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If you are wondering whether or not you are having twins, you are not alone in this beautiful world of expecting mothers! With the cases of twins increasing significantly over the past two decades, numerous expecting mothers wonder if two babies can be on the way. If so, she should find out the common signs and symptoms of twin pregnancy and then know more about how it occurred, what would be the symptoms and how finally this will be treated.
Sometimes, one ovum gets fertilized by one sperm and then divides into two or more embryos and this condition is known identical twinning and might produce either boys or the girls. Identical multiples are genetically distinguished, and generally look so much alike that even parents find a hard time making them apart. Nevertheless, such children have different attributes and they are distinct individuals. Identical multiples might have separate placentas and amniotic sac, but most of them share a common placenta having separate sacs. In seldom cases, the identical twins share one placenta having one amniotic sac.
Common symptoms of twin pregnancy
Greater and faster weight gain
Early weight gain of up to 10 lb in the first trimester might result because of increased blood volume and uterus size. By the end of the 2nd trimester, most of the mothers of twins must have gained 15-20 lb whereas singleton pregnancy generally gets gain of 10-20 lb.
A large sized uterus
If the uterus appears to be growing more quickly than expected for the due date, a twin pregnancy might be suspected. Other possible causes of bigger than expected uterus include a misestimated due date, too much amniotic fluid, or the presence of uterine fibroid.
Calculating large for gestational age
Increased uterine size might be a strong indicator of twin pregnancy. Nevertheless, most women feature larger and show earlier with later pregnancies, so one should not be alarmed if she ca not fit into her jeans after six weeks of pregnancy with the second child even if she never worn maternity clothes until 20 weeks with her first child.
Extensive morning sickness
it is seen that more than half of twin carrying mothers have morning sickness that tends to be more severe as compared to a singleton pregnancy
Fetal movement much earlier than expected
There is considerable dissension among medical practitioners as to whether the woman carrying twins is more susceptible to feel movement much earlier than expected? But many mothers do claim that these early flutters and flips were the first clues that they would be having more than one infant in their uterus.
A diagnostic imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer-screen for creating images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs is the best tool to detect twin pregnancy. Ultrasound is used to view internal organs and their current functioning and to evaluate blood flow through various vessels along with a vaginal transducer, particularly in early pregnancy or with some abdominal transducers in later pregnancy.
Management of twin pregnancy
Mothers who carry twin pregnancy require more calories, proteins, and other nutrients, such as iron. Higher weight gain is also advised for twin pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that woman who carries twins gain at least 35-45 lb. Referral to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, known as a perinatologist, for special examination and/or ultrasound findings and to coordinate care of complications, might be necessary to avoid complications of twin pregnancy.
Some women require bed rest - either at house or in the nursing home depending upon pregnancy complications or the number of fetuses. Higher-ordered multiple pregnancies often ask bed rest beginning in the middle of the 2nd trimester. The Cerclage (a procedure done for suturing the cervical opening) is performed on the women having incompetent cervix. This is the condition wherein the cervix is physically weakened and unable to stay closed during gestational period. Some women with higher-order multiples might require Cerclage in their early gestation. The delivery of twins depends on many factors such as the fetal positions, fertilization age, and health of mother and infants.
Usually, in twin pregnancy, if both fetuses are in the vertex (head-down) position with no any complications, a vaginal delivery might be thought and in some cases, it is quite possible too. If the first fetus is vertex, and another is not, the first fetus might be delivered vaginally, and other is either turned towards the vertex position or delivered breech (buttocks are taken out first). However, such procedures might increase the risks for problems like prolapsed umbilical cord (wherein the cord slips down through the opening of the cervix) and then emergency cesarean birth of the second fetus is required. Generally, if the first fetus is not vertex, both infants can be delivered by cesarean. Most triplets and other higher-order multiples are birthed by such sessions.
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