Only an ultrasound can tell you whether you're carrying multiples for sure; even hearing the heartbeat isn't a fail-proof method, since a doctor may only detect one heartbeat at a time. Still, even if you haven't had an ultrasound, your body could be indicating a multiple pregnancy through some of the magnified pregnancy symptoms you may experience. By evaluating your symptoms, you can discuss them with your obstetrician to decide the likelihood of you carrying multiples.
Rapid Weight Gain
One of the earmarks of a multiple pregnancy is rapid weight gain. If you've had a singleton pregnancy already, you may find that you gain weight and show much earlier than you had in previous pregnancies. The weight gain is the result of various factors, including an increased appetite to provide nutrition for three or more, the added weight of more than one fetus and the weight of more than one placenta, if your multiple babies each have their own.
Large Measurements
Your body will intuitively begin to stretch and grow to make room for more than one baby, which is why you'll likely measure ahead of schedule if you're carrying multiples. If your OB measures your belly at each appointment, he may notice a rapid rate of growth, which compensates for the size of two babies rather than one. While measuring ahead is not a sure sign of a multiple pregnancy, when combined with other symptoms, it can point toward more than one baby.
Fetal Movement
With more than one baby in your uterus, you're bound to feel fetal movement. Mothers can typically feel the movement of a single baby between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. Because of the reduced space in the uterus with a multiple pregnancy paired with the movement of more than one baby, it's likely that you could feel fetal movement earlier or on the early side of normal. You may also experience fetal movements in different parts of your uterus at the same time, a telltale sign of more than one fetus.
Extreme Fatigue
Carrying one baby can be exhausting. Your body's efforts are going toward your baby's development, which can make you feel tired. More than one baby only compounds the effect, making you feel tired much of the time. Other magnified symptoms, such as extreme nausea, dizziness and mood swings can also affect you more deeply during a multiple pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about scheduling an ultrasound to get a definitive answer.
