The onset of pregnancy is always a joyful event in the life of every woman. And the news that she will have not one, but two babies at once, although shocking at first, brings incredible happiness. It’s so wonderful to be a happy mother of two, or maybe three or four identical, funny kids!
In recent years, multiple pregnancies have increased worldwide. Why? Doctors put forward versions (well-founded) that the reason for this is the use of hormonal drugs as contraceptives, the use of in vitro fertilization techniques, the changed living conditions of modern women, the tendency to conceive and have offspring at a later age.
Plus, one of the reasons for the onset of multiple pregnancies is heredity. And if earlier it was believed that the ability to conceive two or more fetuses at the same time was transmitted exclusively through the female line, today it is customary to assign a “share of responsibility” for this happy “incident” to men.
Needless to say, multiple pregnancy is not only a double joy, but also a tremendous responsibility. But how could it be otherwise, because from now on you are responsible for the tiny life of not one, but two (three or more) babies at once! Moreover, multiple pregnancy and childbirth is a huge test for a woman’s body
Features of managing multiple pregnancies
The fact that a woman is pregnant with two or more fetuses is established by a doctor at an early stage using modern technologies (ultrasound). Since a woman’s body, in principle, is not intended for carrying and giving birth to several babies, such a pregnancy needs increased attention from the leading gynecologist and increased responsibility for her own health of the pregnant woman herself.
While still in the womb, such children are included in the “high risk” group, since multiple pregnancies and childbirth are distinguished by the likelihood of a variety of complications that can negatively affect the formation of the body and the development of children. These risks include miscarriages, severe toxicosis, prematurity of pregnancy, the development of various defects and pathologies in one or both fetuses, delayed intrauterine development of children, premature birth and complications during the labor process, underweight newborns and much more.
Therefore, increased, but fully justified, requirements are imposed on the management of multiple pregnancies, additional examinations, tests and examinations are assigned.
Childbirth with multiple pregnancies
As a rule, multiple pregnancies never last for the prescribed 40 weeks. That is, in most cases, such a pregnancy ends in premature birth, which, for obvious reasons, is associated with possible complications and risks.
In addition, one should take into account the fact that a successful delivery largely depends on the position of the fetus. If both babies lie head down, then it is likely that you will not have to resort to a cesarean section or other measures – the birth will take place naturally and will not be accompanied by special complications. If the babies are lying incorrectly, then surgical intervention will be required for a successful delivery.
To reduce possible risks, to avoid the risk of complications during childbirth, pregnant women with twins need to follow all the doctor’s requirements during the entire time of bearing children. So, visits to the doctor from the 20th week of pregnancy should be at least twice a month, and starting from the 30th week – 4 or more times a month. Additional examinations and analyzes in the third trimester of multiple pregnancies must be carried out without fail, and the expectant mother must go to the hospital in advance – at 35-38 weeks.
This is the only way to be sure that multiple pregnancies and childbirth will end happily, and cute twins, twins or even triplets or fives will be born!