When you are pregnant with more than one baby – either twins, triplets or more, it is referred to as a multiple birth.
This occurs in about 2-3% of pregnancies across Australia and about 98% of that number are twins.
***Key Points***
- Your pregnancy is considered higher risk if you are pregnant with twins or triplets, however your pregnancy and birth can still be a positive experience.
- Most women with multiple pregnancies will ahve a healthy pregnancy and will give birth to healthy babies, however women pregnant with twins or triplets or more are more likely to experience pregnancy complications such as anaemia, bleeding, high blood pressure or premature labour.
- They occur 2-3 more time more frequently in twin pregnancies and higher in triplet pregnancies.
- Gather information, resources and support to navigate through this experience. This is an exciting time for you and your family and work towards a positive birth experience and early parenthood.
***Key Points***
***Discovering its more than one!***
The confirmation that you are expecting twins or triplets can be a shock and you may feel an array of emotions form excitement to overwhelm.
Twins or triplets are confirmed on ultrasound and your health professional wil be able to twll you how many baby’s, how many placenta’s and how many amniotic sacs there are at around 10-12 weeks gestation.
If you are pregnant with twins, your care provider will want to find out what type of twins you are having. Twins are either fraternal, which means two eggs have been fertilised by two sperm or they can be identical, which is when one fertilised egg splits and forms two babies. Identical twins may each have their own placenta, share a placenta and be separated by the inner membrane or they share a placenta and are not separated by an inner membrane.
If the babies are sharing a placenta it means that they are also sharing the supply of oxygenated blood and removal of deoxygenated blood and waste products. If the supply is not equal between the two babies some complications may occur. Which is why twin pregnancies need to be more closely monitored.
Triplets, or more babies are usually a combination of twins and a single baby. Most commonly they are identical twins with one other baby, but can be fraternal. These pregnancies are more complex than others so will need more frequent monitoring and specialist care.
***Discovering its more than one!***
***Your antenatal care***
If you’re pregnant with twins, triplets or more, then you’ll need a higher level of care to monitor you and your babies’ progress.
That means more appointments and tests during your pregnancy. The usual tests include ultrasound, blood, urine tests. When you are carrying multiples, you will most likely have more ultrasounds than a singleton pregnancy to monitor the growth of your babies.
Expecting twins or triplets increases your chance that your placenta may not work as well as we expect. This can affect your babies’ growth and wellbeing during pregnancy. This may mean one or both of your baby’s is smaller than expected and will be closely monitoried throughout pregnancy.
Giving birth prematurely (before 37 weeks) is more common if you have a multiple pregnancy and can either be because you go into labour early or because your healthcare team recommend that the babies are born early due to concern about your baby’s.
Depending on how early they have been born, they might need to spend time in the Special care nursery or neonatal intensive care unit. Wherever possible your babies will be kept together however depending on their individual needs they may need to be cared for separately.
You may feel more unwell during pregnancy with twins or other multiples, there is a higher chance that you may develop diabetes or high blood pressure.
It is important to care for yourself during pregnancy, but especially when you are pregnant with more than one baby
- Eat nutritional foods and drink plenty of water
- Stay active with gentle exercise
- Pelvic floor exercises are essential
- Look after your emotional wellbeing
***Your antenatal care***
***Birthing options***
Your care giver will talk to you about your wishes for the birth. You Midwife and Doctor will start to discuss your birth plan from around 24 weeks pregnant. There are a number of options that impact the decisions regarding your birth as to whether you plan for a vaginal birth or caesrean section.
This will include the position in which you babies are lying, how well they are growing and your personal preference about birth.
Both vaginal birth of twins and caesarean section have risks and benefits depending on your individual circumstances. you Midwife and doctor will discuss these options with you to enable you to make an informed decision.
***Birthing options***
***Prepare for Parenting***
Having twins or triplets will be challenging but oh so rewarding!
- Join your local Australian Multiple Birth Association group
- Seek out local breastfeeding support in pregnancy
- Don’t go it alone – seeks and accept help!
***Prepare for Parenting***
Resources
Australia’s Mothers and Babies – mothers who have multiple births and their babies
Better Health Channel – twins and multiple births
