Sign of multiple pregnancy

Twins Pregnancy Symptoms | American Pregnancy Association

Many women feel twins pregnancy symptoms leading them to suspect they may be carrying more than one baby, but how can you know for sure? The only way to confirm your twins pregnancy is to have an Ultrasound.

Doppler Heartbeat Count

Fetal heart sounds may be detected by a Doppler late in the first trimester. Experienced doctors and midwives may be able to detect multiple heartbeats; however, this can be inaccurate because a single heartbeat can be detected in several areas of the mother’s abdomen.

Elevated hCG Levels

Women who are pregnant with twins may have increased levels of hCG, which is the hormone that is produced during pregnancy. However, increased levels of hCG do not automatically indicate multiples. Further investigation would be needed to verify the cause of a high hCG level.

Abnormal AFP Test Results

An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening, also known as a maternal serum screening or the triple marker test, is performed during the second trimester. This screening is used to detect certain birth defects and measure the amount of a certain protein that is secreted by the fetal liver.
A positive or high test reading may indicate a multiple pregnancy.

Twin Pregnancies Measure Large for Gestational Age

Most doctors and midwives monitor a women’s fundal height (the distance between the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus) during pregnancy. This measurement can help indicate the gestational age.
Women who are carrying multiples often experience increased uterine stretching, and the fundal height may be greater than the actual gestational age. While this may be indicative of a multiple pregnancy, other factors can cause this as well.

Weight Gain

There are numerous factors that can cause excessive weight gain, most of which are attributed to poor eating habits. The amount of weight a woman should gain depends on her height, body type, and pre-pregnancy weight.
On average, women who are carrying multiples only gain about 10 more pounds than those carrying a single baby.

Excessive Morning Sickness

About half of all pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness during pregnancy. While some mothers of multiples report an increase in the severity of morning sickness, many do not.
Just because a woman is pregnant with multiples does not mean that she will experience a double or triple dose of morning sickness.

Early or Frequent Fetal Movement

Although controversial within the medical community, some women carrying multiples report feeling fetal movement earlier than expected. This being said, it is important to note that most women experience earlier movement in subsequent pregnancies.

Twins Pregnancy = Extreme Fatigue

While this can also be caused by stress, work, and responsibilities, it is also commonly reported by women who are pregnant with multiples. This may be associated with the mother’s body attempting to provide nutrients to more than one baby.

History or Intuition

A multiples pregnancy can run in certain families. Also, some mothers may have an intuitive feeling that they are pregnant with multiples. Remember that many of these signs can have other causes, and the only way to be 100% positive that you are carrying multiples is through ultrasound confirmation.

Want to Know More?

How a Multiples Pregnancy Occurs
Prenatal Care in a Multiples Pregnancy
Safe Exercise During a Multiples Pregnancy

What Are the Earliest Signs of Being Pregnant with Twins?

Is there such a thing as being twice as pregnant? As you begin to experience pregnancy symptoms, you may wonder whether having stronger symptoms means something — are there signs you’re having twins? Is it normal to be this exhausted and this nauseous, or could it mean something more?

While the only definitive way to know whether you’re pregnant with twins is an ultrasound, some symptoms may suggest that a little something extra is happening on the inside.

As soon as pregnancy begins, your body begins to produce hormones and undergo physical changes. These changes may be the first sign of pregnancy. What’s more, some of these signs may be slightly different when you’re expecting more than one baby.

Many people who experience twin pregnancy report that they had a sense or feeling that they were expecting multiples, even before they knew for sure. On the other hand, for many people, the news comes as a complete surprise.

The following symptoms are commonly reported as signs that you may be pregnant with twins, from the earliest weeks of pregnancy.

It’s not entirely clear why some people experience morning sickness, but for many pregnant people, it can begin as early as the 4th week of pregnancy, which is right around the time you miss your period.

Increases in the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hGH) may contribute to feeling nausea at any time of the day. (That’s right, morning sickness doesn’t only happen in the morning. )

Some people pregnant with multiple babies report experiencing elevated levels of morning sickness, or morning sickness that lasts longer into their pregnancy. It can be difficult to establish a baseline for morning sickness, as it can vary from person to person, as well as from pregnancy to pregnancy.

Experiencing nausea and vomiting that lasts beyond the 14th week of pregnancy could indicate that you’re pregnant with multiple babies.

Unfortunately, experiencing severe or prolonged morning sickness can also be in indicator of hyperemesis gravidarum. If you’re vomiting several times a day, experiencing nausea all day, or losing weight, it’s a good idea to speak with your OB-GYN.

Fatigue is also a very early pregnancy sign. In the first weeks, and sometimes even before your missed period at 4 weeks, you may begin to feel exhausted. Elevated hormone levels, along with possible issues like sleep interruptions and increased urination, may disrupt your ability to get your usual amount of rest.

Again, there’s no way to know for sure whether the fatigue that’s setting in means that you’re expecting one baby or more. If you’re feeling extra tired, do what you can to get enough rest, including moving your bedtime earlier, taking naps when possible, and creating a restful sleep environment.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the body during pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests detect this hormone in urine to give you a positive test result. While home pregnancy tests can’t tell you the specific level of hCG in your body, blood tests can.

If you’re undergoing certain fertility treatments, you may have blood drawn to check on your hCG numbers. Your OB will establish a baseline, then watch to see whether the numbers double as expected. A 2018 study showed that those pregnant with multiples may have a higher than expected hCG count.

Your baby’s heartbeat may be heard as early as 8 to 10 weeks using a fetal doppler. If your OB-GYN thinks they hear a second heartbeat, they’ll likely suggest scheduling an ultrasound to get a better picture of what’s happening.

Measuring ahead isn’t an early sign of twins, as it’s unlikely that your provider will measure your belly until after 20 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, it’s likely you have an ultrasound scheduled if you haven’t already had one.

Some people report showing earlier when pregnant with twins, but the point at which your pregnancy begins to show varies depending on the person and the pregnancy. Many people will show earlier during their second pregnancy.

Since most parents don’t report feeling movement until around 18 weeks, this isn’t an early sign either. Your baby moves in the womb from the beginning, but it’s unlikely you’ll feel anything until your second trimester.

Of course, having two or more babies can mean that you’ll feel movement slightly earlier than you would have with only one baby, but this is very unlikely to happen before your second trimester.

This is another sign that may not come into play until farther along in your pregnancy. During the first trimester of your pregnancy, weight gain is likely to be relatively low.

The standard recommendation is a gain of 1 to 4 pounds over the first 12 weeks. Weight gain happens more rapidly in the second trimester, regardless of whether you’re expecting a single baby or more.

If you are gaining weight faster during your first trimester, you should speak with your OB-GYN about possible causes or concerns.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes the following weight gain guidelines, which are based on pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), for women pregnant with twins:

BMI less than 18.5: 50–62 lbs.
BMI 18.5–24.9: 37–54 lbs.
BMI 25–29.9: 31–50 lbs.
BMI greater or equal to 30: 25–42 lbs.

However, if you’re experiencing morning sickness or other issues, you may not gain (and even lose) weight in the first trimester. Again, if you’re concerned about your weight gain, you may want to speak with your doctor.

Although the factors above may be signs of a twin pregnancy, the only sure way to know you’re pregnant with more than one baby is through an ultrasound.

Some doctors schedule an early ultrasound, around 6 to 10 weeks, to confirm the pregnancy or check for issues. If you don’t have an early ultrasound, know that you’ll be scheduled for an anatomy scan around 18 to 22 weeks.

Once your doctor is able to see the sonogram images, you’ll know exactly how many babies you’re carrying.

According to the CDC, the rate of twins was 32.6 twins per 1,000 total births in 2018. Many different things contribute to the number of twins born each year. Factors like age, genetics, and fertility treatments can increase your likelihood of becoming pregnant with twins.

While a pregnancy with twins or more is exciting, it comes with some risks. Focusing on your health and seeking prenatal care is especially important during a multiple pregnancy.

Early pregnancy symptoms can’t tell you for sure whether you’re pregnant with two or more babies, but regular prenatal appointments and testing can. Always discuss your concerns with your OB-GYN, and take good care of yourself — no matter how many babies you’re carrying.

For more tips and week-by-week guidance your pregnancy, sign up for our I’m Expecting newsletter.

Multiple pregnancy: 7 signs | Nestle Baby

Pregnancy

Article

0 reviews

Upon learning that she is pregnant, a woman wants to know as soon as possible what kind of tiny miracle is inside her. And sometimes it turns out that there are two or even three miracles. Some perceive it with delight, others with excitement and fear, because two babies are a double responsibility, but at the same time a double happiness. Why does multiple pregnancy happen? Is it possible to find out about it in the early stages and whether there are external signs indicating such a double phenomenon - we will tell in this article.

4 min. for reading Feb. 17, 2022

Types of multiple pregnancy

There are two types of multiple pregnancy:

monozygotic;
is polyzygous.

In the first case, the fertilized egg is split, due to which the formation of two or more identical fetuses begins. They all have the same chromosomes and are genetically identical. Therefore, when born, babies have the same appearance, the same physiological characteristics and even similar psychological inclinations.

Polyzygous pregnancy is the result of the fertilization of two different eggs at the same time. Such children may have a dissimilar appearance, because they have a different set of chromosomes.

Why does multiple pregnancy occur?

There are no reasons for multiple pregnancy, which would be unanimously confirmed by experts. According to doctors, the splitting of the egg in the case of a monozygotic pregnancy occurs due to the low oxygen content in the woman's circulatory system or acidity failures. One of the main factors is genetic predisposition. It also happens that a multiple pregnancy becomes a consequence of taking drugs, due to which several follicles begin to be produced in the ovaries. Doctors say that the likelihood of carrying twins increases after 35 years.

The first sign of multiple pregnancy is fatigue

The signs of multiple pregnancy that mothers should be prepared for is an increase in all the symptoms of a typical pregnancy. The tummy will be large and will grow faster, it will be harder to walk, toxicosis and the set of all classic pregnancy symptoms will “double”. The most common signs of multiple pregnancy are severe fatigue and drowsiness. The development of several fetuses requires more body resources, so a woman begins to get tired from the first weeks of pregnancy.

Experienced mothers who are already familiar with the symptoms of an "interesting situation" will immediately notice the difference, but primiparas (as doctors call them) can accept this condition as a natural phenomenon.

The second symptom is nausea

Nausea is common for a pregnant woman. It occurs, as a rule, in the morning, the pregnant woman feels unwell, loss of strength and vomiting. Together with nausea, the expectant mother can be tormented by heartburn. But the body is an individual mechanism for every woman. Therefore, a different manifestation at the same time will be completely normal. Someone spends every morning on the toilet, mourning their breakfast, and someone feels great and cheerful. Therefore, the absence of toxicosis is not a guarantee that there is only one inhabitant in the tummy.

External signs of multiple pregnancy

In addition to their condition, many mothers want to know how to determine multiple pregnancy without ultrasound by external signs. Some external changes that a woman can notice on her own do exist, but they are not a 100% guarantee. Among them:

skin changes. A surge of hormones often provokes dryness and flaking of the skin, as well as acne, increased pigmentation;
big belly. To control weight gain and tummy growth, women often use norm tables, exceeding these indicators indicates a high probability of several fetuses;
the appearance of a horizontal groove on the anterior wall of the uterus.

Methods for determining multiple pregnancy without ultrasound

Only ultrasound can determine the exact number of fetuses, which can be performed at 8-18 weeks of pregnancy. However, there are methods of determination that will help to refute or confirm your guesses already in the first weeks. If you want to find out about several babies on your own, you can use the usual pregnancy test. A bright and bold line will indicate a high level of hCG, which is more common in pregnant women with two or more fetuses.

With regard to the obstetric examination, the gynecologist may suspect a multiple pregnancy due to the condition of the uterus. A deep uterine fundus is determined by palpation and indicates two or more fetuses. In most cases, multiple pregnancies are passed down genetically and through generations. Were there twins or twins in the family? Get ready to become a mother of several "cubs" at once

Latest reviews

Average customer rating

0 customer ratings

Snapshot of community ratings

5 0
four 0
3 0
2 0
one 0

How do you get pregnant with twins | gently sloping booth "Leleka"

Before describing the course of multiple pregnancy, it should be noted that the course of pregnancy has individual characteristics for each woman. There are no universal recommendations that would suit absolutely all pregnant women with one fetus or with several. Therefore, in this article we have tried to describe the general points that are most common, and which should be paid attention to the expectant mother.

How to detect twin pregnancy

Thanks to modern diagnostic methods, multiple pregnancy can be detected at an early stage. First, a doctor can diagnose twins during a routine examination - by noting the rapid increase in the size of the uterus or by hearing a double heartbeat. An experienced specialist can diagnose twins after 4 weeks of pregnancy. Secondly, twins are diagnosed during an ultrasound examination. This usually happens after 12 weeks. Prior to this, the expectant mother can only assume that she is carrying twins - for example, based on family history and the frequent occurrence of twins in the family. Blood tests are not yet a reliable way to determine twins.

How twin pregnancy proceeds

All stages of fetal development in a multiple pregnancy occur at the same time as in a single fetus. Therefore, the expectant mother can focus on the usual calendar for pregnant women. There are two main risks that a woman must take into account: this is the burden on the mother's body and the increased likelihood of complications.

A heavy load on the mother's body

Two fetuses develop in a woman's body at once. They require more oxygen, more nutrients, their vital activity leads to an increased load on the excretory system. Any infection or pathology immediately creates a risk for three at once: for the mother and for the second fetus.

Therefore, during a multiple pregnancy, it is especially important for a woman to walk a lot in the fresh air, eat right and regularly, monitor body hygiene, and consult a doctor at the first alarming signs.

Increased likelihood of complications

Alas, not all women can bear two children normally. Approximately in the fifth part, the involution of the second fetal egg occurs: even in the first trimester, it freezes and decreases in size, while the second fetus continues to develop.

If both fetuses develop evenly, the difficulties do not end there. Due to the lack of iron in the mother's body, anemia, or anemia, can develop. Therefore, in multiple pregnancies, iron preparations are often prescribed.

Due to the large weight of the abdomen in the later stages, placenta or fetal previa may form. The placenta blocks the exit from the uterus, or the position of the fetus makes natural childbirth impossible. In these cases, resort to caesarean section.

Premature aging of the placenta and premature birth - due to the fact that the placenta has to provide oxygen and nutrients to two fetuses at once, it quickly wears out and ages. Because of this, and also because of a number of similar reasons, premature birth can begin. To reduce the risk of preterm labor, pregnant women may be prescribed drugs that relax the muscles.