30 Weeks Pregnant with Quadruplets: Preparing for the NICU, Feeding & Breast Milk | S9 | Ep225

<p><strong>Sam Smith is back on Sense by Meg, and this time she’s 30 weeks pregnant with quadruplets.</strong></p><p>After previously sharing her extraordinary pregnancy journey, Sam joins <strong>Meg Faure</strong> and paediatric dietitian <strong>Kath Megaw</strong> 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>If you enjoy this episode, please give us a 5-star rating! </p><p><br></p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN</strong></p><ul><li><p>How to increase calories without having to eat significantly larger meals</p></li><li><p>What to look for when choosing a protein powder during pregnancy</p></li><li><p>How nutrition can support placental health and fetal growth</p></li><li><p>Why protein is particularly important during pregnancy, especially with multiple placentas and growing babies</p></li><li><p>What TPN (parenteral nutrition) is and why it may be used in the NICU</p></li><li><p>How donor breast milk can support premature babies while a mother establishes her own milk supply</p></li><li><p>The role of colostrum in the early days after birth</p></li><li><p>How mothers can contribute to their babies’ NICU journey through breast milk and skin-to-skin contact</p></li><li><p>How mums can look after their own nutrition while establishing breast milk production</p></li><li><p>What Sam is preparing for as she gets closer to the planned birth of her four babies</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>CHAPTERS</strong></p><p><strong>00:47  How is the quadruplet pregnancy going? </strong></p><p><strong>05:50  Eating during a quadruplet pregnancy </strong></p><p><strong>13:37  Can nutrition influence baby’s growth? </strong></p><p><strong>15:49  Preparing for the NICU </strong></p><p><strong>18:33  What happens when premature babies enter the NICU?</strong></p><p><strong>20:15  TPN, breast milk &amp; early feeding </strong></p><p><strong>23:02  A mother’s role in the NICU</strong></p><p><strong>24:42  Colostrum &amp; establishing breast milk</strong></p><p><strong>26:18  Nutrition and breast milk production</strong></p><p><strong>28:34  What’s next for Sam?</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>ABOUT THE GUEST</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>Follow Sam Smith on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samsmithofcapetown/ " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>@samsmithofcapetown</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p><br></p><p>𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘄Kath Megaw is a paediatric dietitian and a specialist voice in infant nutrition. She is the CEO of Nutripaeds Follow along on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nutripaeds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@nutripaeds</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST</strong></p><p><strong>Sense by Meg</strong> is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder <strong>Meg Faure</strong>.</p><p>With more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachme