How Does Pregnancy Change When You’re Carrying Twins?

Whether it’s your first pregnancy or the first time you’re carrying twins, carrying multiples brings some significant differences to the table. Even if you’ve already given birth to a single baby in the past, preparing for a twin birth will likely be an altogether different experience.

Skilled OB/GYN physician, Derakhsh Fozouni, MD, has a lot of experience guiding mothers-to-be who are carrying twins. To ensure your pregnancy is healthy and increase the likelihood you’ll carry your twins to full-term, Dr. Fozouni offers some insight about what to expect when carrying and delivering twins.

What to know about twins

A twin pregnancy is often determined during your first ultrasound, a diagnostic exam that uses soundwaves to create a picture of your developing babies.  Depending on the position of the babies, it may take additional ultrasounds to officially confirm a twin pregnancy.

Depending on the fertilization process, you may be carrying fraternal or identical twins.

Fraternal twins

Fraternal twins are the most common type of twins that develop when two separate sperm fertilize two separate eggs. This gives each twin their own amniotic sac and placenta throughout gestation.

Fraternal twins can be any gender, such as two girls, two boys, or one girl and one boy.

Identical twins

Identical twins develop when your fertilized egg splits into two different fetuses. Each baby is genetically identical to the other, but may or may not share the same amniotic sac or placenta.

Identical twins will share the same physical characteristics and will be the same sex. Having identical twins may increase the risk factors for a rare situation in which the babies don’t fully separate before birth, resulting in conjoined twins.

The changes twin births bring to a pregnancy

Carrying twins changes your pregnancy is several ways, and you may need specialized care throughout your pregnancy to ensure a safe delivery. Some of the most common differences between a single and twin birth include:

High-risk pregnancy possibilities

Being pregnant with twins may increase your chances for being considered a high-risk pregnancy. However, your overall health and medical history also play roles in that determination.

Earlier delivery date

Though every pregnancy is different, carrying twins may increase your chances for delivering your babies earlier than your due date, sometimes prematurely.

If he feels the babies don’t have enough space in your womb as you get closer to your due date, Dr. Fozouni may schedule an earlier date to induce your labor or to deliver the babies through a Cesarean section (C-section).

Additional weight gain

When you’re carrying more than one baby, it’s highly likely you will gain more weight than with a single pregnancy. Dr. Fozouni can recommend the ideal weight gain for your body type and pregnancy needs and during your routine check-ups, he carefully monitors your weight gain and diet.

Gestational diabetes concerns

Carrying twins may increase your risk for developing gestational diabetes, a condition in which your blood sugar levels remain higher than normal.

Although your diabetes may resolve on its own after the birth of your babies, gestational diabetes can lead to Type 2 diabetes, which may cause heart disease or other chronic health issues.

Through careful monitoring and your active participation in your own pregnancy care, Dr. Fozouni can help you enjoy a healthy, happy pregnancy and the safe delivery of your twins.

To schedule a consultation to learn more about available services for carrying twins, call Dr. Fozouni’s office today, or request an appointment online now.