What Multiple Births Mean To Mom Page 1 2
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Twin pregnancy: What multiples mean for mom
Would you be surprised to learn that you're carrying twins? Here's what you need to know about taking care of yourself and your babies. Would you be shocked to learn that you're carrying twins or triplets? It happens to about three percent of pregnant women. And that number is growing.
What's causing the twin pregnancy trend?
Many women are delaying having children to well into their 30s and beyond when age-related hormonal changes may cause more than one egg to be released at a time. This increases the chances of conceiving nonidentical or fraternal twins.
Because of decreased fertility in older women they are more likely to use reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization to conceive. Since these procedures involve implanting more than one fertilized egg in the uterus, they're more likely to result in twins or other multiples.
How twins are made
Fraternal twins, the most common kind occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two different sperm. Each twin has his or her own placenta and amniotic sac. The twins can be two girls, two boys or a boy and a girl. Genetically, they're no more alike than any other siblings. Identical twins occur when a single fertilized egg splits and develops into two fetuses. Identical twins may share a placenta, but each baby usually has a separate amniotic sac. Genetically, the two babies are identical. They'll be the same sex and look exactly alike. Triplets and other higher order multiples can be identical, fraternal or a combination of both. But these births are rare.
Making the diagnosis
With modern medicine, multiple births are diagnosed long before delivery. The first clue is often a uterus that's larger than normal or more than one fetal heartbeat. Certain blood tests may suggest twins or other multiples as well. A suspected twin pregnancy is often confirmed with an ultrasound. During this exam, sound waves are used to create images of your uterus and baby or babies. Sometimes a seemingly normal twin pregnancy is later found to have only one baby. Such an episode can be heartbreaking, frustrating and confusing and experts aren't sure why it happens.
What twin pregnancy means for mom
Taking good care of yourself is the best way to take care of your babies. Here's what to expect. More side effects. Carrying multiples may intensify common pregnancy complaints, such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, insomnia and fatigue. Abdominal pain, shortness of breath and pressure on the pubic bone are common as well. More frequent checkups and ultrasound exams. You'll see your health care provider often to track your babies' growth and development, monitor your health and watch for signs of preterm labor. This may mean every-other-week visits during the second trimester and once-a-week visits during the third trimester.
More emphasis on certain nutrients. You'll need more folic acid, calcium, iron, protein and other essential nutrients. If you're already eating healthfully, keep it up, and be sure to take a daily prenatal vitamin. Your health care provider may recommend an iron supplement as well.
More weight gain. Gaining the right amount of weight can support your babies' health and make it easier to shed the extra pounds after delivery. For twins, the recommendation is often 35 to 45 pounds. This may take up to 2,700 calories a day. Work with your health care provider to determine what's right for you...Continues
Unique Twin Births
Multiple Birth Research Center
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