CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Q&A: Will My Multiples Have to Stay in the NICU After Birth?

What is the likelihood that my multiples will need to stay in the NICU?
save article
profile picture of Karen Moise, RN
By Karen Moise, RN, Registered Nurse
Updated February 28, 2017
Hero Image

It’s important to know that multiples have a much higher rate of prematurity than singletons. And with premature labor comes the risk that your babies won’t be fully developed – which means they will need special care in the NICU before they can go home. Of course, how long they stay in the NICU will depend on a number of factors, including gestation at delivery, weight, any complications that have occurred, and the overall health of the babies. But try not to be too overwhelmed by the NICU – it’s just a place for your babies to receive extra special care. The best thing you can do is plan ahead to find the highest level NICU in your region, in the event that your babies do need to spend time there.

In addition to a birth plan, make what I like to call a BUMP plan (a baby urgent medical plan) that clearly lists the closest NICU IIIC (the highest level). These high-level NICUs guarantee a neonatologist on-site 24/7 and a wide-array of full-time pediatric specialists and advanced technologies. Doing your research in advance will pay off in case of a complication once your baby is born.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

close up of pregnant woman holding a picture of her ultrasound
What to Know About Vanishing Twin Syndrome and Its Effect on Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
kelsey hatcher pregnant with twins in double uterus
Mom With Rare Double Uterus Is Expecting a Baby in Each
By Wyndi Kappes
mom and dad holding their twin babies
How to Have Twins: the Science Behind Multiples
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
Parents sitting with identical triplets and their 3-year-old
One in a Million: Parents Welcome Rare Spontaneous Identical Triplets
By Wyndi Kappes
woman pregnant with twins
Are C-Sections Inevitable When Delivering Multiples?
By Karen Moise, RN
mother interacting with her daughter at the hospital after conjoined twin surgery
Rare Set of Conjoined Twins Successfully Separated After 24-Hour Surgery
By Nehal Aggarwal
Q&A: What Exactly Is Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome?
Q&A: What Exactly Is Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome?
By Karen Moise, RN
ADVERTISEMENT
Q&A: How Early Can I Tell if I'm Having Multiples?
Q&A: How Early Can I Tell if I'm Having Multiples?
By Karen Moise, RN
Q&A: Can Twins Kick Each Other?
Q&A: Can Twins Kick Each Other?
By Karen Moise, RN
newborn twins ermbracing
Oldest Woman to Give Birth Delivers Twin Girls at 73 Years Old
By Nathalie Kirby
ADVERTISEMENT
twins in their crib
Woman Gives Birth to Twins—3 Months Apart
By Ashley Edwards Walker
red balloon letters that spell out love with collage of blue hearts
Preemie Twins Hug to Celebrate First Time Reunited Since Mother's Womb
By Stephanie Grassullo
baby twins interacting with each other
From the Trenches: a Parent’s Guide to Raising Twins
By Tyler Lund
ADVERTISEMENT
several images of one woman's pregnancy progression over time
Mom Documents Triplet Baby Bump to Show Her Extraordinary Progression
By Stephanie Grassullo
woman who is pregnant with twins looking up doctor on phone
Doctor That Specializes in Twins?
By The Bump Editors
Passing Your Due Date With Multiples
Passing Your Due Date With Multiples
By Excerpted from The Baby Bump, Twins and Triplets Edition
closeup big pregnant belly
Preventing Premature Birth With Multiples
By Excerpted from The Baby Bump, Twins and Triplets Edition
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman laughing
Birth Classes for Twins and Other Multiples
By Excerpted from The Baby Bump, Twins and Triplets Edition
Questions to Ask Your Doctor if You're Having Twins
Questions to Ask Your Doctor if You're Having Twins
By The Bump Editors
yogurt and nuts healthy food for pregnancy multiples
What to Eat While Pregnant With Twins and Triplets
By Excerpted from The Baby Bump, Twins and Triplets Edition
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List