According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple births are becoming more and more common. This may be for a number of reasons, including advanced maternal age and the increasing availability of fertility treatments. Years ago, multiple births were often a surprise in the deliver room. Today, however, we are more aware of the signs of carrying more than one baby.
High HCG Levels
Early on in pregnancy, you often have a blood test at your doctor's office to confirm pregnancy. This test measures the amount of HCG in your blood, and can reveal how far along a pregnancy is as well as how it is progressing. If this blood test detects unusually high amounts of HCG for your estimated conception date, it could indicate that you are having twins (or more).
More Severe Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnant women experience many telltale symptoms during their first, such as nausea and fatigue. In women who are carrying multiples, however, these symptoms are often much more intense. According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms that occur later in pregnancy may also be magnified by multiples, including heartburn, insomnia and shortness of breath.
Early Rapid Weight Gain
Most pregnant women do not gain much weight during the first trimester. However, women carrying multiples may begin to rack up extra pounds earlier in their pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the expected weight gain for women carrying more than one baby is about 10 lbs. more than those carrying a singleton. For women carrying three or more, the number also increases.
Abnormal Screen Results
During the second trimester, many women undergo a routine screening to check their unborn babies for signs of birth defects. High amounts of certain proteins found during this testing, which often takes place around the 16-week mark, can indicate a pregnant woman is carrying multiples.
Multiple Heartbeats
During a fetal Doppler, a baby's heartbeat can be heard as early as the end of the first trimester. When a pregnant woman is carrying multiples, more than one heartbeat may be heard during this exam. However, according to the American Pregnancy Association, multiple heartbeats may be missed if only one area of the abdomen is checked.
Early Fetal Movement
Most pregnant women can feel their babies move sometime during the second trimester, often around the 18- to 20-week mark. These movements are often tiny and hard to notice, especially for first-time moms. However, in women carrying multiples, fetal movements may be felt earlier than normal, and may be more intense.
A Larger Uterus
Obstetricians measure the approximate size of the uterus during regular check-ups to see how a baby is growing compared to norms. In women who are pregnant with multiples, however, the uterus will end up larger than in those carrying a singleton. A uterus that is larger than expected during an exam can be a sign that a woman is carrying twins, or maybe more.
