Most pregnant women know they need extra vitamins and minerals to support the development of their unborn baby. But when you are carrying multiples, such as twins or more, these needs increase. Eating for three or more takes a little extra planning to meet the needs of all of your unborn babies. Your prenatal vitamin plays an important role, but it may not be enough.
What Multiples Mean
Multiple babies in a single pregnancy mean a lot for mom. All of those extra calories she needs daily multiply based on how many babies she is carrying. According to What to Expect, you need around 300 extra calories per day per baby. However, this does not mean you can eat whatever you want: each of those extra babies needs just as much nutrition as a baby in a single pregnancy. Eating empty calories does nothing to boost your extra nutritional needs, which may go above and beyond what is found in your prenatal vitamin.
Important Vitamins and Minerals
Pregnant women need more iron and folic acid than the average woman. As you can imagine, these needs increase even more when there are extra babies in the womb. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that anemia is common in women who are carrying twins or more. In addition, folic acid is vital for each baby's neural tube development. ACOG reports that getting enough folic acid for twins from diet alone is difficult, and recommends all women pregnant with multiples take their prenatal as directed. They may also benefit from additional vitamins, if their doctor recommends them.
Is a Prenatal Enough?
Some women carrying multiples can get enough nutrition from their prenatal vitamin and their diet. However, others may be lacking in certain areas, especially if they are on any kind of restricted diet. Vegetarians are an example. Many women do not get enough iron to meet their pregnancy needs for a single baby, which is 30mg per day per the Cleveland Clinic. According to What to Expect, women pregnant with multiples should aim for 30 to 60mg daily. Other important minerals include calcium and magnesium. Eating a variety of foods from all food groups can help women carrying twins or more meet these additional needs. However, your doctor may also prescribe an additional supplement if your blood count reflects a deficit.
Expert Advice
When you are carrying twins or more, you'll generally make more frequent trips to your obstetrician than the average pregnant woman. He may monitor your blood to ensure you are getting enough nutrition, and prescribe supplements to make up whatever you may be lacking. However, you may also benefit from meeting with a nutritionist. To eliminate any concerns about your diet, following a specialized plan created by an expert can ensure you meet all of your daily needs without having to supplement further.
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