Today, one of the most important purposes of ultrasound performed in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy is to determine the number of gestational sacs. According to the last menstrual date, on average, from the 7th week, and from the delay of menstruation, after the 3rd week, the gestational sac or sacs can be diagnosed as a multiple pregnancy by being seen on ultrasound.
Twin Baby Symptoms
Although there may be small differences in the symptoms of each woman; twin baby symptoms during pregnancy can be commonly listed as nausea, odor sensitivity, vomiting, pain in the breasts or excessive sensitivity and an increase in appetite.
The underlying reason why nausea is more common is that the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (Beta HCG) is higher in twin pregnancies. In the first trimester (the first 3 months of pregnancy), the rate of nausea and vomiting is higher with twin pregnancies. In most pregnant women, these problems decrease between 12 and 14 weeks. Mothers expecting twin babies may experience more back pain, difficulty sleeping, and heartburn than mothers expecting single babies.
During twin pregnancies, mothers' needs for trace elements such as iron, folic acid, calcium, are increasing. The amount of folic acid to be taken is 0.4 milligrams per day in singleton pregnancies, while it can be up to 1 milligram per day in twin pregnancies. The daily protein and calorie intake should also be kept higher than for single pregnancies. It is important that 300 kcal is added to the daily calorie needs of the mother for each baby, and the daily protein intake is 1.5 g per kg of body weight.
Twin Pregnancy Differences
In twin pregnancies, the mother feels fetal movements (kicking, etc.) between the 18th and 20th weeks, as Decisively as in a single pregnancy. In other words, there is no such thing as feeling the kicks earlier in twin pregnancy. But here, of course, it is more decisive whether she gets pregnant for the first time or not. Because mothers who are pregnant for the first time may confuse fetal movements with gastrointestinal movements.
Again, mothers expecting twin babies may gain more weight because they have more amniotic fluid than singletons.
With twin pregnancies, there may be more frequent doctor checks. Especially if the twins share a single placenta, you may be monitored more often. This is usually understood in the first trimester. Visits to the doctor until the second trimester are the same as with singular pregnancies, if there are no complications.
How are Single and Fraternal Twins Formed?
In twin pregnancies, the separation of identical and fraternal twins is not always easy to do. Fraternal twins are the result of the fertilization of two different eggs with two different sperm, while identical twins have a single fertilized egg and two separate fetuses. Twin pregnancies with two placentas-two sacs, one placenta-two sacs, one placenta-one sac (less common) can occur. Rather than twin pregnancies being single or double eggs, what is important is whether each baby has a separate placenta (partner) or whether they share a single placenta. In this context, the problems that twin pregnancies with a single placenta may face during pregnancy are much different than others. An increasing difference between the growth between these issues, the loss of one twin from twin to twin transfusion syndrome of the wives, wives their problems with a single twin pouch cord, the amniotic fluid can be found in the differences in. The fact that each baby has its own placenta and sac means that it has both a source of nutrition and a protective membrane. That makes it less of a risk.
Twin Pregnancy Risks
Low twin pregnancies compared to single pregnancies, twin loss of life of one of the wives 20 weeks in the womb, premature birth, growth retardation, congenital abnormalities, placenta previa, premature birth problems linked to prematurity; the mother has hypertension, anemia, urinary tract infections, vaginal bleeding, due to the rise in the amniotic fluid, respiratory distress, seems more prevalent with the increase in the incidence of cesarean delivery. The risk of gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes) is higher in twin pregnancies. This condition can cause premature birth, giving birth to a large baby, and cesarean delivery. In addition, this also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in the future age of the expectant mother. Although gestational diabetes is more common in twin pregnancies, it is common for twin babies to be born weaker compared to single babies.
Preeclampsia, known as pregnancy poisoning, is higher in twin pregnancies. Diagnosis of preeclampsia occurs on the 20th anniversary of pregnancy. week 4-6 after birth. He could be seen next week. In cases of high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine, pregnant women and mothers who have just given birth should definitely consult a doctor to prevent serious consequences.
Risks can determine the date of birth. The birth of twin babies occurs on average from the 36th to the 37th week. However, it may also be possible for twin babies to be born earlier. If the birth occurred after the 34th week, the babies are considered late premature. The earlier the baby's birth week, the greater the risks that may occur. If you show signs of premature birth at the end of the second trimester or at the beginning of the third trimester, you should definitely consult with your doctor and follow his recommendations.
Being Followed in the Mother's Womb
In twin pregnancies, monochorionic twins, that is, those who have a single placenta and their twin partners share that placenta, follow-up should definitely be carried out by a perinatology specialist or under his guidance. These pregnancies should be monitored more frequently, and when problems such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome are encountered, your doctor may deem it necessary to apply treatment (such as laser or cord coagulation) in the womb at reference centers experienced in this regard. Apart from this, follow-up is similar to single pregnancies in fraternal twins and those who have two separate placentas from identical twins. It is important to be careful about the signs of premature birth in both groups. As with single pregnancies, a sitting scan (measuring the length of the cervix with ultrasound) and drug treatment are not an option, although special actions can be taken for the case. Measures should be taken against the health problems faced by the mother, especially iron and folic acid support should be given importance.
Things to Watch Out For in a Twin Baby
As every pregnant after the 20th week of fetal monitor movements, foul-smelling discharge, burning during urination, especially in one leg are pain, swelling, redness, itching, lower abdominal area, or the vertices of the regular erection and relaxation of the uterus, easy fatigue, sudden onset of respiratory distress, in situations such as the clear liquid flow, it is important that the physician is consulted.
Birth of Twin Babies
It is possible to say that twin pregnancies are more common with methods of getting pregnant, such as vaccination and IVF. It can be said that twin baby births also occur by caesarean section more like singleton births. However, what determines whether there will be a normal birth or a cesarean section here is the health status of the babies and the mother and the posture positions of the babies. First, one of the twins settles in the canal. That is, first one comes, and then the other by normal delivery or cesarean section. In a twin who is in a single pregnancy, entering the canal with the baby's head (the position with the head down) increases the chances of a normal birth. In the opposite position, normal childbirth is often excluded from the options. In some cases, the first of the twins can be born normally, and the second by cesarean section. Again, pregnancy risks are considered in this regard and a decision is made.
Is the Mother's Milk Enough for Twin Pregnancy?
In twin pregnancies, the first degree of nutrition of babies in the postpartum period is breast milk. The duration of breastfeeding, the amount of milk, whether it is a single or twin pregnancy, can show individual differences. However, it is considered that breast milk comes in sufficient quantities when the mother feeds both babies with breast milk and when the babies have sufficient and regular weight gain. Whether there is a need for food or not is decided by a child health and disease specialist in nursing mothers.
As in single pregnancies, couples can continue to have sexual intercourse during pregnancy, as well as in twin pregnancies, unless there is a threat of miscarriage and a risk of premature birth, the boundaries of which are drawn by the doctor. However, the upper limit is a little earlier than single pregnancies, considering the comfort of the expectant mother. Although rare, bleeding may occur in women experiencing twin pregnancy after union, in such a case, gynecology and obstetrics specialists should be informed.
Differences of Triplet and Quadruplet Pregnancies Compared to Twin Pregnancies
In triplet and quadruplet pregnancies, it is earlier in the week when the birth takes place. The problems related to maternal health mentioned in twin pregnancies may start earlier and be more severe. It may be important to consider the details of pregnancy follow-up and neonatal intensive care during these births. Nutrition and trace element support of the mother is planned taking into account the number of fetuses. Technically, it is more difficult to perform ultrasonographic examinations in multiple pregnancies. The type of birth in twin pregnancy is very high due to prematurity and variations in posture in the mother's womb with cesarean section.