The Third Trimester With Twins

The last trimester of a twin pregnancy isn't easy. Many moms-to-be experience a double dose of heartburn, back pain, nausea and a variety of other discomforts. As the mom of 2-year-old twin boys, I know how time crawls when you're not feeling your best, so to help expectant twin moms feel as good as possible during late pregnancy, we've rounded up the best advice from twin pregnancy experts, including the Park City, Utah Moms of Multiples Club (MOMS), as well as several other twin mothers who have proudly survived the trenches.

Most women carrying twins deliver prior to their due date, but premature labor should be avoided so the babies can grow in the womb as long as possible. "There are several warning signs to watch for to make sure you're not experiencing premature labor," says Mary Fusillo, a registered nurse and clinic director for the Center of Reproductive Medicine in Houston, Texas, where 35 percent of the clinic's patients leave with twins.

Below are her red flags for premature labor:

• A feeling of general unease. Your body doesn't feel quite right.
• Lower back pain.
• Excessive fatigue.
• A tightening of the belly or a menstrual cramp feeling.

Fusillo advises women experiencing these symptoms to lie down on their left side and drink lots of water and apple juice. "This tends to have a calming effect, and turning on the left side gets more blood to the uterus, which can stop contractions," she says.

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