Should You Eat More When Pregnant Twins?

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Medical Video: Pregnancy Tips : How to Ensure You Conceive Twins

Healthy food guidelines for prospective mother twins or more are the same as women who contain one baby, so you don't have to eat more.

The best advice is to listen to your body and eat only when you are hungry. You have to eat right, so that you and your baby get all the good nutrition, and will ensure that you get enough weight to help the baby grow well. Try a healthy and balanced diet.

Your daily diet must include a variety of foods from 4 main food groups:

  • Fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced fruits and vegetables. Try to eat at least 5 servings a day.
  • Starchy foods, such as potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread, are better whole grains.
  • Protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and seeds. Eat at least two servings of fish a week, including oily fish if you can.
  • Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, which contain calcium.

You need large amounts of iodine in food to help your baby's development. Dairy products, sea salt and marine fish such as cod are good sources of iodine, but don't consume more than a tablespoon of tea (6g) of salt a day.

Do I need extra vitamins or supplements?

Whatever number of babies you conceive, you should consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

You should also take supplements that contain 10 mcg of vitamin D during pregnancy and thereafter, if you want to breastfeed.

You might want to take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid and vitamin D. If you don't eat oily fish, you might want to take omega-3 fish oil supplements, but first discuss it with your doctor, midwife, or dietitian.

At womb age 20 to 24 weeks, you should undergo a blood test to check iron levels. If the iron level is too low, you can experience anemia.

Anemia is more common in mothers containing twins. Your doctor or midwife will prescribe iron supplements during pregnancy, if you need them. Always follow the advice of your doctor, midwife, or dietitian when taking supplements in pregnancy.

The number of calories needed

It's hard to determine how many calories are needed because everyone's needs are a little different. Instead of counting calories, it's better to eat if you're hungry, and choose healthy foods. It doesn't matter to eat snacks at mealtime if you need extra energy.

Because you are pregnant with twins, your weight increases faster than if you are pregnant with one child. However, certainly there is no need to eat portions for 3 people.

In fact, consuming more calories than you need might be more dangerous than providing benefits. Overweight will make you feel uncomfortable and vulnerable to other health problems.

Eating more than necessary will not benefit the baby or prevent them from being born with a low weight. So, a high-calorie diet is not recommended for prospective mothers.

If you are curious about how you can go on a healthy and balanced diet, pay attention to the eating schedule every trimester.

Where can I get advice on how to eat well?

Midwives or doctors must talk to you about healthy food in early pregnancy. Afterwards, you may talk about your diet during regular visits.

General practitioners may refer to a dietitian if:

  • Your body mass index is more than 30, or lower than 19 at the beginning of pregnancy.
  • You are worried that your weight will increase dramatically during pregnancy, do not get enough weight, or lose weight.

Do babies get enough nutrition if I have difficulty eating?

You can have difficulty eating if you are pregnant with twins. You may experience symptoms such as nausea and not feeling well, indigestion and constipation.

You don't need to worry because this will not threaten your baby's life, as long as you are able to eat and drink plenty of fluids.

This can be troublesome, because pregnancy symptoms may be worse than if you were pregnant with one baby. The reason is the increase in pregnancy hormones in your system.

Eat foods that you can eat. Your baby can get nutrition later if you feel better.

However, talk to your doctor as soon as possible if:

  • Pain continues until more than the first trimester
  • You have difficulty swallowing food or drinks

In the next stage of pregnancy, you may not want to eat too much. You may feel very full, right after eating and drinking.

Eat a little, but often it may be easier for you than eating three times a day.

READ ALSO:

  • 7 things you need to know about raising twins
  • Potential complications in the pregnancy of twins
  • 5 interesting facts about breastfeeding twins
Should You Eat More When Pregnant Twins?
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