Guest Author - Kris Bigalk
Step 1: Find Health Professionals You Trust
With any pregnancy, you have choices to make regarding your care. Do you want an OB/GYN doctor or a midwife to supervise your care? Or, if you are considered a "high risk" pregnancy, as many twin pregnancies are, perhaps you want to work with a Perinatologist. Still another option is to work with a Doula, a person trained to assist in the childbirth process (see the links to the right of the article for resources).
When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I asked my OB for a referral to another OB who specialized in high risk pregnancies; I also contacted my local Mothers of Twins club and asked for the names of high-risk OB/GYN's they trusted.
Step 2: Educate Yourself
The key to feeling comfortable with the joys and possible complications of a twin pregnancy is to be educated. Read good books on twin pregnancies, such as Elizabeth Noble's Having Twins and More or Barbara Luke's When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads. These books explain everything about pregnancy and birth of twins, with words of wisdom from mothers of twins interspersed throughout. To find links to these and other books on twin pregnancy and birth, see the Bellaonline Twins Bookstore.
Step 3: Nourish Yourself
Most experts on twin pregnancy agree that good and adequate nutrition can really make a difference in the outcome of a multiple pregnancy. The leading expert in this area is Barbara Luke. Both her website (linked to at right)and her book outline basic foods, supplements, and water requirements. You'll probably be amazed at the number of calories and ounces of water that you'll need to take in, but if you're like me, it won't be a problem!
Step 4: Believe in Yourself
At some point during your pregnancy, you will say to yourself, "I just can't do this!" Maybe it will be when you can't keep food down and feel like a walking zombie. Maybe it will be when you start wondering how you could possibly get any bigger. Maybe it will be when you start wearing XXL maternity clothes and wonder if your body will ever be the same. Or maybe you'll be like me, and feel this way at all of these points in your pregnancy!
The thing that got me through it all was holding on to the belief that my body was wonderful, strong, and enduring. Women like you and me have borne babies for millions of years, without the benefit of modern medicine, and done just fine. With determination, hope, and a positive attitude, you can bring these babies into the world, healthy, strong, and as close to your due date as possible. When you look at your pregnancy in the context of your life, it's a blip. Just think of the 18+ years you're going to be raising these beautiful babies, and remember--you've got what it takes.
Step 5: Ask for Help
One of the hardest things for all of us to do is to ask for help. However, at some point during your pregnancy and/or after the babies are born, you will need help with something. Maybe you'll go on bedrest suddenly, and need someone to shuttle your older children to and from school; maybe you just can't bend over anymore and need help with the laundry or other household chores. Don't overdo it -- now is the time to swallow your pride and ask your friends and relatives to help. Most of them will be glad to give you a hand, especially if it means that you and the babies will be healthier as a result.
