11 Questions to Ask Your Doctor If You’re Expecting Multiples

Understanding how your pregnancy will be different compared to someone having a singleton. Your doctor can help to set expectations.

1. How much weight should I gain?
While moms who are expecting a single child will normally gain between 20 and 35 pounds depending on your body mass index, those expecting multiples should expect to gain between 30 and 50 pounds. Your doctor can give you a better estimate based on your specific body type and stats.

2. What should I expect in morning sickness?
It’s almost as if it is double trouble when it comes to morning sickness. “Get ready to be sick. A few lucky souls manage to escape twin-nausea, but for most, it is a part of the pregnancy,” describes Amye Barrese for Twins Magazine. The reason is you have more hormones raging through your body exacerbating symptoms. Ask your doctor about ways to manage your morning sickness.

3. What risks are increased? Should I see a specialist?
Talk to your doctor about your risks, based on your health and family history. With twins, you’ll have more pregnancy scans to confirm that everyone is healthy and there are no complications or abnormalities. You may even be advised to see a specialist based on your risk factors.

4. What complications can occur?
Discuss with your doctor what complications might be expected with multiple pregnancies. Some issues your doctor might be looking out for are gestational hypertension, birth defects, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and preterm labor.

Between needing to eat more and satisfying cravings, it can be hard to know what the best dietary program is when pregnant with twins.

5. How much do I need to eat to gain the right weight?
In order to gain the necessary weight for your babies, you should consume an extra 600 calories per day. This is more than the 300 calories per day increase for singletons according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Your doctor will have more advice on your specific dietary needs, and any supplements you might require.

6. What do I need to eat when pregnant with multiples?
Focus on protein when pregnant. “When you’re busy growing not one, but two human beings, consuming adequate protein is critical,” explains Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD in her article How to Eat When You’re Pregnant with Twins, According to an RD. This could mean eating an extra 50 grams of protein per day which is about 4 ounces of cooked chicken or 6 ounces of plain Greek yogurt. Your doctor may have specific dietary guildelines, or may send you to see a prenatal nutritionist.

7. How much water do I need to drink?
Remember that not all liquid is hydrating. Stay away from sugary drinks and caffeinated beverages such as coffee. Drink at least 10 cups of plain water daily. Just remember to try to hydrate earlier in the day so you aren’t running to the bathroom all night long.

Getting to the last stage of pregnancy can have a lot of stress. Consider what you need to know just before going into labor and what happens when you are in labor.

8. What is the position of the babies?
Talk to your doctor to make sure that both babies are in the optimal position for birth and that there are no expected complications with this. Ideally, both babies have their heads down and are facing your back.

9. What do I do if my water breaks?
You should have a plan to call your doctor if your water breaks. Depending on whether or not you are having contractions and how far apart they are, your doctor will inform you as to whether or not you should proceed to the hospital or wait a bit longer.

10. When do I go to the hospital?
It’s time to go to the hospital if your contractions are at least five minutes apart and last for a minute each. If this is consistent for at least one hour, it is time to head to the hospital. Realize that the initial signs of labor are often subtle meaning early labor has minor and inconsistent contractions that grow in intensity and consistency as you move into active labor.

11. Will delivery be early?
It is common for twins to be born early, often before the 38-week mark. With the majority of twins arriving early, it’s important to have a plan with your doctor and all parties involved in your birthing process.

You already know that having twins will be a lot of work. But remember to utilize the help of others when your babies are born. “There are no visitors, just helpers. I really stuck to that and it served me well,” Shideh Shafie, mom of twins and an emergency room doctor, told Mom.com. “Get all the help you can get when you can get it to make everything more manageable.