Care during pregnancy of twins

During the pregnancy of twins, the pregnant woman must take some precautions, similar to the pregnancy of only one baby, such as having a balanced diet, exercising properly and drinking plenty of fluids. However, this care must be reinforced because the pregnant woman carries two babies and the risk of complications such as pre-eclampsia or premature birth, for example, are greater.

For this reason, in the pregnancy of twins, it is very important to have more prenatal consultations and make more examinations for the obstetrician to be able to monitor the growth and development of babies, monitor their health, identify problems early and institute treatment, if necessary.

Food care

During the pregnancy of twins, the pregnant woman must put on a maximum of 20 kg and eat a healthy diet that includes:

Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help prevent constipation and receive a greater amount of vitamins and minerals; Increase consumption of foods rich in folic acid such as cooked chicken or turkey liver, brewer's yeast, beans and lentils, as folic acid prevents the development of serious diseases in the baby such as spina bifida, for example; Increase the consumption of foods rich in omega 3 such as salmon, sardines, chia seeds, flax seeds and nuts, for example example, as they help the baby's brain development; make healthy snacks, consisting of fresh fruits, low-fat yogurt or sandwiches with white cheese or low-fat ham, avoiding foods such as cookies, chips and soft drinks; increase food consumption iron sources such as lean red meat, green leafy vegetables and beans, as the risk of anemia is greater.

This does not mean that the pregnant woman with twins has to eat much more or put on twice as much weight as if she were pregnant with just one baby. The important thing is to eat healthily, to ensure all the nutrients necessary for your health and the baby.

Learn more at: Feeding during pregnancy and How many pounds can I put on during pregnancy?

Care with physical activity

In the pregnancy of twins, as well as in the pregnancy of just one baby, physical exercise guided by the obstetrician and a physical educator such as walking, swimming, yoga, pilates or water aerobics is recommended, as it has many benefits such as controlling weight, facilitating work delivery and help recovery, in addition to promoting the health of the mother and babies.

However, in some cases, the obstetrician may indicate a decrease in physical activity or its prohibition, according to the health status of the pregnant woman and the babies. In addition, rest can also be indicated to encourage the growth of fetuses and reduce the risk of complications such as premature birth.

To learn more see: Physical activity for pregnancy

Other care during pregnancy of twins

Pregnant women with twins have a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure, presence of proteins in the urine and swelling of the body, and of having a premature birth, so some precautions that can prevent these complications include:

Measure blood pressure regularly, eat a diet low in salt, drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day and comply with the rest indicated by the obstetrician; Take the medications prescribed by the obstetrician to lower the pressure; Be attentive and know how to identify the symptoms of pre-eclampsia such as blood pressure equal to or greater than 140 x 90 mmHg and sudden weight gain. Learn more at: Symptoms of pre-eclampsia; Be attentive and know how to identify the signs of premature birth as uterine contractions with intervals of less than 10 minutes and gelatinous discharge, which occur between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation. Read more at: Signs of premature birth.

To prevent premature birth, the obstetrician may also prescribe the use of corticosteroid drugs or oxytocin antagonists from 28 weeks of gestation, according to the health of the pregnant woman and the babies.

When they are born and how is the delivery of twins

Twins are usually born at around 36 weeks of gestation, triplets are usually born at 34 weeks, and quadruplets at 31 weeks. The most suitable delivery is one that the woman and the doctor agree on, without the obligation of normal delivery or cesarean section.

In a humanized birth it is possible for the twins to be born vaginally, even if one of the babies is not fitted, but sometimes the cesarean section is indicated for safety reasons, to preserve the life of the mother and the babies, and therefore the most advised is to talk to the doctor about it and together they come to a conclusion.