7 Easy Tips to Stay Healthy in a Twin Pregnancy

How to stay healthy during twin pregnancy?

Staying healthy in a twin pregnancy is freaking hard. Why? Because hello cravings and also all the risks associated with carrying twins.

We might not be able to control a lot of things but we can do certain things to keep a healthy twin pregnancy.

The one thing we can control is how we take care of ourselves throughout our pregnancy journey.

Is about learning that your pregnancy is unique and in order to stay healthy you need to focus on what matters most… YOU and growing two healthy babies.

Below are the tips to help you stay healthy throughout your twin pregnancy

• Take it easy
• Eat healthy
• Stay active
• Get help
• Get a massage
• Stay hydrated
• Take require medications

1. Take it easy

I know we are all busy with work, running a house, kids if you already have them.

But we need to learn to slow down. A twin pregnancy is full of aches and pains and learning to slow down is a must.

If you want to continue to grow healthy babies then you need to sometimes let things go and take care of yourself.

• If you need that nap take it
• Cancel unnecessary activities to allow you ample time to rest
• Try to prioritize and only focus on the most important task and everything else let it go or outsource it.

The main thing is to learn to chill and listen to your body. You will know when you need to rest.

Try not to push yourself too much. Growing twins is already a lot for you and your body. So as much as you want to be a superwoman let it go.

Remember healthy babies and healthy momma is the name of the game.

2. Eat Healthy

I know pregnancy is all about indulging and eating whatever you want and craving.

But a twin pregnancy is already high risk because of the fact that you’re carrying two babies.

Do your best by controlling what you eat and try to eat as healthy as possible.

I’m not saying you can’t eat the ice cream or french fries.

Just try your best to eat a balanced meal as much as you can.

Twin Pregnancy Diet

I’m sure you’re asking yourself do you need a specific diet while pregnant? what should you eat during your twin pregnancy?

These were questions I was asking myself and the short answer to these questions are:

YES and NO. It all depends on your pregnancy and if you already have risk factors or complications.

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, A woman who is pregnant with twins might need an extra 300 calories per baby.

Because I’m not your doctor and don’t know your specific needs is crucial that you reach out to them and talk about your dietary needs throughout your twin pregnancy.

Either they will set out a plan for you or recommend you to a dietician which is what my OB doctor did with me.

I was referred to a dietician because:

A. I had no idea how much I needed to be eating with twins

B. I had gestational diabetes with my first baby so my doctor just wanted to make sure I had an eating plan

My dietician set specific weight goals for me. Those goals were set based on my starting weight.

What’s the recommended weight gain?

Again this is based on your starting weight, BMI, and any other risk factors you might have.

This is why I can’t recommend you specific calories because I don’t know you’re weight and I’m also not a dietitian nor your doctor.

What should you eat during your twin pregnancy?

What you can do which is also what my dietician did is to follow the food plate approach.

The food plate approach is broken down into 4 sections

• Vegetables and fruits: Green leafy vegetables. If for some reason you have gestational diabetes then be careful with fruits because that natural sugar might spike your blood sugar.

• Grains: whole grain and healthy fats

• Protein: Lean protein such as chicken. Stay away from raw meat or pretty much any uncooked meat

• Dairy: Yogurt, cheeses

As long as you’re focusing on eating a balanced and healthy meal then you will be on the right track.

And if you are ever unsure consult with your doctor. They will weigh you every time you go for an appointment so if there are any concerns they will be able to guide you in the right direction.

They will be able to create a plan that is targeted just for YOU and what your body needs to continue to grow healthy babies.

If your doctor is not worried about your weight then you’re obviously doing a great job so keep it up.

Easy meal ideas

Because we are busy and coming up with ideas can sometimes be hard. These are some of the meals I ate while I was pregnant.

• Eggs: breakfast tacos, egg sandwiches, scrambled eggs and toast, oatmeal with raisins on it.

• Lunch: grilled cheese with tomato soup, salad with chicken, chicken wrap

• Dinner: fajitas, chicken with vegetables, chicken with brown rice and vegetables

• Snacks: yogurt with granola, rice cakes with peanut butter, popcorn

These are just some of the meals I ate. I kept them simple and easy to cook. Because when you’re tired you don’t have time to be in the kitchen all day.

Another way to keep meals simple is to eat the same thing over and over. OR at least for a week and then the next week rotate the meals.

3. Stay Active

I know I just told you to slow down and take it easy but it’s about finding a balance.

Part of also staying healthy is moving.

You don’t need to do hardcore cardio to stay active.

Remember to consult with your doctor first to see what exercises they recommend and what you need to stay away from.

But if all things failed you can always go for walks. That’s what I did.

I pretty much walked around my neighborhood or went to the park and walked the track while my son played in the playground.

Get moving. If you have an apple watch use the feature that tells you is time to stand when you have been sitting for too long.

Even if it’s just to walk around your house.

4. Get help

This is the time to swallow any pride you might have and have people come help you.

Or start arranging help for when the twins arrived. Newborn twins are hard work and you can use all of the help people are willing to give you.

The more you progress into your twin pregnancy the harder everything will be.

Involved your spouse, older kids, and any family members to help you get chores done around the house.

My last draw was cleaning the bathtub around my second semester with my twin pregnancy that I could barely bend to do it.

My husband saw me struggling and told me to stop and he started cleaning all of the bathrooms.

To this day my husband still cleans all of the bathrooms.

I actually think he does a better job than me.

I’m sharing my example for you to learn that twin pregnancy is hard and if you need to deligate chores, tasks, etc in order for you to focus on taking care of yourself then do it.

If you can afford help then also do it… Whether:

• Someone comes and clean your house
• Pay for meal deliveries
• Or even a babysitter for your other kids

It takes a village to get through a twin pregnancy and also to survive raising twins. It’s ok to ask for help and it doesn’t make you less of a mother.

Don’t become like me and think you need to do everything because guess what? there isn’t an award for being superwoman.

I learned the hard way after wanting to do everything the first time around.

By the time I had the twins I had so much help that I could actually breathe and focus on myself.

5. Get a massage

This is another one you need to talk to your doctor about beforehand to make sure that there is no risk for you and your baby.

The massage place will also have you sign a waiver.

But if you can afford to either get a membership or get even one prenatal massage then do it.

They are worth every penny.

To be able to relax and give your back a break its amazing.

They also help relax your brain from all of the twin-related information overloads you’re probably dealing with.

This is a great way to decrease some of the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. And most importantly give your back some much needed attention and love.

HINT- if people want to give you a gift or you have a birthday coming up this is a great thing to ask for.

6. Stay hydrated

How much water should you drink while pregnant with twins?

The same standards apply here. 8 glasses of 8 ounces. If you can do more great.

Drinking water is not a new thing. We all need water to survive.

But now you’re pregnant and with two you definitely need to get on the water game.

Yes is a pain when one of the most annoying twin pregnancy symptoms is frequent urination.

Who wants to drink water when 5 minutes later you’re going to need to pee?

Plus when you’re also so nauseous water can be pretty gross.

But find a way to incorporate it into your everyday life. Plus it will also be crucial once you embark on breastfeeding.

And yes it is possible to breastfeed twins… With lots of patience, cursing, and dedication. If you do choose to go that route.

Just get in the habit of drinking water.

7. Take your prenatal vitamins

Part of staying healthy in a twin pregnancy is making sure you’re taking all of the medications recommended by your doctor.

Even though they aren’t specific prenatal vitamins for twins. You should start taking vitamins as soon as you find out you’re pregnant or you can even begin taking them in the process of conceiving.

Just make sure you find vitamins with folic acid.

More tips for a healthy twin pregnancy

Do you need to take two prenatal vitamins for twins?

No. Just because you’re having two babies you don’t necessarily need more. Just find good prenatal vitamins and if you’re not sure then ask your doctor for advice.

How much folic acid do you need?

Again prenatal vitamins have folic acid in there already so before deciding to take more on your own consult with your doctor. Some might recommend adding additional folic acid and iron to combat anemia.

Anemia is pretty common in a twin pregnancy. SO your doctor might increase your folic acid intake and iron. However, you shouldn’t do this on your own.

Before making changes consult with your doctor. They will add extra mediations depending on how your pregnancy progresses.

Am I consider a high-risk pregnancy?

Yes. Because you’re carrying two babies. That doesn’t mean that you will have additional complications.

It just means you need extra visits, ultrasounds, care, etc. Don’t panic when you hear high risk. Just do your part and make sure you communicate with your doctor.

Last words for how to have a healthy twin pregnancy

With twins, there isn’t a lot you can control because let’s face it only mother nature truly knows. But we can control how we take care of ourselves.

Remember You’re growing two babies at the same time. It is going to take a lot out of you physically and emotionally.

Take it one day at a time, stay healthy, get moving, rest as much as you can.

Remember this too shall pass. You’re rocking it and you’re truly a survivor.

Take it from a mom that made it. So you will too.

I would love to hear from you in the comments… Share with me your experiences with your twin pregnancy.

Twin related articles:

• Ways to get through a summer twin pregnancy
• Twin baby shower ideas
• Twin digital shower invitation ideas
• Letter to new twin mom
• Survive newborn twins
• Online Twin breastfeeding classes
• Best twin mom blogs
• What to pack in your hospital bag for twins

How to keep twin pregnancy healthy