Because you're carrying multiples, you're at risk for preterm birth. This means giving birth before 37 weeks. If you have preterm labor, your healthcare provider may put you on bed rest.
3 Carrying twins means that your body is under more stress than a singleton pregnancy and rest can provide a certain level of relief. If you experience hypertension, preeclampsia, incompetent cervix, or edema during pregnancy, your doctor may recommend bed rest in order to prevent these conditions from worsening.
A study recently found that over 50% of women pregnant with twins reported their health care provider recommended bed rest or activity restriction during their pregnancy (Whitaker et al., 2019).
Pregnant women typically are recommended bed rest when they experience: Bleeding early in pregnancy, or to prevent miscarriage. Premature rupture of membranes, or when the water breaks early. After 24 weeks of gestation, bed rest typically will take place in a hospital.
The best position for sleeping in twin pregnancy is on your side as it helps in increasing blood flow to your heart, which is essential for your little ones.
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.
You shouldn't share the same bed with your twins because it increases the risk of SIDS. But the AAP does recommend that you room-share — having your twins sleep in your room, each in their own bassinet or crib — ideally for the first six months.
Why Is Bed Rest Prescribed? Some doctors suggest bed rest for conditions like growth problems in the baby, high blood pressure or preeclampsia, vaginal bleeding from placenta previa or abruption, preterm labor, cervical insufficiency, threatened miscarriage, and other problems.
Bed rest is probably the most commonly prescribed intervention for preventing miscarriage (Cunningham 1993; Schwarcz 1995), being mainly indicated in cases of threatened miscarriage (vaginal bleeding before 23 weeks of gestational age) but also in cases of a previous history of miscarriage (Goldenberg 1994).
If you feel you need to be put on bed rest due to a newly diagnosed condition or unusual symptoms you are experiencing, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor. He will determine if bed rest is necessary and what other options may be available to you.
Being pregnant with multiples doesn't necessarily mean that your pregnancy will be problematic. However, women carrying multiples do have a higher chance of developing complications such as high blood pressure and preterm labor. For this reason, all multiple pregnancies are considered high-risk.
A little more than half of twin pregnancies end in preterm delivery (before 37 weeks). While 40 weeks is the full gestation period of the average pregnancy, most twin pregnancies are delivered at approximately 36 weeks (range 32-38 weeks depending on the type of twin pregnancy).
Do I get more maternity leave since I'm having multiples? It certainly doesn't hurt to ask. In many cases, your employer may be willing to give you a little extra time for you to adjust to your growing family, and in some states employers are required to provide extra unpaid leave for women with multiples.
At 8 weeks pregnant with twins, you've likely seen (or will soon see) your babies on an ultrasound. Pregnancy symptoms at this time include morning sickness, bloating, food cravings or distaste, fatigue, breast changes, frequent urination, and increased vaginal discharge.
Therefore, pregnant women can work 40 hours a week if the working conditions are safe for them to do so. If a pregnant employee begins to work over 40 hours a week and is subject to a lot of stress, it could be harmful to their health and the health of their unborn child.
Background. Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
eat healthily and avoid rich, spicy and fatty foods. cut back on drinks with caffeine (such as tea, coffee and energy drinks) sit up straight when you eat. give up alcohol and cigarettes.
Bed rest during pregnancy can pose health risks, including: A blood clot in a deep vein, such as a vein in your leg (venous thromboembolism) Decreased bone mass (bone demineralization) Musculoskeletal and cardiovascular deconditioning.
Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. At work, adjust your chair height and workstation so you can sit up close to your work and tilt it up at you. Rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed.
It's common to feel tired, or even exhausted, during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks. Hormonal changes at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous and emotional. The only answer is to rest as much as possible.
If you choose to bedshare with twins or multiples we would advise not to bedshare with more than one baby at a time due to risk of accidents associated with bedsharing with more than one baby or child.
One crib is fine in the beginning.
Many parents may make the switch to two cribs when the twins begin to roll, bump into one another, and wake each other up, she says. While one crib is fine, two car seats and a double-stroller are absolute musts for newborn twins.
The hardest thing about having twins is...
“Managing the movement of two babies. Carrying them both up and down the stairs, getting them into the car, etc.” —Simeon R. “Often having to make one baby wait!” —Catharine D. “Being outnumbered—the logistics of two on one is definitely the hardest.