Is Bedrest required during a twins pregnancy?

[hollandlop]

My OB told me that having twins is considered high risk pregnancy. Therefore, I need to be on bedrest. All I can do is get up to urinate and take a shower.

But I read that not moving during pregnancy is not good. You can get blood clots and other health problems. Why is bedrest necessary? I mean, I know that having 2 babies means that there is more risk of everything, but does it really mean that I cannot walk at all?

[hipmomma1984]

Research shows that an orgasm can cause the uterus to contract causing preterm labor hence the no sex perscription by doctors. Whether the doctor is correct or not do what he/she says because he/she hopefully has more experience than you. Ignorance is not always bliss and most doctors will tell you the complications and risks of things and why it is recommended.  Always ask questions if you are not sure.  Also reading books about things you don't know will help you to become more aware of what the doctor is saying. Not to mention researching the internet or talking to other people you know. Most mothers i know who have had twins (and there are quite a few) were bed on bedrest at some point.

[1st]

I can't comment on what is right for you, but I was never put on bed rest and carried my twins full term (37 and a half weeks).  I delievered one vaginally and had to have a crash c-section with the second baby, but both babies are perfect.  No NICU time at all.  In my case, I did not need any bed rest at all, and had no complications, except for the crash c-section with the second baby, and that was because the ultrasound machine was not working at the delivery.
-1st

[Justpacking]

I'm just over 7 months and I keep everything I do in moderation.

The answer to your question "Is Bedrest required during a twins pregnancy?"
I would have to say "No. Bed rest is not always required during a twin pregnancy"
Not all pregnancies are alike. Some of us don't need bed rest while other may have more than valid medical reasons to be on bed rest.

Best of luck to you on your journey and I hope that all turns out well for you and the babies.

[hollandlop]

Hi. Thanks for your answers.

If you don't mind me asking, how many weeks are you right now? I take it you're not on bed rest and not on pelvic rest either?   =)

At times I do feel pressure in my uterus. And I do have cramps once in a while. Do you feel them also? I guess after my doctor told me all that, I'm just afraid that me moving around too much will put too much pressure on my uterus and I will go into preterm labor.

But yes, you're right. I don't trust my ob completely and that's why I'm here to get more opinions from people who are pregnant with twins.

[Justpacking]

So far there is no rhyme or reason for bed rest and no reason not to have sex. Your cervix is apparently fine and yet it sounds like you don't have a lot of trust in your OB or you wouldn't be asking for a 2nd opinion here.
Are you wanting to go on bed rest? Do you not enjoy sex?
It just sounds extreme to be on bed rest for no reason when your only 18 weeks along. hmmmmmmmm....very odd.

Ps: Statistics say that I COULD get struck by lightning,,,but I'm not going to stay indoors for the rest of my life.

[hollandlop]

I believe that's just statistics, not for me personally.

I had my cervix checked and she said it was normal.

She also wants me to be on pelvic rest (no sex) because she said it could cause preterm labor in twins pregnancy???

[Justpacking]

is that the case with YOU? or just statistics on Twin Pregnancies, in general?
Was your cervix even checked?

[hollandlop]

I think the ob mentioned before that during a twins pregnancy, it is more likely for us to have uterine contractions and a thinning cervix if we walk around too much. She also said that staying put is the only way to make our uterus more stable for the 2 babies to grow.

She said the main concern is pre-term labor, which is common in a twin pregnancy.

[Justpacking]

Why on earth would you leave a Dr's office with out asking "WHY do I have to be on bed rest?"  Sorry,,but I'm a stickler for specifics especially when it comes to me carrying babies. Even if they're not my own. I'm currently pregnant with twins and I'm a surrogate mother. I've NEVER left an appointment without fully understanding what is going on with the babies or myself.
I understand that Dr's visits can be chaotic, so here's a tip. "Write down any and all questions down before your Dr's appointment" Its so much easier to bring in a list and get answers IN the moment then to walk around leaving windows and doors open that may be misleading to those who you share with.  I can't help but feel that we're being led down a road of assumptions due to poor information and lack of facts.

Best of luck to you, and there are no stupid questions. Ask your Dr. anything and everything and take notes. You'll sleep better at night and less stress is best!!

[hollandlop]

My ob told me no exercise and no sex.

I can move around a little bit, but she told me to take it easy.

I did have bleeding during the first trimester around weeks 6-8 because of a popped blood vessel in my uterus. But the bleeding/spotting stopped a few weeks ago.

She checked my cervix and everything is normal so far.

I do have gestational hyperthyroid, but I don't know if that has anything to do with my ob telling me not to move too much.

[mysty2001]

well said doula
ANd wow to your later with 3 expecting 3!
AMAZING

[DoulaSummer]

I think you need to seek out another OB or midwife because I think your doc needs to go back to school.  You are on a way one street to a c-section.  You do not mention any complications at all, so your doctor is taking you for a ride.  I suggest you find another doctor right now and get a second opinion because its in the best interest for you a your babies

I know of several people with twins who have never been on bedrest.  In fact, I have a client right now who is pregnant with triplets and has 3 children under 4 at home and is not on bed rest.  Her husband is deployed and she is now 23 weeks along and doing everything she normally does, but now does less because she gets tired easy.  She has hired house cleaners and per my requesting now goes for a massage twice a week to help her relax and give her some time for herself (which is impossible with husband deployed and no family around).

It IS true that women who do not exercise or are on bed rest throughout pregnancy, have longer and harder labors because their muscles are weaker therefore the body has to work harder and longer.  Women who are on bed rest take longer to recover, its proven.  Sure you are able to take care of your children, but not the the best of your abilities.  Its not to be mean, but its true.

[mysty2001]

YOu are right to think not moving  can be worse - the babies need you to move to be healtier - unless the risk is greater for movement (like dilated etc.)
I have had 2 sets of twins - with the first set I was still walking 2-7 miles a day till the day they were born
With the second set he only put me on bedrest on the Thursday of my last visit because he did not want me to go into labor before he and his partner were both workung on the same day (4 days later) because he wanted 4 very skilled hands since baby B was breech and much bigger than baby A  

[penswriter]

i was on bed rest for 10 weeks...i was and still am perfectly able to care for my children. being "unfit" or out of shape does not make you unable to take care of children.

[Super_sally888]

Bed rest should only be used if there is a reason for it, and being pregnant with 2 babies is not a reason.  It is not true that 90% of women having twins are on bedrest.  Having premature labor, or short cervix, or bleeding after first trimester may be a reason for bedrest.  If you are doing well and otherwise fine I don't think bedrest would be recommended.  Of course activities should be modified to be comfortable....

I would recommend a second opinion.

Bed rest makes you weak, this will make the labor harder (and more high risk) and more likely to lead to cesarian.  Also it will be harder to care for your babies if you are unfit.  Unless truly warranted it is better to stay active.  Exercising even as much as possible.

But if there is a good reason for bed rest, of course you should coply.

[penswriter]

did she give you a reason? i.e. opened cervix, effaced, dialation or something else that might be wrong with the babies? or you? the only reason i was on bedrest was because i was dialating so early. ob wanted "the babies to cook" for as long as possible.

since you are on bedrest ENJOY it!!!! lol. i did for a while. then it got so boring. get magazines, books, tv, game consols, laptop/computer....anything to keep you busy. it was nice having everyone wait on me hand foot though. i do miss that. :o)

[hollandlop]

Well, I am 18 weeks and my ob told me that because i'm having twins, i should be on bedrest pretty much for the rest of my pregnancy.

She said I can get up to go to the bathroom and also take a shower but that's pretty much all I can do. I cannot do any housework either.

[penswriter]

my ob/gyn told me (at his office) that women pregnant with multiples are automatically considered high risk and 90% end up on bed rest.

he also did not push the c section. (he's against them unless it's necessary meaning he doesn't do elective c sections) i did give birth vaginally, in a hospital. (he also doesn't do home births. he works with one hospital which is the "baby" hospital in my area)

[DoulaSummer]

Being pregnant with twins does NOT mean you are high risk.  Sure it CAN come with more risk, but definitely does not mean you have to be on bed rest, are labeled high risk, or much have a c-section.  If this was the case, moms of twins would not be able to have homebirths (and they do).

How far along are you?  What reasons besides having twins is he giving for putting you on bedrest?  Do you have high blood pressure?  Pain?  bleeding?  If nothing, then you need to get a second opinion because this doctor is not keeping your best interest in mind.  When possible, you need to be mobile.  I don't understand why an OB would use fear to keep you bed bound.  Remember, just because you are having twins and he may have delivered twins before, that does not mean your pregnancy should be in any way compared to any other twin pregnancies.  Hopefully you are able to get answers and find something to keep you and the twins healthy.

[penswriter]

i was put on moderate bedrest at 20 weeks (allowed to be up for aprox. 90 min/day) and full bedrest at 24 weeks. i started to dialate at 20 weeks and by 24 weeks i was 3 cm dialated and 80% effaced. my ob told me the more i was up and walking around (i walked 4-6 miles / day) the more i was putting myself at risk for preterm labor which being pregnant with twins you're already considered a high risk. i still went into labor 6 weeks early but was pregnant 6 weeks longer than what my ob thought i would be.

soooo if your doc gave you a reason that you're on bedrest...listen to him/her.