A twin pregnancy can be twice as nice or double trouble, depending on your outlook. One thing is certain: the demands put on your body during a twin pregnancy are higher than if you were carrying just one baby. Adjusting your nutritional needs to support a twin pregnancy is an important discussion to have with your doctor.
Calorie Intake
Pregnancy gives you a good excuse to increase the amount of calories you are eating each day, though it does not give you license to fill your body with empty calories that do not provide you with nutrition at the same time. Generally, for each fetus you are carrying, you will need to eat 300 more calories every day, which is not that much when you think about it. Three hundred calories is approximately the equivalent of a bakery-sized bagel, not counting the cream cheese. A twin pregnancy therefore would allow you 600 extra calories daily; the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -- ACOG-- reports that most women who are pregnant with twins should consume about 2,700 calories every day. If you were significantly over- or under-weight before you became pregnant, consult your doctor for calorie recommendations, as you may be advised to either cut back or add on a few more calories than women of average weight.
Vitamins and Minerals
Expectant mothers of twins require a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals to support their body's daily functioning as well as the normal development of their babies. Protein, iron and folic acid are of particular importance during pregnancy and even more so during a twin pregnancy. Protein builds tissue; getting a less-than-recommended dose of protein during pregnancy may lead to lower birth weight, and many twins are already smaller than their singleton counterparts. Ohio State University reports that pregnant women require about 71g of protein each day; check with your doctor to determine if you will need more than that to accommodate twins. Iron is also important because it supports the creation of hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to your tissues and those of your babies. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects during pregnancy and can be found in enriched whole grain products like breakfast cereals. Usually, a single pre-natal vitamin will give you the nutrients you need to support twins, in addition to following a healthy diet. Your doctor will prescribe additional supplements if he feels you are lacking in a particular vitamin or mineral.
Weight Gain
A healthy weight gain during a twin pregnancy can ensure that you're eating enough to support two growing babies and getting the necessary nutrition to keep everyone health. The ACOG explains that women who are pregnant with twins can not only expect to gain more weight than someone who is carrying one baby, encourage a substantial weight gain. Women who are not significantly over- or underweight prior to pregnancy are usually advised to gain between 25 and 35 lbs over the gestational period; if you are pregnant with twins, increase this recommendation to between 35 and 45 lbs. This works out to about a pound every week, and perhaps a bit more during the third trimester. If your weight-gain patterns do not fit into this generic formula, talk to your doctor. Every pregnant woman is different and even those who gain more or less weight than the standard recommendations tend to be perfectly healthy.
Considerations
A twin pregnancy can be daunting and exhausting from both a physical and emotional point of view. Let your partner and medical care providers be a source of support to you during your pregnancy. Your doctor will guide you through the physical end, helping you create a nutritional plan that fits your needs and your palate. Your partner can help you prepare for the babies as well as prepare meals for you when you are too tired to think about good nutrition.
References
- KidsHealth From Nemours: Preparing for Multiple Births
- Ohio State University Extension: Fact Sheet: Nutritional Needs of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- MayoClinic.com: Twin Pregnancy: What Multiples Mean for Mom
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Education Pamphlet - Having Twins
- BabyCenter: Pregnant With Multiples: Nutrition and Fitness Needs
