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High-Risk Pregnancy: Twins |
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by Izzy  (March 2007) (rank 5th) |
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Carrying twins automatically classifies the pregnancy as high-risk. This means that you will be monitored by your obstetrician and a perinatologist. Perinatologists are specialists who have the same education as an obstetrician, plus four more years of specialist study on high-risk pregnancies.
On my first visit to my
OB at 8 weeks, I had an ultrasound and that is when my husband and I found out we’re having twins. After that initial visit, my OB has ordered me to come back every 4 weeks, and to see the perinatologist as well (every four weeks, or as the perinatologists orders). Perinatologists have high resolution ultrasound machines that provide more information than other machines.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF TWIN PREGNANCIES?
- Twice the rate of Preeclampsia (compared to singleton pregnancies)
- Gestational Diabetes – especially if you experienced this in previous pregnancies
- Placental Abruption – a condition when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before delivery
- Low birth weight – twins and other multiples mean there are more babies sharing a small space. Though the babies grow at the same rate as singleton babies during the first 2/3 of the pregnancy, their growth slows down significantly therefarfter.
- Increased risk of preterm labor
- Possibility of bed rest – My doctor has warned me that if my cervix starts to change at all, that I may be put on bed rest. Though in my research, I have found some articles which claims that there is no evidence that bed rest make any difference.
- Twin to Twin Transfusion – though rare, it is a very serious condition that happens in identical twin pregnancies. This is a condition where one baby receives more blood and therefore gets bigger than the other, who isn’t getting enough blood.
Out of the risks I’ve included in the list above, and the risks I haven’t included, the most that concerns me is the Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. It is pretty rare, but very serious. I am now on my 24th week of pregnancy, and the perinatologist has told me that one baby has more amniotic fluid than the other. Though this alone is not an indication of twin to twin transfusion, it does worry me.
I’ve already had 5 ultrasounds in 24 weeks. Sounds excessive, but that is the nature of the pregnancy. Because of the excessive amniotic fluid on one of my babies, I am now seeing my perinatologist every week. I am still seeing my obstetrician every 4 weeks, but he has already warned me that at around 30 some weeks, I will be seeing him every week to monitor if I am having any contractions.
If you find you’re pregnancy with twins or higher order multiples, it is a lot to digest and there is really nothing you can do to avoid any of the risks. But like any other pregnancies, it is important to eat healthy and get some exercise and most of all stay positive. It is a mindset that is hard to be in all time, but it’s important to have a healthy outlook, as constant stress may affect your babies negatively.
Copyright © 2007, username: Izzy @ www.minti.com. All rights in all media reserved. The content of this article may be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given.
