Moms of Multiples

kefttsc · September 2014

What I'm discovering is that most of our doctors treat our pregnancies just like singleton pregnancies plus an extra kid. As we know, that isn't the case. We have our own set of rules and fun

Dr. Barbara Luke's book "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy" and I found it to be eye opening and awesome information. It helped me know what to eat, when, to learn about weight gain for my body type and weight and BMI, etc.

Just thought I'd pass it along. It is available on Amazon and for Kindle, etc. as well.

There are a LOT of recipes and guides for the best snacks, meals, etc. I'm having one tonight, so we'll see how that goes.......

ckimberley14 · September 2014

Wow you're so right!! My doc before I moved and switched to a much better doc (she referred me to a perinatologist for all my sonos) treated my twin pregnancy like a singleton one, plus he was very unhelpful in terms of helping me feel well informed as a FTM. Thank you for sharing this resource! So wish I'd known about it when I was expecting my girls.

Angelaketa · September 2014

I think my doctor treats my pregnancy like a singleton but I am okay with that. As long as he keeps me informed on everything that I absolutely need to know, me and the twins are good. I will still check out this book though just to see if there are any juicy tips I might like. Thanks for sharing!

kefttsc · September 2014

Angelaketa said:
I think my doctor treats my pregnancy like a singleton but I am okay with that. As long as he keeps me informed on everything that I absolutely need to know, me and the twins are good. I will still check out this book though just to see if there are any juicy tips I might like. Thanks for sharing!

I agree to a point. My doctor is amazing and I adore him. I wouldn't trade him for the world!!!! But I've received no special/different instruction for weight gain or exercise. Our needs are different to be honest. I take all the information I gather with a grain of salt for sure, but everything I gather recommends a slow down for MoMs.

PS. We had the chicken and wild rice recipe tonight and it was great! Super easy and quite yummy.

everam01 · September 2014

I kept in touch with other moms of multiples and also saw a MFM specialist. I definitely noticed a difference in care between the regular OB and the MFM. The MFM always took any symptoms or concerns very seriously.

everam01 · September 2014

P.S. I liked the Dr. Luke book and tried to keep my protein consumption up. My twins were big and healthy at not even 37 weeks! They were 8.7 and 7.1 lbs and had no NICU. I did develop high BP however.

shurlired · September 2014

My OB rec'd the Dr. Luke book. One if the reasons we chose this doc is because she has a set of twins herself. She wants me to shoot for 60lb weight gain, especially 24 by 24 weeks.

MissEm15 · September 2014

I will be checking that book out at the library! Thanks!

FWIW I'm reading Ready or not-- here we come! : the real experts' guide to the first year with twins by Elizabeth Lyons. I actually like it!

Edit: @kefttsc is the 1999 version?

ckimberley14 · September 2014

@MissEm15‌ loved that book! That was the only twins-specific book I read during my pregnancy. I also skimmed What to Expect but only because a friend loaned it to me.

jaytee16 · September 2014

My doc basically said I'm like any other pregnant woman right now, but into third tri they'll likely monitor me a little more. A friend who's also expecting twins read that book and said it was slightly fear inducing, similar to what a lot of people say about What to Expect. I'm not sure if I want to read it, I can freak myself out enough as is!

MissEm15 · September 2014

@jaytee16 if you want.. the book I mentioned above is really good. Funny & it actually gives you examples of situations. I'm only half way thru, but its keeping my attention for sure.

ksgsmu · September 2014

I don't feel like I am treated like a singleton pregnancy as I have been seeing both an OBGYN and an MFM since early on.... I get sonos every 3-4 weeks etc... I also have different restrictions that I didn't have when pregnant with a singleton, such as no lifting etc..

As for Dr. Luke's book. I have read it and it was good but my OB and MFM both disagree with her 24lbs by 24 weeks theory and her weight gain goals in general. I am 18 weeks and only gained 6 pounds and worried about this and I was told that as long as my babies are measuring on track it was perfectly fine and healthy for me. So all that to say... discuss your weight goals with your doctor who is looking at your total health etc..

cls78 · September 2014

shurlired said:
My OB rec'd the Dr. Luke book. One if the reasons we chose this doc is because she has a set of twins herself. She wants me to shoot for 60lb weight gain, especially 24 by 24 weeks.

That sounds like a lot of extra weight gain.

I did not purchase the book yet, but it was recommended to me over at PAIF after I did my intro.

I heard to use the diet in the book as a guide line, but it is not necessary to put on a bunch of extra weight. I am going to talk to my ob on Sept 8th during my visit, because they haven't talked about diet or how much I should gain. Babies right now are measuring on track according to the MFM at my 16 week appt with them.

MissEm15 · September 2014

cls78 said:

My OB rec'd the Dr. Luke book. One if the reasons we chose this doc is because she has a set of twins herself. She wants me to shoot for 60lb weight gain, especially 24 by 24 weeks.
That sounds like a lot of extra weight gain.

I agree I've gained 5lbs I think at 16w.. my doc said it's fine as long as babies are measuring on track. I do however think my headaches might be coming from not enough calories. So I've been trying to eat smaller meals more often. I'm def. not gaining 60lbs if I can help it!!

Edit: Not that I'm starving myself or anything. I eat when I'm hungry until I'm full. I just really haven't noticed much difference in my appetite.

cls78 · September 2014

MissEm15 said:

cls78 said:

shurlired said:
My OB rec'd the Dr. Luke book. One if the reasons we chose this doc is because she has a set of twins herself. She wants me to shoot for 60lb weight gain, especially 24 by 24 weeks.
That sounds like a lot of extra weight gain.

I think what is holding me back from buying the book is that I don't want to put extra pressure on myself or guilt. I eat when I am hungry, but I have no plans to gain 60 pounds if I can help it and don't have to.

My MFM has not weighed me yet, but my ob does. I only gained 3 pounds between 9 and 14 weeks. I will find out next week at 18 weeks where I am at with weight.

ckimberley14 · September 2014

I agree with PPs: let your doctor advise about the weight gain. My doc encouraged me to eat but bottom line was to listen to my body. I gained 52 pounds total and the girls weighed 6-7 and 5-13 at 36.5 weeks when born. By 28 weeks, I was measuring (fundal) 3-4 weeks ahead.

kefttsc · September 2014

ksgsmu said:

I don't feel like I am treated like a singleton pregnancy as I have been seeing both an OBGYN and an MFM since early on.... I get sonos every 3-4 weeks etc... I also have different restrictions that I didn't have when pregnant with a singleton, such as no lifting etc..

As for Dr. Luke's book. I have read it and it was good but my OB and MFM both disagree with her 24lbs by 24 weeks theory and her weight gain goals in general. I am 18 weeks and only gained 6 pounds and worried about this and I was told that as long as my babies are measuring on track it was perfectly fine and healthy for me. So all that to say... discuss your weight goals with your doctor who is looking at your total health etc..

I obviously am not dumping my doctor's recommendations for a book's recommendations, so I apologize if it came across that way. I am 17w4d and have only gained about 4-5 pounds and I'm not worried at all because both babies are measuring ahead a few days consistently.

I do not have a weight gain goal from my doctor. (Nor do I plan to gain 24 by 24 - HOLY SHIT that's a lot) He doesn't truly believe in them, which I find to be a good thing. I find that eating a well balanced diet to be the most important thing (with obvious room for Captain Crunch for breakfast).

I take everything I read with a grain of salt, but found it to be a good read with more information about twin pregnancies, so wanted to recommend it. Take it or leave it

chickyclg · September 2014

Hold on was I supposed to get a weight goal?

MissEm15 · September 2014

Off topic... are any of you getting cervical length checks EVERY WEEK? Seems a little much to me considering my last length was 4.4 (anything over 2.5/3 is good).

chickyclg · September 2014

@MissEm15 mine told me I would start every other week appts. to check my cervix starting at my next appt.

cls78 · September 2014

I had my first cervix measuring at 16 weeks but it will not be every other week right now.

PeaceofKia · September 2014

My doctor treats me like a singleton pregnant woman but gives me information in reference to the twins during my appointments. I like that she won't treat me as high risk until I actually show signs of being high risk. Just because I had problems with my last pregnancy doesn't mean I'll have them again, and she's doing a good job of reminding me of that.

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