea-kay · February 2013

If there was a way for everyone to have full-term babies, we'd all know about it, and no one would have preemies.

Like a PP, I had pre-e, and my cervix was long and closed when I delivered. Nothing I could have done to prevent it.

notallisonmarie22 · February 2013

I recommend drinking ~1 gallon of water a day and laying on your @ss as much as possible. That's what I did and I had to be induced at 37 weeks.

missfire · February 2013

I haven't felt in control of much at all now that I have multiples! When I was pregnant, I remember telling my boss my ultrasound appointment would take about 2 hours, only to be sent to L&D for observation for 4 hours. Once they were born, I never knew when (or whether) they would sleep. Then I never knew when our plans were going to be canceled because one of our kids was sick. I never know whether getting in the car will take 5 minutes or an hour, etc.

Everything will be okay! Do the productive things you can, and then sit back and accept what happens.

Mrs. Alice · February 2013

aprilsarahjune:
Raggedy1:
I don't know if its different for one placenta v. 2 placentas, but my doc says that 37 weeks is the sweet spot for delivering our MonoDi twins and she'd like to see us make it that far. I know lots of MoMs go 37-40 weeks - but I also know lots of MoMs don't. For those of you who made it that far, do you have something that you point to as your secret to success? I was in a Marvelous Multiples class last night and an experienced MoM said that hers was drinking massive amounts of water (I wish I had asked how much). I'm not saying its anyones' fault if you delivered early, it's just a fear of mine, and I'm a control freak who needs to feel like I'm DOING something active to try to prevent a sometimes unpreventable situation. TIA
I drank around 2 gallons of water per day; ate mainly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (and protein bars supposedly to stave off TTTS); and sat on the couch all day starting at 24 weeks during my mono-di pregnancy. I took my prenatals, read a lot of books/blogs/boards about twin pregnancies, and saw my ob and mfm regularly and followed their instructions ...
and my babies were born at 33 weeks.
I understand the compulsion to do everything you can (and I believe you should do everything you can), but as most of us who delivered early will tell you, we tried everything that the full-term moms did or could have done under our circumstances.

Agreed. If it's any consolation, I was able to hold of delivering until 28 weeks after I was admitted to the hospital at 24 weeks. I believe that the being off work and able to rest in the hospital, eating well and drinking at least 2 Ensures a day helped my situation. However sometimes the safety of you or your babies out weighs just how far you can get. My cervix was always long and closed and I had absolutely no issues. Their premature birth was only because of their mono/di placenta. Just be sensible and follow your Dr.'s advice but really there is NO formula to get to full term. I'd advise setting smaller goals like first 28 weeks, 32 weeks, 34 weeks, etc... FX you do make it to 37 weeks, but please please don't beat yourself up if you don't. Somethings are just out of our control.

leneae10 · February 2013

My c/s is scheduled for 38w and my twins are di/di but I've been resuming normal activity. The more I lay around, the worse I feel. I just listen to my body and know when I've overdone it. I also have a transabdominal cerclage so they aren't going anywhere.

My biggest worry is baby A's growth, she's slowed dramatically and is down a pound from her sister where there used to be no discrepancy. I'd like to make it to 38w but who knows at this point.

cewilliams7 · February 2013

I'm also having mo/di twins and am so worried about PTL. I have been relaxing as much as possible with my 19mth old DD, eating protein like crazy and drinking water all day long. Just trying to do my best. Like the pp said I have set small milestones for myself and the first one was 24wks which I hit today, yay!! Next one is 28wks. All you can do is your best and try not to beat yourself up if you deliver early, GL.

cewilliams7 · February 2013

leneae10:
My c/s is scheduled for 38w and my twins are di/di but I've been resuming normal activity.nbsp; The more I lay around, the worse I feel.nbsp; I just listen to my body and know when I've overdone it.nbsp; I also have a transabdominal cerclage so they aren't going anywhere.nbsp; My biggest worry is baby A's growth, she's slowed dramatically and is down a pound from her sister where there used to be no discrepancy.nbsp; I'd like to make it to 38w but who knows at this point.

My baby b is lagging in growth at this point as well but my girls are mo/di. TP for both of us and our LOs so we can keep the growing and cooking.

macchiatto · February 2013

I made it to 37w6d. Of course there are no guarantees, but I followed a lot of Dr. Luke's advice. Gained 20 lbs by 20w, 24 by 24, 28 by 28 ... ate lots of protein, drank lots of water, and didn't push myself too hard, especially in the second half of pregnancy. Listen to your body.

kelandspence2012 · February 2013

I delivered at 37 weeks and 4 days! I drank ALOT of water and rested! Just try to listen to your body and rest as much as possible! GL!

dgancz · February 2013

I understand the fear, I was so scared as well.I can tell you that I went to 38weeks and had 2 seperate everything.

I did drink a lot of water, I want to say 60 oz a day more or less,I rested as much as I could and listened to my body.I did have contractions that the Dr. stopped at 33 weeks and minor spotting at 26 weeks.

I think that my body was just OK with carrying the twins.My older daughter was born at 42 weeks and that is after a failed induction.My body does not seem to go into labor so easy.So I guess that is the reason I carried the babies so long.

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