30 Weeks Pregnant with Quadruplets: Preparing for the NICU, Feeding & Breast Milk | S9 | Ep225 - Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting | Lyssna här

Sam Smith is back on Sense by Meg, and this time she’s 30 weeks pregnant with quadruplets.

After previously sharing her extraordinary pregnancy journey, Sam joins Meg Faure and paediatric dietitian Kath Megaw to talk about navigating the final weeks of a high-risk multiple pregnancy, getting enough nutrition when there simply isn’t much room to eat, and preparing for what comes next.

Kath shares practical guidance on protein, calories, smoothies and supplements during the third trimester, before unpacking what Sam can expect when her four babies arrive and enter the NICU. They discuss TPN, donor breast milk, colostrum, establishing breast milk production, skin-to-skin contact and the important role Sam can play in her babies’ feeding journey.

With Sam now at 30 weeks, the focus is on reaching the next milestone while preparing emotionally and practically for the birth of four premature babies.

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IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN

How to increase calories without having to eat significantly larger meals
What to look for when choosing a protein powder during pregnancy
How nutrition can support placental health and fetal growth
Why protein is particularly important during pregnancy, especially with multiple placentas and growing babies
What TPN (parenteral nutrition) is and why it may be used in the NICU
How donor breast milk can support premature babies while a mother establishes her own milk supply
The role of colostrum in the early days after birth
How mothers can contribute to their babies’ NICU journey through breast milk and skin-to-skin contact
How mums can look after their own nutrition while establishing breast milk production
What Sam is preparing for as she gets closer to the planned birth of her four babies

CHAPTERS

00:47 How is the quadruplet pregnancy going?

05:50 Eating during a quadruplet pregnancy

13:37 Can nutrition influence baby’s growth?

15:49 Preparing for the NICU

18:33 What happens when premature babies enter the NICU?

20:15 TPN, breast milk & early feeding

23:02 A mother’s role in the NICU

24:42 Colostrum & establishing breast milk

26:18 Nutrition and breast milk production

28:34 What’s next for Sam?

ABOUT THE GUEST

Sam Smith is a Cape Town-based mum who is currently pregnant with quadruplets. She previously joined Sense by Meg to share her pregnancy journey and returns at 30 weeks to talk honestly about the physical realities of carrying four babies, preparing for the NICU and getting ready for life with four newborns alongside her toddler, Teddy.

Follow Sam Smith on Instagram: @samsmithofcapetown

𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘄Kath Megaw is a paediatric dietitian and a specialist voice in infant nutrition. She is the CEO of Nutripaeds Follow along on Instagram: @nutripaeds

ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST

Sense by Meg is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure.

With more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachment and early relationships, Meg brings together leading experts, researchers and parents to explore the science behind raising happy, healthy and resilient children.

The podcast is part of Parent Sense, a science-backed parenting solution designed to help parents understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting journey.