Having twins mean double the joy and excitement of pregnancy. But does that also mean it’s also double the risk and being cautious?
It’s important to know what precautions are to be taken in a twin pregnancy. It is high-risk because it involves two babies growing in the womb. During a twin pregnancy, many things can go wrong. It is important to be aware of these things at different times during pregnancy.
Talaan ng Nilalaman
Is pregnancy with twins a high-risk?
Pregnancy with twins is a high-risk pregnancy for several reasons.
- The risk of miscarriage is higher in twin pregnancies than in singleton pregnancies.
- The chances of having a preterm baby are higher if you are pregnant with more than one baby.
- Deliveries for twins are more likely to have complications than deliveries for single babies.
It’s important to note that these risks don’t apply to every twin pregnancy. They only apply to women with certain risk factors. If you have had a previous miscarriage, your chance of miscarriage is high.
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure in your body before you get pregnant, it can make pregnancy harder for you. So it’s vital to note what precautions to be taken in twin pregnancy.
Do twins have more health problems?
Image source: iStock
Whether twins have more health problems than other children has been debated for years. Some studies have shown that twins are less healthy than other children. Others have shown that twins are as healthy as non-twins.
The reason for this discrepancy is likely to be twofold.
Some studies compare the rate of specific health problems in twins and single babies. But some studies only look at twins, not singletons. Putting them together would show that twins have a higher risk of health problems than single babies.
Some researchers may include only twins born prematurely. They exclude other twins born full-term and healthy. It would also lead to an increased risk for twins compared to singletons.
Potential complications with twin pregnancy
One of the crucial things to know about twin pregnancy is that it can become complicated. Many potential complications can occur during a twin pregnancy.
These complications include:
Bleeding
Bleeding is a common complication with twin pregnancies. It can occur at any point but is most common in the second trimester. Bleeding can result from an abnormal placenta. It’s bleeding due to placenta previa, abruption, or an ectopic pregnancy.
Low Amniotic Fluid Levels
It occurs when insufficient fluid in the amniotic sac surrounds your babies. It can increase the risk of infection around your baby’s umbilical cord(s). Which leads to complications such as early rupture of membranes.
Preterm Labor
The most significant complication with a twin pregnancy is preterm labor. Preterm labor is labor that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. It can have severe consequences for both mothers and babies. The risk of premature birth increases significantly with multiple pregnancies. So it is vital to be aware of the symptoms of preterm labor.
The most common symptom of early labor is cramping in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. Other symptoms include:
- A change in vaginal discharge (for example, a watery discharge)
- Change in frequency or colour of urine
- Urinating more often than usual or feeling like you have to urinate even though your bladder isn’t full
- Feeling unusually tired, dizzy, or lightheaded
Placenta Previa
The placenta is normally in the uterus. When a woman gets pregnant with twins or triplets, she sometimes has two or three uteruses. It makes it hard for the babies to grow and get food because there is not enough room for them.
With placenta previa, the placenta covers the cervix, so it’s harder for the baby to come out. Placenta previa can cause bleeding and may lead to premature delivery.
The exact cause of placenta previa isn’t known. But it may be related to an abnormality in how blood vessels attach to the uterus. Placenta previa occurs in about 1 out of every 200 pregnancies. It is more common in women who’ve had previous childbirths. Or surgeries like cesarean sections.
It’s also more likely to occur if you’re pregnant with identical twins (or triplets).
The symptoms of placenta previa include:
- bleeding from the vagina
- low blood pressure or dizziness when standing up quickly
- contractions that aren’t regular or strong
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes can occur when you’re pregnant with twins or more than one baby. It happens because your body cannot produce enough insulin to keep your blood sugar steady throughout the day.
It can lead to serious health problems for you and your babies. These are health issues like congenital disabilities and miscarriage. So it’s essential to get tested early in your pregnancy if you think this might be an issue. It is usually around week 12.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition that can occur during a twin pregnancy. In this condition, the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. It is possible to treat anemia if you get it during a twin pregnancy.
Anemia is more common in twin pregnancies because there are more babies than in singleton pregnancies. It means that the number of blood cells needed to support each baby increases. With this, your body makes so more blood cells make more blood cells.
Anemia during your twin pregnancy will cause symptoms such as weakness and fatigue. Another is shortness of breath and palpitations (feeling your heart race). You can manage these symptoms by taking iron tablets or injections until delivery.
Iron supplements for anemic pregnant woman
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition that affects pregnant women. It is characterized by high blood pressure and swelling. It can lead to severe complications for both mother and child.
Women with preeclampsia are at higher risk of developing it again in future pregnancies. It’s essential to look for symptoms during this time. The first signs of preeclampsia are rapid weight gain and swelling in the face, hands, or feet.
Other signs include headaches, nausea, vomiting, or blurred vision.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the inner wall of the uterus. It occurs in about 1 percent of all pregnancies and can cause severe complications for the mother and her babies.
In a twin pregnancy, placental abruption is more common than in singleton pregnancies. The risk rises with age, especially after age 35 or if you have had two or more previous miscarriages. Uterine surgery makes placenta problems worse. Diabetes and high blood pressure also make placenta problems worse.
If your placenta detaches from the uterus wall, you will bleed a lot. It also results in severe pain on one side of your abdomen. The bleeding may be so severe that it causes you to go into labor prematurely.
If it occurs later in gestation, there will be less bleeding. But there’s still a risk of preterm delivery and stillbirths for both twins. Find out what precautions to be taken in twin pregnancy to avoid placental abruption.
Umbilical Cord Problems
Umbilical cord problems can occur if there is too much fluid in your womb. It also happens if the umbilical cords become tangled together or knotted.
These issues can cause one or both umbilical cords to become shorter than normal. This can cause problems for both you and your twins.
Twin-to-twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)
TTTS occurs when blood vessels between the developing fetuses grow abnormally large. This causes one fetus to take too much blood from the other fetus. It’s a condition that can cause one or both babies to grow slower than normal. leading to heart failure or other complications.
Low Birth Weight for Twins (Less Than 5 Pounds Each)
Low birth weight is a significant concern for twins. It increases their chances of premature delivery and long-term health issues. Prematurely born babies risk developmental delays. This and other problems can affect their quality of life.
Also, premature births often increase the risk of stillbirth or death shortly after birth. Learn what precautions to be taken in twin pregnancy to prevent this.
Risk of twin pregnancy with age
Tips for stay healthy during a twin pregnancy
Remember that this too shall pass—and soon enough, your babies will be here!
Image source: iStock
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
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