Twin pregnancy: questions and answers

Twin pregnancy has become a fairly frequent event thanks to the increasingly widespread assisted fertilization treatments which make it more likely among couples who have difficulty conceiving and which are constantly increasing.

Despite this, the twin pregnancy remains shrouded in a veil of mystery that we try to remove by answering some very common questions and at the same time trying to create a meeting point between mothers expecting twins here and on the forum .

When can I find out if I’m expecting twins?

Although twins are formed between 4 and 10 days after conception (when more than one egg is fertilized or an embryo divides), the twin pregnancy will be revealed at the first ultrasound which is usually done between 8 and 10 weeks of pregnancy.

However, sometimes the way in which the beta hcg in the blood grows or the intensity of the symptoms experienced ( hyperemesis gravidarum for example) can lead to the first suspicion of a twin pregnancy.

Even the tummy expands more quickly if there are more than one baby.

What should I ask the gynecologist as soon as I find out I’m expecting twins?

One of the first things to ascertain when expecting twins is whether they are monozygotic twins or dizygotic twins.

Dizygotic twins account for about 2/3 of all twin births. They arise from the fertilization of two different egg cells by two different sperm. It is basically two little brothers who will be born together

Monochorionic twins are identical twins. Most identical twins will share the same placenta, but have separate amniotic sacs (monochorionic diamniotic twins), although a small percentage of twins have may be dichorionic diamniotic.

Rarely (in 1% of twin pregnancies) it happens that the twins may be monochorionic monoamniotic, i.e. they share the amniotic sac in addition to the placenta. This is a situation at risk of complications and therefore the pregnancy must be monitored with particular attention by a specialized centre. A rare but serious potential complication is fetal-to-fetal transfusion syndrome, in which one twin gets too much blood and nutrients, while the other doesn’t get enough. In this case the checks will be very frequent, even once every two weeks.

Other important questions to ask:

1. Are the children the same size? Children should grow at about the same rate. If one is smaller than the other, this can be a sign of distress.
2. How are the amniotic fluid levels? In fact, excess amniotic fluid can be a sign of potential danger
3. What is the length of the cervix? A thinning or shortening of the cervix can be an indicator of a complication

Don’t be afraid to ask any question that pops into your head, answering it is part of their job.

Most twin pregnancies last an average of 35 weeks. If it’s triplets, the pregnancy lasts an average of 33 weeks. In the case of quadruplets, the pregnancy lasts an average of 29 weeks.

most premature babies have an excellent prognosis, but it’s natural to worry about preterm births. Experts reassure mothers: once the 32 weeks have passed, they can breathe a sigh of relief as the lungs and other major organs are fully developed by then. Twins born at 37 weeks are practically considered full-term.

What is the risk of miscarriage in case of twin pregnancy?

Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester of pregnancy. Miscarriages are mainly due to chromosomal problems that occur during fertilization. Unfortunately, twin pregnancies have a higher risk of miscarriage than singleton pregnancies.

According to one study, about 9% of twin pregnancies end in miscarriage while 27% of twin pregnancies result in the loss of one of the two babies.

I know these numbers seem high but remember that after 20 weeks the risks decrease significantly, and mothers expecting twins have an approximately 90 percent chance of giving birth to two beautiful babies!

In this case it is true that you have to eat for two or .. three or four! You will definitely need to gain more weight than a singleton to sustain 9 months of growth.

In general it is recommended that expectant mothers gain about 11 kg within 24 weeks of pregnancy because this decreases the risk of preterm birth.

On average, a woman expecting twins is expected to gain 15-20 kg throughout her pregnancy. A woman expecting triplets should gain about 22-27 kg.

It is also recommended that women expecting twins gain only 3-5 lbs in the first trimester and then gain 1 lb per week in the second and third trimesters.

If the woman is expecting triplets she should gain about 0.7 kg per week throughout the pregnancy.

It will probably not be easy to have enough appetite to sustain weight gain.

Mothers expecting twins can help themselves by having small and frequent meals (about 6 a day) in order to introduce calories without weighing themselves down too much.

Snack on foods rich in nutrients, such as complex carbohydrates and nuts.

Add foods high in protein and fiber to your diet. Such as green leafy vegetables, grains and eggs. As in single pregnancies, attention must be paid to certain foods that must be avoided or treated in a certain way.

Red meat, if cooked properly, is important for its iron content.

Before going to bed, drink some milk or eat a yogurt to be able to get through to breakfast the next morning.

What will the birth of twins be like?

Every pregnancy and every birth is different but that doesn’t mean that because you’re expecting twins you’ll have to be in double pain! Indeed, look on the bright side: you will have two children with only one birth!

The likelihood of having a C-section increases dramatically with each additional baby, but many twins are born vaginally. In this case you will have to push twice, once for each baby and there will probably be an interval of about 15 to 20 minutes between births. Thus, after the first born you will have to gather strength and concentration to give birth to the second. Then you can relax!

If you are expecting more than twins, however, you will most likely undergo a caesarean section.

Will I have to buy everything double?

If you’re expecting twins, consider a very useful purchase to save time and money: the dryer. This will allow you to wash and dry your clothes quickly without the need to iron them. You will also not need to have who knows how many spare clothes!

You will definitely need to buy some double things.

First of all, the car seats which must be approved as well as suitable for the age of the child and be correctly installed in the car.

The cradle can initially be unique, the children have lived nearby for 9 months but then as they start moving for safety reasons they will need their own space to sleep.

You will definitely need a bouncer or car seat for each child that you can put them in when they are awake while you are washing the dishes or brushing your teeth. You carry them with you and thus keep them under control while you do your thing.

Even if you are breastfeeding you will need a couple of bottles to use if you pump and have your dad or helper give it to you.

You will need a single twin stroller and a single twin nursing pillow.

Gradually depending on your habits and needs you will see what you need. Buying too many things ahead of time exposes you to the risk of buying things that are not useful or not suitable for your needs. You will see that little by little you will find your rhythms!

How to politely answer indiscreet questions?

Do you get nasty comments? They constantly ask you if you have other cases of twins in the family or if you had a “little help”?

Surely you will be tempted to respond in kind, with a phrase like “it will be my business too!”.

How to say the same thing but in a more polite way?

Simple: smile, explain that you are happy to be expecting twins and cleverly steer the conversation to other topics. The questions that come to you are not meant to be mean or intrusive, but they can especially annoy a pregnant woman.

The information contained in this article is not of a medical nature. For any doubts or questions, always remember to contact your trusted doctor.