10 Things Not Do When Youre Pregnant With Multiples
Having twins, triplets, or more puts your pregnancy into a different category. With so many elements of the pregnancy out of your control, it's important to do everything you can to ensure an optimal outcome for you and your babies. Here are ten things to avoid doing while pregnant with twins or multiples.
Watch all episodes of our Stay Calm Mom video series and follow along as our host Tiffany Small talks to a diverse group of women and top doctors to get real answers to the biggest pregnancy questions.
Take Risks
If you're a fun-loving, adventurous sort of person, you may have to hold back a bit during pregnancy. This is simply not the time to try skydiving, mountain climbing or scuba diving. Any activity that puts you at risk also puts the two, three or more lives growing inside you in harm's way.
With your body busy building the babies, you won't have your usual stamina and agility, anyway. Save the adventure for later.
2 Eat Too Little
You've heard the phrase "eating for two" during pregnancy. If you're having multiples, you are literally eating for three or more.
While it is a great time to implement a healthy approach to eating, it is not a good idea to start a diet or restrict your food intake in any way. You need about 300 extra calories per baby per day, so fill up your plate!
3 Eat Too Much
Just because you've got a valid reason to eat more doesn't mean you should pull up to the all-you-can-eat buffet with a wheelbarrow and totally gorge. Yes, you need to increase your caloric intake, but you've got to make those calories count.
Filling up on prepackaged food and empty calories does nothing for your babies... but it packs the pounds on you! Choose the right foods: fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole grains.
4 Become Dehydrated
It's not just food that you need more of ... It's fluids, too! Your pregnant body needs lots and lots of fluid—water, in particular—to keep your blood circulating. Dehydration can induce contractions and the onset of preterm labor. It's a very real risk. Drink throughout the day, not just when you are thirsty. Aim for 8 to 12 cups of water a day.
5 Exercise Excessively
Exercise is usually considered a "do" for most women, but during pregnancy with twins or more, it can be a definite "don't." High impact aerobic activities like dancing or running put a strain on the pelvic muscles that hold the babies in.
Strenuous workouts can cause you to overheat and it stresses your heart, joints, and muscles. Talk to your doctor about what type of activity is most appropriate for your situation and save the heavy-duty exercise for after the babies are born.
6 Drink Alcohol, Use Drugs, or Smoke
It's never advisable to drink alcohol excessively, smoke, or take drugs, whether you are pregnant or not. When you are pregnant, doing so exposes your unborn babies to toxic substances, raising their risk of birth defects and chronic illnesses. Alcoholism and nicotine addiction are medical conditions, and your doctor or an addiction specialist can help you treat them.
7 Soak In a Hot Tub
Sure, it sounds relaxing, but it's definitely not recommended. Studies have shown a connection between frequent hot tub soaking and miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Hot-tubbing raises the mother's internal thermostat and can temporarily elevate her temperature, similar to having a fever. That puts the babies at risk for anencephaly and gastroschisis, which are life-altering birth defects.
8 Clean the Cat Box
They used to tell pregnant women to get rid of their cats. Now we know that it's perfectly okay to pet and feed your kitty. Just stay out of the litter box. That's because cats can carry a disease called toxoplasmosis that can cause birth defects.
It can be transmitted to you if you come in contact with feline feces. You probably won't mind asking someone else to clean out the litter box anyway. Maybe they'll carry on that chore even after the babies come!
9 Get Overtired
Your pregnant body is working overtime to grow those babies. There's not much energy left over for you to accomplish your daily activities. You'll probably feel pretty tired at times, and it's important to give your body the rest that it needs.
So don't overdo it. If you're assigned some level of bed rest, take it seriously. Accept your doctor's advice and don't push the limits.
10 Ignore the Signs
The risk of preterm labor and premature birth is very real when you're expecting multiples. Don't be fooled into thinking, "That can't happen to me." Know the signs and take them seriously.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have any indications of preterm labor: cramping, backache, contractions, vaginal discharge, low pelvic pain or rectal pressure.
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