Mummies-to-be, buckle up!
Did your recent ultrasound reveal a surprise double (or even triple!) blessing?
Congratulations!
This is definitely an exciting time, but let’s be honest, a little scary too, right?
Having twins or more means double (or triple!) the cuteness, but also double (or triple!) the questions.
Don’t worry, mummy, we’ve got you covered!
This guide will be your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about expecting multiples here in Malaysia.
When You Know That You Have Twins
The only definite way to find out whether you’re having twins or other multiples is to have an ultrasound scan.
They mentioned that the best time to have the scan is at 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The scan can determine how many foetuses, placentas, and amniotic sacs there are.
At the same time, your doctor can also tell whether you have identical or fraternal twins.
Factors That Increase Chance of Having Twins
There are certain circumstances that can increase your chances of having twins, and those include:
1. Age
Mums over the age of 35 are more likely to release multiple eggs during ovulation.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), as the ovaries age, they are more likely to release more than one egg each month.
2. Family History
If your mother’s side has a history of fraternal twins, there is a chance that you can also conceive twins naturally.
3. Having Obesity
Women with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30 are more likely to conceive twins.
According to Dr William Bates, he said that women with this BMI have higher levels of luteinizing hormone, which triggers ovulation.
Women with this BMI count might release two eggs at once during a cycle.
4. Fertility Treatments
Twin pregnancy is more common in women who have fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
5. Personal History
If you’ve had twins or multiples before, you’re more likely to conceive twins again.
Signs and Symptoms of a Twin Pregnancy
There are certain signs and symptoms that you might be having twins or more, such as:
- early foetal movement
- foetal movement in more than one area
- fundal height is greater than gestational age
- gaining weight quickly
- having high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
- hearing more than one heartbeat on a foetal Doppler
Most of the signs mentioned might occur in the early weeks of pregnancy.
However, if you are experiencing the signs of twin pregnancy, it doesn’t always mean that you’re carrying two foetuses.
As for the symptoms of twin pregnancies, they are usually similar to those of a single-foetus pregnancy but might be more intense and that includes:
- breast tenderness
- fatigue
- frequent urination
- increased appetite
- morning sickness
Different Types of Twins
Twins are either fraternal, identical, or, in rare cases, conjoined.
1. Fraternal Twins
This occurs when two sperm fertilise two eggs in one cycle.
This results in a separate placenta for each baby.
Fraternal twin DNA is like that of siblings of different ages.
They can be the same sex, or you can have a set of a girl and a boy.
2. Identical Twins
This happens when a single embryo from one egg and one sperm divide in two.
These twins may share one or have separate placentas, and they are always of the same sex.
3. Conjoined Twins
They are extremely rare and occur when an identical twin embryo does not fully divide.
The babies’ bodies are fused and may share vital organs.
What You Can Expect With Multiples Pregnancy
Lancaster General Health shared a few things you can expect if you’re having twins or more, and that includes:
1. More Appointments
It’s important that you’re prepared for more appointments as you have more than one baby.
As your babies grow, you’ll have more visits with your provider to make sure your pregnancy is progressing well and healthily.
This also includes more ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy.
It’s common to have an ultrasound scan every four to six weeks once you hit the second trimester.
However, if there are any concerns, they might need to do the scans more frequently.
2. Higher Risk of Complications
With multiple pregnancies, that means that there are more variables and potential complications for you and your babies.
According to a study, if you are pregnant with twins, you have a two- to three-times greater risk of developing preeclampsia than women with singleton pregnancies.
You are also at higher risk for gestational diabetes, placenta previa, or abruption.
Another complication to observe in a multiple pregnancy is called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
It’s a condition that can occur when multiples share a placenta.
This would cause one foetus to get too much blood while the other gets too little.
3. C-Sections Are More Common
For your safety and also your babies’, your doctor may recommend scheduling a C-section for the delivery.
There are a few things that your doctor needs to check for the method of delivery, and that includes:
- position of the babies, if one or more baby are breech or transverse
- size of babies, if one baby is smaller than the other
- number of placentas, if babies are sharing one placenta
4. Early Labour Is Likely
Around 50% of twins are born early, while triplets can come even sooner.
Instead of 40 weeks, your twins are considered full term if they arrive on the 38th week.
The babies you deliver are typically smaller, and the average twin weighs around 2.5 kilograms.
5. Potential NICU Stay
Because most twin pregnancies arrive earlier than expected, your babies might need specialised care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) after delivery.
There’s a possibility that they might not need to be cared for in the NICU, but it’s better to be prepared in case it does happen.
Don’t Panic, Make a Proper Plan
You might not have expected that you’d get two or more babies when you first took the pregnancy test.
It does mean that caring for yourself and your babies might be even harder and, at times, overwhelming.
However, don’t panic.
Make sure that you have a plan for the next few months of pregnancy and that you have proper support to take care of you and your babies.
You’ve got this, mummies!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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