Expecting two? Congrats, you are blessed two times over!
With two babies on board, life may not be easy during pregnancy. Things may not be the same the way as you expect. The risks associated with pregnancy are also greater with a twin pregnancy. But that should not worry you as your healthcare provider keeps monitoring you.
Wondering what to expect when you carry twins. Know why twin pregnancy is different.
Need Of Extra Calories
In singleton pregnancies, you need to consume 300 calories per day.
Yes, you guessed it right. For two babies, that will not be enough. You need to double your calorie intake. If you are pregnant with twins, you’ll need 600 extra calories per day.
You will need extra folic acid also. Doctors recommend 1 milligram of folic acid per day for twin pregnancies whereas moms with a single baby take o.4 milligrams of folic acid.
Frequent Hospital Visits
Get ready for more antenatal appointments, scans, and tests. Your friend with a single baby might be talking about one anatomy scan and a single growth scan. But, that may not be the case with you.
You will be carefully monitored by your obstetrician. The number of scans and tests will depend on your health status and pregnancy complications.
Severe Morning Sickness
Expect your pregnancy symptoms to be worse when you carry twins.
Chances of light bleeding and spotting will be more compared to a singleton pregnancy. It is also normal for you to feel very nauseous with a twin pregnancy. You will also notice a higher incidence of vomiting. The levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) will be higher in you, giving you strong pregnancy symptoms.
Heartburn, indigestion, and constipation are common complaints from pregnant women. Well, sorry ladies, you will have a tough time fighting these discomforts as it will be more for a twin pregnancy. Two babies pushing up against your diaphragm will add on to all these troubles.
More Weight Gain
There is no escape from weight gain during pregnancy. But, when it is twin pregnancy you are likely to put on more weight than normal cases.
The recommended weight gain during pregnancy with a single baby is 25-35 pounds for a mother who belongs to normal weight category. At the same time, in a twin pregnancy, the recommended weight gain is 37-54 pounds for a mom of normal weight. Overweight women should aim to gain 31-50 pounds. It varies depending on the body mass index of pregnant women.
Worry not, it is another part of twin pregnancies. As you provide the required nutrients for your babies to grow, you are bound to gain weight. Following a healthy lifestyle after delivery can bring you back to your prepregnancy shape.
Higher Risks
This is not to scare you. But to keep you informed.
Your doctor might have already talked to you about the risks associated with a twin pregnancy. The risk of developing gestational diabetes is higher in twin pregnancies. Another complication is the risk of preeclampsia, which is marked by high blood pressure.
Because of the risks associated with a twin pregnancy, your doctor will watch your health status constantly. This should keep you from unnecessary worries. It does not mean that twin pregnancy is synonymous with complications. It is just that you need to take care of yourself so that you will be away from these dangers.
All these do not mean that twin pregnancy is synonymous with complications. It is just that you need to take care of yourself so that you will be away from these dangers.
In the U.S, about three in every 100 pregnant women give birth to twins or triplets. And most expectant moms have a safe delivery. Keep calm and stay happy.
Early Labor
You don’t need to wait till 40 weeks. Your baby may arrive a little earlier.
Expectant moms carrying twins normally go into labor at 36 to 37 weeks. There is also a risk of preterm labor and delivery. Sometimes, your baby will be born at low birth weights.
Thinking about vaginal birth? It is possible for twins pregnancy if there are no complications. However, the likelihood of having a c-section is higher in twin pregnancies.
Disheartened? Well, take it easy. Think of the double delight at the end of all these discomforts. It’s worth it.
