12 Facts About Twin Pregnancy

 

When I found out this past Monday that I’m carrying twins, I became incredibly excited and filled with joy – and scared. Quite. I mean, I knew it would be a possibility because of our IVF treatments, but, to be honest, I never really suspected that I would actually get pregnant with twins. Any daydream or forethought I’ve had about my experience as a mother always included two kids – but not twins.

 

I’m thrilled by the thought of an insta-family. Boom. Done. I’ll be 35 by the time these little ones are born, and the idea of being “done” creating our family – the thought of no more fertility treatments, or trips to the doctors, or monthly testing, or weekly transvaginal ultrasounds, or constant monitoring, or injection after injection – feels great and lets me breathe a little easier.

 

But the thought of twins… It’s wonderful and overwhelming. Joyous and nerve-wracking. I’ve been trying to get pregnant since April, and all the while I’ve been researching and learning so much about pregnancy. And now I feel like I need to start all over again! Twin pregnancies are pretty different than singleton pregnancies, so I’ve learned.

 

I’m in for quite the ride with this twin pregnancy! And I’m ready for it all.

Twins Have a Smaller Birth Weight

The average twin weighs 5 1/2 pounds at birth.

Average Weight Gain for a Twin Pregnancy is 37-54 Pounds

For women of average size, optimal pregnancy weight gain for a singleton pregnancy is roughly between 25 and 35 pounds, so those of us carrying twins are expected to gain quite a bit more than them. Oh joy.

Morning Sickness Can Be Worse

This, I dread. Supposedly, morning sickness can be worse for women pregnant with twins, as there's a higher level of human chorionic gonadotropin – the hormone linked to morning sickness.

Greater Risk of Preeclampsia and Gestational Diabetes

No one's really sure why, but preeclampsia occurs more with twin pregnancies than with non-twin pregnancies. This actually slightly terrifies me.

Lactation Consultant Often Required

Many women who give birth to twins and wish to breastfeed need to seek the help of a lactation counselor. Breastfeeding twins is a whole new ball game.

More Prenatal Visits to the Doctor

Twin pregnancies require more monitoring, which means more trips to the doctor for ultrasounds and general monitoring.

Need Average of 2,700 Calories a Day

Doesn't that sound like a lot? I love to eat, and I'm hoping my appetite doesn't go away, because I'm so ready to chow down.

Labor is Much Longer, Delivery a Little Longer

Vaginal delivery is totally possible with twin pregnancies, but labor tends to be significantly longer – not the best news. But delivery is usually only slightly longer than those of singleton births.

Increased Likelihood of C-section

That being said, twin pregnancies often result in births via c-sections.

Spotting More Common

Spotting can occur in the absence of cramps, and this shouldn't be alarming. But spotting with cramps, passing blood clots, and active bleeding is cause for concern.

Need to Take More Vitamins

Folic acid intake may need to be increased for a twin pregnancy, and a prenatal vitamin with higher doses of iron will likely be prescribed to support both babies.

Higher-risk Pregnancy

Overall, twin pregnancies are higher-risk pregnancies. Of course, that scares me a little. But I trust my doctors, say my prayers, and take the best care of myself as I can – the rest is out of my hands.