Management of Multiple Pregnancy
Multiple pregnancy has more complications rather than a singleton pregnancy. Hence, time-to-time monitoring is very important in order to identify and prevent complications.
Multiple pregnancy has more complications rather than a singleton pregnancy. Hence, time-to-time monitoring is highly essential in order to identify complications early, if any, so that they can be treated on time. In order to maintain healthy pregnancy, following measures have to be followed:
- Frequent prenatal visits: Regular and frequent prenatal visits are necessary in order to detect any complications in the fetus and also to monitor nutrition and weight gain.
- Adequate nutrition: Intake of nutritious food rich in vitamins, proteins, folic acid and calcium, and lots of fluids helps a woman to cope with multiple pregnancy. These women have more nutritional requirements compared to those with singleton pregnancies.
- Adequate rest: Bed rest may be advised from the middle of second trimester i.e. 5th month onwards for some women.
- Cervical Cerclage: Some women whose cervix is physically weak and unable to close may require cervical cerclage (a procedure used to suture cervical opening) to avoid miscarriage.
- Tocolytic medications (medications used to relax the uterus) are used to slow or stop contractions of uterus in cases of preterm labor.
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- Corticosteroid medications may be given that help in maturation of lungs of the premature fetus.
- Intercourse should be avoided from the 20th or 24th week onwards.
- As for singleton pregnancy, smoking, alcohol, drugs and unprescribed medications should be avoided.
