Your body is working hard to help your babies develop, and you may be more tired than before. If your doctor has not started already, by this visit, they will start to monitor you weekly. They will also measure your progress and answer any questions.
What You Can Expect:
During this office visit, your doctor will:
- Offer you antenatal testing such as a non-stress test or a biophysical profile to make sure your babies are healthy; going forward, your doctor may ask you to come back one additional time per week for testing.
- Talk with you about what to expect before, during, and after your delivery; they will explain that because of the higher risk of complications with twin births, vaginal deliveries for twins sometimes become planned or emergency C-sections.
- Make sure that you're still gaining weight; you may find it harder to eat because the babies are pressing on your stomach. But babies gain much of their weight at the end of pregnancy, so it's important eat enough to support their growth.
- Ask if you're experiencing hemorrhoids, heartburn, or swollen ankles, and suggest possible solutions
- Tell you to avoid airplane travel for the remainder of your pregnancy
- Monitor your babies using ultrasound to track how they are growing; if you're carrying twins that share a placenta, your doctor will also check for TTS.
- Check your weight and blood pressure
- Check your babies' heart rates
- Ask you to leave a urine sample to check sugar and protein levels
Be Prepared to Discuss:
Your doctor will want to help you be ready for life with twins. Be prepared to talk about:
- Getting extra help. You will want to have someone help for a few days after you bring your twins home. Your doctor will discuss options with you, like hiring a nurse or having a parent sleep over.
- Childcare options. Your doctor will ask whether you plan to return to work after your maternity leave. If you do, you should search for childcare now. Your doctor will discuss your options, including nannies and childcare centers.
Ask Your Doctor:
Tap the Action button above to select questions to ask your doctor.
- Does a non-stress test affect my babies?
- How often do unplanned C-sections happen?
- What foods are high in nutrients but less filling?
- If I change my diet, will that help with my heartburn?
- Is there anything I can do to prevent hemorrhoids?
- Can I use OTC hemorrhoid or heartburn medications?
- Should I wear support hose for my swollen ankles?
