Author: Gauri Kshirsagar

There is a lot of difference between a twin pregnancy and a normal singleton pregnancy. For example:

1. The weight gain of the mother is different
2. You may require more frequent trips to your doctor, say once a month as compared to singleton pregnancy where a visit every trimester is required
3. You may need more folic acid during the 1^sttrimester of pregnancy, do consult your doctor
4. The morning sickness may me more as compared to a singleton pregnancy
5. Even the chances of pre term delivery and maternal hypertension are more
6. They weight of each baby is less than what it would be say if it were a single baby
7. You may require a Dexamethasone injection at 6 months for the lung development of the babies incase, if there is a premature labour/delivery
8. Normally mothers-to-be are advised to perform mild exercises during their pregnancy, but in case of a twin pregnancy you may require bedrest or more rest and hence its better advised to consult your doctor first.
9. A twin pregnancy may deliver some days before than the expected date of delivery, hence be prepared beforehand.
10. It’s a myth that you need to eat 3 times more, just have nutritious food in proper amount

Here are some tips to follow during the pregnancy:

• Selection of a good gynaecologist, please make sure he is not on leave during the month of your delivery.
• Preferably pick up a maternity hospital nearer to your home.
• Following supplements have to be taken in consultation with the gynaecologist:
  1. Folic acid
  2. Iron
  3. Calcium + vitamin D3
  4. DHA drink
  5. Energy powder with milk
  6. Arginine
• Diet
  1. Avoid papayas (Medical research in animals has confirmed the contraceptive and abortifacient capability of papaya. Ripe papaya is not teratogenic and will not cause miscarriage in small amounts, but it’s better to avoid)
  2. Have a healthy diet
  3. Eat one banana everyday (Iron tablet may lead to constipation). You may require a composition of lactitol monohydrate + ispaghula Powder (Freego) incase of constipation, consult your doctor for the same
  4. Drink plenty of water, atleast 3-4 litres to prevent urinary tract infection which may in turn lead to preterm delivery
• Check for any swelling of the feet
• Kick counts: At only 20 weeks, it’s very hard, if not impossible to tell who is who….it won’t be until closer to 25-28 weeks where you’ll really be able to feel distinctly who is who.  Most doctors don’t have you start doing kick counts until closer to 30-32 weeks, some even later.
• Always lie down on side and not facing up
• Have a good knowledge or read about ultrasonography, which will monitor the growth of your unborn baby

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