Learning you are carrying a twin pregnancy can bring on such a wave of emotions, including the worry that you’ll deliver early. I learned that the average twin pregnancy lasts about 35 weeks, with 38 weeks considered full term. Still, my doctor told me early on she had every reason to believe I could carry to 38 weeks.

Around 27 weeks, I started getting contractions and was already a little dilated. I was placed on bed rest with a home monitoring system to track my contractions twice a day. My doctor told me I might make it to 34 weeks and to expect that my babies would most likely be preemies. My partner and I toured the NICU before I got put on bed rest, so we were prepared in case I delivered early. With the incubators, tiny premature babies, and lots of beeping, the NICU can be overwhelming.

Around 30 weeks, I spent a night in the hospital where I was given steroids to help the babies’ lungs develop and a variety of medications to stop my contractions -- thankfully labor was held off until 34 weeks and beautiful babies were born. My girls weighed around five pounds each. The weeks leading up to their birth were emotional, and I was thrilled that now they were healthy and here with me.

One of the hardest things about an early delivery for me was not being able to hold my daughters right away. I delivered the girls just before 7:00 p.m. but didn’t get to see them in the NICU until almost midnight—except for one quick glance as they were wheeled past me in their incubators). I didn’t get to hold Brooklyn until the second day, and we had to wait until the third day to hold Bailey.

Both girls had breathing masks, feeding tubes, and IVs at first, but they were strong babies and did so well. Each day they made improvements by learning to eat, maintaining their body temperature, and putting on weight. As a new mom, I was so proud and excited when they achieved each milestone; it meant they were closer to coming home. When seeing your little one in the NICU, remember: It is the best place for your child, because they are receiving the medical care they need. Take advantage of the time to learn how to care for your premature baby and ask the nurses all of your questions – the time will fly by! After 11 days, we were able to welcome our girls home!

Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

“They are so small!” I heard those words a lot during the first couple of months of my twin sons’ lives. I was nearing my 39^th week of pregnancy when my boys made their entrance into the world. While they weren’t premature babies (preterm labor occurs before the 37^th week), at 5 pounds and 2 ounces each, they were definitely on the small side. Here’s what I learned about having low birth weight babies.

My boys weren’t alone. One out of 12 babies born in the U.S. has low birth weight, which means they weigh less than 5 pounds and 8 ounces at birth. Low birth weight is common with multiples, because there’s less room in the womb for them to grow. With a singleton baby, fetal growth may be affected by a maternal health problem like high blood pressure or simply by mom’s small stature.

Low birth weight doesn’t necessarily mean high-risk. Lots of low birth weight babies (like my own) are born at full-term and are healthy. My sons didn’t spend any time in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In fact, they went home with me just a few days after their birth. Premature babies, on the other hand, almost always need to spend time in the NICU. Their lungs might not be fully developed, so doctors must make sure preemies can breathe and regulate their body temperatures on their own.

You may need more clothing. My new babies’ low body fat did make it harder for them to regulate their body temperatures. Since they were born during the winter, I had to make sure they were bundled up well when we ventured out. However, aside from the fact that my little ones needed to wear preemie-size diapers and clothing for a month or so, there really wasn’t anything premature about them.

Put safety first. Some low birth weight babies have problems eating and gaining weight. I worked with a lactation consultant to ensure my boys were champion nursers by the time we left the hospital. Six months later, their chicken legs were replaced with cuddly rolls. Smaller babies also have a harder time fighting off infections, so I made sure everyone washed their hands before holding them, and we steered clear of places like malls or restaurants where they could be exposed to cold and flu viruses. Of course, it’s important to take sensible health precautions with all infants, no matter their size.  

What my babies lacked in size, they made up for in personality. Now you’d never know that my two boisterous boys were born on the smaller side!

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

The arrival of a new baby is always a cause for joy and celebration, but what if the delivery happens too soon? Certain factors may increase a woman’s risk, but the reality is that many who have a preterm baby can’t pinpoint an exact cause. However, there are some ways to reduce the possibility of a preterm birth. Read on for tips that may help.

Dial the doctor. Don’t delay in getting to the OB. The minute you think you could be pregnant, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Checking in regularly with your doctor will allow her to monitor your health and that of your new baby.

Drink right. This means sticking to low-fat milk, 100% juice, and water. You’ll definitely need to pass on the Pinot and, it goes without saying, ditch the cigarettes, too. Alcohol and other drugs may cause birth defects and increase the chance of a preterm birth, while smoking can impact the flow of oxygen to your new baby, which can slow weight gain and development.

Watch your weight. Being overweight or obese can up your risk of a preterm birth, so speak with your doctor about a smart eating and exercise plan for the duration of your pregnancy.

Fight germs. Yup, washing your hands matters when you’re pregnant, so hit the sink and use soap before meals and after visiting the bathroom. Additionally, try to avoid people who are obviously sick so that you stay healthy yourself.

Be Zen. Experiencing excessive stress when pregnant (whether it’s at home or in the office) can raise your blood pressure, which in turn may increase your risk of a preterm birth. Make an effort to scale back on work projects, household chores, and other commitments that may add to your stress level. Treat yourself well: catch a nap when you can, put your feet up with a good book, and exercise regularly.

Despite every effort, some moms-to-be still end up having a preterm birth. Because it can occur in women without any clear risk factors, don’t feel bad if your baby arrives too soon. Your doctor and the hospital staff will work with you to ensure your preemie is as healthy as she can possibly be.

It’s a fact of babyhood: All infants cry as a means of communication. And while your baby’s crying can be a little scary for a new mom, try to remember that for the most part, tears and screeches are expected and completely normal. However, a preemie may fuss a bit longer and more often than a full-term baby, so calming her down can be a delicate process. Try the following baby soothers with your preterm baby.

Hold her close: Your preemie will benefit greatly from “kangaroo care,” or being held skin-to-skin. Lying closely with mom (or dad!) helps your little one stay warm, cry less, stabilize her heartbeat, increase her weight, and improve her ability to breast- or bottle-feed. Find a private spot with a comfy chair and position your preemie so that she can lie underneath your clothing, directly on your chest. Your baby doesn’t need to wear anything expect a diaper because your body heat will keep her warm.

The right light: Your preterm baby has likely spent some time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before coming home. Some new babies become accustomed to this bright, busy place and may be easily soothed in a home environment that includes background noise or music. On the other hand, other preemies are more sensitive to the light and loud sounds they experienced in the NICU, so watch your little one’s cues to determine if you should dim the lights in her bedroom and keep her surroundings on the quiet side.

Relaxation is key: Most babies love to be swaddled because it reminds them of the calm, cozy feeling they enjoyed in the womb. A preemie will also benefit from the warmth and closeness of swaddling, so wrap yours snugly in a soft blanket when she starts to fuss. You can also ask your doctor about giving your preemie a pacifier, as many babies find non-nutritive sucking relaxing.

It takes time to get to know your baby, so don’t panic if the soothing technique you’re trying doesn’t seem to work right away. You’ll soon learn how much crying is normal for your preemie, and remember: You can always make a quick call to the pediatrician for advice and reassurance if you’re concerned about your baby’s crying.

Chances are that as a mom-to-be, you read up on baby development statistics and may even know the details by heart. But if you have a preterm birth, you’ll need to readjust your expectations. Technically, a preterm birth is the arrival of a baby after less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, though your doctor may also define the birth as “late preterm” (34-37 weeks of pregnancy), “very preterm” (less than 32 weeks) or “extremely preterm” (less than 25 weeks). But don’t worry: Preemies tend to develop and grow well, though for a while they’ll lag behind their full-term friends. Here’s what you need to know about your preemie’s growth and development.

Do the math. In order to track your baby’s development, you’ll need to adjust her age. For example, if your baby is 10 weeks old, but was born 5 weeks prematurely, subtract 5 from 10 and you’ll see that she’s actually 5 weeks old in terms of reaching milestones. So while a full-term baby should make eye contact and smile socially by 2 months of age, you’ll need to wait 5 more weeks to see these tricks from your preemie.

Look for improvement. Just because your preemie is progressing at a different rate than others doesn’t mean she won’t be moving forward. Take note of each skill she masters (crawling, waving, walking) and be sure to let the doctor know if she seems to be losing ground (she used to be sitting up well, but now she’s toppling over, for example).

Hold her close. A preemie will benefit greatly from “kangaroo care” or being held skin-to-skin. Lying closely with mom (or dad!) will help boost your preemie’s development in many ways: She’ll cry less, her heartbeat tends to stabilize, her weight may increase, and it’ll improve her ability to breast- or bottle-feed. Find a private spot with a comfy chair and position your preemie so that she can lie underneath your clothing, directly on your chest. Your baby doesn’t need to wear anything except a Pampers diaper because your body heat will keep her warm.

Compared to other babies you know, your preemie’s growth may seem slow at times, but know that this is normal. Talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns, and remember that, whether or not you can imagine it now, your tiny new baby will soon turn into a boisterous big kid. So savor these precious baby days!