what is different about being pregnant with twins?
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The body of a woman pregnant with twins will adapt to accommodate two babies. That means that a woman pregnant with twins can expect to grow larger and gain more weight than a woman pregnant with a singleton. 2﻿ She will also require more calories and nutrients.
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Labor is sometimes longer than usual with twins, but the actual delivery is not much longer. Twins are usually born only minutes apart.
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Women expecting twins are more likely to give birth early (about 60 percent of twins are born prematurely, according to the March of Dimes), with the average twin pregnancy lasting 35 weeks.
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Twins, on average, come out sooner — and smaller — than singletons. ... That's why full term for twins is considered 38 weeks, not the typical 40 weeks. Premature birth — delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy — is the most common complication when you're pregnant with multiples. About 59 percent of twins are born early.
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A twin pregnancy is a double blessing, but it can also carry greater risks than singleton pregnancies. In the U.S, about three in every 100 pregnant women give birth to twins or triplets, according to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
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And while most women pregnant with twins or more will experience the same pregnancy symptoms as those pregnant with a singleton, they do often experience heightened pregnancy symptoms - severe nausea, extreme fatigue and fast weight gain - that may indicate that there are twins in their future.
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Weight gain is especially important between weeks 20 to 24 of pregnancy. If a mother of twins gains 24 pounds by the 24th week of pregnancy, she reduces her chance of preterm labor. Early weight gain is also vital for the development of the placenta, which aids in the passing of nutrients to the babies.
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It's generally safe and good for you to exercise if you're expecting twins. But talk to your doctor or midwife about the type of exercise you're planning , just in case. If you're not used to exercising, it's best to start slowly. Try something simple that your body's used to, like brisk walking.
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['Heredity. A family history of multiple pregnancy raises the chances of having twins.', 'Older age. Women older than 30 have a greater chance of multiple conception. ... ', 'High parity. ... ', 'Race.']
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Multiples do tend to be born smaller than single babies. But it's not because their growth rate is necessarily slower — in fact, for twins, it's about the same as any other baby's until about weeks 30 to 32, when they do slow down a tad, since they're competing more for nutrients.
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Already have a set of twins. Because the likelihood of conceiving with twins again is higher in women who've already had them. Be heavier rather than lighter so that you've got a higher body mass index (BMI). Some researchers claim that a woman with a BMI of greater than 30 boosts her chances.
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It's generally safe and good for you to exercise if you're expecting twins. But talk to your doctor or midwife about the type of exercise you're planning , just in case. If you're not used to exercising, it's best to start slowly.
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In a twin pregnancy, sometimes one baby is lost to miscarriage. If this happens during your first trimester, usually it doesn't affect your surviving baby (Anderson-Berry and Zach 2014, NHS 2014).
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Multiples Can Be Tricky to Detect However, most women who spontaneously conceive twins, triplets, or more won't begin to suspect anything out of the ordinary until their pregnancy progresses. But there are some hints that show themselves as early as the first trimester.
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Finding out you're pregnant with twins The only definite way to find out whether you're having twins or other multiples is to have an ultrasound scan. The best time to have this ultrasound is at 10-12 weeks of pregnancy.
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Ultrasound. Although the factors above may be signs of a twin pregnancy, the only sure way to know you're pregnant with more than one baby is through an ultrasound. Some doctors schedule an early ultrasound, around 6 to 10 weeks, to confirm the pregnancy or check for issues.
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There is a saying about twins: "Twice as sick, three times as tired, and four times the weight gain." But this is, in many ways, an old wives' tale. Statistically, moms of multiples may experience more morning sickness.