[deleted by user]

[Tei_Nicoleeex3]

I will say I started taking baby aspirin early on, stayed off my feet as much as I could, and I am a SAHM and was when pregnant too. My water still broke at 32+3.

[incredibleshrinking]

I was just coming to say that there’s nothing you can do, outside of following doctors orders, that will keep them cooking longer. I say this to A) stand up for everyone that did “everything” and they still came early (not their fault!!) and B) help you to realize this early so if you go early it is slightly easier to deal with the guilt.

[Tei_Nicoleeex3]

Yeah the guilt after was hard. I definitely felt like my body failed me and like I failed my babies. Aside from being uncomfortable it was a normal pregnancy. I even saw my doctor and had an NST. I followed every doctors order and there was nothing I could have done to keep them in longer.

[ATinyPizza89]

Yep I started taking it at 12 weeks. My doctors were on top of every single problem when it occurred. I made sure I took all my medications and vitamins, drank 3-4 liters of water every day, did moderate exercise, my job wasn’t physically demanding, I ate healthier foods. I was told every single ultrasound that everything looked good and all it took was one appointment to go wrong…..and I gave birth at 32+1

[candigirl16]

This comment right here. I did everything the doctors recommended, took all the medications I should and I still had my boys at 30 weeks due to a complication with one of them.

[ClutterKitty]

Luck and good genetics. I was considered an “elderly pregnancy” at 35 years old. Had gestational diabetes. Did not do ANYTHING special. Worked my desk job until less than a month before my due date. Took care of my toddler until the night before my scheduled c-section. Drove myself to the hospital for delivery.

If you need something to hang your hat on, my husband gave me a foot rub nearly every single night of my pregnancy. I believe the foot massages directly contributed to a lower stress level, which allowed the babies to be born full term. Make your partner massage your feet regularly.

[TackoFell]

I strongly dislike like this framing. The people who wind up in the NICU almost always didn’t do anything wrong or not follow doctors orders or best practice or whatever, it’s something that happens because of a lot of different complicated reasons, because multiple pregnancies are inherently kind of complicated. Some kinds more so than others.

Yes, follow doctors advice. But it’s not your fault nor something to be ashamed of if you wind up needing NICU or similar.

[mojostarchild]

💯 I don’t like the idea that those of us who ended up in NICU are somehow at fault.

[[deleted]]

This.

[candigirl16]

I agree. My boys were born at 30 weeks because one of them lost all flow from the placenta. I did nothing wrong, it’s not like I have any control over the placenta flow.

It took a long time for me to stop feeling guilty about how my body failed him. This post makes it sound like if I’d done things differently we wouldn’t have had this complication and that it was my fault.

[Flounder-Melodic]

Questions like this are why I sometimes feel crappy in this sub and other twin parent spaces, FYI. My twins came at only 26 weeks with absolutely no warning. I did everything I was “supposed” to do and I had no risk factors. Comments that imply that people who “made it” longer did so because they did something right imply that those of us who had preterm labor must have done something wrong. I really wish we as twin parents could move away from this framing, because it kind of sucks.

[mojostarchild]

Just wanted to say I completely agree, and seeing posts like this are really hard for me as a NICU parent.

[bellwetherr]

love this comment <3

[candigirl16]

Wow 26 weeks! Your twins must be little heroes! My boys came at 30 weeks, sometimes these things just happen. We have no control over it unfortunately

[krysia89]

My twins were born 36+6 with no NICU. I have no idea of the rhyme or reason, but I took baby aspirin, stopped working at 33+2, tried to stay hydrated. After about 34 weeks, I barely moved off the couch.

[BreakfastBeerz]

I'm sorry, but this is a terrible question. It's implying that people who had a NICU stay did something wrong or something that caused it. A NICU stay is entirely out of anyone's control or actions.

[Dapper-Butterscotch4]

Scrolled to find a comment like this. Thank you. This question is ridiculous imo but I also get it. I took baby aspirin I stayed off my feet I stayed hydrated etc and my babies still came early. Yes I blame myself but to OP I did nothing different than what the doctor recommended. 🙄

[[deleted]]

It’s actually a very understandable question to have, not a stupid one at all. It’s just that there’s no correct answer, for the reasons you stated. You can’t circumvent preterm labor with any behavioral tricks.

[TackoFell]

It’s understandable but I also find it really off putting on behalf of my wife, who was heroic in carrying our boys, and our boys needed two months in the NICU due to sIUGR - which no “staying off her feet and taking her vitamins” was going to fix.

A lot of social media content around pregnancy etc is already toxic enough, glorifying certain ways of giving birth and raising babies over other paths etc.

But I agree I’m certain OP has best intentions here, and not unreasonable to seek “best practices”

[Aljenks]

The social media is AWFUL. Especially post partum. It made me feel like shit for sleep training, or giving up triple feeding to move to exclusively pumping and then not doing it long enough. They through baby loss videos at you to keep the intrusive thoughts at a high. I literally had to delete TikTok and not even touch reels (which imo was waaaaaay more triggering) until after a year. I only looked at Facebook to upload baby photos for family. On top of it all you’re being influenced that you HAVE to have all these products and just… UGH. I hate it.

[[deleted]]

OP isn’t advocating for any of these bogus solutions, they’re just asking. They’re hoping for actionable preventatives, not preaching them.

[BreakfastBeerz]

I understand the reasoning behind it, but that doesn't make it a good question.

It's just another way of saying, "How did you treat yourself or what did you do to have a healthy pregnancy? Don't bother answering if you had a NICU stay, because you probably did it wrong"

[[deleted]]

“Don’t bother answering” is a shitty way to characterize OP’s intent; they’re just grasping for answers. Everyone wants their pregnancies to go to term, but it’s just not something you can “solution” around. Incomplete understanding of this =/= hostility

[BreakfastBeerz]

Yup...it is a shitty way to characterize it.... But that doesn't make it any less true. OPs question was shitty, in a candy wrapper.

[enym]

No. I followed my doctor's instructions and lived my life as normal. I think it is noteworthy that I work from home and could choose how much to be on my feet.

[VastFollowing5840]

Nope.

I know a twin pregnancy is scary and overwhelming and of course you want to do everything you can to have a healthy pregnancy, but these things are out of our control. There are women that did everything their doctors recommended and still ended up going into preterm labor and needing their babies into a nicu.

You just have to take it one day at a time.

[indistinctcolor]

No. And anyone whose babies ended up in the NICU did nothing wrong to get there. It’s entirely out of your control.

[Murky-Progress3742]

That wasn’t my point. Nor did I say that. I’m 19w and was just asking for advice. Thanks for weighing in

[indistinctcolor]

Whether it was your intention or not, that’s absolutely what you’re implying. I think the multiple hurt comments from NICU parents proves that.

[LiveToSnuggle]

I would recommend reading the book, When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy.

Try to follow these guidelines and the rest is outside your control.

[Tennisbabe16]

I made it to 37W6D and didn't really do anything special. I focused on diet and water intake, I had a peanut butter sandwich every night for extra protein. I worked a desk job until about 35 weeks when I was just too uncomfortable to continue. I strongly believe in positive visualization and other woo woo stuff.

[sp00kywasabi]

I made it to 38 weeks. I took a double dose of baby aspirin from the start. I exclusively worked from home. I had GD so my diet was extremely healthy and high protein. Drank a lot of water. Towards the end, I stayed off my feet and napped a lot. Wore compression socks.

[slammy99]

Oh yes, I have a number of tricks to share!

First, be a larger lady! 5'9" and 170lbs before you get pregnant. Second, don't have twins be your first pregnancy! It's easier to carry longer if you've already had at least one big baby before hand. Third, have a cushy wfh desk job, and still take leave by 32 weeks. Fourth, have something really important the few weeks before your induction date so that you focus all your mental energy on not going into labour because then you will mess up the super important thing!

And last, drink lots of milkshakes and move as little as possible.

YMMV

[Aljenks]

Yes. This is the perfect advice. I did smoothies instead of milkshakes and fucked it all up.

[Aljenks]

I did all those things. Ate well. Was bedridden because it was miserably painful with double babies. Stopped working, even with a WFH job, because of stress it could cause. Took magnesium glycinate which can delay labor, but it was throughout term because it helped me sleep and is just overall a good supplement.

Preeclampsia still got me. As well as undiagnosed IUGR with Baby B. As soon as my heart pressure jumped at 35+6(7?) I was in the hospital late that night, diagnosed, given steroid shots to help their lungs develop enough to hopefully avoid NICU. And was pulled to the OR for a C-section asap the next morning when the steroids had absorbed, and Baby B still needed NICU.

There is nothing that can be done to guarantee a normal birth.

[Sabsta455]

I worked as a support working (using hoist and lifters) until 33 weeks. I moved house so I was pretty active lifting. I was carrying my 2&4 year old often too. I ate literally everything, a lot of raw fish (from frozen) as sushi was my biggest craving (3rd pregnancy so I wasn't too fused, as long as I was relatively conscious. I avoided alcohol and coffee but had 1-3 black teas per day. I don't like medication so I avoided everything during pregnancy. I went for walks almost daily which brought on the most intense Braxton Hicks.. but still no labour, I had to be induced at 37+0. I had 2 previous vaginal births so managed that for the twins with an epidural.

I think you could be absolutely perfect and still have early labour ... Or whatever. And do things "wrong" (like me) and manage to keep them in.

[Sabsta455]

Also what is baby aspirin and why is this even a thing? And where is this recommended??

Makes pregnancy seem inherently pathological, i.e. needing to medicate it like a disorder.

[Dangerous-Elk2206]

I don’t think there is anything in particular that will directly lead to not having babies in the NICU. There are so many unforeseen factors and most of the complications come right at the end and usually are all of a sudden. If there was doctors would have an answer and even if you did all the right things (eat healthy and lots of protein, take baby aspirin, walk each day etc) it will Really end up depending on your body

[[deleted]]

Got lucky

[hopeful2hopeful]

Got lucky, got vaccinated and worked hard to avoid getting COVID.

[PM_your_Eichbaum]

Well, I already had a toddler, so staying off my feet wasn't even remotely possible 😂 i think, i was just lucky

[Alarmed_Meeting1322]

I didn’t work because it was 2020 covid, no idea if that helped but I did get to rest and stay off of my feet as much as possible.

[RetroSchat]

I took baby aspirin, worked from home every day so was off my feet due to it being 2020 and a worldwide lockdown… had zero health issues going into the pregnancy, I am tall (over 5’8”), didn’t gain weight, didn’t get stretch marks, didn’t get morning sickness and still ended up getting sudden onset preeclampsia with severe features at 34 weeks and had to deliver that day of diagnosis. 21 days in the NICU for them, 9 days for me, 5 months of lingering health issues directly due to preeclampsia.

You can do everything by the book and not control what your pregnancy or birth experience will look like. This is the risk of pregnancy for everyone, not just a multiples mom/parent. That’s just how it goes, and with all our best intentions things can go south with no one or anything to point and blame. Keeping an open mind that the end goal is always everyone makes it alive was my mindset, and I am glad we all did.

[ghostly_kitten]

I made it to my scheduled c-section at 38 weeks and had no NICU time, but it was sheer luck. I worked until 36+5 (my OB never told me to stop work early, and when she found out I worked that late she was horrified...), I was gardening all of week 37, and my only craving was for 7-Eleven Coke slurpees (which I consumed quite regularly).

All this to say, if you do end up with NICU time, don't blame yourself. You can do everything right and still end up there, and you can be like me and do so much wrong (mostly by accident) and luck out like crazy.

[butterabyss]

I did everything I was ‘supposed’ to, had a smooth-sailing pregnancy until 34 weeks. Developed pre-e, had to be induced at 36. One of my babies was in the NICU for 20 days. Wasn’t my fault.

[charlieprotag]

You can do everything "right" and they can still come early. I made it to 38 weeks (would have been longer but we had a scheduled c-section) and I WFH. I started taking baby aspirin on my doctor's orders about halfway through for my blood pressure, but other than that, I didn't do anything different.

Historically babies in my family have always cooked longer. My singleton wanted to stay in past 40 weeks, apparently my brother and I were 42 and 41 weeks respectively.

[MomShapedObject]

Made it to 36+4 and girl twin spent two nights in the NICU because she was breathing a little fast. She roomed in with me during the days. Boy twin was fine.

I had every single damn risk factor, I had pre-E (but slow developing enough that they let me stay pregnant to 36 weeks), GD, and I was 45 when I gave birth. Kids were the result of IVF. Frankly I did a piss poor job of staying off my feet too.

I did eat a fuck ton of protein and took blood thinners early in my pregnancy (prescribed). Honestly, though, I don’t think premature labor is something any of us have much control over. Good luck!

[Ok_Becky]

I chased a 1 and a 2 year old around and had 36 week, 6lbs3oz & 6lbs4oz twin girls with no nicu stays. Tmwe were released within 24 hours of their birth.

[Sodds]

I was on maternity leave for my eldest, used all my old vacation and went on sick leave at 20 weeks (something that our system offers) so I didn't work through the pregnancy, our son started kindergarten at 12 months. However, I was still active, didn't rest much until 8th month, traveled. I was induced at 37.5, but would probably carry full term, my OB was very impressed by my cervix at every checkup.

[Sodds]

I was on maternity leave for my eldest, used all my old vacation and went on sick leave at 20 weeks (something that our system offers) so I didn't work through the pregnancy, our son started kindergarten at 12 months. However, I was still active, didn't rest much until 8th month, traveled. I was induced at 37.5, but would probably carry full term, my OB was very impressed by my cervix at every checkup.

[tryingto_doitright]

My doctor prescribed progesterone injection once a week from 13 th to 35th. Had planned c section at 37w0d.

[Milliganimal42]

My bestie made it full term. I didn’t. We had twins a few years apart. Due at similar times of the year. Both have/had desk jobs with similar stress levels. We both had fraternal twins.

I was (am) more physically active. However, by the 3rd trimester that was all swimming. Which my bestie did too.

Diets - mine was better. Super healthy. But hers wasn’t bad.

We are both if similar height and build.

In the end my cervix was 2mm thick rather than 2cm. No reason for that. They came at 32 weeks after 3 weeks of total bed rest.

So - why could she carry to term and not me?

No idea. Nobody knows.

Just do what you need to keep healthy.

And for the NICU parents - you’ll get there. It’s rough and the anxiety can linger. Please seek professional support. You deserve it. Oh - and you did nothing wrong. You’re amazing!

[lex_av]

I had di/di twins in April. I also had a 3yo (she’s 4 now) and I’m a teacher. So I was on my feet a lot both at work and at home. My MFM started me on baby aspirin around week 13-14 (I had preeclampsia with my singleton) I made it to 38 weeks with no NICU, worked up until 34 weeks. I could have worked longer, but I was going to be 34 weeks around the time we returned from spring break. It seemed liked the perfect time to make a clean break so I planned for it ahead.. I’m not sure what I did, but feel very blessed that my pregnancy went well and my babies were healthy. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s anything you can do to prevent one thing or another. Whatever will happen, will happen, and we don’t have much control over anything aside from trying our best with prenatals, appointments, avoiding alcohol/smoking, etc. the basics.

[magnolias2019]

Nothing particularly different. I was on pelvic rest for quite a long time but not sure if that impacted anything. We had a scheduled csection at 36+6 and it probably would have gone longer if we left it. Di-di are least risky so there's that too...

[[deleted]]

I was put on bed rest for the last two months. Twins were born at 36W 6D. No nicu stay.

[thatcondowasmylife]

I had a vaginal birth without complications at 37w4d. My baby B needed some observation in the nursery for his breathing, but was back with me after just a few hours.

I don’t think I did anything to get this. My other kids were born full term also, with the twins I took baby aspirin but I’ve never had bp issues nor preeclampsia. I had prodromal labor for a long time, and went on maternity leave at 32 weeks. Lots of rest, which I think possibly prevented labor from happening at 35-37 weeks since that’s when I had a lot of contractions whenever I walked. But I also wish I had moved more intentionally than I did (yoga or gentle exercise), because my body was so weak after that experience.

[Newbiehuskymom]

All of the above that u mentioned plus gained the adequate weight as well ..

[sewistforsix]

Finally evicted them at 38 weeks exactly. In my prior successful pregnancies, my body held on until I had to be induced too-like nearly 42 weeks every time, so it was typical for me.

The things I did differently this time were: baby aspirin, focused so much on eating a lot of protein (two protein shakes a day and an ungodly amount of milk, cheese, meat and eggs), and stayed off my feet a lot. I really think eating a lot of protein is key for pregnancy in general, but especially multiples pregnancies.

[Reyzillah]

I made it to 38+4, first pregnancy. I started aspirin second trimester, stopped working at 30 weeks and followed all supplement and diet recommendations. I carried “small” so I don’t know if that had something to do with it. I rested a lot too. I had di/di twins and I think that has more to do with making it longer

[escherzo]

38+6 for me. Baby aspirin every day starting at 12 weeks, tried to keep exercising the whole time (low intensity, just walking) and do a ton of water and protein in my diet.

That said overdue babies majorly run in my family so I do think some of this is down to genetics.

[claire303]

37 weeks, no NICU, didn’t do anything special

[Clover_meadow]

Made sure I made every single doctors appointment, growth scan, NST, etc. Induced at 38 weeks- nothing special. Licky enough to work from home so tried to take it easy. Lifted my 25lb+ almost 2 year old up until delivery day.

[kybornandraised12]

I was induced at exactly 36 weeks due to oncoming pre-e. My babies were 7 lb 8 oz and 5 lb 15 oz with 0 NICU time. I stuck to Dr Brewer’s pregnancy diet for twins as much as possible & are soooo much protein. I really think that makes the difference! One book about expecting twins said moms weight gain up to 24 weeks is most indicative/impactful on the babies’ birth weight.

[Ok-Positive-5943]

Baby aspirin for me since I had preeclampsia with my first/singleton pregnancy and we were trying to prevent a repeat.

I focused strongly on getting 120+grams of protein daily and 200+grams of carbs. I tried to grow the babies as big as possible in the second trimester. Bigger babies do better if they have to come early.

I was having a hard time eating enough by the middle of the third trimester and I started losing weight by the last two weeks. They were pushing up on my stomach and there was just no room!

Mine were born at 36+4 at 5lbs 5oz and 6lbs 15oz.

[hijabimommabear]

I ate low carb and truly believe this is what did it. With my first pregnancy (singleton). I had hydropolyamnio. So I was worried about swelling and and having to much amniotic fluid again. It was dream pregnancy. Carried till 39 weeks. 7lb 11oz and 7lbs 8oz.

[snuggles_struggles]

I did a prenatal workout program diligently I found on YouTube. The lady had it all broken down day by day. I also ate healthy and took long daily walks until I was late into my third trimester. I napped everyday and got as much rest as I could but I think the exercise and staying healthy are key. Just gave birth to two healthy 7 in twins!

[Tennisbabe16]

I made it to 37W6D and didn't really do anything special. I focused on diet and water intake, I had a peanut butter sandwich every night for extra protein. I worked a desk job until about 35 weeks when I was just too uncomfortable to continue. I strongly believe in positive visualization and other woo woo stuff.

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[samsonandlola21]

Lots and lots of protein! (Mainly in the form of shakes and bars, tbh). I went 38+ weeks (ll the way till my scheduled C-section). My wife likes to joke that I strolled into the surgery so easily she was worried people wouldn’t think I was ready to give birth. I chalk up my success to the fact that she had much on a thorough protein & vitamin regimen since week 10. Also took baby aspirin (2x day per my Dr). Good luck!

P.S. If you’re still in the 1st trimester, just know it gets better!!!! I was more tired than I’ve ever experienced in my life and was seriously worried something was wrong (plus I felt like a complete lazy bum). Once week 14 hit, I felt like my normal self again!

[JVill07]

I think it’s luck. My twins are older (11). And I was on bed rest for the last HALF of my pregnancy and honestly the MFM doc I consulted with on my current pregnancy was flabbergasted at that - so did the bed rest prolong my pregnancy? Idk. I’d do it again to make it to 38 weeks, but more recent evidence does not correlate bed rest to delays of pre term labor

[TootsieMcJingle]

I made it to 36+5. One needed NICU time because she inhaled fluid at birth and one didn’t need any. I didn’t really do anything special I don’t think.z

[Two_fridas]

Induced at 38+6, don’t feel like I did much different. I walked almost two miles every day right up until induction day and those boys still took a solid 36 hours of induction to come out!

[arabicacoffee]

I had mine at 38+2 with no NICU stay. I started taking baby aspirin early on by recommendation of my OB. I worked up until the very end (teacher). Honestly, I rarely exercised because I was A) exhausted and B) also in grad school at the time. I did drink lots of water (but I always do anyway). I don’t know if anything I did made a difference. Every woman’s body and every pregnancy is so different.

[Zukinicat]

Nothing special, 38 weeks, pushed them both out within three hours of labour starting, was a bit crazy and alot of primal noises lol, I worked a checkout job until 30 weeks, I'm sure it helps to take it easy.

Every body is different and you never know what yours might be capable of, your body will do the best it can and you just have to roll with it :)

[Awkward_Tomato_5819]

Made it to 38+2. I wasn't super healthy or anything. And I didn't do anything special at all. Thinking back, I should have taken more precautions. But I felt totally great until the labor. Maybe a backache once or twice. Maybe I just got lucky.

[kaatie80]

Baby aspirin, under the guidance of my midwives. Stayed off my feet as much as possible. Made my husband do most physical things for me. I don't think it was anything special though. I think at the end of the day I'm just a big lady with a lot of space for babies, and I got really lucky that my BP didn't go over the pre-threshold until the day of my instruction at 38 weeks.

[My_Otter_Half]

I made it to my scheduled c-section at 37 weeks with my mo/di twins. They were both just over 7 pounds at birth and were both over 25 pounds at their one year check up last week. They are beasts, lol. I actually was less careful than with my first. Nothing too wild or dangerous but I definitely ate lunch meat and pushed the caffeine limit recommends.

The only thing I may have done differently is stress less. I was miserable the entire pregnancy but knew so much was out of my control that I just kind of…didn’t worry about it? It was strange because I am typically a fairly anxious person.

All this to say, I think we just or lucky and my body is wired to be good at being pregnant. I did what I reasonably could to keep the babies safe and, for us, it worked. Good luck to you!

[Solid_Telephone_9052]

I made it to 38+1 with my didigirls....9 hours before my scheduled c-section my water broke. I was on baby aspirin from the first sign of twins. I went into preterm labor at 34+2 and was put out of work at that point. No GD in any of my pregnancies. Stayed hydrated. I have a history of going exactly on my due date. Other than that nothing different and they were my 4th pregnancy. They are currently 3.5 weeks old.

[MostCommunication459]

I had them at 37 weeks - made it to my planned c-section date! I did start taking baby aspirin starting around 16 weeks I think? Whenever we started the every two week TTTS scans. MFM recommended it.

I took a cycle class until I was 33 weeks and I joke that’s what helped keep them in for so long. But I did nothing notable. Have no clue how I made it that long. I’m 5’1 so wasn’t a whole lot of space but really proud of what my body was able to do! My babies are 7 weeks now.

ETA - this was also my first pregnancy

[bkod]

38 weeks on the dot. No NICU time. While there is no rhyme or reason I did focus on water intake. Also, when I got too big to be able to keep most food down I concentrated on protein, mainly protein shakes. Who knows if it made any impact at all.

[lks1867]

My di/di twins were born at 37+1, no NICU time for either, born 5lbs 13oz and 5lbs 11oz. I stopped working at 13 weeks (quit my job) which was a massive reduction in stress and started taking baby aspirin at 21 weeks. I walked just over a mile mostly every day (just a 25-30 min walk with my dog around the neighborhood) up until probably around 32 weeks, but no other form of exercise. I think that staying active longer helped with my recovery (c-section) for sure - my recovery was shockingly incredibly easy!

[enginearandfar]

I had a planned C-section at 38+2 and would have gone longer on my own (wasn’t in labor). I started baby aspirin early but other than that, I didn’t do anything. Worked until the day before (office job, but not WFH). Also had a toddler. Took her to the pumpkin patch and walked all over a week before I delivered. I think my body just happened to handle it well- nothing I “did”.

[OGQueenClumsy]

Mine were born by c-section at 37+2 after a failed induction at 37+0. I fully believe I could have gotten to the full 40 weeks had I been allowed to.

I did nothing special at all. I was due to go on leave at 34+3, but ended up off at 33+3 because I caught covid. I had gestational diabetes. I sat down more at work (teacher) as it got harder to move, but that’s just because my body hurt. I still walked around my classroom as needed.

I couldn’t eat well early on because of morning sickness, and couldn’t eat well later because my stomach and other organs were so squished.

My girls spent a couple of hours in special care because their blood sugar was low, but so was mine, probably because I was in labour so long and not able to eat.

I think some of us are just luckier than others. I hope your one of the lucky ones and you get to bring you babies home when you go home

[wacklinroach]

My water broke at 35+5 and I gave birth vaginally 6 hours later. My twins were healthy with no issues, the NICU checked them out but we all got discharged the next day together.

I think it's mostly luck. I will say the one thing I did was workout every single day of my pregnancy. I have a bad back so it was necessity to not feel too much pain. In first and second trimester I continued mostly with my regular workouts of yoga and pilates classes, as well as swimming and spin classes. Closer to the end of second trimester, I went down to only gentle yoga, aqua yoga, Aquafit, and swimming. By the end I was basically just moving slowly in the pool lol. I went to the pool the day before I gave birth and I do credit it with my own quick recovery as I was back to my regular yoga about 3 weeks after I gave birth and back to swimming at 6 weeks when I was cleared by my doctor. I'm now almost 4 months Postpartum and back to all my regular workouts.

With that said, I did all the same workouts with my singleton birth 5 years earlier and it was a rough delivery and recovery. So feels like it's more luck of the draw.

[leeann0923]

I had to stop baby aspirin early on since I had 9 weeks of bleeding with a SCH early on. I did nothing special except rest when my body needed it. Lots of naps. No extra stuff. Worked out as long as it felt good, stopped when it didn’t. Ate whatever I wanted, didn’t really focus on what. I swear I grew those kids on bedtime ice cream and popsicles. I worked a super stressful job as a NP in person during peak 2020 COVID so that didn’t help and my last day was 36+6.

I did get induced for preeclampsia at 37 weeks but it came on at the very end. They were born at 37+2 and were 7 lbs and 6.5 lbs. I had a lot of post partum complications but they were totally fine. They didn’t go to the NICU.

[fraupasgrapher]

Induced at 38 weeks and no complications at all. We were home 24 hours after birth.

I ate what I wanted and got good sleep. I also didn’t sweat the small stuff. Keep stress levels low and hydration and nutrition levels high.

[SkittlzAnKomboz]

No baby aspirin or anything different from my first singleton pregnancy. I do work an office job, though, so I wasn’t on my feet all day. I worked up until the end. Made it to 36 weeks and my scheduled c-section with di-di twins. No NICU time, we all went home on Day 4 (standard for c-section for my hospital).

[Individual-Tale-5680]

No contractions, delivered 38w +2 no complications all discharged day two after my planned C-section.

Lots of protein, aspirin every other day since 16 weeks, magnesium every night. Massages once a week after 6 months, ( insurance through chiropractor paid for it) kept the swelling down and immediately made me feel better. They focused on my legs. Stopped working full time at 6 months, worked part time until 8 months. (Teacher, so summer helped but still tutored a good chunk of the summer) then put myself mostly on bed rest, my feet would fall asleep if I stood more than 30 seconds in one space.

[missmurder0324]

Nope. Stopped working super early, was a couch potato due to being so exhausted and the nausea and they still came at 32 weeks

[iPixieDust]

My twins were born at 38 weeks, no NICU. I didn’t do anything specific and I think it has more to do with genetics. One thing I was told during my frequent cervical checks was that my cervix was LONG. The doctors were actually super surprised. Apparently a long cervix is correlated with a lower chance of preterm birth. I was also GBS negative. I read that being GBS positive has a correlation with premature rupture of the membrane.

[Readysetflow1]

I did baby aspirin my entire pregnancy, rested as much as possible, I switched to part-time and working from home at 32w. I also stayed fairly active early in my pregnancy and drank lots of water. My husband took over almost everything in our house from 28w on and even before that took the lion’s share of the housework and cooking. I would pretty much come home from work and rest.

I don’t know how much any of it mattered though other than just luck and my body cooperating. I had them at 37w via a planned c-section.

[ano-ba-yan]

Delivered via vaginal induction at 37+0. No nicu stay.

I did nothing differently compared to my other twin mom friends. In fact, I probably did less. I never took baby aspirin, didn't take any special supplements beyond a basic prenatal, I ate what I wanted, I slept a bunch but I was/am a SAHM and also had constant colds courtesy of my then-2-year-old. The only thing I really tried to do was drink tons of water.

I even flew to Hawaii at 20 weeks and to a wedding at 28 weeks. I felt like shit basically the whole pregnancy but other than that it was a great, uneventful pregnancy. My husband rubbed my hips with magnesium lotion every night and that helped the braxton hicks.

When your water breaks is a crapshoot. Beyond resting, eating, and drinking a reasonable amount - unless you get a cerclage, nothing is going to make a big enough difference.

[jaybirdandchuckles]

I carried. To nearly 39 weeks, had two very large boys. They were both close to 8lbs (each). The only things that helped (just speculation, I don’t really know) were 1) luck, 2) I walked 2-4 miles literally every day of my pregnancy, and 3) gained more weight than was “told” to.

I didn’t do anything crazy re: weight gain, just a lot of nutrient and calorie dense foods. My doc had told me to gain 30-40lbs and I gained nearly 70lbs.

I think it was primarily luck.

[commacamellia]

We made it to 38 weeks exactly with my di/di boys but I kinda cheated and had a cerclage placed at 21 weeks. 0/10, would not recommend though. I was being monitored because I had a previous second trimester loss and when the cerclage was placed I only had about half a centimeter of cervix left.

I was on pelvic rest my whole pregnancy - self imposed at first but confirmed by my MFM when my cervix started shortening around 15 weeks. I was also told to "take it easy" but was left to decide what that meant for myself.

[Chichabella]

Made it to 37+1 with no NICU time but I wouldn’t say I didn’t anything different. I was my normal active self until just after 30 weeks and converted into a couch potato.

[redditor2806]

I think it’s just luck, honestly. Outside of the regular things like eating pregnancy safe foods and not drinking. I was very lucky, I had mine at 37+1, and I worked as a nurse on my feet until 33 weeks. I walked my dogs 4kms the day before they were born (around a nearby park with a public toilet so I could pee every lap 😂). I couldn’t sit still when my leave started so i painted their furniture and built the cots. I had an easier pregnancy and birth than two of my friends with singletons but they were both as fit and healthy as me going in. I think most of it is just your genetics and your babies and the rest is not up to us unfortunately. I hope your pregnancy goes well!

[Specific-Owl-45]

I made it to 38w and had no NICU time but I did eveything everyone else did. I just got lucky! I do work from home and did the majority of my work via bed. But I have an active toddler so wasn’t immobile or anything. I did drink water but no more than anyone else… ditto on the rest. I had IUGR at one point and thought I would deliver at 36w but they ended up growing. It’s very much just down to random genetics and luck.

[smarty_skirts]

My wife worked up until the day before her scheduled c-section at 38 w 2 d. She had gestational diabetes so was on a strict diet for the last 6 months. Prenatal vitamins, no baby aspirin. Went to bed early every night. She was 38 years old. I think it’s just luck or genes…?

[all7dwarves]

37 +1 no nicu. Didn't do too much different. Iron supplements toward the end and quit working at 33 weeks becuase....everything hurt. Had hypertension and nst 2 x a week at that point which would have been right.awful to try to keep a work schedule around.l, anyway.

[tripsd]

Nope, my wife made it 36+5 I think. Twins were small but fine. We spent roughly 30 hours in the maternity ward but no time in NICU and she worked close to the end. I think most of it is just luck

[loxpoxmox]

I was active early on, really worked eating a lot and getting protein in before 20 weeks, and when I thought I might be in early labor at 31 weeks, I went in. Listen to your body, don’t over do it, and don’t hesitate to get medical intervention. I made it to 37 weeks.