X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

What are the labor signs of twin pregnancy that mothers should know

8 min read
What are the labor signs of twin pregnancy that mothers should know

Twin pregnancy and its labor signs may be different with the normal pregnancy that every mothers should be aware of.

Twin pregnancy and its labor signs may be different from a normal pregnancy that every mother should be aware of.

By the moment you found out that you will be having twins or more, the word preterm labor makes you think. Also, you are looking for information about the labor signs of twin pregnancy.

It may be true that multiple or twin pregnancy is at risk of having a preterm birth. More than half of twins are born earlier, with more than 10 percent born preterm before the 32nd week.

Mommies, before you get panicked at the possibility of preterm labor, see this statistical probability. If you will be having “just” twins, they will be full-term, healthy twins within the last two weeks of the third trimester.

Of the 70 percent earlier births, many were born within a few weeks before their due date. Fewer are born severely premature at 24-48 weeks.

However, twin pregnancy may be a complicated situation for mothers. To find out more about how to be pregnant with twins, let’s discuss the following topics.

healthy twins - successful labor of twins

Image from | pexels.com

Table of Contents

  • What are the labor signs of twin pregnancy?
    • Understanding Contractions
    • Knowing your body
    • Other labor signs of twin pregnancy
      • READ MORE:
  • Giving birth to a twin: Pregnancy and knowing the signs before labor
    • How to give birth to twins naturally
    • How to give birth to twins in cesarean section
  • The chance of carrying twins to term

What are the labor signs of twin pregnancy?

If you are expecting to have a twin in your pregnancy, you are more likely to have early delivery and labor signs. You may look at the following signs of preterm labor.

Understanding Contractions

Sometimes, preterm birth is silent. You may not feel your cervix dilating or effacing. You could not even feel contractions, especially if you are a first-timer pregnant.

Your uterus or “womb” contracts throughout the whole period of pregnancy. These irregular, “practice” contractions are Braxton-Hicks contractions and they start as early as the second trimester.

However, as your body prepares for labor and delivery,  the timing, regularity, and intensity of the contractions will significantly increase.

It is the pattern and frequency of contractions that can give a signal on a starting labor. Occasional or irregular contractions are usually normal.

Meanwhile, recurring contractions at a rate of more than 4 times per hour may result in concern and will require further monitoring.

You should report the following signs to your caregiver:

  1. more than four or five times contractions per hour
  2. rhythmic or persisting pelvic pressure
  3. cramps, like in the menstrual period
  4. backache

Knowing your body

Every mother may experience contractions in different ways. These contractions may produce a sensation of pain, hardening, pressure, heaviness, tightening, or cramping. These sensations can be felt in your abdomen, pelvis, lower back, or even upper thighs.

You must need to spend some time getting to know your body to understand how well the contractions manifest in your twin pregnancy.

One of the best ways to tune into contractions is by lying down quietly on your left side. Place your hands on your belly. You would feel protruding baby parts, such as a head, elbow, or rear end and these will feel hard and bumpy.

Feel for a softer part so that you can feel your uterus and not your (twin) babies’ movement. At rest, your womb will feel soft and fleshy. But, when contracted, it will become hard and tight, like a flexed muscle.

Other labor signs of twin pregnancy

While contractions are the main signs of preterm labor during your twin pregnancy, you can’t count on them to let you know what is going on. There are some signs indicating that labor is already going on.

If you would experience the listed signs below, it is better to notify your doctor quickly.

  1. having diarrhea
  2. vaginal bleeding or discharge
  3. an uneasy sense that something is wrong

Well, some of these signs may be unrelated to preterm labor, but it is important to quickly call for your doctor’s help.

Additionally, twins are usually born earlier, often before 38 weeks. So, it is important to understand your birth options.

Because your twin babies are likely to be born early, there is a possibility that one or both of them will spend more time in special care.

READ MORE:

How to know if pregnant with twins? Signs of multiple pregnancy

Early signs that you might be pregnant with twins

Want to have twins? These 5 factors increase your chances of having multiple births

Giving birth to a twin: Pregnancy and knowing the signs before labor

baby delivered naturally - one option for twin delivery

Image from | pexels.com

As twin babies are born prematurely, and there could be labor signs of preterm, it is also smart to discuss birth options with your midwife or doctor early in your twin pregnancy.
You should also discuss where you would like to deliver your twins. Of course, to avoid any complications, your doctor might advise you to do it in a hospital.
Moreover, it is common to have more medical staff in the birth of your twins.
Partner Stories
Delightful Baon Pairings Your Kids Will Love
Delightful Baon Pairings Your Kids Will Love
From “Kulang” to “Lamang”: How Lactum 3+ Helps Provide Upgraded All-Around Development For Your Child
From “Kulang” to “Lamang”: How Lactum 3+ Helps Provide Upgraded All-Around Development For Your Child
This SPAMtastic™ Christmas Gift Idea Will Surely Be a Hit
This SPAMtastic™ Christmas Gift Idea Will Surely Be a Hit
Give Yourself the Care You Deserve!
Give Yourself the Care You Deserve!
The most common birth options that you have to think of our natural or vaginal birth and c-section or cesarean delivery.

How to give birth to twins naturally

There are about one-third of all twins born naturally or “vaginally” and the process is similar to that of a single baby. If you are planning a natural birth, your doctor will recommend that you have an epidural for pain relief. Thus, if problems may arise, it might be easier and quicker to assist the delivery.
If the first twin is in a cephalic or head-down position, it is common to consider a vaginal birth. However, there could be other medical reasons why this would not be doable. If you have had a previous cesarean delivery, it is suggested to avoid natural birth with twins.
If you will have a vaginal birth, you might need an assisted birth. In assisted birth, a doctor would need to use a suction cup (ventouse) or forceps to help deliver your baby.
Once your first twin is born, the midwife or doctor will check the position of the second twin. They would feel your abdomen and will perform a vaginal examination.
If the second baby is in a good position, the waters will break. Then, the 2nd baby should be born after the first as the cervix is totally dilated.
If contraction stops after the first baby, hormones will be added to the drip to restart them.

How to give birth to twins in cesarean section

Another is you can choose to have an elective cesarean from the outset of your pregnancy. Or, your doctor may suggest a c-section later in the pregnancy as a result of possible complications.
You are nearly twice as likely to have a cesarean if giving birth to twins than delivering a single baby.
Furthermore, your babies’ position may determine whether they need to do the labor in a c-section or not. If the first twin to be born is in a breech position (feet, knees, bottom first), or if one twin is in a transverse position, you will need a cesarean section.

The chance of carrying twins to term

mother looking at her twins - example of delivery of twins

Image from | pexels.com

According to experts, mommies who are pregnant with twins have the following:
  • About a 40 percent chance of carrying their pregnancy to early term (37 weeks) or after
  • A 60 percent chance of delivering preterm or at least less than 37 weeks
  • An 11 percent chance to deliver your babies before 32 weeks of pregnancy
This reference review from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also claims the average duration of twin pregnancy is 35 weeks (preterm), compared to 39 weeks (full-term) of a single baby.
  • Early term: 37  to 38 weeks and 6 days gestation
  • Full term: 39 to 40 weeks and 6 days
ACOG also added that preterm birth is the most common complication of twin pregnancy.
Mommies, always take good care of yourself and your babies. As their due date approach, you need to be ready and choose or seek help from your doctor for the best delivery and labor that will suit your condition.

 

Very Well Family, Family Education, Nationwide Children, Pregnancy Birth Baby, LovetoKnowHealth

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Nathanielle Torre

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Becoming a Parent
  • /
  • What are the labor signs of twin pregnancy that mothers should know
Share:
  • Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

    Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

  • Trina Candaza sa co-parenting nila ni Carlo Aquino: "Hindi ko pinagdadamot, it's just that hindi siya pumupunta."

    Trina Candaza sa co-parenting nila ni Carlo Aquino: "Hindi ko pinagdadamot, it's just that hindi siya pumupunta."

  • Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

    Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

  • Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

    Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

  • Trina Candaza sa co-parenting nila ni Carlo Aquino: "Hindi ko pinagdadamot, it's just that hindi siya pumupunta."

    Trina Candaza sa co-parenting nila ni Carlo Aquino: "Hindi ko pinagdadamot, it's just that hindi siya pumupunta."

  • Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

    Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pagbubuntis.