Twin and Multiples Pregnancy Complications
A multiple birth takes place when a pregnant woman carries more than one foetus, in a single pregnancy term. However, this is prevalent in animals or placental species; it is not a very common sight amongst humans.
Twins or other multiple births off springs are either Monozygotic or Dizygotic. Monozygotic babies are born when a single fertilised egg splits into two or more embryos. The foetuses in these embryos are mostly of same sex and are called identical. In addition, they are genetically same. Dizygotic are also called fraternal multiples. They happen when more than one ovum is matured and is released in a menstrual cycle. When these matured eggs get fertile by sperms, they grow into multiple embryos. Fraternal siblings are not identical and are genetically different.
Factors Responsible for Multiple Births:
In the recent past, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of multiple births. Following factors are responsible for the recent rise in this scenario, especially the first two factors:
- Age: Older pregnant women, after the age of 30-35 years, are more likely to give birth to multiple babies rather than a young woman. In recent times, more and more couples are delaying parenthood and that increases the probability of a multiple pregnancy.
- Infertility Treatments: fertility drugs, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and IVF increases the chances of multiple pregnancies.
- Prior Pregnancies: the number of prior pregnancies and especially multiple pregnancies increases the future chances of multiple pregnancies.
- Family History: a history of birth in the maternal side of the woman’s family increases her chances of having a multiple pregnancy.
Risks Involved in a multiple Pregnancy:
Not only raising twins or multiple siblings are difficult, also, a multiple pregnancy is more medically complicated, difficult and risky. Most of the multiple pregnancies are termed as ‘High Risk’. However, the would-be-mother should not panic but take every possible measure and precautions.
The risks involved are:
- High Infant Mortality Rate: Multiples have a higher risk of infant mortality and risks of stillbirths. In addition, the gestation period in these pregnancies are less than a normal singleton pregnancy. In addition, extreme cases of multiple pregnancy, which consists of quadruplets or more usually results in death of all or almost all fetuses.
- Premature Birth: A multiple pregnancy has higher chances of resulting in premature births. This affects the health of the babies and the mother.
- Low Birth Weight: The babies born out of a multiple pregnancy are more likely to have a lower birth weight than the babies born out of a normal singleton pregnancy are. This results in severe health issues, defects or future risks to the health of the baby.
- Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral Palsy is a very common seen ill effect seen in babies born out of multiple pregnancies.
- Partial Separation: Since the multiple embryos usually share the same amniotic sacs results in higher risks of umbilical chord compression, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, entanglement and in some cases it may also result in conjoined twins, which can impair functioning of their internal organs.
Multiple Birth Delivery:
For birthing process, usually Caesarean delivery method is used for multiple pregnancies than the vaginal method. Moreover, the babies born are shifted and admitted immediately to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after birth. More than 90% of these babies require intensive care after delivery.
How To Cope Up With Multiple Pregnancy :
Many women get fearful and anxious after discovering that they are dealing with a multiple pregnancy. However, there are several complications and risks involved, but many women give birth to healthy multiple off springs without many problems.
To get rid of this fear and anxiety, it is recommended to talk to other parents of multiples, and share their experience. You may come across some of their experiences of many difficult situations like preterm labour, premature births or extended hospitalisation, however, most of the pregnancies and births are smooth and without much hassles.
The advanced medical sciences make it easier and possible for multiple pregnant women to sail easily through their pregnancy. Talking to fellow parents and doctors about multiple pregnancy, will not only ease your tensions and fears and will also help you to prepare yourself for the delivery, post partum care and how to raise multiple babies.
Still if you are apprehensive or there are some medical complications involved, there are medical ways to terminate other foetus and retain only one embryo. These methods are usually applied when there are less chances of survival of all the embryos. Thus, to save at least one baby, other foetuses are terminated in the womb itself. Though multiple pregnancies will have its bouts of anxiety, fear and frustration, it will be a joyous, exciting and wonderful experience overall.