When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads 4th Edition: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy Paperback – February 7, 2017

I'm currently pregnant with mo-di twins and came across this book on some forum somewhere (side note: stay off the forums though!). Some reviewers have said they don't like that the authors go over some of the scarier parts of carrying twins, but frankly I found their approach to be so refreshing. They weren't just doom and gloom like every website out there - this book gives you actionable tips on how to prevent things like preterm labor and low birth weight (both factors in a lot of health issues associated with twin pregnancies).Then, when I finally got into see my perinatologist office, the first thing they did was recommend this book, and that's saying something since they're connected to one of the two hospitals in the US that does surgeries for TTTs - so they're definitely informed and on the cutting edge of twin pregnancy info. They were thrilled to hear I was already reading this book and then gave me handouts straight from the book on weight gain recommendations and protein intake guidelines to make sure I'm on the right track.Anyway, because of this book I feel like there's actions I can take to address some of the things I'm concerned about with this pregnancy. Instead of just sitting and waiting and hoping that I don't have pre-term babies who are low birthweight, I can actually take steps in my daily life to try and work towards a longer pregnancy with larger and healthier babies.The only downside of this book is that there are definitely some outdated references - like they suggest renting a DVD for workout videos, and at one point they mention baby bumpers for cribs without any warning about the risks. Clearly that kind of thing needs to be updated and reflects that this book was first written awhile ago. But otherwise the medical stuff is all sound.

This is the definitive book on twin pregnancy. Unless your OB/peri specializes in multiples, this book will tell you things your doctor won't address and you probably won't think to ask. Even the reading material I got from my multiples birthing class cites this book. It also covers a lot of things that most pregnancy books gloss over, like preterm labor, prematurity and the NICU (you may think you won't need this section, but read it just in case), and bonding with/caring for multiple babies.To address a few points brought up by others:1. The diet recommendations are not as out there as reviewers make them sound. Dr. Luke may be recommending cheeseburgers, but she is not saying to go carte blanche on french fries and other white starches. The three main points to the diet are (1) Protein, protein and more protein, (2) Eat enough to gain weight. For me at least, this part wasn't hard since I was an unstoppable eating machine, (3) Keep your blood sugar levels stable. If you eat as much protein as this book recommends, you won't have room for starchy carbs that mess with your blood sugar. I will say it's not the most vegetarian-friendly plan, to say the least. But it's a plan based on 20 years of research. I gained 60 pounds attempting to eat like this -- and more than 50 of them were gone by my 6-week checkup.2. They're not kidding with the recommendations on rest. I wish I would have followed this part more closely ... maybe I would have avoided preterm labor!3. The scare tactics do get a little out of hand sometimes. But the reason for the extra caution is this: The authors want you to understand the implications of a high-risk pregnancy, whether your OB makes them clear to you or not. A little extra caution can make a world of difference in the outcome. My advice for twin mamas to be: Take it easy like it's your job. You won't have time for it later ... trust me!

Hello Future Mamas to Be,We were and are an infertile couple and had spent an enormous amount of energy (and money) trying to get pregnant with IVF. Since I am a research hog, I knew from the get go that our chances of having a successful pregnancy and take home baby were slim due to our medical problems and the use of IVF itself.So I took it upon myself to read everything about increasing my chances of pregnancy and a take home baby. I read Dr. Luke's book on preventing miscarriage (forgot the official name) and then read this book once I was officially pregnant with twins.My ob-gyn did not tell me all the important information this book told m)e. I had only gained 15 pounds in the 20 weeks of pregnancy. My gut told me that was not right, and then viola, I found this book and confirmed my suspicions.I followed all her advice to the T...and even then I had experienced a threatened abortion at 20 weeks, preterm labor at 24 weeks were the doctors found birth was eminent with some type of protein Fft test (forgot the name). Anyway, my babies wanted to come out at 24 weeks, but I managed to hold on until 32 weeks.They were born at 3 pounds and 15 oz for baby A and 3 pounds and 4 oz for baby B. They would had weighed much less had I not armed myself with knowledge and increased my weight in the 2nd trimester (when I found the book). I also had proactively adjusted my lifestyle and work to have my be off my feet as much as possible and to lie on my left side (increases blood to baby(ies).Then they were off to the NICU for 6 weeks, and the book, also educated me preemptively about the NICU experience and therefore was well prepared before their birth. (Thank God because the NICU itself is an emotional roller coaster.)And the book told me about the "fourth tri-mester) of breastfeeding and feeding myself to keep them going on breast milk for a year plus a day (counted every day because it physically hurt me to breast feed every single time, even with the pump).Anyway, because of this book and my proactiveness, my babies are about to turn four years old and are as happy, healthy, handsome young men as can be.I hardly recommend anything, let alone, have time to write a review...but I DO recommend this book to all future mothers of multiples wholeheartedly.Good luck and wish you a positive outcome in your pregnancy,Sylvia