| Congratulations! You're having twins! What a blessing. | | | | * Premature birth |
| Having 2 at once is something many couples long to | | | | * High blood pressure |
| have...but not many get. Here is some information | | | | * Being put on bed rest or pelvic rest |
| about how you got twins and what to expect during | | | | * Placental problems |
| your pregnancy. | | | | * Becoming anemic |
| How are Twins Made? | | | | Keep in mind that not every multiple pregnancy will |
| Let me start out by explaining that there are 2 types | | | | result in these problems or any complications. You |
| of twins. Identical, and fraternal. By far the most | | | | have a good chance of going on to have a normal, |
| common form are the fraternal twins. The statistics | | | | vaginal delivery as well. It really all depends on your |
| are about 1 in 30 births are twins...but only 1 in about | | | | body, your babies and your doctors comfort level |
| 250 are identical. | | | | with twins. |
| Monozygotic twins (identical twins) - when one egg is | | | | Twin Diet - What You Should Eat |
| released and fertilized, but then splits within 1 -14 | | | | You need to be sure you are getting 600 additional |
| days later. They typically have one placenta but 2 | | | | calories per day. Your weight gain should be more |
| umbilical cords. There is absolutely no way of | | | | then that of a singleton. An average range for twins |
| predicting who will have identical twins, because | | | | would be between 30-45 lbs. Getting plenty of |
| scientists are not clear why it happens. Usually | | | | protein and drinking at least 8 glasses of water per |
| heredity plays a big role in who will have twins...but in | | | | day are very important for the development of your |
| the case of monozygotic twins, anyone can have | | | | children. |
| them at any time and during any pregnancy. | | | | *** And don't forget your vitamins! Taking prenatal's |
| Dizgotic twins (fraternal twins) - most couples who | | | | will keep your babies on track and keep your body |
| are having twins, will have fraternal twins. They are | | | | from getting too depleted. You need plenty of |
| the most common. They form when 2 eggs are | | | | calcium, folic acid and iron (to name a few). |
| released during ovulation, resulting in 2 different | | | | How Will I Know If We're Having Twins? |
| fertilized eggs. They can be different genders, and | | | | Many doctors now-a-days, will perform early |
| look totally different...whereas identical twins are | | | | ultrasounds for most mothers. Just to check to be |
| always the same gender and look very much the | | | | sure the baby or babies are growing fine and looking |
| same. | | | | healthy. If your doctor doesn't give early ultrasounds |
| Fraternal twins can be made in numerous ways. | | | | unless they suspect a problem or can't pick up the |
| Sometimes they are a result of fertility treatments, | | | | heartbeat with a Doppler, then you may not find out |
| IVF, genetics, or simply getting lucky! | | | | you have twins until your second trimester. |
| Risks Associated With Having Twins | | | | Most mothers who are having twins have uterus's |
| If you are pregnant with twins, your doctor will want | | | | that measure large for their gestation. This is the |
| to monitor you more closely then with a singleton. | | | | normal indicator that twins may be in there. Or: |
| Sometimes practitioners will want you to be seen by | | | | Sometimes when the doctor is using the Doppler, |
| a specialist or high risk doctor. This is because there | | | | more then one heartbeat is detected. Sometimes if a |
| are more risks with being pregnant with multiples. | | | | woman has abnormally high levels of hormones. |
| You are at a higher risk for: | | | | Sometimes the other baby is not detected until birth. |