Multiple Pregnancy - A Detailed Guide

Youre expecting twins? Triplets? How exciting

, and probably a little daunting too.

But although it may be more challenging than carrying just one baby, mothers of twins find that as long as they look after themselves and get some support from their partner and family members, a multiple pregnancy can go just as smoothly as a single one.

Fraternal twins result from two eggs being fertilised at the same time, each has its own placenta. Identical twins (or indeed triplets) come from one fertilised egg that splits and then develops into separate embryos. They may share a placenta or depending on when the egg splits they may have a placenta each.

The chances of having fraternal twins actually increases with your age and if there are already twins on your mothers side of the family.

Much of the advice regarding eating healthily and taking moderate exercise also applies when you are having a multiple pregnancy.

However, during your third trimester you may be advised to increase your intake of nutrient-rich foods to cope with the extra demands on your body.

Women having a multiple pregnancy must ensure they get plenty of rest, particularly in the third trimester.

Giving birth

While some multiple pregnancies last full term, you are more likely to go into labour early when carrying more than one baby.

It is usually advisable to give birth in hospital where there will be instant medical support should you or your babies need it.

It is of course possible to have a natural multiple birth and half of all UK twins are born this way. However you may have planned caesarean scheduled as a back-up.

With vaginal deliveries most twins are born 10 to 30 minutes apart, whereas with caesareans it could be just seconds or up to a couple of minutes between births.

Feeding

Your body will produce as much milk as is demanded, so it is possible to breastfeed or express enough milk for twins or triplets. Some mums feed both at the same time, others one after the other.

In some cases, one baby may be smaller than another and need more frequent feeds than their larger sibling or may need to be put on the fuller breast first.

Sleeping

Its important to get your babies into a sleeping routine. If your babies have been in the special care unit they may already be in a routine so try to stick to it at home.

When the twins are still tiny they can share a cot. They have been together for all those months in the womb and may get comfort from being close.

However if the babies start waking at different times and disturbing each other then its time to put them in their own cots. Try to take a nap at the same time as your babies to keep your energy levels up.

For more advice on multiple pregnancy check out the TAMBA (Twins & Multiple Births Association) website www.tamba.org.uk

by: Debra Aspinall

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