A pregnancy in which there is more than one fetus.
A pregnancy where the mother is going to give birth to more than one child.
A pregnancy in which there is more than one fetus. Multiple pregnancies carry an increased risk of complications, such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and polyhydramnios. Preterm labor is common; about half of all multiple births occur before the 37th week of pregnancy because the fetuses can grow too large for the uterus, which triggers uterine contractions. Women pregnant with multiple fetuses will undergo frequent ultrasound examinations to monitor fetal growth.
The presence of two or more embryos in the uterus. If drugs are not used to promote fertility, the incidence of natural twin pregnancies is 1: 94; however, 20% of women who have undergone treatment with fertility drugs develop multiple pregnancies. In about one-half of twin pregnancies diagnosed by ultrasound early in the first trimester, one twin will silently abort, and this may or may not be accompanied by bleeding. This has been termed the vanishing twin. The incidence of birth defects in each embryo of a twin pregnancy is twice that in singular pregnancies.
The presence of multiple fetuses within the womb is referred to as multiple pregnancy. This situation can arise when two or more eggs are fertilized simultaneously or when a single egg divides during the early stages of development.
The most frequent form of multiple pregnancy is twins, which transpire in approximately 1 out of 80 pregnancies. Triplets arise in roughly 1 out of 8,000 pregnancies, while quadruplets are seen in about 1 out of 500,000 pregnancies. Instances of multiple pregnancies are more prevalent in women who undergo fertility treatments or when several fertilized eggs are inserted into the uterus during in vitro fertilization.
The typical issues linked with a regular pregnancy can be more severe when it comes to a multiple pregnancy. Moreover, there’s a heightened risk of intensified morning sickness, anemia, and antepartum hemorrhage. Conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid), postpartum hemorrhage, and malpresentation (unusual fetal positioning just before delivery) occur more often in cases of multiple pregnancies. Premature birth is a frequent complication, often resulting in each baby weighing less than that of a single baby. Additionally, the necessity for a Caesarean section is more common compared to single pregnancies.
During the woman’s prenatal check-up, the physician or midwife might detect the presence of more than one fetus through touch. They might also observe that the abdomen is larger than anticipated for the given stage of pregnancy. Through a stethoscope, the healthcare provider might also detect multiple fetal heartbeats. To confirm the diagnosis, ultrasound scanning can be employed.
It is recommended that the woman prioritizes increased rest during her pregnancy and boosts her protein intake. Additionally, she should consider taking supplements of iron and folic acid. These supplements are suggested to prevent the occurrence of iron-deficiency anemia in the mother and neural tube defects in the fetuses, respectively.