Twin Pregnancy Facts
Every pregnancy is a gift, but having twins is a double blessing. As with any pregnancy, knowing what to expect will help you deal with the specific issues that come along with being pregnant with twins.
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History
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With 3 in every 100 pregnancies resulting in multiple births, twin pregnancies are definitely on the rise. Many people attribute this to the fact that many women are waiting until their 30's to become pregnant and a large number of these women use fertility treatments.
Identification
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Twins are typically discovered before the delivery date. Often, a physician is clued in when he finds out that the uterus is larger than normal or discovers more than one heartbeat. If your doctor suspects that you might be having twins, he will probably order an ultrasound to check and see if the technologist can actually see two or more babies in the womb. Some mothers find out in early ultrasounds that they are having twins, only to find out later that there is only one baby in the womb. Sometimes, there is no explanation for this condition, known as vanishing twin syndrome.
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Considerations
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Women who are pregnant with twins can expect several differences from a regular pregnancy. There will typically be more side effects such as nausea, vomiting and heartburn with twin pregnancies. You will also be advised to have more frequent checkups than with a single baby pregnancy. The doctor will want to keep a close eye on your development and the development of the babies. You will need more folic acid, as well as other important nutrients. Your doctor will be able to provide you with a diet that is specifically geared towards mothers of twins. A mother pregnant with twins will have more weight gain than with a single baby. With twins, you should gain an average of 35 to 45 pounds. Your doctor may also ask you to limit some of your activities towards the end of your pregnancy and your work load or your travel may be restricted.
Potential
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Though most twins are born healthy, there are, of course, complications that are unique to multiple births. Preterm labor is often a concern. With twins, doctors suggest that optimum pregnancy time is from 37 to 39 weeks. Preterm labor that cannot be stopped with medication sometimes results in preterm birth. Babies born too early often have multiple problems at birth, such as underdeveloped lungs and low birth weight. Mothers pregnant with twins sometimes experience high blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure carefully and help you learn to control it if it becomes too high. Gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy, is more common for twin pregnancies.
Function
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There are a few delivery issues when it comes to having twins. Though it is possible to deliver healthy twins vaginally, many doctors prefer for the mother to have a C-section. If the babies are in a head-down position, a C-section may be performed. In rare cases, the first baby will be delivered vaginally, but the twin may need to be delivered by C-section due to complications.
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