Management Of Multiple Pregnancies
Multiple pregnancies are more risky and need to be followed up more closely than singleton pregnancies. Today, the incidence of multiple pregnancies is around 1%.
On the other hand, due to the increase in motherhood rates after the age of 35, multiple pregnancy rates increase. Multiple pregnancies have become widespread, especially due to assisted reproductive methods.
Multiple Pregnancy Follow-up
There are important differences in the follow-up of multiple pregnancies compared to singleton pregnancies. Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, tendency to sleep, burning in stomach and fatigue are more severe and frequent, especially in expectant mothers with multiple pregnancy.
Since growing babies need more space in the womb, conditions such as breathing difficulties and abdominal pain are seen more common in the expectant mother. Expectant mothers with multiple pregnancies should pay more attention to weight gain and nutrition, as it provides nutrition for more than one baby.
Although the calorie intake of expectant mothers is recommended as 2800 calories, especially in twin pregnancy, it would be the healthiest to determine their nutritional habits with an expert.
Side Effects Seen More Common in Multiple Pregnancies
If the expectant mother is pregnant with more than one baby, the risk of complications increases depending on the type of complication. Especially multiple pregnancies give birth with earlier dates compared to singleton pregnancies.
Generally, expectant mothers give birth before 37 weeks. 60 percent of twin pregnancies and 80 percent of triplet pregnancies, give birth before the 37th week of gestation.
Depending on the pregnancy, delivery may occur earlier. In case of this situation, it is necessary to visit the doctor more often and to report any abnormal situation to the doctor against possible risks. On the other hand, some risks that can be seen are listed below.
- Preeclampsia is seen more common in multiple pregnancies. Especially symptoms such as headache, abdominal pain, visual disturbances are signs of pregnancy poisoning. In such cases, it is necessary to contact the doctor directly.
- The risk of cesarean delivery is higher in multiple pregnancies.
- In monochorionic (identical) twins, there is a risk of some special complications (such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome), which is why the follow-up of identical twins should be done either by a perinatologist or together with a perinatologist.
- Vanishing twin syndrome is the condition in which twins are connected to pregnancy as a twin and continues singularly.