When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads 3rd Edition: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy Kindle Edition

I wanted to share that visiting a MFM specialist ASAP would be helpful - try to be seen by 12 weeks.16 weeks may be too late - that's when I lost my angel twin boys to TTTS and TAPs. Please advocate for yourself and keep searching for MFM specialists if they tell you to wait until 16 weeks. I was not able to get an appointment at my local MFM specialist office but later found one that would have seen my baby boys before they passed. Please please know that you have options.This is a fantastic book otherwise.I pray this helps someone in honor of my twin angels. RIP Ryan and Zachary, Mama loves you <3

I purchased this book shortly after learning I was carrying a dichorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy at age 33. As a board certified family physician trained in the care of routine obstetrical patients I can confirm that many physicians receive very little training in terms of how to guide mothers on their nutritional needs, especially regarding a multiple pregnancy. I followed Dr Luke’s advice and although I delivered prematurely at 31 weeks, I consider the information life saving! My babies weighed 4 pounds 1.5 oz and 4 pounds 3 oz! They spent only 3 weeks in NICU simply learning to coordinate their suck and swallowing without tiring. My other two pregnancies of singletons were not much larger at term- one 5 lbs 10.5 oz at 37 weeks and the other was 6 lbs 10 oz at 36 weeks. According to average weight gain by week, the twins would have been around 7 lbs EACH if I had made it to 37 weeks by following Dr Luke’s plan. As a woman 5 feet 1 inch tall this is the critical point- I didn’t have the height (room) to carry “that much baby” to the end. Dr Luke explains all of this in her book and helps you get your babies the nutrition they need in the beginning while keeping them from weakening your own body. The bigger they are the better they do and you’re about to need a lot of energy to care for more than one infant! Eighteen years later I couldn’t be more proud of what Dr Luke helped me bring into this world!

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.

I must say I was afraid to read this book b/c I'm not a big eater. I read all the reviews and the ones that people said they felt guilty b/c of not gaining weight frightened me. Comments about her pushing McDonalds, etc (which the reviewers totally over-exaggerated) But I must say even after reading the book, I am not guilty b/c I know I'm doing all I can to eat as much as I can. But I think the most important thing this book taught me is WHAT to eat.I am now 20 weeks pregnant with twins and I have only gained 7 pounds. Not from a lack of trying, lol....But my babies are thriving and very healthy, doing great. B/C I'm eating the RIGHT foods I am healthy, glowing, have no swelling to speak of. My doctor said I'm one of her healthiest looking twin mom patients. My blood pressure is great, and no signs of any health concerns. I give a lot of credit to eating right and healthy.The the only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars b/c it does put a lot of emphasis on gaining weight early. But sometimes it's pretty much impossible. I gained NOTHING in my first trimester,even though I had no morning sickness and I more than doubled my food intake. My twins take EVERYTHING I eat for themselves, and leave nothing for me. But I still feel great, have never felt faint or dizzy.Every ounce of my 7 pound weight gain is in my belly and my breasts.Other than that, it totally deserves the 4 stars. Because it teaches you HOW to eat, what to eat, and why to eat it. I love where it tells you what to concentrate on per trimester. So even though I'm not packing on the pounds, b/c of this book I'm eating healthier than I have ever eaten before and I understand the importance of it. So whatever I put in my body has a direct benefit to my babies. I am also drinking protein shakes b/c this book made me understand how important protein is and I KNOW that I can't get enough from food alone b/c I simply do not have the space. But it's very easy to drink protein shakes throughout to make sure my little ones are getting enough. My doctor said also make sure when drinking the shakes, to get one packed with other vitamins as well.My advice is to definitely read this book. It's a very interesting read, I read it cover to cover b/c it was so captivating. And DON'T feel guilty if you can't eat as much as she tells you to, b/c IMO it's quite ambitious and most of us simply cannot eat that much. It's OK, just eat WHAT she tells you to, and don't concentrate on how much!!Oh, and PS - One thing I noticed is that she LOVES to toot her own horn. I rolled my eyes quite a bit while reading, lol. But you just laugh it off and keep reading :)

there are too many myths interwoven with facts on internet on popular topics like pregnancy. so when i noticed many good reviews on this book i bought it. i like this book as1. most of the practices it advocates for multiples pregnant moms are researched based. i could judge validity based on the way they conducted research. others are based on their experience running the multiple pregnancy centre.2. the sharing from Dr. Luke and some editors are wise and practical, and provides insights3. the guidance are specific4.more focus on during pregnancy (which i need. another book i also bought focuses a lot on post pregnancy care for multiples....honestly i could care for that later, as what i need now is advice on taking care of myself well to carry my twins to full term. too many horrid stories out there on dangers of carrying multiples)I am a Chinese living in the far east. but i dont see any cultural barrier in this book. the advice are sound and a lot echoes with the knowledge i got from my chinese medicine doctor.interesting to note how the author "cant emphasizes enough" that a multiple pregnant mom should gain a lot of weight. i do find that eating almost similarly to my first pregnancy with a singleton, i do not gain as much weight like last time. so i reckon most goes to the twins. i would definitely try to focus more on getting nutritious food in while my stomach is not yet cramped up by the growing twins. but gaining 20 lbs,before week 20 and overall 50 lbs sounds like mission impossible.all the best of wishes to other multiples pregnant moms

I highly recommend this book as it's packed full of information that I haven't yet received. It is written for the American woman living in the States, but even if you're not from there (I'm from the UK) it still gives very important guidelines about your multiples, what's going on, food and diet complete with recipes, the different tests, how your partner can be involved, the birth: your options and what to expect, life after birth...Im very glad I bought this book and I'd recommend it to anyone expecting multiples!

I like data-driven text, so this is a good book for me. It is well researched, academically grounded but still accessibly written. Overall full of very useful information specifically for multiples.

Was looking for a book similar to "What to expect when your expecting" by Heidi Merkoff but there doesn't seem to be anything as good available.Probably a great read if you live in the States but no good for UK resident with the NHS.Would not recommend this to a friend.

Although it focuses a lot on nourishment and weight gain, it's an excellent book that desmistifies many of the particularities of multiple pregancy, with lots of testemonials and references. Only thing I did find a bit convencional was the labouring chapter because it's very medicalized when nowadays there are other alternatives for mothers of multiples :)