Identical Vs Fraternal: What Your Doctor Didn’t Explain About Your Twin Ultrasound

(or skip to the basics or the science)

I was 7 weeks pregnant when I had my first ultrasound. The doctor pointed out the shared outer sac (chorion) and the two distinct inner sacs (amnions).

I didn’t need her to finish. Thanks to Advanced Placement Bio class in high school (embryonic development) I knew I had a miracle in my womb: identical twins.

Once we’d called everyone we needed to share the good news with, I hit Google, and quickly concluded from their monochorionic/diamniotic (mono/di) state that my little ones had split from a single cluster of identical cells somewhere between 3 and 9 days after conception. I’ll tell you how I made the calculation in a little bit.

The Basics:

Most people don’t know a whole lot about twins or higher order multiples, and are intrigued by them. Folks I run into are usually aware that there are two basic types, identical and fraternal, but often don’t know precisely what the difference is. Part of this comes from the term “identical.”

In casual English, “identical” means “exactly the same,” and so people often assume that identical twins should look alike, act alike, and think alike. This assumption often gets extended to fraternal twins, in that they should look different, act differently, and think differently.

I don’t argue with people about whether my children look enough alike to be “really” identical, and instead give them a quick science lesson.

You’d be surprised how many medical professionals, even obstetricians, don’t remember the science of twinning they covered in the depths of college or medical school, and therefore jump to possibly incorrect conclusions about whether a set of twins is identical or fraternal.

Next time you need to explain the distinction to someone, feel free to use the visual aids below.

The Science:

Identical multiples grow from the same fertilized egg and therefore have basically the same DNA. Fraternal multiples come from different fertilized eggs, and therefore basically share 50% of the same DNA, as do siblings conceived by the same parents at different times. Sharing a DNA template makes it likely that identical siblings will look very much alike, but DNA doesn’t predict everything.

My daughters, for instance, share their DNA, but have noses of different shapes and different hairlines, due to developmental differences that don’t appear to have a genetic basis. They’re also different heights, likely because one is a pickier eater than the other and because dysphagia related to macroglossia (trouble swallowing because her tongue was too big for her mouth) meant that she ate less than Sissy after she weaned.

Vocabulary:

Before I go much further into the science, let’s talk about the terminology we’ve been using.

So, the embryo is inside the amnion, which is in turn inside the chorion. The umbilical cord traverses the two membranes to connect the embryo to the placenta, which collects nutrition from mommy for baby.

Twins in the Womb:

Now let’s talk twins. Monozygotic twins are identical ones. They started from a single zygote. (Mono means one.) Dizygotic twins are fraternal ones. They started from two zygotes. (Di means two.)

Monochorionic/monoamniotic (mono/mono) twins are monozygotic twins who share a single amnion and a single chorion.

Monochorionic/diamniotic (mono/di) twins, like my daughters, are monozygotic twins who have separate amnions and share a single chorion.

Dichorionic/diamniotic (di/di) twins are monozygotic or dizygotic twins who have separate amnions and separate chorions.

I try to make this clearer in the image below. With one egg and sperm, you can get one baby… or two babies who are mono/mono, mono/di or di/di. With two eggs and two sperm, you’ll always get di/di twins.

So here’s the trick. In the image above, you can’t tell the difference between the identical di/di twins and the fraternal di/di twins. And neither can the ultrasound tech. So, if you have di/di twins, chances are good that they’re fraternal, but you just don’t know for sure.

Reader Noura I was kind enough to share ultrasound images of her di/di identical twins, whose ultrasounds look just like those of fraternal twins. Remember, the mono-di stuff refers to the membranes around the babies, and not the numbers of eggs and sperm.

Reading the Ultrasound:

So, in my little chart above, I had to note that there are extraordinarily rare cases of boy/girl identical twins, but this is a teeny tiny proportion of the population. If you ran across such a pair, you’d recognize them from the news.

So, please, just assume that boy/girl twins are fraternal (dizygotic) or that one had a sex change. Either way, it’s not polite to ask. Girl/girl twins and boy/boy twins can be fraternal or identical.

Timing of Monozygotic Twin Split:

Here’s a fun fact. The arrangement of amnion and chorion can tell those of us with identical twins when they split apart!

TTTS can be very serious and put both your babies at risk. The placental blood supply is shared unevenly, meaning that one has more than his or her share of nutrition and oxygen, the other less than his or hers. Many obstetricians will closely monitor mothers expecting twins to watch for TTTS.

While it’s almost unheard of with fraternal twins, reader Halie H. wrote to us to say, “My di/di fraternal (boy/girl) twins’ placentas fused. They were born with one failed and one really really red placenta; they were sent off to be studied as an example of TTTS in fraternals.”

I’m not an expert on this stuff, but I do love genetics and studied it in college (although I ended up switching away from a biology major junior year). If you have additional questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.

Before I sign off, I need to give a big old shout out to Canva.com. I have been planning to write this post for years, but not having an artistic bone in my body, knew that I couldn’t do it justice without an illustrator. Thanks to the free online graphic design tool, Canva, I was able to create the graphics I’ve included in this post.







source: http://hdydi.com/2014/03/12/identical-or-fraternal-a-primer/

12 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, and More

Entering your 12th week of pregnancy means you’re almost through your first trimester. This is also the time that the risk of miscarriage drops significantly.

If you haven’t announced your pregnancy to your family, friends, or people at work, this might be the perfect time for the Big Tell.

Changes in Your Body:

You may still be able to fit into your regular clothes, but they’re probably a little snugger than they were a month ago.

Typically, weight gain to this point is only about 2 pounds. What’s causing your jeans to fit a little differently these days is the other ways your body is preparing to carry your baby. Your uterus, for example, is growing rapidly. Your doctor may be able to feel your uterus in your lower abdomen at this time.

The surge in hormones produces all kinds of changes in your body. One of them is an increase in pigmentation. The “mask of pregnancy” is a condition known as melasma or chloasma. It affects about half of pregnant women, and results in dark spots appearing on your forehead and cheeks.

These spots usually disappear or lighten considerably soon after delivery.

What Bodily Changes Can You Expect During Pregnancy?

Your areolas are likely to become darker at this stage of your pregnancy. Breast tenderness or soreness may continue into the second trimester. A good-fitting bra can be helpful, but make sure it’s the right size. Wearing a bra that has become too tight will make you more uncomfortable.

Ice packs, cool cabbage leaves, or bags of frozen peas on your chest while you lie down may also offer some relief. Look for small, silicone-filled breast soothing products that you can keep in the refrigerator and wear inside your bra.

Your Baby:

Week 12 is a time of big changes for your baby. Your baby is now about three inches long and weighs about 1 ounce. Increased hormone activity means external sex organs should be appearing now or very soon. The fingers and toes aren’t webbed anymore, and fingernails are starting to develop. The eyes will move nearer to each other this week and the kidneys can start to produce urine.

Your baby may also start moving spontaneously this week, though you probably won’t feel it until weeks 16 to 22. Complex reflexes, such as sucking, are also developing right now.

Twin Development at Week 12:

The vocal cords your babies will use to cry and coo are getting ready to develop this week. Their kidneys are also working now. Your babies are approximately 3 inches long, and they each weigh just around an ounce.

Things to Do This Week for a Healthy Pregnancy:

Because you’re gaining weight simply due to the pregnancy, you should pay closer attention to your diet to make sure you don’t gain too much. This can lead to complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and pain in your back and legs. Carrying around a lot of extra weight can also lead to greater fatigue.

Don’t avoid eating, either. If you haven’t started following a balanced diet every day, try to end your first trimester on a healthy note. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Avoid junk food. Instead, eat snacks that contain protein, calcium, and minerals, such as yogurt and dried fruit.

Ask your doctor for suggestions or talk with a dietitian. And if you haven’t already, talk with your doctor about taking prenatal vitamins.

Don’t Try Losing Weight While Pregnant:

If your usual diet wasn’t especially healthy up to this point, now is the time to make a change. You and your baby need a variety of nutrients to get through this wonderful but challenging time.

Your skin is also becoming more sensitive. To help reduce the effects of the “mask of pregnancy,” be sure to wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher whenever you are outside, and wear a baseball cap or hat to help keep the sun off of your face if you’re outdoors for a prolonged period of time.

Week 12 can be a good time to start doing Kegel exercises to strengthen the vaginal muscles. This can help with delivery and with recovery after the birth.

If you’re unsure how to do Kegel exercises, talk with your healthcare provider. You may also learn about these exercises if you participate in a birthing class.

When to Call Your Doctor:

The risk of miscarriage drops near the end of the first trimester, but it’s still vital that you pay attention to warning signs that could indicate problems. These include:

• bleeding with cramps
• spotting that lasts for three or more days
• severe or crampy pain that lasts all day

By this point you know what normal morning sickness feels like (even if it’s slight nausea experienced throughout the day). If you suddenly feel severe nausea and vomiting more than two or three times a day, please call your doctor immediately.

Encouraging Developments:

For many women, the 12th week of pregnancy is the time that morning sickness symptoms start to ease or even disappear completely. If you’ve been feeling especially tired during the first trimester, you may start getting your energy back at this stage.





source: http://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/12-weeks-pregnant

How Moms Cope When Caring for Twins

When you're caring for twins, a routine becomes an absolute necessity. Some moms with single babies can afford to go with the flow, but moms with twins are outnumbered and need a routine to ensure they're able to handle everything.

Routines are excellent for babies and children -- they like to know what's coming next, whether it's lunchtime, naptime, or playtime.

However, this doesn't mean that caring for twins requires that they need to eat at exactly the same time each day. As long as you do regular tasks in the same order each day, your babies will know what's coming next and that's what's important when you're caring for twins.

How Do Moms with Twins Start Their Routine?

The first few weeks may be a blur, but an easy way to start a routine is to watch your twins over a period of about six weeks. They may have their own built-in routine.

Write down when your babies wake up and when they want to eat (you'll probably be quite tired at first, which is why you should write it down! You probably won't remember, even if you try!). If your twins' routines don't match, you can gradually move them toward the middle so you're not worrying about feeding one baby when the other one wants to take a nap.

How to Set a Routine When You're Caring with Twins:

1. Start by setting a bedtime routine. Your routine could start with a special lullaby, a bath or a story.
2. Moms with single babies can let their babies drift off to sleep in their arms, but moms with twins may want their babies to learn to fall asleep on their own. To help, put them down when they're sleeping, but not completely asleep.
3. Your twins may wake each other up, but if one is upset, check that the other one is settled before turning to the upset twin.
4. Resist the temptation to turn on the lights and try to keep your voice low if you speak. If you need a light, use a low-light nightlight so that you don't stimulate your babies.
5. If your babies seem like they're flailing around at night, swaddle them tightly. This can make them feel safe and secure and may help them stay asleep.

How Moms with Twins Ensure a Safe Night's Sleep:

Many moms with twins like their babies to sleep in the same crib at first. However if you're using a small cradle or Moses basket, your babies should have their own sleeping space.

If they're sleeping in the same crib, they should sleep feet to feet with their heads at the opposite sides of the crib. When the babies are big enough to roll around, they should be separated into different cribs.

What Do Experts Say About Caring for Twins?

Experts agree that routines are helpful for moms and babies. Realize though, that babies in the first few weeks of life are unlikely to live by your routine. Enlist your partner to help and consider asking a trusted friend or family member for help if your partner has to go back to work. Consider hiring a postpartum doula, even for a few hours a week. Support is key.

If your babies are in the hospital in the early few weeks, try to spend as much time there as possible. Breastmilk is excellent and there's no reason why moms with twins can't breastfeed. Also, try to practice kangaroo care -- that is, putting your baby skin-to-skin. This can help promote bonding, even if your babies aren't home with you.




source: http://www.mom365.com/baby/moms-health/how-moms-cope-when-caring-for-twins/

Two In The Oven

Facts about twin pregnancies that you might not know.

The twin birth rate in the United States is close to 1 in 31, a nearly 40 percent increase since the early 1980s.

That's because there are growing numbers of older moms (hormonal changes are believed to be responsible for the release of more than one egg at ovulation) and more successful fertility treatments.

Here are some other facts about twin pregnancies that you might not know, from Pregnancy Day by Day editor-in-chief Maggie Blott, M.B., B.S.; and consultant editor Paula Amato, M.D. (Dorling Kindersley):

Research shows that 10 percent to 15 percent of all singleton births may have started off as twins; often one is lost early in pregnancy in a phenomenon known as "vanishing twin syndrome."

The odds of having identical twins (the result when a single fertilized egg splits in two) are about 3 1⁄2 in 1,000.

If you've had nonidentical, or fraternal, twins (the result when two eggs are released at ovulation and both are fertilized) without having taken fertility drugs, your chance of having a second set is about 1 in 3,000.

More than half of twins are born before 37 weeks; plan your maternity leave accordingly so you don't leave your employer in the lurch.

Twins conceived naturally (i.e., without fertility treatment) are most common in the African-American population, followed by Caucasians, Hispanics and Asians. Taller women are also more likely to have twins.

For most women pregnant with twins, gaining 24 pounds by week 24 is advised; a total weight gain of 35-45 pounds is generally desirable.

The twin who is developing closest to the exit (your cervix) is called Baby A. In 75 percent of cases, Baby A is head down before delivery; Baby B may be either head down or breech.

Though vaginal delivery is usually an option, you're more likely to give birth via Cesarean section than if you were having one baby.

Sometimes Baby A is born vaginally, then Baby B is delivered by C-section. This is often the case if Baby B is breech or shows signs of distress because he's gone through two rounds of uterine contractions.

The average birth weight of full-term twins (37 weeks or later, compared to 39-40 weeks for singletons) is around 5 ½ pounds each, though one baby often weighs more than the other.

7 early pregnancy signs

Think you might be pregnant? Here are the most common pregnancy signs in the first month.

When you’re hoping to be pregnant and you haven’t missed your period yet—or it’s a day or two late—it’s pretty easy to interpret nearly any physical symptom as a sign of pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to feel symptoms in the first week or two of your pregnancy—or even earlier.

“Some women experience pregnancy symptoms from the moment of conception,” says Karen Nordahl, a general practitioner and obstetrician in Vancouver and co-author of Fit to Deliver. “Usually, this is second- or third-time moms who remember a particular sensation, such as increased gas.”

But many first-time moms miss these signs because the very earliest symptoms of pregnancy aren’t necessarily the ones we associate with having a baby on the way. So, yes, while some women experience nausea or hypersensitivity to smells, these seven symptoms are among the most common during the first few weeks of pregnancy

1. Increased gas

Being gassy—or, less eloquently, “farty”—is no problem when you’re chillaxing alone in your threadbare sweatpants, but it’s next-level horrifying when you’re out and about anywhere else. Unfortunately, it’s a common sign that you’re pregnant.

Expect flatulence during not only the first few weeks of pregnancy but also the next nine months. Inevitably, your unruly gas will strike right in the middle of a work meeting or during a cool-down in your silent yoga class.

2. Sore breasts

Before you start cursing your bra for suddenly feeling more like a contraption from the hardware store than the lacy lingerie that took a serious chunk out of your paycheque, consider that your newly sore boobs could be a sign that you’re pregnant.

Breast tenderness is another common early sign of pregnancy, according to Nordahl. For many women, what can make this symptom particularly confusing is that breast soreness is also a very common sign of your period.

But early on in your pregnancy, your breasts may hurt because they’re expanding in preparation for producing milk.

3. Heartburn

Digestive changes are one of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy, says Nordahl. If you feel a burning sensation in your chest after scarfing down your usual black coffee and egg-salad sandwich from the deli near your office, it might not be that the deli changed the recipe to include green onions or switched coffee brands; it could actually be pregnancy-related heartburn.

One telltale sign of heartburn is that the burning sensation can feel worse when you bend over or lie down. It’s safe to reach for an antacid to relieve the burning, but also try to avoid certain foods, such as citrus fruits.

4. Bloating

Can’t zip up those light-wash jeans that fit like a glove a few weeks ago? It could be that extra-large soda and popcorn you inhaled while transfixed on the onscreen hunk at the cinema last night, but it could also be a sign that you’re expecting.

Like breast tenderness, abdominal bloating is a symptom that’s common before your period, making it hard to tell apart from monthly premenstrual symptoms. The usual tactic to fight extra bloating is to ease up on excess salt and stay hydrated with water, both of which are good habits, whether you’re pregnant or not. But you might also want to buy a pregnancy test.

5. Lower pelvic cramping

Pelvic cramping as a pregnancy sign? Yep, it can be, according to Nordahl. That might seem counterintuitive, as cramps are super-typical symptoms of Aunt Flow.

You were probably hoping that being pregnant meant you could kiss cramps goodbye, but sadly that’s not the case. Light cramps can be caused by early pregnancy hormonal shifts and implantation of the fertilized egg on your uterine lining.

6. Fullness

The unusual sensation of feeling “full” is yet another early sign of pregnancy. “Fullness can be experienced before a period is missed, but a first-time mom may miss it,” says Nordahl. “A second- or third-time mom may pick up on it right away, especially if she is actively trying to conceive.”

If you’re getting a feeling of déjà vu from previous pregnancies that you’re experiencing at the gut level (literally), congrats, you could be preggo!

7. A missed period

Well, duh, of course a missed period is an early sign of pregnancy. For many women who haven’t been pregnant before, this is usually the first symptom they notice, explains Nordahl.

But hindsight is often 20/20. “A first-time mom usually thinks back and realizes that a few things were different but wasn’t sure what they meant,” she says.





source: http://www.todaysparent.com/trying-to-conceive/getting-pregnant/7-early-pregnancy-signs/

First Signs of Pregnancy - Early Symptoms of your First Trimester

Before my first pregnancy, I enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner and an occasional big, juicy chili dog. But even in those very first days after I conceived, the wine tasted flat and the hot dog repulsed me. Fast-forward a few weeks. With a positive pregnancy test in hand,

I realized that my body knew I was pregnant before my mind did. Of course, the earliest symptoms of pregnancy wax and wane and are different for each woman; in fact, some women may experience (or notice) none of them.

But several can crop up well before you even miss a period. If you’re the impatient type, here are the most common early-pregnancy clues to look for.

Clue 1} Breast tenderness Your breasts may be extra tender as early as a week or two after conception. “You’re making so much estrogen and progesterone in early pregnancy that the glands in the breasts start growing,” explains Jasbir Singh, M.D., an OB-GYN at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie in Texas. This hormone surge causes breasts to retain more fluids and feel heavy, sore or more sensitive than normal PMS tenderness.

What to do Buy a very supportive bra.

Clue 2} Implantation bleeding When the fertilized egg implants into the plush lining of the uterus about six to 12 days after conception, spotting—light vaginal bleeding—may occur. This is harmless, but if you suspect you’re pregnant, let your doctor know, just in case it’s something else. (If the bleeding occurs as late as 12 days after you conceive, you may think it’s your period.)

“In the first trimester, bleeding should be evaluated for three things in particular—miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy or certain types of infections,” Singh says. “Implantation bleeding is sort of a diagnosis of exclusion. That means we rule out the bad things before we can determine this is what it is.”

What to do Call your doctor if you notice any bleeding.

Clue 3} Fatigue During the first few weeks, your body is working 24/7 behind the scenes to support the pregnancy, and fatigue is a normal response. The extra progesterone produced after conception causes your basal body temperature to rise, which in turn contributes to a lack of energy, explains Karen Perkins, M.D., an OB-GYN with A Woman’s Choice at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Your heart also pumps faster, as it has to deliver extra oxygen to the uterus; this, too, can make you feel tuckered out.

What to do “Take prenatal vitamins early on, eat a healthful diet, drink plenty of fluids to keep your blood pressure high enough, and rest when you can,” Singh says.

Clue 4} Frequent urination You might think this comes later, when the baby presses on your bladder, but frequent peeing sometimes starts early. Not only can the swelling uterus put pressure on your bladder, but the extra blood flow to the kidneys (which begins right away) also causes them to produce more urine.

What to do Nothing, unless the frequent urination is accompanied by burning, urgency or other signs of infection. (If so, notify your doctor.) Do not cut back on your fluid intake.

Clue 5} Food aversions and nausea This can start as early as two weeks after conception. “Progesterone causes a lot of things to slow down,” Singh says. That includes your digestive processes, sometimes resulting in constipation or indigestion.

Since your stomach doesn’t empty as quickly as it normally does, it thinks there’s too much going on in there and wants to purge in some way—either into the gut or out through the mouth. Nausea also is related to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that can be detected in the mother’s blood or urine even before a missed period. The higher the HCG level (as with twins), the sicker you may feel.

“Another theory is that nausea and food aversions are a protective effect the body has toward the fetus,” Perkins says. If things like free radicals or nitrates in some foods could hurt a growing baby, you may naturally develop a distaste to steer clear of them.

What to do Many women find ginger and lemons soothing. Ask your doctor about special vitamin B6 supplements that may alleviate nausea. Acupressure wristbands also can help. If you’re vomiting frequently or can’t hold down any liquids, see your OB for possible IV hydration and medication.

Clue 6} Mood swings Find yourself weeping over a “Desperate Housewives” episode or raging because the DSL guy can’t come until Tuesday? “Because of the flux in hormones, you can go from being tearful to angry instantly,” Perkins says. Generally, mood swings in early pregnancy don’t require any medical attention.

What to do Wait it out. “Be aware of your mood shifts and make sure others around you also are aware of the reason and are supportive,” Perkins suggests.

Clue 7} Bloating, cramps and backache Many women mistake these common early signs of pregnancy for PMS symptoms, but actually they’re caused by hormonal changes and the growth of the uterus.

What to do Nothing, unless the pain is severe or symptoms are accompanied by bleeding. Clue 8} Dizziness and fainting

On soaps, the woman always faints before she finds out she’s pregnant. Progesterone can contribute to lightheadedness by making your body “run hotter” and causing blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure.

In addition, it takes a little longer than normal for blood that’s been diverted to the uterus to make its way back to your brain when you stand up. Dizziness also can stem from low blood sugar. “If you’re not eating properly, you can feel lightheaded,” Perkins says.

What to do Move slowly, and don’t leap out of bed or off the couch abruptly. Keep blood sugar stable by eating every three to four hours, and drink plenty of water to keep your blood pressure steady. Avoid overheating, and if you do feel faint, sit down with your head between your knees.

Clue 9} Headaches Some women have more headaches early in pregnancy. “They’re related to the increased progesterone levels; plus, headaches can result if you don’t drink enough fluids or if you’re anemic,” Perkins says.

The good news: Migraines become less frequent as pregnancy progresses. “Fluctuating hormones tend to make headaches worse, and estrogen levels are more stable during pregnancy,” explains Richard Gersh, M.D., an assistant professor of OB-GYN at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.

What to do Drink plenty of fluids, and get your blood work done to check for anemia. If headaches persist, ask your doctor about taking Tylenol.




source: http://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/getting-pregnant/first-signs-pregnancy-early-symptoms-your-first-trimester

11 Facts About Twins That Make Them Even Cooler Than You Already Thought

The number of twins in the U.S. is multiplying. According to a 2012 report by the National Center for Health Statistics, their birthrate rose 76 percent from 1980 to 2009.

This could be due to the fact that more women over the age of 30 are having children and more are using fertility drugs and assisted reproductive technology, both of which increase the likelihood of multiple gestation. As many as one in three women who use fertility treatments may become pregnant with twins.

The result? As many as one in 30 babies born in the United States is now a twin. A recent report published in the New England Journal of Medicine says that by 2011, the incidence of triplet or higher-order births decreased by 29 percent from its peak in 1998.

Researchers attributed this trend — in part — to changes in medical guidelines aimed at reducing multiple births resulting from IVF. (A recent study found that other fertility treatments, such as ovulation-inducing medications or insemination, have overtaken IVF as the main source of multiples resulting from fertility treatment.)

With so many twins among us these days, it’s high time we celebrate some of the most interesting facts about them.

1. Identical twins do not have identical fingerprints:

You might think that because identical twins supposedly share almost the same DNA, they must also have identical fingerprints. Well, that’s not true. Fingerprints are not solely generated based on DNA.

When identical twins are conceived, they start out with the same fingerprints, but during weeks six through 13 of pregnancy, as the babies start to move, they each touch the amniotic sac, and unique ridges and lines are formed on each twin’s hand that result in different fingerprints.

2. Massachusetts has the most twin births of any state in                 America:

At nearly 4.5 for every 100 live births, Massachusetts has the highest rate of twin births. Connecticut and New Jersey follow with 4.2 twins per every 100 births.

Researchers hypothesize that more multiple births occur in “affluent towns outside of Boston” because of a higher concentration of wealthier women who have pursued careers.

These women are more likely to attempt to have children at a later age and seek reproductive assistance. The state with the lowest rate of twin births is New Mexico.

3. Mirror image identical twins have reverse asymmetric                 features.

About 25 percent of identical twins develop directly facing each other, meaning they become exact reflections of one another. According to About.com, “they may be right- and left-handed, have birthmarks on opposite sides of their body, or have hair whorls that swirl in opposite directions.” This occurs when the twins split from one fertilized egg more than a week after conception.

4. Identical twins do not always have the same genetics:

While identical twins derive from one fertilized egg that contains a single set of genetic instructions, also known as a genome, it’s still possible for identical twins to have serious differences in their genetic makeup.

Geneticist Carl Bruder of the University of Alabama at Birmingham closely studied the genomes of 19 sets of adult identical twins and found that in some sets, one twin’s DNA differed in the number of copies of each gene it had.

Normally, every person carries two copies of every gene, one inherited from each parent, but Bruder explains that there are “regions in the genome that deviate from that two-copy rule, [and] these regions can carry anywhere from zero to 14 copies of a gene.”

5. Mothers of twins may live longer:

A study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B focused on the population of women in 1800s Utah and found that women who gave birth to twins were very strong and healthy to begin with, so were likely to live long lives.

As LiveScience writer Stephanie Pappas explains it, “Twins could be an evolutionary adaption in which healthy moms take the chance to pass on double their genes at once.”

However, because the data only includes women who conceived twins naturally — IVF was obviously not used in the 1800s — the findings are not definitive.

6. Tall women are more likely to have twins:

Gary Steinman, MD, PhD, an attending physician at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center, discovered that taller women have more insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a protein that is released from the liver in response to a growth hormone that stimulates growth in the shaft of longer bones.

Having higher levels of IGF results in increased sensitivity of the ovaries, thus increasing a woman’s chance of ovulating. According to Steinman, the more IGF a woman has, the greater chance she has of becoming pregnant with twins, because IGF “govern[s] the rate of spontaneous twinning.”

7. Also, women who eat a lot of dairy are more prone to                   conceiving twins:

Another study done by Steinman and published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine found that women who eat more dairy products may increase their chances of conceiving twins. Steinman tested this by comparing twin rates from vegan mothers and non-vegan mothers.

Those who consumed dairy were five times more likely to have twins. This is because cows, like humans, also produce IGF in response to growth hormone and release it into their blood. Then it gets released into their milk, which women consume.

8. It’s possible that twins can have different dads:

In 2009, Mia Washington gave birth to twins who have different fathers — which is said to be a one-in-a-million occurrence. Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University, explained to “Today” how it happened: Normally, a woman releases one egg each month. For Washington, there were two.

At the same time, the mom had intercourse with two different men in the span of five days. Because sperm can remain alive in the reproductive tract for that long, each man’s sperm fertilized one of eggs. Voila! Two babies, two dads.

9. Twins interact with each other in the womb:

In 2011, researchers at Umberto Castiello of the University of Padova in Italy studied 3D videos of twins in their mother’s womb. At 14 weeks of gestation, twins were seen reaching for each other.

By 18 weeks, they touched each other more often than they touched their own bodies. The researchers said that kinematic analyses of the recordings revealed that the twins made distinct gestures toward each other and were as gentle to the other twin’s delicate eye area as they were when they touched their own.

10. Some conjoined twins can feel and taste what the other one         does:

Susan Dominus wrote a piece for The New York Times about two conjoined twins, Krista and Tatiana Hogan, who are attached at the head through a “thalamic bridge,” part of the brain that acts as a sort of “neural switchboard” and filters most sensory input. Scientists have hypothesized that this connection could result in one Hogan sister being able to taste and feel what the other twin is experiencing and to understand each other’s thoughts. Dominus, who spent a considerable amount of time with the twins for her story, recorded these amazing observations:

“[Their parents noticed] when one girl’s vision was angled away from the television, she was laughing at the images flashing in front of her sister’s eyes. The sensory exchange, [researchers] believe, extends to the girls’ taste buds: Krista likes ketchup, and Tatiana does not, something the family discovered when Tatiana tried to scrape the condiment off her own tongue, even when she was not eating it.”

11. Forty percent of twins invent their own languages:

These languages are called autonomous languages. Researchers suspect that twin babies use each other as models in developing language when an adult model language is frequently absent. The “language” consists of inverted words and onomatopoeic expressions.

These autonomous languages are formed when two very close babies are learning how to speak a real language alongside one another and naturally often play and communicate with each other.

While this is more common among twins, since they are more likely to be around each other and developing at the same rate, this phenomenon can also sporadically occur between two babies who are not twins. The made up “languages” often disappear soon after childhood, once the children have learned a real language.




source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/24/twin-facts_n_4959012.html

Your baby bumps 13 to 15 weeks: photos

Every pregnant belly is different. Your age, previous pregnancies, height, build and fitness all affect the way your pregnant tummy looks. Take a look at this range of lovely baby bumps to see the beauty in all shapes and sizes. Then find out what your bump might look like at 16 to 18 weeks of pregnancy.

13 weeks pregnant

This is a third pregnancy.

14 weeks pregnant

This 35-year-old mum is having her second child, a boy. This is her third pregnancy.

14 weeks pregnant

This woman is 22 years old and pregnant with her first child, a girl.

14 weeks pregnant

This mum is 30 years old with her second pregnancy, a boy.

"When I took the photo I was thinking, 'Is anyone else as big as me, because I feel huge!' "

"Even though I was big my baby was only 2.72kg baby at 38 weeks

14 weeks pregnant

This mum is having a boy.

"I'm a bigger chick and I love my belly getting round."

This is a fourth pregnancy, the 34-year-old mum's third child. The baby girl arrived at 36 weeks weighing 2.4kg.

"This was still a scary time for me but I was past the point where things had gone pear-shaped the pregnancy before, so it was a milestone in itself."

14 weeks pregnant

"I feel huge."

14 weeks pregnant

This mum's baby boy was born weighing 3.57kg.

15 weeks pregnant

This 29-year-old woman is pregnant with her first child, a boy.

"I'm loving my pregnant body and the changes happening every week."

15 weeks pregnant

This woman is 30 years old and is having her first child, a boy.

"I didn't feel like my belly was a true pregnant tummy. I felt like I'd just eaten too much and I couldn't wait for it to get bigger and more noticeable!!"

15 weeks pregnant

This mum is having twins!

15 weeks pregnant

This mum is having twins!

15 weeks pregnant

This pregnancy is a baby girl.

15 weeks pregnant

This 30-year-old mum is having a baby girl, her second child. She was born 5 weeks, 2 days early.






source: http://www.babycenter.com.au/l25015275/your-baby-bumps-13-to-15-weeks-photos

10 Reasons Why a Twin Pregnancy Is Not the Same As a Singleton

The moment those two little pink lines appear, confirming your suspicions, your life changes. It’s exhilarating, overwhelming, terrifying, and awesome all at once.

You head into your OB’s office to get things in tip-top order and to have an ultrasound. Your ultrasound tech smiles as you expose your midsection in anticipation of seeing that little bean for the first time and knowing for sure that you are indeed pregnant.

You notice your tech staring at the screen a little too intently, as she moves her wand around getting different views. You watch the monitor full of swirling gray hues, trying to decipher what she’s seeing, when suddenly she stops on an image and says, “Ah, I thought so.

There’s baby B. You’re having twins!” BOOM! You have officially entered a whole new realm of pregnancy! Welcome!

Despite what others may try to tell you, a twin pregnancy is NOT the same as a singleton. I am in no way trying to say having a singleton pregnancy is a breeze, because growing tiny humans is hard work, but it is different. Here’s a list of 10 things you can expect if your joy/fear/stress/elation has just doubled in the blink of an eye.

1. Welcome to a High Risk pregnancy. Are you perfectly healthy? Are your twins growing beautifully? Do you currently feel great? It doesn’t matter!

You have been given a one way-ticket to High-Risk-Ville and all the perks that go along with it! You will be poked, prodded, and monitored as if you were, in fact, dying of a rare tropical disease.

2. Hello puke bucket! Morning sickness is terrible. Morning sickness with twins is downright inhumane. Double the hormones, quadruple the queasiness.

You will, in your first 18 weeks or so, grow attached to a special bowl (mine was red) used solely for throwing up in. You will tote this new accessory everywhere you go and start to feel naked without it. Your trusty sidekick will be right there as you masochistically watch the Food Network, desperately wanting to eat something real, but the second you get a whiff of anything food related, you lunge for your steadfast partner, the puke bucket.

After a few weeks of this, with insanely sore muscles and a certainty that you’ve torn something internally, you will become a Zofran-popping fool, or you just might opt for the continuous flow of liquid anti-nausea gold and use the pump! Anything it takes to stop the torture.

3. Ultrasounds! Ultrasounds galore! It’s normally tons of fun to have an ultrasound or two done to check on the progress of your little bean, but when you have two beans to monitor, ultrasound appointments become constants in your life, like sleeping, or breathing.

You will have them all the time! You will be on a first name basis with several ultrasound techs as your pregnancy advances. By the end of your 8-9 month ordeal you will have zero trouble yanking up your shirt and pulling down your pants in a dimly lit small room while strangers occasionally walk in and out.

You will also have an arsenal of prenatal photos that could fill a memory book, and they haven’t even arrived yet.

4. Maternity clothes are not made for multiples. You’ve gone out shopping and found some adorable tops to match your new stretchy band pants that will accommodate you throughout your entire pregnancy, making you both fashionable and comfortable, right?

Wrong! Once you hit the third trimester mark (even sooner for some), there is no top, short of a circus tent, that will cover the bottom of your belly. I don’t care how tiny you started out.

Two humans take up a lot of space, and your miraculous body will stretch to unimaginable sizes that will pop out of your outfit. Embrace it, dear sister. You’re a superhero.

5. You will learn a new language. The word “singleton” has just been added to your vocabulary, along with monozygotic, dizygotic, mono-di, di-di, TTTS, NICU, fraternal, identical, etc. Look at you, you smartypants! Who knew a twin pregnancy would expand the mind as well?

6. Exhaustion. It is real and it is terrible. You will be exhausted after going to the bathroom to pee for the umpteenth time, or walking from the couch to your bedroom, or talking on the phone, or loading the dishwasher, or, heaven forbid, walking up the stairs.

You will want to collapse and never get up, and at some point you won’t be able to without help. And all this will start during your first trimester.

7. Physics will play a larger role in your life than you ever thought possible. The bigger you get (and let’s face it darling: You’re going to bypass sweet belly bump and head right into the land of the giants rather quickly, but it’s totally OK) the harder every task becomes. Newton’s first law of physics — an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon — is 100% you.

It will take a great deal of force to move you from a resting state to a moving one, like getting up from a chair (and for the love of all things holy, do not sit on the floor! You might as well just stay there). It’s not your fault, honestly.

You will find yourself trying to bend over to grab something low to the ground or tie your shoe (assuming you can still see your feet, let alone reach them) and you will topple over, because you will remain in motion until the floor stops you. Physics can be cruel to a pregnant woman, especially one with twins.

8. Inappropriate questions, comments, and reactions from complete strangers. You have only just begun to deal with this humdinger. Your larger belly is like a neon sign that the public can’t help but notice.

People are curious, especially about multiples, and many are not afraid to ask questions or simply comment on your current state of being. Some questions are fine, but some will make you cringe. You will be asked, “Did you conceive naturally or did you need help?” “Do twins run in your family?” “How much bigger can you possibly get?”

When I was around 30 weeks pregnant, I attended my niece’s wedding. After running all over town to find something cute that I looked half decent in (see #4) I was ready for the event. Not two minutes after stepping foot into the reception I heard, “Wow! What are you trying to do? Smuggle in some basketballs?” from a complete stranger. Honestly! You can’t make this stuff up!

It’s going to happen, so be prepared to either walk away, smile and laugh while dying a little on the inside, or open a can of whoop-ass. It’s completely up to you (and we’ll be by your side ready to open a can of our own).

9. Invest in an under belly support band. Just do it. You can thank me later.

10. So…incredibly…uncomfortable. Trust me when I tell you that hauling around two tiny humans and all their cargo (placentas, amniotic sacs, etc.) is just plain uncomfortable.

A regular singleton pregnancy is uncomfortable around 8-9 months, but a twin pregnancy is uncomfortable around 6 months. The further along you are, the worse it becomes.

Just breathing becomes difficult for crying out loud! As your beautiful babies grow, they will both try to stretch into places no tiny feet should be near, let alone wedged into.

They will kick and move and squirm, and it’s amazing to feel and watch, until it isn’t. As your belly nears its breaking point, your now-taut skin will hurt, itch, and be sensitive to touch. There aren’t enough pillows in the world to support your heaving figure.

A singleton pregnancy is similar to this last one, I will admit, but trust me when I say the discomfort is magnified with twins. It just is. You will be miserable, but you’ll also be fabulous!

Embrace those tiny creatures and roll with the insanity that is a twin pregnancy. You’ll have scars, stretch marks, and stories for days by the time you’re done. Oh, and two new additions, of course.





source: http://www.scarymommy.com/twin-pregnancy-not-singleton/

6 Weeks Pregnant Belly

Being newly pregnant can be one of the most exciting feelings in the world, but you may be wondering when your baby bump will start to show and what it will look like.

Some expecting mothers think their bump will just appear one day and look like everyone else's, but the truth is, every woman will have a different experience with how much she shows during the stages of her pregnancy. Watching your bump grow is incredibly exciting, so just enjoy the process!

How Big Will a 6 Weeks Pregnant Belly Be?

Your stomach will look normal as it's in normal days as your belly has not started showing yet. There are so many factors that go into when you will start showing.

How soon you show often depends on whether this is your first pregnancy or not. For first-time expectant mothers, your stomach and abdominal muscles aren't yet familiar with the process of stretching and loosening they will go through.

Therefore, most first-time mothers often don't start showing until around 12 weeks. For women who have already given birth once, these muscles are prepared to relax earlier in the process, so these women may show earlier than 12 weeks.

Factors such as your weight can affect how and when your bump shows, and the position that the baby is in will also affect the size and shape.

Here're some pictures of 6 weeks pregnant belly, from which you'll see that there is not much to look for.

What If My Belly Starts Showing Early in First Trimester?

Remember, every woman's body is different and handles the experience of pregnancy differently, so some pregnant women may start showing earlier than expected, even if it is their first time. There are a number of reasons that this can happen.

1. Bloating and Constipation:

This is a very common experience for pregnant women, and you should be prepared for episodes of gas build-up throughout your pregnancy that can result in bloating and constipation.

 In the early stages, this is often due to progesterone hormones relaxing your digestive system in order to make sure that a growing baby receives as many nutrients as possible.

2. Less Muscle Tone:

For those who have more defined abdominal muscles, it is likely that you will show a baby bump later. This is why women who have already given birth tend to show sooner; their abdominal muscles have already been stretched.

3. Overeating and Early Weight Gain:

You may tend to overeat in the early stages, which can lead to a larger 6 weeks pregnant belly. While yes, you will need to ensure your growing baby receives plenty of nutrition, he or she does not need as much food as you require, and therefore most nutritional plans won't incorporate excess amounts of food in the early weeks.

4. Wrong Dates:

Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when conception happened particularly in the case of unplanned or untracked pregnancies.

If you start showing earlier than you expected, it may be worthwhile to have a doctor check and make sure that you have the right schedule.

5. Small Build:

For smaller women, a baby bump is usually more noticeable earlier, but typically only to those who know her. These can usually be hidden by clothes, and are normal as a small frame adjusts to supporting a growing baby.

How Is My Baby Developing at 6 Weeks Pregnant?

There are so many developments happening quickly inside of your 6 weeks pregnant belly, and it is amazing to know how quickly your baby is on its way.

• At six weeks, the baby's heart is starting to develop into a structure more similar to its final form, rather than the tube that it starts out as. If you have an ultrasound at this time, you might even detect a very rapid little heartbeat that is working almost twice as fast as yours.
  
• A thin skin has started to develop around the baby, and the early stages of the arms and legs have started to bud. Organs like kidneys, the liver, and the lungs are where they should be, although they will continue to develop over time.
  
• Your baby’s eyes and nose will start showing slightly on ultrasounds, and you’ll be able to see where the ears will form.

What About Me Myself?

You will notice a lot of changes within your physical and emotional self during a pregnancy, but by the time you have a 6 weeks pregnant belly you will start to experience some of the most despised experiences.

This is when morning sickness and exhaustion start to really affect a pregnant mother, and hormonal changes may be causing mood irregularities.

While it is still early in the process, it is essential that you are eating the right foods during these critical stages of development, in order to ensure that processes unfold in the right way. Always know which foods to absolutely avoid in pregnancy, and try and improve nutrition if you don't follow a healthy routine.

Similarly, exercise regularly and reap the benefits of vitamin D by spending time outdoors in the sun.




source: http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/6-weeks-pregnant-belly.html

26 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

Best moment this week:  Watching Dan put together some of our wonderful baby shower gifts!  It is so fun to watch him work to put things together for the boys.  And it is crazy to see our house begin to transform into a baby zone!

Movement: They are getting in practice wrestling I think.  These boys love to let me know they are still there each night.  I literally lay down to relax on the couch/wind down for the day and they decide to rev up for the night.  It always makes me giggle and smile!
I love that they like to play around at night as usually Dan is home and it is nice to share that time with him and the boys.

Food Cravings: Smoothies!  I have been just getting full so fast 🙁  and HOT so fast…so I have at least one smoothie a day, often for dinner.
I find it a great way to sneak in a lot of fruits, veggies, protein, dairy.  And I make them taste like dessert which is never a bad thing!

Sleep:  Different week same story – lots of bathroom wake up calls, can’t find comfy spot, you get the idea.  BUT I have to say since we broke down and turned the AC on last week (I couldn’t believe it got in the mid 80s) I slept a lot better.  I have to have it super cold to sleep 🙂

33 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

Babies are the size of pineapples. They weigh a little over 4 pounds and are about 17 inches long. This week was growth scan week, so we know our smaller twin weighs about 3 lbs. 2oz and our bigger twin weighs 5 lbs. 1 oz.

The doctors were very happy with their growth over the past 3 weeks. They both gained about a pound. But our smaller baby is in the less then 5% category. Out absolute end date for the pregnancy is July 7th.

How far along? 33 weeks

Weight Gain? 28 pounds. My weight has either stayed the same or gone down over the last month I am hovering right about the 30 pound mark. I don’t know what is going on.

But the doctors aren’t worried because both babies gained a pound in three weeks. Our little one is still little but at least she is still gaining.

Workouts? Being on bed rest means not much. My doctor wants me moving my legs to prevent blood clots, but I am not allowed to do anything major. I will be back to working out in no time. I can’t believe no matter what we will meet these twins in a week and a half. I am still hoping we make it that far. I know it is wishful thinking, but a girl can dream.

Symptoms? I have not been feeling well. I have been tired and achy and just down in the dumps.

Stretch Marks? Not yet! I started taking these new vitamins about a week ago and I am  still using my Mama Mio lotion and coconut oil. As most of you know I do drink a ton of water.

Sleep? These past few days since coming home from the hospital I have been exhausted so I have been sleeping amazingly well.

Movement? Lots of kicks and jabs. Baby B is still moving around like crazy. She is still rolling all over the place. I have no idea how she has that much room to do it.

Milestone: 33 Weeks is a huge milestone for us. Especially since last Friday we thought we were going to have our twins in no time. Making it another week is wonderful. Hopefully, we can do one more week; 34 weeks. Ok, at least July.

Genders? Identical twin girls.

Labor signs? I have been having more contractions, pressure, and back pain. The pain is definitely much less when I am lying down or sitting. But it is still there. Hopefully, bed rest will hold off labor for a little longer.

Belly button in or out? Out.

What I am looking forward to this week? Sunday is Sophia’s actual birthday. I am so excited to celebrate her special day with her. Obviously, we aren’t doing much. But we will have a cake and some presents. I know she will love her day. I just pray the twins aren’t born on her birthday. I really want Sophia to have her own day and not have to share it with her sisters.

Happenings/Thoughts from this past week:

1. Being in the hospital this weekend was something I never thought would happen. I guess I shouldn’t say never, but it didn’t really cross my mind. At this point I was only worried about the twins growing well, not about me going into preterm labor.
2. I was given magnesium sulfate Friday night into Saturday and that is seriously the worst drug. It makes you feel awful. Anyone, who has had it I am so sorry and anyone who has to have be prepared, but you will make it through. Steve kept telling me this is for the twins.
3. Emotionally preterm labor is so difficult to grasp because with most pregnancies (such as my first two) you are so excited when you dilate and having labor symptoms. I remember working out extra hard when Isabella was ready to come. This time around I am trying to keep the contraction away. It is a rollercoaster.
4. One of the things that makes me very sad about our twins being in the NICU is our girls not being able to see their sisters. I know Sophia and Isabella are so excited to meet the twins and it will be difficult for them not to get to tough them for a few weeks. It will be hard on all of us, but as a mom I am always worried about my girls.
5. I still need to get the girls bags put together, but now that I am on bed rest, it is quite difficult. My mom is going to help me. I all ready have pretty much everything for the bags, so it should be easy. But I feel so bad, she is seriously doing everything for us and I hate to continue asking her for more and more. I am ready to start taking care of things again. I am just the type of person who always feels bad.
6. A highlight from my week is Sophia tell me that I was her favorite present. During prayers on Saturday night she thanked God for bringing home to her party. I seriously have no idea what I did to have such wonderful girls. I am the lucky one. I told her I thanked God for bringing me home to be at your party.

source: http://fitformotherhood.com/33-weeks-pregnant-with-twins/

18 Weeks Pregnant with Twins

I am sorry my belly picture simply isn’t going to happen this week. I hope you understand and I will continue taking pictures in the coming weeks. Thank you. 🙂

Babies are the size of sweet potatoes. Our girls are about 5.6 inches long and 6.7 ounces. It hurts to write about the babies right now so that is all I am going to say for this week.

I am sorry. Another week with a picture of just one baby in utero. I am sorry, but there really is no website out there that does week by week for twins.

How far along? 18 weeks

Weight Gain? 12 pounds so far.

Workouts? Pilates and yoga. Since, the appointment Monday and until further notice I will not be able to do any form of exercise.

Symptoms? Not very hungry lately. I don’t know if it is the stage of pregnancy or everything else going on right now.

Stretch Marks? None yet. I am still doing my lotion 2-3 times a day, drinking a lot of water and taking omega-3’s. I have read these all help with stretch marks.

Sleep? I have been exhausted but haven’t been able to sleep; too much on my mind.

Movement? Baby Girl B (the baby closest to my ribs) kicks and moves a lot. We saw that on the ultrasound as well.

Genders? Two little girls. We are so excited. Having four girls is going to be so much fun.

What I miss: Right now I just want everything to be okay. I miss not worrying all the time.

Food cravings? Protein and salads.

Food aversions? Not too much these days.

Labor signs? A few braxton hicks contractions. The doctors say not to worry about those.

Belly button in or out? In.

What I am looking forward to this week? Going to Philadelphia to see the specialists on twin-to-twin transfusion. I am ready to get some answers and help our girls. This waiting period is awful.

Random Thoughts from this Past Week:

1. To be honest I just keep thinking why us? Why is this happening to our girls?
2. I love my girls; all four of them.
3. I will do anything for my family.
4. We have amazing family and friends.
5. I am not sure how I am going to not be with my girls for 10 days or more. I seriously am having anxiety over leaving. I am not worried about them being well taken care of I am just going to miss them like crazy and I hope our girls are okay without me. We are seriously together all the time.
6. We thought our biggest concern was whether or not I was going to have to be on bed rest. We never thought that TTTS would happen to our girls. I guess you just never think these things happen to you. But was are going to fight for these little girls and I hope they are ready to put up a fight themselves

source: http://fitformotherhood.com/18-weeks-pregnant-with-twins/

Being pregnant is a huge milestone for most women. Creating a new life is a miracle for sure. But what if it is not ‘a’ new life but a couple of them?

If you haven’t guessed it already, we are talking about twins. Finding out that you are pregnant with twins can come as a jolt. It may take some time for the news to sink in. But once you make peace with the idea, you can let the celebrations begin!

Twin pregnancies are still relatively rare, and that is why they are so fascinating for most of us. Are there any factors that can predispose a woman towards a twin pregnancy?

You might be shocked to know, that they sure are! And, here, we talk about the twin pregnancy signs and symptoms.

Conceiving Twins:

You have a higher chance of conceiving twins if:

• You are over 30 years of age
• You are peri-menopausal
• You are taller than the average woman
• Your BMI is higher than 25
• You already have twins or have a family history of twins
• You have used Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) like IVF to get pregnant
• You belong to some particular ethnicity (e.g., African American)

So, if you fall in any of the categories mentioned above, you need to arm yourself with some ‘twin’ knowledge!

Twin Pregnancy – Early Symptoms:

Most women discover that they are pregnant with twins only after an ultrasound scan. But is there a way to find out a twin pregnancy before the scan?

We are sure that is the one question most women have in mind. Yes, you can get an idea even before you make a trip the doctor!

Here are some early signs of twin pregnancy symptoms:

1. A Very Positive Pregnancy Test:

That sounds a little confusing, doesn’t it? Well, for most women, a pregnancy test taken on the day of missed period often yields a faint line. But if you are carrying twins, it is likely that your test line will come out dark. Why is that?

Well, home pregnancy tests look for the presence of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the body to confirm a pregnancy. When you are pregnant with twins, your body will produce more hCG and lead to a darker line!

2. Blood Test:

All bodies are different, so it is possible that your home pregnancy test fails to detect the extra hCG floating around in your body. But a blood test will surely catch it!

If you are carrying twins, your blood hCG number is likely to be 30-50% higher than if you were pregnant with a singleton.

3. Extreme Morning Sickness:

Many women suffer from morning sickness during their pregnancy. Unlike its name, morning sickness can strike any time of the day.

Nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy are the most visible early pregnancy symptoms. Morning sickness is a direct result of the presence of hCG in the body. It is why women carrying twins tend to have a worse case of this common pregnancy symptom.

Intolerance to certain foods, smells, textures are all part of the pregnancy journey but with twins, you’ll get more than you expect. So, if you find yourself heaving after each meal, and rushing to the bathroom to throw up, maybe, just maybe, you are pregnant with twins!Thankfully, you can reduce the discomfort through some simple measures:

• Avoid food that makes you gag
• Try smaller, more frequent meals
• Sip on ginger ale
• Drink more water
• Try medication (but only after you discuss it with your doctor)

4. Just A Hunch:

As a mother, you’ll need to start trusting your mama instinct. In fact, start watching your hunches right now! If you have a strong feeling that you are pregnant with twins, it is possible that your body is telling you something.

Most symptoms listed here indicate the possibility of a twin pregnancy. But you need to seek confirmation from your doctor before you assume anything!

Symptoms Of Twin Pregnancy:

So, now you know for sure that you are pregnant with twins! Congratulations! What now? Well, get ready for the journey of a lifetime!

As an expecting mother of twins, your pregnancy will deviate from the norm.

Apart from the excessive morning sickness, twin pregnancy comes with a unique set of signs and symptoms. Here are the major symptoms and signs of twin pregnancy you should watch out for:

1. Weight Gain:

It is a known fact that pregnancy entails gaining weight. But when you are carrying twins, the weight can be and should be more than average. But there is no standard number when it comes to weight gain.

How much weight you need to gain depends on your pre-pregnancy weight as well as height. In most cases, healthy women need to gain a mere 10lbs more than the norm while carrying twins. So, don’t binge on unhealthy food and gain excessive weight just because you are carrying twins!

2. Measuring Large For Gestational Age:

Have you noticed your doctor measuring your belly during your appointments? Well, what she does is measure the height of the uterine fundus to check your baby’s gestational age.

Gestational age indicates the age of a fetus or baby counted from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period. It is a good way to ensure that your pregnancy is progressing the way it should. Women who are carrying twins always measure larger than a woman carrying singletons.

When you are carrying twins, your uterus expands more than it does with a single pregnancy, and that is why you look bigger! But there are other reasons that can lead to a baby measuring larger than its normal gestation age. Don’t worry, your doctor will keep an eye on it to rule out any complications.

3. Early Fetal Movement:

One of the most magical moments during pregnancy is to feel your baby move! And when you are pregnant with twins, the moment can come sooner than later!

Many women carrying twins report feeling their babies move before women carrying a single baby. But there is no scientific basis for this symptom.

There are several other factors that can help you experience your baby move sooner. For example, a thinner woman is more likely to experience early fetal movements. This is one of the pregnancy symptoms with twins.

4. Frequent Fetal Movement:

Another thing you can experience as a would-be mother of twins is frequent fetal movement. When you are carrying two babies, you can expect a lot of moving around. A prelude of things to come!

5. Extreme Fatigue:

Exhaustion, tiredness, fatigue – call it by any name, but the chances are high that when you are pregnant, you’ll feel tired like you have never felt before.

And if you are pregnant with twins? Get ready for feeling bone tired, all the time! Your body is working overtime to nourish two lives, so it is normal to feel extreme tiredness and lethargy, especially in the first trimester. But there are other factors, like anemia, that too can cause similar symptoms.

So talk to your doctor if you feel so tired that going through your day seems like a huge chore. This is one of the symptoms of being pregnant with twins.

6. Breathlessness:

As your pregnancy progresses, your twins will push against your diaphragm, making you breathless in the process. Breathlessness is common in singleton pregnancies as well but with twins you can expect double the fun! But if you feel breathless all the time, and feel too uncomfortable, do call your doctor!

7. Digestion Issues:

Constipation, bloating, indigestion and heartburn are all common pregnancy symptoms for twins. When your body is growing two lives, your digestive system will be hard pressed.

And as your uterus grows to accommodate your twins, it will take away space from your stomach. That is why these digestive issues are more intense during the third trimester. Yes, a little bit of digestive discomfort cannot be helped, but you sure can reduce the problems!

Some ways to a happier digestive system include:

• Opt for smaller meals at regular intervals
• Avoid oily and overly spicy food
• Drink a lot of water to keep your digestive system healthy and happy!

8. Back Pain:

Back pain is pretty common during pregnancies. But with twins, everything tends to be over the top. When you are growing twins, you gain more weight, your hormones are all over the place, and your center of gravity shifts.

Is it any wonder that your body groans under all this pressure? All these changes can take a huge toll on your back.But with a few tips you can deal with back pain (though you can’t banish it completely).

Some of the things that can help are:

• Stand up straight and tall
• Hold your chest high
• Keep your shoulders back and relaxed
• Don’t lock your knees
• Opt for low heeled shoes
• Try out a maternity belt

9. Insomnia:

Lack of sleep is a huge problem for new mothers. But here is some news! Sleeplessness can hit you way before your baby makes an appearance.

With your growing girth, you can expect a few sleepless nights (or many)! Discovering the right way to sleep can seem like a battle when you are pregnant with twins.

Add indigestion, fatigue, and back pain to the mix, and sleep can become an uphill task. But you need to sleep well, not just for your health but also that of your babies’.

Some ways to find a good night’s sleep include:

• You may prefer to sleep on your back, but when you are pregnant, sleeping on your side is the only safe way
• Use pillows to elevate your upper body
• Put a pillow between your legs or under your tummy to find your comfortable sleeping position
• Take a nap when you can to catch up on your sleep
• Exercises like swimming and walking can do wonders for your sleep
• Eat well and healthy

10. Depression:

A pregnancy is a life-changing event. And when you discover that you are to welcome not one but two babies, the change can feel earth shattering.

Many women with twin pregnancies suffer from depression. The hormonal change in the body can send anyone into a tizzy. But when you have twins, the whole surprise can take some time to settle down. In fact, you are more likely to suffer from pre as well as postnatal depression if you are expecting twins.Thankfully, with the right tools, you can beat depression and enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.

Here are some tips to help you:

• Accept that you are about to give birth to two babies. Acceptance is a great healer!
• Try meditation or any other relaxation technique to help you out
• The right food can go a long way in keeping your mental health in top shape
• Talk to other twin moms. There are others who have walked in your shoes, and they are the best people to guide you in your journey.

11. Extreme Breast Tenderness:

Your breasts can feel very tender when you are pregnant, thanks to all the hormones flowing through your body. Add another baby, and the tenderness can become downright painful!

Many twin moms experience breast tenderness to such an extent that they cannot even wear a bra.If you experience the same thing, well, you can ditch the bra whenever you can. Or better still, go out bra shopping and find some amazing maternity bras.

12. Frequent Urination:

Did you always wonder why your pregnant friend was always rushing to the loo? Now you’ll know! Thanks to all the hormones and the pressure on your bladder, you too will now need to make frequent trips to the bathroom!But don’t let that stop you from drinking ample amounts of water. Remember, lack of water can cause dehydration, which in turn can lead to premature contractions.

13. Cramping:

Cramping during pregnancy can send any women into a panic frenzy. But relax! As long as you are not bleeding, do not worry about cramping.

As your uterus grows to accommodate your twin pregnancy, you can experience cramping or round ligament pains. Women can also experience pelvic pain during their pregnancy, which is again not a worrisome symptom. It is just your body getting ready for childbirth.But you can get some respite from the pain. Here are some tips to ease the pain:

• Whenever possible, give your growing tummy some support. You can buy maternity belts to help you out
• Slow down! Yes, you want to be productive, but your body does need a little rest now that it is growing two babies
• Avoid jerky movements

14. Water Retention:

With a twin pregnancy, you are more likely to experience water retention. So, get ready for swelling or edema, which can be pretty uncomfortable.

But it can also lead to more serious conditions like preeclampsia. That is why it is important to manage your edema before it gets out of hand.

Here are some things you can do:

• Avoid consuming too much salt and processed food
• Eat healthily to avoid gaining excessive weight
• Drink more water to flush out the extra water from your body
• Opt for foods like watermelon, cabbage, peas, apples and citrus fruits that act as natural diuretics
• Quit smoking, if you haven’t already

15. Abnormally High Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Test Result:

Your doctor will test you for AFP during the second trimester. For many women, it is the first signs of twin pregnancy!

The AFP test measures a particular protein that is secreted by the fetal liver. If you are carrying more than one baby, your AFP test result will be ‘high’. But it is important to remember that a high AFP result can also indicate fetal abnormalities.

16. Fast Heartbeat:

As a mother, you can expect a racing heartbeat almost all the time, at least figuratively! But when you have a twin pregnancy, your heart can ‘literally’ race!

A fast heartbeat is normal with all that extra oxygen in your bloodstream, and all the extra work your heart needs to do to keep your babies healthy.A twin pregnancy can be scary and wonderful – both at the same time.

Like any other pregnancy, the important thing is to be aware of what is happening inside your body.

Complications To Watch Out For In A Twin Pregnancy:

Signs of being pregnant with twins is surely a cause for celebration, it is also a cause for caution! When you are carrying multiples, your pregnancy is automatically deemed high-risk. No, that does not mean something will go wrong. It just means that you need to keep a close eye on your health!

Here are some twin pregnancy complications that you need to be aware of:

1. Premature Birth:

A twin pregnancy is more likely to end in early labor and delivery simply because the babies run out of space! Babies born before 38 weeks of gestation are considered premature.

Although a slight prematurity does not often cause health issues in the newborn, it is important to let your babies gestate as long as possible.

2. Low Birth Weight:

Most twins are born with lower than average weight. That is why it is important to keep a watch on your diet and provide your babies with the best possible nutrition.

3. Drastic Weight Difference:

It is pretty common for a twin to weigh more than its sibling as it can receive more nutrition and space. There isn’t much you can do about this particular problem, though!

4. Preeclampsia:

High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia – a health condition that can prove fatal for both baby and mother.

During a twin pregnancy, your chance of developing preeclampsia goes up manifold. That is why it is important to keep your blood pressure under check during your pregnancy.

5. Gestational Diabetes (GD):

Most cases of gestational diabetes resolve by themselves with childbirth. But giving GD a free run can cause severe health damage.

Gestational diabetes is also a common complication for women expecting twins.6. Anemia: As your body makes more blood to help your babies grow, your body may lose some of its hemoglobin in return. That is why a woman with a twin pregnancy is much more likely to suffer from anemia (depleted hemoglobin levels).

What To Expect From Your Doctor?

A twin pregnancy does not warrant going into panic mode! Thousands of women give birth to twins each day without any complications.

But what you do need to do is work closely with your health care provider.There are certain tests that you should take to prevent the complications mentioned above.

Your doctor will prescribe additional scans and antenatal appointments if you are expecting twins. You will also need regular blood pressure and urine tests to avoid health issues like preeclampsia. Your doctor will prescribe blood tests at 24 weeks and again at 28 weeks to ensure that your hemoglobin levels are adequate.

What Can You Do?

Coping with a twin pregnancy is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. Here are some easy tips that can help you navigate a twin pregnancy better:

• All that extra weight, insomnia, body ache and raging hormones can make you feel exhausted all the time. But you need to rest a bit to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
• By resting, we do not mean bed rest, which can prove counter-productive. What you need are regular naps and some laziness! Forget the household chores (or ask your partner to help you out) and just put your feet up.
• If you have a child already, ask somebody like a friend or relative watch her while you catch up on some much-needed sleep. Remember, once your babies are here, sleep will become elusive!
• If you are working, you may need to apply for maternity leave sooner than you expected.
• If you are feeling low and depressed, talk to your doctor. You may need some professional help to feel better.Finally, be nice to yourself. Pamper yourself. Get a foot massage, get your hair done – do whatever it takes to feel better!

Pregnancy is the most fulfilling journey. And when it is a twin pregnancy, the miracle becomes even more amazing. Don’t spend this journey worrying. Celebrate it! Are you expecting twins? What symptoms are you experiencing? Share your story with us!



source: http://www.momjunction.com/articles/signs-and-symptoms-of-twin-pregnancy_00382609/#gref