You’ve gotten the great news. You’re pregnant! Perhaps you reached this place without the aid of any medical procedures, or perhaps you used fertility-enhancing drugs or in-vetro fertilization. Nevertheless, the goal is in sight, and you’re thrilled. Then the doctor tells you: you’re having twins. Or triplets, or maybe even quintuplets. Now, faced with the possibility of not just one baby but two, three or even more, you’re wondering if your preparation for will be enough for the unexpected bundles of joy you’re about to receive. Here’s some advice for how to readjust your pregnancy plan. Work with your hospital as well as your OBGYN to prepare for the arrival of multiple babies. Particularly with a large number of infants, it’s imperative that the hospital be ready to face a myriad of medical situations upon birth. With the Jones quintuplets in 2012, the UT Southwestern Medical Center reports that it had five sets of equipment ready for the babies in case any medical problem arose. Contemporary Women’s Care can be a key player in this type of preparation, with our 3D Ultrasound Suite and our electronic and easily accessed records. Also make sure to plan out places to stay around the hospital of your choice, or choose one close to where you live. A large number of babies can mean premature labor, which means the infants might have to stay in the hospital longer than expected. Make sure you have a plan to see and be with them if they need an extended stay. The next step is to start budgeting accordingly. It is no surprise that children are a large financial commitment. If you were expecting and budgeting for one, you’re going to need to adjust your savings when five come along. Start the day you get the news–don’t wait another second. Build up your support system. This is going to be an adjustment, and you might be frightened or intimidated by the idea of birthing and caring for multiples. Make sure your and your partners’ families are on board. If that’s not possible, bring your close friends into your circle. Find people you can rely on to help you on the days when it’s too much. Focus on your relationship with your partner–make sure you’re strong and ready to take on the challenges together. Find a gynecologist that is not just a doctor but a friend, and someone you can turn to for support and advice. Go to every checkup and take every precaution. These steps are important enough with one, but even more important with two or more. Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. Take care of yourself and attend regular checkups to make sure the babies are healthy. And finally, don’t worry too much. Whether you’re a brand new mom or you’re going through the joys of pregnancy again, you’ll do just fine. As long as you have a plan in mind, a support system and a reliable medical team, like the ones at Contemporary Women’s Center, you’ll meet the challenges you face with success. Tags: Pregnancy Multiples, Pregnancy Planning About Dr. LaKrystal Warren Dr. Warren is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida A&M University, medical degree from Wake Forest University, and also completed her residency at The University of Florida, in Gainesville. Originally from Orlando, she has had a lifetime of calling this community her home. Dr. Warren has been in practice for over 5 years and provides comprehensive prenatal, antepartum and postpartum care in addition to office and operative gynecology. In her free time, Dr. Warren enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.
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