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Multiple Pregnancy 101

Everything You Need to Know from Morning Sickness to Bed Rest

By Kelly Burgess

Dr. Pector's experience comes both from her life and her medical practice. A general practitioner in Naperville, Ill., in 1996 she became pregnant with twins. Even as a medical professional, she didn't really know what to expect, and her obstetrician, who didn't have much experience with multiple pregnancies, wasn't much help. Tragically, one of her babies died just a few days before the twins' birth, but the experience led her to educate others about multiple pregnancies. She now oversees a comprehensive Web site, www.synspectrum.com, devoted primarily to the many issues facing parents of multiples.

Being well informed is Dr. Pector's prescription for a successful multiple pregnancy, and she recommends that prospective mothers begin by finding out how much experience their doctors have in dealing with these types of pregnancies. It may then be a good idea to at least make an appointment for a consultation with an obstetrician specializing in high-risk pregnancies. This specialist may be better equipped to deal with some of the special needs of a mother carrying multiples.

"When I use the term 'high risk' I don't mean it in a negative way," Dr. Pector says. "I merely mean that the mother has to be more careful about nutrition and other prenatal care and be more proactive about her care."

Once a mother has successfully made it through the first few months, some of the early problems, like nausea, constipation and sleep disturbances, should begin to subside.

A woman expecting twins or more will begin to show the physical signs of pregnancy much earlier. Except for the increasing weight demands on the mother's body, this time of the pregnancy is usually the most comfortable, just as in a singleton pregnancy. It is later in this trimester that the expectant mother needs to be aware of the more serious possible complications of a multiple pregnancy.

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Start your very own twin diary here!
• Keep Those Babies in There: Avoiding Premature Delivery with Twins
• The Home Stretch: Surviving the Last Trimester with Twins
• Eating for Three (or More): The Special Nutritional Needs of Moms Carrying Multiples
• Talk about it!

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