TWIN PREGNANCY
TWIN PREGNANCY |
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Pregnancy by and large has reached a stage where the safe delivery of baby/ babies is almost taken for granted. The advancements made in monitoring and treatment have drastically reduced the rate of infant and maternal mortality. However, all pregnancies carry an increased risk of health problems and certain life threatening conditions with twin pregnancies carrying a slightly greater risk than a single baby pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure One of the most common problems of a twin pregnancy, is pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, (gestational hypertension). It affects 1 in 4 women carrying more than one baby (it affects around 10% of all pregnancies). Your blood pressure will be carefully monitered at ante natal checks and your urine will be tested for protein (a sign of pre eclampsia). Pre-eclampsia Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition in which hypertension arises in pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension) in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine. It is the most common of the dangerous pregnancy complications and occurs in about 1 in 5 women carrying twins (7 per cent of pregnancies in the general population). In twin pregnancies, besides being more likely to occur, the condition also tends to develop earlier and be more severe. Gestational diabetes There is an increased risk for gestational diabetes in a multiple pregnancy. The hormones which are produced while you are pregnant make it harder for your body to use insulin, so your pancreas has to produce more of it. Gestational diabetes occurs when your pancreas simply cannot produce enough insuline, so the blood glucose levels get too high. With twin pregnancies there are two placentas / a larger placenta and an elevation in placental hormones so the risk is increased. Those who do develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Detached placenta Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches itself from its attachment to the wall of the uterus before the baby is delivered. It is a potentially serious condition and can result in loss of blood. This condition is linked to poor diet, drinking, smoking and drug use. High blood pressure and a previous history of placento abrupto are other risk factors. Weight gain Weight gain can be a thorny subject with most women but you can expect your health care professionals to be monitoring your weight closely. There really is an optimum weight gain and your doctor or midwife will explain the right weight gain for you - too much is bad and too little is also bad. Good diet and nutrition can help reduce the risk of premature labour and low birth weight so make sure you're well nourished and well hydrated. Being fit and healthy can help you cope better with a multiple pregnancy and with any complications that might arise during labour and childbirth. Anaemia Anaemia is a common complication in pregnancy, again twin pregnancies carry a higher risk. The extra demand on your blood with twin pregnancies can cause your iron levels can drop leading to tiredness, lethargy, shortness of breath and palpitations. Anaemia is routinely tested for and is easily remedied with an iron supplement. Bleeding / spotting A little bleeding or spotting is actually quote normal in pregnancy and is more common with twins. As long as there is not a lot of blood, the blood is not bright red and you don't have a temperature then there is no reason to panic. Stretchmarks Stretchmarks are caused by rapid weight gain and over 50% of women get them during pregnancy. If you're carrying more than one baby, chances are you'll put on weight faster than if you're carrying a single baby so are likely to not only get stretchmarks but also get them earlier in your pregnancy. Whether you get them is all down to your skin type. They get worse as the pregnancy progresses but are not usually painful, although they may be tingly or itchy. After the babies are born, the marks will fade (although they'll never fully disappear). Wear them with pride - you're a fully paid up member of the "mum club". Antenatal care in twin pregnancy Complications of twin pregnancies for babies Complications of twin pregnancies for mums |
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