How to Stay Healthy During a Multiple Pregnancy

A multiple pregnancy is a blessing. You get more than one baby for the price of one pregnancy. But because a multiple pregnancy is higher risk, there are some extra things you need to do to make sure you and your babies stay healthy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. See your care provider as soon as possible. Multiple pregnancies carry more risk and higher possibilities of health issues than single pregnancies. Expect to be seeing your care provider more and going through more tests than you would with a single pregnancy to ensure you and your babies stay as healthy as possible.
2. Drink lots of water. Water helps provide enough amniotic fluid for your babies and helps prevent preterm labor. Preterm labor is a major concern for mothers carrying multiples. You will know you're getting enough water if you're urine is clear.
3. Increase your iron intake, either with diet or a prenatal vitamin. The majority of women carrying multiples become anemic. Speak to your care provider early in your pregnancy about how much iron you should take and how you should take it.
4. Up your caloric intake. With a multiple pregnancy, you need to be ingesting more calories than you would with a single baby. Speak to your care provider about how many calories they want to have. In addition, make sure you're getting a significant portion of your calories from healthy protein sources such as beans, soy and lean meat sources.
5. Graze rather than eating three big meals a day. The size of your stomach will shrink as the babies grow, making it harder to eat large meals. Keep healthy foods close at hand so you can get the amount of calories, vitamins and minerals that you need.
6. Watch for symptoms of preterm labor. Preterm labor is very common in multiple pregnancies. If you experience four or more contractions in one hour, contact your care provider immediately.
7. Listen to your body. Women with a multiple pregnancy often have worse morning sickness and exhaustion during their pregnancy. They also may have to leave work earlier or spend more time resting than mothers with single pregnancies.