5 Steps to Help You Stay Healthy During a Multiple Pregnancy

Advances in medical technology and knowledge have significantly increased the odds of successfully carrying and delivering healthy twins or triplets. 

However, a multiple pregnancy is still considered high-risk and requires a few extra steps in your health routine compared to a singleton pregnancy.

Board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Suwan Mehra in Park Ridge, Illinois, specializes in maternal-fetal medicine and is an expert in high-risk pregnancies. His focus is keeping mom and babies as healthy as possible throughout the pregnancy.

Read these five tips from Dr. Mehra about staying healthy during a multiple pregnancy.

1. See your maternal-fetal specialist as recommended

Not everyone carrying multiples experiences complications during pregnancy. However, because you’re at increased risk, Dr. Mehra recommends more frequent prenatal visits than you’d expect during a singleton pregnancy.

Possible complications of a multiple pregnancy include:

• Low birth weight related to premature labor and birth
• Preeclampsia
• Gestational hypertension
• Gestational diabetes
• Fetal growth restriction
• Placenta abruption

Although these problems can occur with any pregnancy, they’re more common in women carrying multiples.

Prenatal visits allow Dr. Mehra to track your progress, catch problems such as rising blood pressure early, and provide you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your concerns.

2. Maintain a nutritionally sound diet

Your body typically needs increased calories, protein, folic acid, and other healthy nutrients to keep up with the extra demands of a multiple pregnancy. A good rule of thumb is to add 300 healthy calories to your diet for each baby you’re carrying. 

But your needs may differ. Dr. Mehra provides nutritional guidance and recommendations for healthy weight gain based on your overall health, pre-pregnancy weight, and early lab results. Your guidelines may change if you develop gestational diabetes, hypertension, or preeclampsia.

Frequent small meals and snacks can help you meet your caloric goals and may help reduce morning sickness. Low-fat yogurt, fruit, crackers, and other healthy snacks are good choices.

Also, maintain good hydration throughout your pregnancy. Drinking water early in the day and sipping late afternoon and evening may help prevent frequent bathroom trips overnight, a common problem as pregnancy progresses.

3. Remain physically active

Low-impact exercise, such as walking or swimming, is a great way to stay in shape during a multiple pregnancy. Routine exercise can improve circulation, decrease stress, and lower blood pressure. 

However, check with Dr. Mehra before starting an exercise program. He may eventually ask you to reduce your activity or prescribe bed rest as your pregnancy progresses.

4. Manage stress

Increased stress can impact your physical and emotional health, and stress levels understandably climb when you’re expecting multiple births. 

Enlisting help from trusted family and friends as you prepare for changes in your living space and seeking information about parenting multiples from credible sources can reduce stress levels significantly.

With Dr. Mehra’s okay, you may also benefit from prenatal yoga or another de-stressing activity.

5. Stay in touch

Don’t hesitate to contact the office whenever you’re concerned about how you feel. Your symptoms may be expected with a multiple pregnancy, such as the need to rest frequently or a sense of breathlessness when climbing stairs. 

However, these symptoms may also indicate anemia or another complication. In addition, bleeding, vaginal discharge, pressure in the lower back, or diarrhea can indicate early labor that requires medical attention. 

Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Mehra today for more information about our top-level specialty care for high-risk pregnancies. Call the office or request an appointment online.