They say two are better than one, and that’s never more the case than when you’re expecting twins. With two babies, you get double the joy and fun of watching them grow.
When you’re pregnant with twins, there are additional factors to consider, and your prenatal care usually looks a bit different than when you’re expecting one baby. Anita Gondy, MD, Saovaros V. Michaels, MD, and Ankita Raman, MD, the OB/GYNs at Women’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada, Northwest in Las Vegas, Nevada, share what you need to know about pregnancy with twins.
Twin vs. singleton pregnancy
When you’re pregnant with twins, you grow two babies instead of one in your uterus. In most cases, you also have two placentas and amniotic sacs, one for each baby.
Twins are either fraternal or identical. Fraternal twins come from two separate eggs being fertilized, and identical twins result when one of your eggs splits into two eggs after it’s been fertilized.
Symptoms of twin pregnancy
The best way to confirm a pregnancy with twins is at your first ultrasound at The Ob-Gyn Center. During this ultrasound, we confirm how many babies you’re carrying as well as how far along you are.
Before this appointment, other signs of a twin pregnancy include:
- Showing and/or gaining weight more quickly
- Increased appetite
- Higher levels of fatigue
- More severe morning sickness
You’re more likely to become pregnant with twins if you have a history of multiple pregnancies in your family, used certain fertility drugs to conceive, or are over 35 when you conceive.
