Diagnosis, Sleeping Positions, and Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy 

In this video, SimpliHealth expert, Dr. Rachna Abrol, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, is talking about the diagnosis and symptoms of twin pregnancy. 

She also answers questions like: 

• Which females are common to have twin pregnancies? 
• What are its common symptoms? 
• What could be the problems associated with it? 
• How to manage it? 

Those ladies with a family history of twins are likely to have a twin pregnancy. Another group of women who took fertility treatment is more likely to have a twin pregnancy. 

Those who could not conceive earlier but now have after taking medicine or those who have test-tube babies have more chances of twin pregnancy. Usually, we see the incidence of twin pregnancy much more in them.

How to diagnose twin pregnancy?

When a lady misses their periods, and their test is positive. Then around 6-7 weeks after doctors do an ultrasound, we diagnose twin pregnancy. However, there are no different signs or symptoms to infer twin pregnancy. So we can only diagnose it with ultrasound. 

First Trimester 

In the first trimester, what is so different in the twin pregnancy? And what other common problems that we usually see in twin pregnancy? Usually, symptoms we have in single pregnancy like tiredness, nausea, or vomiting are more in twin pregnancy. Few may have light bleeding or spotting. So these are a few symptoms we commonly see in the first trimester of twin pregnancy. Usually, all these symptoms recede after 12 weeks or the second trimester in most females. 

Second Trimester 

Also, in the second trimester, the baby bump is visible earlier. Since a female is having twins; as a result, pregnancy is visible early.

Since there are two babies, a belly bump is slightly larger than a single baby. After 12 weeks or the second trimester, the symptoms of the first trimester like nausea or vomiting, tiredness, and frequent urination recede. The uterus enlarges; hence it is visible. 

In a twin pregnancy, it is visible more early and appears more prominent. So these are a few things that we commonly see in twin pregnancy.

Third Trimester 

 The pregnant mother can feel the baby’s movements by the third trimester. In a twin pregnancy, usually, the mother feels excessive movements. 

Pregnant mothers, especially those who are carrying twins, often ask us the most common question:

• What kind of posture should we have?
• What our physical activity must be?
• How little sleep, especially in twin pregnancy?

So doctors advise them to do activities only that they can do with ease. Females in twin pregnancies require more rest, so we often tell the females to rest at least 8-10 hours at night and 2 hours in the day. 

What must be a lie-down position? 

Sleep on your left 

For this, I would say, left lateral or they should lie down towards their left side as babies receive more blood supply. As a result, more nutrition from the mother. So we advise the female to rest in this position.

Early delivery  

In twin pregnancies, there is a much higher risk of premature delivery as the uterus is excessively stretched, and specific releases of chemicals may lead to contraction leading to early delivery. 

Chances of C-section 

Usually, we deliver twins in 35-36 weeks or at the onset of nine months. So there are more chances of cesarean, and certain factors lead to cesarean, such as if one baby is in a difficult position, obstructing the normal delivery, which is one of the reasons. 

Babies weight is less than normal 

Second, babies’ weight is less than in normal deliveries since there are premature deliveries. So this is also one of the few reasons for cesarean delivery in twin pregnancy. Since twin pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy, there is a possibility of premature delivery of babies with less weight. So we usually advise the patient to deliver their babies at a centre with a nursery facility to handle premature babies.

Our team has all the facilities to handle your Pregnancy-related problems and management. I am Dr. Rachna Abrol, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at sector 22 C Chandigarh.