The Baby Bump Twins and Triplets Edition by Carley Roney and TheBump.com editors - Chronicle

: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

contents

introduction week-by-week fetal development weeks 8–13

chapter one

did you say twins?

YOUR TO-DO LIST

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I what babies are up to I

8 10

12

plus: due-date calculator, multiples 101, how checkups will be different from singleton pregnancies, healthful foods, and prenatal vitamins

chapter two weeks 14–17

one trimester down YOUR TO-DO LIST

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I what babies are up to I

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plus: taking a vacation and healthful ways to get extra calories

chapter three

bump alert weeks 18–22

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I what babies are up to I plus: safe nursery-decorating tips, what you really need to buy and put on your registry for multiples YOUR TO-DO LIST

chapter four

the real kickoff weeks 23–27

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YOUR TO-DO LIST

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I what babies are up to I

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plus: what to put on your birth plan, kick-counts, normal weight for multiples, and fun ways to exercise while pregnant

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chapter five

officially huge YOUR TO-DO LIST

: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

weeks 28–31

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I what babies are up to I

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plus: how to get the sleep you need, questions to ask on the hospital tour, what to look for in a car seat, how to find the right pediatrician

weeks 32–35

chapter six

the end is near YOUR TO-DO LIST

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I what babies are up to I

104

plus: bed rest, hospital bag packing checklist, choosing between a bassinet and a crib, baby-proofing your home

weeks 36 to delivery

chapter seven

this is it—the final month and delivery! 116 YOUR TO-DO LIST

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I what babies are up to I

plus: the debate about labor induction, contraction counter, the stages of labor, what to expect in the delivery room­(devices, tools, and staff), debate about circumcision, and postnatal recovery

the first weeks

chapter eight

now what do i do with these things?

YOUR TO-DO LIST

I what you’re in for . . . I on your mind . . . I

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plus: baby health-care kit essentials, what you need for babies’ first bath, newborn care, and what to look for in a diaper bag

checklists need more advice? index acknowledgments credits

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164 170 171 176 176

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: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

introduction

Double, triple, quadruple congrats!

You’re having

twins—or more! With any pregnancy (especially the first), there are so many new things to think about, from what you can (and can’t) eat to all that crazy stuff happening to your body.

(Seriously, did anyone tell you your boobs would start looking bluish and your gums would bleed like this?)

But for moms-to-be of multiples, there are even more questions that your singletonpregnancy pals won’t ever have to think about: Can your babies kick each other? (No, that amniotic fluid is pretty tough.) What’s a mixed delivery?(Just what it sounds like: one

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: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

The Baby Bump Twins and Triplets Edition

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vaginal; one cesarean. They’re not super-common, and if you’re having multiples, you’re pretty much guaranteed a c-section.) Will they grow at the same rate? (Probably not exactly but pretty close.) What are the chances they’ll be identical? (Fraternal twins are far more common.) How come the doctor heard only one heartbeat? (Sometimes one baby will be behind another and muffle out the sound.) The list goes on and on, and don’t worry—the answers on these pages go into a lot more depth. We’ll give you the lowdown on everything mamas-to-be are wondering—and even those first few weeks when you bring babies home. Caring for one is tough enough, but once you add more, it can get pretty hairy if you don’t have help.

And if you have more questions or just want to chat with other moms of multiples, go to TheBump.com/multiples. There are experts, message boards, and loads more info.

You’re in for a crazy, thrilling, amazing time. And there are, oh, at least 1,000 things to figure out before your babies arrive. It’s a good thing you have those 30-plus weeks to get ready. So get reading, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey, too. There’s nothing in the world like being pregnant. Having a baby (or two or three at once) rocks your world, but in a really good way.

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: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

first weeks trimester 8–13 TheBump.com/week13

chapter

one did you say twins?

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: D D TE E N H IZ IO IG R T R HO BU PY T I O U TR C T A IS O D N R FO

The Baby Bump

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weeks 8–13

more good news!

By the time the doctor tells you

you’re carrying multiples, you’re probably well into your first

your to-do list

trimester (that’s why we start with week 8, not week 1). As you’re getting over the shock of finding out there’s not just one baby in there and probably feeling tired and overwhelmed and even struggling with morning sickness, you know you’ll be turning the

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corner in just a few weeks. Wahoo! Plus, there’s something huge to look forward to: This is the month when your OB will (probably)

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Schedule a CV screening Hear the heartbeats at for three (or E more!)

Buy a bigger bra

start listening to the babies’ heartbeats at each visit—there’s no cooler sound for a mama-to-be than the thump-thumping you’re going to hear (don’t be freaked out that it’s fast; that’s totally

Connect with other mamas-to-be of multiples at TheBump.com/chat

normal). So take the leftover nasties in stride and look forward to an increasing appetite, an increasing waistline, and (hopefully) a decreasing sense of having to throw up at any given moment.

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first weeks trimester 8–13

what you’re in for . . .

Weird—that I’ve got bluish veins sounds like a horse galloping. showing up I’M PEEING CONSTANTLY.

under the skin on my boobs.

Another zit? And this one’s on my back!

my boobs are getting huge!

I need TUMS. Now. (Hello, heartburn.)

OMG—there are three in there.

I’M CONSTANTLY HUNGRY.

twins!

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I’m feeling cranky, tired, and nauseous.

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