A 1992 survey by the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs found that 70 percent of mothers of multiples experienced bed rest during her pregnancy with twins or more. However, in the years since, doctors have become less rigid about sentencing women to bed for the duration. Still, many mothers of multiples may find themselves facing the prospect of bed rest or restricted activity at some point in their pregnancy, perhaps as prevention against preterm labor or to alleviate symptoms of preeclampsia.
Did you take it lying down? Share your story about bed rest during your twin or multiple pregnancy. Click on comments to tell your tale, and vote in this Parent's Poll.
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When I was pregnant with my twin boys back in 2006, I had some complications. At 21 weeks, I had to have a cervical cerclage put in because of an incompetant cervix. At 32 weeks, I was asked to quit working (at a bank) and stay in bed because my blood pressure was high. I was in bed as much as possible, but having to get up literally every hour to go pee didn’t help my situation, so when I was about 34 weeks, they admitted me into the hospital where I stayed until they were born. They eventually put a catheter in so I wasn’t getting up so much. They were born at 36 weeks at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and 5 lbs. 13 oz. and were perfectly healthy! Me, on the other hand had complications from the c-cection (because of my blood pressure) and started hemorraghing and lost a lot of blood and had 3 blood transfusions, almost had to put on dialysis because of kidney failure. I was in ICU for 3 days and didn’t even get to see my boys until the 3rd day! But I pulled through and would do it all over again for them! They are my world, and the bedrest wasn’t pleasant, but I knew it was the best for them to be happy and healthy! Good luck to all mothers and mothers to be of twins or more! It is double the blessing, for sure.
I was pregnant in 2008 with twins. The perinatologist commented that I was growing “moose”. I thought things were going along rather nicely until an ultra sound showed an insufficient cervix at 28 weeks. I was put on “couch potato” rest until my next ultrasound. At 30 weeks I was on bed rest. Thank goodness I had asked and received the steroid shots that assist in lung development. At week 31 5 days, my water broke. We went to the hospital where I was given medication to stop the contractions. I was to stay in the hospital until I delivered my babies. (Hopefully, at least three more weeks.) However, the last day of week 31 I was totally dilated and the medication was not going to stop the arrival of these babies. I was lucky to attempt a VBAC, but my darling little water breaker, could not be moved to a better position and was lodged in position. SO, I did have a cesarean section on the first day of week 32. Babes were eight weeks early. I was unable to hold them until they were three days old. Bed rest is not fun, but the total outcome was worth it. Two healthy babies.
I was put on modified bedrest at 21 weeks due to a shortening cervix. My cervix stabilized, though I was kept on bedrest due to the onset of pre-term labor that began at 24 weeks and continued throughout my pregnancy. I was lucky that I was able to stay on bedrest at home and never had to be put on hospital bedrest. I delivered a healthy 5 lb 14 oz boy and 7 lb 1 oz girl at 38 weeks exactly when my water finally broke, 2 days before my scheduled c-section. I agree that I would definitely go through 17 weeks of bedrest again to bring home my two healthy little ones!
Boy, I must be the lucky one!! At 28 weeks, I was put on bed rest by my OB’s ultrasound tech due to my shortening cervix – she was freaked out and said I needed to go home to bed and not move. Since my OB was on vacation, I called the parinatology group I saw for the level II ultrasounds. They were much less concerned about my cervix – they said that it was normal because I was carrying twins (!!). I gave them my measurments, and they said I was with in the norm for a twin pregnancy, which put me at ease. They did tell me to follow orders and take it easy until I could talk with my OB. My OB decided to go conservative in her care with me and told me to be on complete bed rest until 37 weeks. My sister had been on full bed rest due to an incompetent cervix so between her and Sidelines (bedrest support group – Sidelines.org), I made it to my 37 week mark and beyond. Finally at 39 weeks, 5 cm dialted and no signs of labor, I asked to be induced (was induced with my first child, too, at 42 weeks). The girls were both head down, so it was a quick labor and delivery. They weighed in at 6 lbs 1 oz and 6 lbs 11oz, and were delivered 23 minutes apart. We went home two days later. The girls are now 3 and a half, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.