What Is Twin Pregnancy?
Twin pregnancies-they bear twins: these are novel and complex phenomenal medical conditions. Twin pregnancies pursue specialized medical attention, for they are more prone to complications. This occurs when a woman is pregnant with two babies at the same time. The various aspects of a twin pregnancy cause, type, and symptoms along with its prenatal care, complications, delivery methods, postnatal care, and psychosocial effects are effectively covered here. The facility-the Nimaaya IVF Centre the reader into how it effectively supports twin pregnancy along with its excellent facility and advanced technology for reproductive health.
Twin Pregnancy Types
Dizygotic (Fraternal) Twins
Fraternal twins result from the fertilization of two separate eggs by two different sperm cells. These twins:
- Have completely different genetic profiles than any other siblings.
- Each develops in its placental system within amniotic sacs.
- May be of the same or different sex.
Monozygotic (Identical) Twins
The monozygotic twins originate from a fertilized egg, which later divides into two embryos. Depending on the time of splitting, one can get the following configurations:
- Dichorionic-Diamniotic (Di-Di): twins are two embryos that have separate placenta and amniotic sac. It occurs when the split happens after the first three days of the fertilization.
- Monochorionic-Diamniotic (Mo-Di): Twins born from a common placenta but having separate amniotic sacs. Commonly occurs in twins splitting between day 4 to 8 of the pregnancy.
- Monochorionic-Monoamniotic (Mo-Mo): These twins share a placenta and an amniotic sac. These twins tend to separate after day 8 and they are at a high risk level for cord entanglement.
Conjoined Twins
This is very rare where an embryo partially splits into two but these twins get physically connected. This happens after day 12 of fertilization when the embryo begins to split partially.
Causes and Risk Factors for Twin Pregnancies
There are several factors which predispose twin conception:
Genetics and Heredity
Familial tendencies in twinning, more prevalent by maternal lineages, tend to increase the propensity to enter into dizygotic twinning.
Maternal Age and Parity
- Women greater than thirty, especially those above 35 years but less than 40 years tend to have a better chance of releasing more than a single egg.
- Women with numerous previous pregnancies tend to have a greater risk of twinning on another conception.
Race and Ethnicity
Twins are fairly most among Africans. Least among Asian women. In between are the Caucasian women.
Other Factors
- Nutrition: There Is some thought that high dairy diets may increase the chance of producing twins.
- Body Composition: Taller and heavier women may exhibit a marginally increased chance of conceiving twins.
Twin Pregnancy Symptoms
The manifestation of twin pregnancy in its early stage is quite similar with that of singleton pregnancy but is subsequently more pronounced.
A. Increased Weight Gain
Most of this weight gain generally results from extra placental mass and more amniotic fluid in a woman who is pregnant with twins.
B. Severe Morning Sickness
Twice during a pregnancy, the person is likely to experience hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme nausea and vomiting, due to increased hCG levels.
C. Rapid Uterine Growth
Growth of the uterus is more rapid than usual; and often it is larger than normally expected for the gestational age.
how to get pregnant with twins
Although it is not feasible to conceive twins, certain factors can increase the chances of multiple births even when copulating purely. Here are several lifestyles, natural instances, and even medical interventions that up the chances of conceiving twins:
Natural Factors Influencing Twin Pregnancy
Genetics and Family History
- Maternal Family History: If the mother has a family history of twins, particularly on her maternal side, the chances of conceiving twins are higher.
- Paternal Influence: While the father’s family history doesn’t directly impact the possibility of the mother becoming pregnant with twins, it can influence the likelihood of fathering a daughter who has the twin gene.
Maternal Age
Women of age more than 30, mostly between 35 and 40 years, are likely conceived as twins. Such women usually produce more follicle-stimulating hormone, thereby increasing the chances of releasing multiple eggs.
Number of Previous Pregnancies
Multiparous women are more prone to twin conception than nulliparae. The reason stated for this is the apparent hormonal priming of the woman’s body with increasing number of pregnancies, which renders the condition favorable for the release of more than one egg.
Race and Ethnicity
African women are more likely to have twins than Asians, and Caucasian women fall in the middle range.
Lifestyle and Dietary Factors That May Increase the Chances of Twins
High Dairy Intake
According to some studies, dairy products are said to be one of the reasons given as to why women are more likely to get pregnant with twins than those who take minimal dairy in their diets. There are certain growth hormones in dairy that stimulate the ovaries to release more than one egg.
Eating Yams and Cassava
Some cultures eating a lot of yams or cassava produce considerably multiple births. These foods are thought to have some chemicals that stimulate the ovaries.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Statistically, women with a higher BMI are likely to deliver twins. But, of course, it is said to be observably cautious, as health in general is important.
Height
Well, taller women have more chances of conceiving twins, and that is one of the factors that cannot be controlled.
Medical Interventions to Increase Twin Conception
Fertility Medications
Several fertility medications are taken to stimulate the releasing of multiple, rather than just one ovum, increasing the chances of twins.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
- It induces ovulation; therefore, it causes more than one egg to leave the ovary.
- Reports say that about 5-12% will have twins when they use Clomid.
Gonadotropins (FSH, LH Injections)
- These hormones are injected to stimulate the ovaries to produce many follicles for ovulation.
- The chances of having twins conceived through gonadotropins are much higher than for Clomid.
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- This often entails the transfer of several embryos into the uterus to increase implantation rates.
- There are guidelines, however, in the transfer of more than two embryos to avoid complications associated with multiple births.
Ovulation Induction
In women with ovulatory disorders, ovulation induction with medications will lead to the release of multiple egg.
Know More: Ovulation Meaning in Hindi
Twin pregnancy complications
Preterm Birth
Over 60% of the births from twin pregnancies are preterm-births since babies mostly live under 37 weeks of age at the time of birth. Some of the complications related to premature births are:
- RDS or Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- Feeding errors
- Delay in development
Low Weight at Birth
Most of the time twin-born babies come into lower birth weight, i.e., born under 2,500 grams would require neonatal care in a comprehensive intensive set up.
Cord Entanglement in Monoamniotic Twins
Mo-Mo twins have a greater chance of being tangled up in umbilical cords putting the blood flow and oxygen supply at risk.
How to know twin pregnancy?
Early identification of twin pregnancy will pave the way for appropriate prenatal care for the mother. Many signs of an early pregnancy coincide with that of Twin pregnancy, although there are several definite signs and medical methods that prove otherwise.
Early Signs and Symptoms of a Twin Pregnancy
More Intense Pregnancy Symptoms
The symptoms from body responses are very loud due to higher levels of pregnancy hormones like hCG and progesterone.
Severe Morning Sickness:
Women sometimes suffer this condition twice as hard with hyperemesis gravidarum, because their level of hormones has skyrocketed sky high.
Extreme Fatigue:
Energy for the twin pregnancies increases, resulting in tiredness even as early as pregnancy.
Amplified Breast Soreness:
Breasts may swell and become sore at levels far beyond those because of a singleton pregnancy.
Rapid Weight Gain
Most twin pregnancies gain weight faster and more than just single pregnancy women: especially in the first trimester when the active formation of two fetuses with an increase of blood volume takes place.
Larger Uterine Size
It appears greater than that which is reasonably expected with regard to gestational age; it also seems that this might be apparent at an earlier stage than by expected.
Early and Intense Fetal Movements
Some women feel fetal movement between the 16th week or even earlier and frequently because there would be two babies.
Medical Methods to Detect a Twin Pregnancy
Ultrasound Examination
This is ultrasound – the most reliable and prevalent way to determine twin pregnancies.
Early Ultrasound (6-8 weeks)
At about six weeks of pregnancy, 2 gestational sacs or 2 fetal heartbeats can be demonstrated by using a transvaginal ultrasound.
Second-trimester ultrasound
Upon abdominal ultrasound, it is possible to see clearly two fetuses, two placentas (if present), and the amniotic sacs in the second trimester.
Elevated hCG and AFP Levels
Higher hCG Levels:
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present in higher levels during the tests for blood of a pregnant woman with twins than for a woman with a single pregnancy.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Test:
AFP levels are generally elevated in simultaneous pregnancies. It is usually one of the screening tests carried out during the second trimester for assessing the well-being of the fetus.
Doppler Heartbeat Monitoring
A Doppler device can detect more than one fetal heartbeat from as early as 10-12 weeks but is usually not differentiated without ultrasound confirmation.
Measuring Fundal Height
The fundal height (the distance from the pubic bone to the uppermost part of the uterus) in cases of twins is mostly more than expected.
Delivery of Twins
Timing of Delivery
Most twin births are premature compared to a singleton. Commonly, their delivery is between 34 and 37 weeks.
Mode of Delivery
The delivery method is determined by the positioning of the twins and the health of the mother:
- Vaginal Delivery: Possible if both twins are head-down.
- Cesarean Section: Recommended if the first twin is not head-down or if complications arise.
Postnatal Care for Twins
Breastfeeding Support
Even though twins are more complicated, it can happen with the assistance of lactation consultants. Mothers also need to pump frequently to maintain a supply of milk.
Developmental Monitoring
Twins, especially those born premature, need close monitoring for developmental milestones to take early action if necessary.
Conclusion: Nimaaya IVF Center – A Trusted Partner in Twin Pregnancies
Special care, sophisticated monitoring and very caring attitudes are needed to handle twin pregnancies. Nimaaya IVF Center is recognized for giving the most modern fertility treatments and complete prenatal care made especially for twin pregnancies. Nimaaya IVF Center is committed to harnessing the full strength of a dedicated team of specialists and the latest technology to create favorable conditions for both mothers and their newborns. Nurses and staff members of the hospital are on standby to assist at every stage of the journey. Whether it is fertility treatment or specialized care during a twin pregnancy, visit Nimaaya IVF Center.
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