Twin Pregnancy
Pregnancy as every one knows commonly terminates with the birth of a single child. However, while triplets are extremely rare, one in ninety pregnant women carries twins. Twins are most frequently born to parents whose ancestors have established this tendency but they are now becoming more common especially because of the growing use of infertility treatments. Reproductive technologies that assist with natural fertilization such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) often use ovulation-stimulating medications to produce multiple eggs which are then fertilized and returned to the uterus to develop.
Usually you can continue with the exercise you were doing before the pregnancy throughout most of the nine months, although you may have to make some adjustments. You should speak to your doctor to see what changes you should make to your routine.
On the other hand, if you are out of shape already when you find you are expecting twins, it is not the time to embark on a heavy-duty program of physical activity! Do get out for a walk every day, but don’t push yourself too hard on distance or speed. Build up gradually. Even just a moderately paced mile a day can help your energy and outlook.
Twin pregnancy facts
With twins, you’ll have to prepare for double the trouble! This means you will probably be gaining more weight than with a single pregnancy. Due to this extra weight, a pregnancy with twins can often be more uncomfortable – severe exhaustion, stronger backaches and headaches, etc. So get plenty of sleep and rest. Try a pregnancy massage, a great stress reliever to those giving birth to multiples. Also be prepared for a possible c-section, as with multiples this is the more common way of giving birth. Because a twin pregnancy is considered a high risk pregnancy, you will probably need to consult your obstetrician more often than if you were having a regular pregnancy. Do not be fazed as this is quite common with twins.
Twin Pregnancy Symptoms
Early Weight Gain
Due to increased blood volume and a growing uterus, twin mothers usually experience a slightly higher weight gain than mothers of singletons.
Measuring Large For Gestational Age
Even though measuring large for gestational age may be a sign of a twin pregnancy, it can also happen during subsequent pregnancies of singletons. It is widely accepted that a second pregnancy shows sooner than a first pregnancy. So, it does not always indicate twins.
CHOOSING A DOCTOR
You may already have a relationship with an OBGYN, but you will want to find out what their experience is with twins. Twin pregnancy is still considered “high risk” in the medical community. Although, due to the increase in twin births, numerous obstetricians are now very experienced in this area. You will need to balance the doctor’s experience with your particular pregnancy and preferences. If you have significant complications you will likely be referred to a perinatologist (a doctor who specializes in high risk pregnancies).
CHOOSING A MIDWIFE
Some women carrying twins will opt for a midwife as their primary caregiver. A midwife is someone who has modern medical knowledge, but applies a more intimate and traditional approach when dealing with pregnancy and birth. They generally offer a more personalized experience by letting mothers take the lead in decisions regarding their situation. Midwives are the common choice for women that want a natural or home birth. While most will work out of birthing centers or be based out of a hospital, some will indeed assist you in your own home.
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