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Possible Risks to Mother of a Multiple Birth Pregnancy
Reader's Questions and Answers: |
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NOTE: Answers provided are of a general nature only and in no way reflect a medical opinion or diagnosis. If you are in doubt about any aspect of your pregnancy, please consult your physician immediately.
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Feedback:
February, 2006
Wonderful Article. My question concerns Incompetent Cervix. Can this condition be inherited? My wife, a very slender women, is pregnant with twins (seventh week). Her mother presented with a Incompetent Cervix and had multiple miscarriages. Is it possible my wife could inherit this condition? Thank you. James D'Loughy
From Lynda:
Thank you for your question and congratulations on your wonderful news. This is an important question and, in fact, I can't answer you. For sure you need to ask your doctor about your wife's personal situation. What we inherit is individual (even in the same family - that's why one child looks like Mom and the other like Dad, or other members of the family) and could, conceivably, skip a generation, e.g. freckles, eye colour, dimples. Each person would be different. Absolutely tell your doctor about your wife's Mom. This will help the doctor plan the pregnancy. You would also want to stack the cards in the babies' favour: eat nurtitiously, don't smoke or be around secondhand smoke, no alcohol or drugs, if her body tells her she is tired STOP AND REST. It may be necessary for her to quit work early. As the pregnancy progresses, gravity is not a friend and long bouts of standing can put undue pressure on the cervix. Also important, keep all regular doctor appointments.
I sincerely hope the pregnancy goes well and you are soon holding those wee babes in your arms.
Feedback:
December, 2005
What are some precautions I can take in order to secure the life of my unborn babies throughout the "danger zone"? I'm worried about miscarrying one or both, only because it's my first set of twins!! I don't want to lose either one!
From Lynda:
There are never any guarantees but there are things one can do to help stack the deck on the babies' behalf:
-keep regular doctor appointments;
-eat and drink nutritiously;
-no alcohol, no smoking, no exposure to second hand smoke;
-be aware of the signs and symptoms of premature labour (article on my Site) and Low Birth Weight Prevention Site at www.lbwinfo.ca)
The rest is out of our hands but there is no reason why things shouldn't go well. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Read, journal, and connect with your local support chapter. You'll love the connection with other parents of multiples.
Have a wonderful pregnancy.
Feedback:
November, 2005
My name Matt Hughes and my fiance is pregnant with twins. She is 20, I am 26. I would like to know more about precautions and other related information regarding safety issues and diet information to gaurentee a healthy pregnancy as comfortable as it can be..please respond back.....concerned father and mother to be, thank you for your time to read this, and for any further information you may provide in the future to be helpful.
Sincerely yours, Matthew
From Lynda:
Hi Matthew, congratulations on your special news. You will have your hands full, but the rewards are amazing. I need to let you know that I am not a medical person, and more importantly, I do not have knowledge of your fiancée's medical situation. My comments are therefore of a general nature.
As with any pregnancy there are no guarantees although the majority are just fine, thank you very much, including those with twins, triplets or more. Not everything can be controlled but there are things that can be done to stack the deck in your favour. These are some suggestions. I would also point out that the symptoms in this article are what COULD happen, not necessarily what will. Knowledge is power and being able to act responsibly and quickly can make a positive difference. Each pregnancy is different, even for the same woman.
There are several things parents can do to help ensure a successful pregnancy and birth. I will list some of them, in no particular order:
1) Keep regular doctor appointments. In this way Mom can be regularly monitored, receive feedback and the doctor is in the best position to make decisions to keep the pregnancy and Mom healthy and happy;
2) Eat nutritiously. Skip the sweets, junk food and stick to a healthy diet. If Mom doesn't feel like eating or fills up quickly at meal times (the babies will push against her stomach as they develop, making little room for food), make sure that when she does eat she eats nutritiously;
3) Learn as much as you can ahead of time about expecting and having twins. BOTH of you! Knowledge is power and the more you know before you need it, the better position you will be in if you have to make decision. It is really important for Dad to be knowledgeable as well because the first person Mom tells that she is feeling 'funny,' for example, is Dad. So he must be in tune with what is going on and then make decisions on how to proceed. If ever you are in doubt, go to the hospital where you are expecting to give birth. They can assess you and take any action, if necessary, or send you home. These are your babies and it is important that you be as knowledgeable as possible;
4) Neither of you should smoke, or at least cut down if you can and smoke outdoors if you can't stop. Multiple birth babies are usually born premature and it is important that their air be as clean as possible, including while Mom is pregnant. Encourage any smokers to smoke outside so there is no second hand smoke;
5) Mom needs to stay away from alcohol while pregnant. It is recommended that she not take even one drink. Err on the side of caution;
6) There is a great Site www.lbwinfo.ca, which shares information on low birth weight prevention for parents expecting multiples. Give it a look see too and learn more;
7) Join your local multiple birth support chapter. Connecting with other parents is an important support tool for new parents;
8) Keep positive, keep your lives as stress free as possible, don't listen to negative advice. You can look the person in the eye, Smile, and say, 'we are only interested in hearing positive advice. Thanks!' People, meaning well, will sometimes bring out every horrid story they know and guess what, you don't have to listen. Be proactive and shield yourselves and your babies from negativity and undue stress;
9) ENJOY your pregnancy, support each other, keep the lines of communication open between you, including after your babies arrive. Don't take too much personally, work towards your common goal, i.e. happy, healthy pregnancy and beautiful, little munchkins to cherish and love. Cool!
I think it is great that you wrote me. It is both parents' responsibility to get through a pregnancy and Dad, you are doing a great job already!!! Have a wonderful pregnancy and birth.
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