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Belly bulges between weeks 8-10. |
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Weight gain between 35-50 lbs. |
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Focus on non-weight bearing exercises. |
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Wear a pregnancy belt to help with the weight of your belly. |
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36 weeks is a typical term. |
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For the full article, read more...
o you’ve been reading all about what to expect during pregnancy, but now you’ve just heard some news that changes everything - you’re carrying double, triple, or more! Whether you’re overjoyed, overwhelmed, or both, before you can push around the double stroller or dress your little duo in matching rompers, you’ve got to get through your pregnancy. Here’s a rundown of what you should expect now that you’re having multiples.
The First Signs of Multiples
You probably discovered that you’re carrying twins (or more) during a routine ultrasound in the first trimester. Of course there’s a chance that you, a nurse, or your doctor noticed you looked slightly bigger than normal for your delivery date well before you saw what was going on inside.
With a singleton pregnancy, you’ll normally notice your belly start to bulge around 12 weeks and after about 16 weeks you’ll no longer be able to hide your pregnancy with clothing. But if you’re carrying multiples, you might see a bulge as early as 8 weeks and by week 10, you should probably give up on covering it up.
When you’re carrying two babies, your body produces twice as much of the pregnancy hormone hCG, says Barbara Dehn, RN, a member of The Cradle advisory board. As a result, don’t be surprised if you experience more severe morning sickness and are even more tired than you would be if you were carrying a single baby.
Carrying the Extra Weight
If you think you’re going to gain double the weight, don’t worry; an extra baby will usually only result in an extra 10 to 15 lbs, says Dr. Anthony Chin, an OB/GYN in Beverly Hills and a member of The Cradle Advisory Board. With a single pregnancy, women usually gain 25 to 35 lbs, so with twins you’ll probably gain around 35 to 50 lbs. Though if you’re underweight to begin with, expect to gain more.
Remember, you’re not gaining weight for no reason. To ensure your babies are getting enough nutrients, moms pregnant with twins should be eating an extra 500 calories a day, says Dehn - 300 for a single baby and 200 for each one after that. And as with any pregnancy, the most important thing is to consume a good variety of nutrients and to continue taking prenatal vitamins.
