Twin or Triplet Pregnancy: A Guide on Conceiving More Than One Child at a Time
Multiple pregnancies, such as those carrying twins, triplets, or more, come with a unique set of challenges and risks for both the mother and the babies.
First and foremost, higher nutrient intake is essential in multiple pregnancies to reduce the risk of undernourishment for both the mother and the babies. Doctors often prescribe nutritional supplements in the form of medicines and other hormones like corticosteroids for ensuring a safe delivery.
Women carrying more than one foetus are often advised to visit the doctor more frequently for continuous assessment of the health of the baby and the mother. This close specialist monitoring—including frequent ultrasounds, cervical length checks, and maternal screening—is critical to manage the risks and improve outcomes for mother and babies.
Multiple births are usually associated with some risks and complications. For instance, multiples have a two times higher chance of having birth defects such as neural tube defects, cardiac defects, and gastrointestinal defects. Regular postnatal checkups are required to ensure the well-being of the babies, especially if they are born with some birth defects.
One of the most common risks associated with multiple pregnancies is preterm birth, which often results in low birth weights and potential need for neonatal intensive care. In fact, most twins and nearly all higher-order multiples are born before 37 weeks. Premature babies may have some developmental complications in the future.
Mothers carrying multiples also have a greater risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure (preeclampsia), which require close monitoring. In some cases, doctors stitch the cervix in a process termed as cervical cerclage to avoid the opening up of the cervix before the completion of the full term.
Specific complications include Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), which occurs in about 15-20% of identical twins sharing a placenta (monochorionic). This condition involves an uneven blood supply between twins, which can cause severe complications. In monoamniotic twins (sharing the same amniotic sac), there is a risk of cord entanglement or compression, which can lead to sudden fetal distress or death.
The maternal mortality rates with multiple pregnancies are comparatively higher than singleton pregnancies owing to a number of risk factors like anaemia, haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, etc. The chances of having a C-section delivery are also very high.
In multiple pregnancies, intrauterine growth restrictions or IUGR are very likely to occur due to the lack of space for the foetus to grow. Breastfeeding of two or more babies at a time can be a very challenging task for the new mother.
It's important to note that while multiple pregnancies come with a higher risk, with proper care and monitoring, many mothers and babies can have a safe and healthy delivery. Regular prenatal and postnatal care, a balanced diet, and light exercises can significantly improve the chances of a smooth pregnancy and delivery.
References:
- Multiple Pregnancy
- Multiple Births: Complications
- Multiple Pregnancy: Risks and Complications
- Multiple Pregnancy
- Complications of Multiple Pregnancy
Science plays a vital role in addressing the unique challenges of multiple pregnancies, particularly in ensuring the health and wellness of both the mother and the babies. Therefore, regular prenatal and postnatal care, supplemented with scientifically formulated nutritional supplements and specialist monitoring, can significantly reduce risks and improve outcomes for mother and babies. In addition, parenting multiple newborns can be challenging, and health-and-wellness resources may provide valuable support to the new parent during this period.
