One in four children in the Greater Houston area is born at Memorial Hermann hospital, which offers a full range of services and treats women with all kinds of pregnancies. For those mothers carrying twins, Dr. Kenneth Moise offers the following advice:

Determine if the twins are fraternal or identical.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to know which type of twins you are having,” says Dr. Moise. About 20 percent of all twin births are identical, which carry a greater risk of complications and require more frequent monitoring and consultation. The sooner parents find out, the better.

Consult a high-risk pregnancy specialist.

When parents find out they’re pregnant with twins, they should ask their doctor for a referral to a high-risk obstetrician, who can help them understand what to expect. Even if it turns out they don’t need specialized assistance, a consultation can allay fears and ensure specialized care is provided when necessary.  

Get good nutritional counseling. 

It is essential to the health of both mother and babies that good nutrition is maintained throughout pregnancy, particularly with twins. Parents should consult with physicians to determine how much weight should be gained during the pregnancy. Whatever the amount, Dr. Moise recommends that half of that weight gain should happen in the first five months. “Data suggest that those who gain an appropriate amount of weight have less risk of premature delivery, have better-sized babies, and have less complications in general,” he says.