Women expecting twins or multiple children need to cope with
the extra burden after the birth of the children. Also during the pregnancy,
there are few things that the would-be mother needs to take care of. The mother
usually has lots of questions and concern. It becomes very important to get the
answers to the questions as soon as possible. It has been observed that women
who have given multiple
births are more prone to postnatal
depression.
How to Cope with Pre and
Post Multiple Births
The struggle starts right from the time you come to know
that you are pregnant with twins
or multiples. There are medical issues, emotional issues and you have to
prepare your mind, body and the family for the birth of your babies.
Coping with Multiple
Pregnancies
Well, you do not have to eat for two or three or do
something of this sort. Your body will show changes just like any other
pregnant woman and the only thing is that your belly will get enlarged at a greater
amount. You have to take care of your diet and
maintain a varied and healthy diet plan.
Just pay attention that you take 50 – 100 percent more
protein, calcium and iron and be cautious about the intake of Vitamin B12 and
folic acid. No matter what your activity level is, you should take rest at
intervals. It is better if you stop or make your activities minimal after 29
weeks. However, you should plan your diet according to the doctor’s advice.
Giving Birth to Multiples
Twins or multiples are born one by one and it is not
necessary that both of them come with a difference of only few seconds. The
doctor continuously monitors the second child and will not take any action unless
there is any emergency. After the first child is born, the position of the
second one is checked.
Breastfeeding Twins
Breastfeeding
twins could be the biggest challenge after multiple births. But you should
not worry because your body will respond in the same manner and you will have
enough milk to feed both your infants. Otherwise you can find natural ways of
improving and increasing breast milk supply. It depends on you and your
convenience whether you want to feed them together or one at a time. You simply
have to make sure the positioning is right for both of your infants.
Bottle Feeding Twins
The biggest advantage of feeding your twins with formula
milk is that someone else can help you feed your infants or at least one of
them.
Naming the Twins
There are options available and you can search the internet
for that. However, some parents like to name their twins
that they feel will work together. Make sure the names fit in with your last
name also.
Parenting Twins
If your twins are identical you might be able to get
confused or not perfectly distinguish both of them. Do not feel guilty. It is
natural and obvious. Watching them grow and develop together will be a real
fun. Enjoy your parenting period and watch how they get along with each other.
Take help from your husband and involve him in day to
day activities. Just keep in mind that twins squabble more than other siblings
and they learn to share very early too. So, you can ignore many things unless
one is not harming the other one. However, you will find that learning language
is experienced late in twins and multiples as compared to singletons.