Is There An Increase In Multiple Pregnancies



Twin pregnancy is mainly seen in women who have family history of twins. However, these days there is an increase in number of women having twins with no prior family history. This is due to the fact that women, for career reason or lifestyle choice, delay their motherhood to late age. In such cases, they have to undergo fertility treatment, which increases the number of eggs released in the uterus. Advancement in medical science has led to in vitro fertilization method, which gives woman with difficulty in conceiving normally, a chance to become a mother. Nevertheless, a side effect of the procedure is that many fertilized eggs are implanted so as to increase the chances of conception. Hence such woman give birth to twins or sometime even to triplets or quadruplets.

Detecting Twin Pregnancy

If a first time mother has a female blood relatives with twins, chances are there that she might also be carrying two. Hence, she should be extra careful and alert for signs and symptoms of twin pregnancy. In the first trimester, all expectant mothers undergo various degree of morning sickness but with twins, she may have severe morning sickness. While a normal pregnant woman gain 25 to 35 pounds, a woman carrying twins gain weight double that rate. In two months, she looks like she is in the second trimester of pregnancy.

The most common method of detecting twin pregnancy is in the beginning of second trimester. An ultrasound taken in the end of third month can show the number of fetuses a woman is carrying. If there is an indication of twin pregnancy, she might have to undergo other tests like Doppler heartbeat count, which lets the doctor hear the fetal heartbeats. Two distinctive heartbeats can be heard if the mother is carrying twins.

Another test is screening the maternal serum; in high dose it indicates multiple pregnancies. Elevated HCG level in the urine during first week of conception is another way of detecting twin pregnancy.

Taking Care Of Mother Carrying Twins

A Woman with twin pregnancy needs to take extra care. She can become fatigue and lethargic more as the body works overtime to take care of the extra lives. If it is difficult pregnancy, she might have to spend the entire time in bed. She has to take adequate diet as she feeds not only for herself but also for two more lives. Regular check up is must, as the doctor has to measure the growth of the fetuses constantly to rule out abnormalities. More often or not, such pregnancies do not complete the full gestational age and one or both babies are born with low birth weight.

So do not fret if the stork brings two bundles of joy. Be informed, take care and enjoy the period of twin pregnancy for there is not one, but two pots of gold at the end of the rainbow for the family to love, joy and share.