Multiple pregnancy Q&A

Q: I just found out I’m pregnant with twins. I know things will be different once they’re born (twice the fun … and twice the work!), but I’m wondering what differences I should expect during my pregnancy.
A: When a woman is pregnant with twins, prenatal visits will occur more often than when she is pregnant with one baby. This is because a woman with a multiple pregnancy is at a higher risk of developing certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor and fetal growth problems. Anemia is also more common, so it is recommended that a woman expecting multiples take an additional 60 to 100 milligrams of iron. Women who are of normal weight should gain about 40 pounds when carrying twins. If you’re overweight, you may need to gain as little as 25 pounds. The majority of twin pregnancies are delivered between 37 and 38 weeks gestation. The position of your babies will determine whether you can attempt a vaginal delivery. The main concern is always to make sure both babies arrive safely.
—Dr. Charles Hux, MD, resident multiples doctor on TLC’s A Baby Story