Nutritional management of multiple pregnancies

Abstract

Good nutrition is central to achieving optimal fetal growth and development, and to maintaining maternal health and wellbeing. For multiple pregnancies, there is a growing body of evidence linking good maternal nutrition and weight gain to positive perinatal outcomes including reduced incidence of low birthweight and very low birthweight infants. Nutrition intervention appears to have important clinical implications for infant morbidity and mortality. Nutritional counselling can help women improve and maximise their intake of "at risk nutrients" such as iron, folate, essential fatty acids, calcium and ensure adequate energy intake to meet weight gain targets. Recommended optimal weight gains range from 16-20 kg for twin pregnancies. Expert dietetic guidance is often warranted, especially for women expecting triplets or quadruplets.