Multiple Birth: Twins, Triplets, Risks & Symptoms

What Is a Multiple Pregnancy?

Multiple pregnancies occur when a pregnant woman carries more than one embryo simultaneously. For example, being pregnant with twins means that you are carrying two babies at the same time. Triplets are when three babies are born at once during the same pregnancy. Also, you can carry more than three babies at once. Multiple pregnancies usually have higher hazards than singleton pregnancies (carrying only one infant).

What Causes Multiple Pregnancies?

During her menstrual cycle, a woman's ovaries may produce more than one egg, and if a sperm fertilises each egg, many embryos can implant and grow inside the uterus. As a result, there will be noticeable physical differences among the newborns (or more). The creation of identical twins results from dividing a single fertilised egg into two or more embryos (or more). The number of sets of identical twins is smaller than the number of sets of fraternal twins.

Are Triplets or Identical Twins Usually of The Same Sex?

Since genetic material is shared between identical twins or triplets, they are always the same sex. When an ovum is fertilized by sperm, the subsequent infant will be of a particular gender. Sperm cells contain both X and Y chromosomes. Mother's X chromosomes are found in the egg. A XX combination is formed when an X-carrier sperm cell fertilizes an X-carrier egg (female). When a sperm cell contains a Y chromosome, and it meets with mother's X chromosome a XY combination is formed and is a boy.

Also read: Twin Pregnancy: Signs, Types & Risks

When one egg is fertilized, it splits into two genetically identical eggs. The gender of all multiples is determined by the chromosomes that are present at fertilization.

What Increases the Likelihood of Multiple Pregnancies?

When fertility medications induce ovulation, the ovaries frequently produce several eggs. This can result in multiple births (e.g., twins, triplets, etc.).

Multiple pregnancies are possible via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) if more than one embryo is implanted into the uterus. There is a chance of having identical twins or triplets if the fertilised egg divides after being transferred.

Women above the age of 35 are more likely to have several eggs released during a single menstrual cycle. Therefore, older women are more likely to have several children than younger women.

You may also like: What to Expect in the Eighth Week of Development of Your Twins in the Womb?

How Common Are Multiple Births?

In the past few years, more births have occurred because more people are using fertility drugs and procedures, like IVF, to help them get pregnant.

Symptoms That Indicate Multiple Pregnancies?

Women with multiple pregnancies may feel sicker in the morning or have sore breasts than women with a singleton pregnancy. They might also gain weight more quickly. Most of the time, an ultrasound will reveal multiple pregnancies.

You may also like: Symptoms of twin pregnancy

What Risks of Multiple Births?

Possible complications include:

Premature labour and birth

Premature labour is the most prevalent complication of multiple deliveries. If you are having more than one baby, you are more likely to go into labour early (before 37 weeks) than if you are only having one.

Gestational hypertension (high blood pressure)

During pregnancy, your healthcare provider will regularly monitor your blood pressure to ensure that you do not develop excessive blood pressure. Diabetes can occur during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes

You can get diabetes during pregnancy. This happens because there are more hormones coming from the placenta.

Placenta abruption

This happens when the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus before the baby is born.

Fetal growth restriction

This is also called small for gestational age (SGA) or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This condition occurs when one or more of your infants are not growing correctly.

Also read: Vanishing Twin Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

If I Am Carrying Multiples, Am I More Likely to Have a C-Section Delivery?

If you're having more than one baby, you're more likely to need a C-section than if you only had one. But even when there is only one birth, a C-section is sometimes the safest way to give birth.

Babies don't always have their heads down, which is the best position for birth. A C-section may also be performed if you have a complication throughout your pregnancy that renders vaginal birth risky for you or your baby. Your doctor or nurse will check on you before your due date and discuss the best way to give delivery.

What Can I Do to Maintain My Health When Carrying Multiples?

Eating healthy foods, getting enough rest, and going to the doctor regularly are all essential steps for a healthy pregnancy.

If you're having multiple pregnancies, you have more dietary needs to meet. It's essential to get enough protein and enough fluids. You'll also need to consume enough extra calories to keep the foetuses growing. One common rule of thumb is to consume 300 additional calories each day for each baby. That means that if you are having multiple pregnancies, you will need to eat an additional 600 calories each day. Get advice from your doctor or midwife on what to eat and how much to eat while pregnant.

Can I Exercise and Remain Active When Carrying Multiples?

The best strategy to maintain physical fitness and maternal health throughout pregnancy is to engage in low-impact physical activity. If you are expecting more than one child, you can try swimming, walking, and prenatal yoga, which are all low-impact exercises. Even though it's good to be active when you're pregnant, you should talk to your doctor or midwife about the best things to do.