Pregnancy is an overwhelmingly exciting time. Each pregnancy is different, so the experience varies from one woman to the next, but in some cases the feelings and emotions are doubled because there are two babies to look forward to. Many women assume their experience is ordinary, but there are several common symptoms of being pregnant with twins to look for. Knowing the symptoms of being pregnant with twins will allow for the parents to plan for double the fun and also allow for the doctor to prepare for a twin delivery.
Fatigue
While most pregnant women suffer from fatigue, the fatigue is usually multiplied for the woman pregnant with twins. The reason for this fatigue is that the body is working hard to nourish not just one, but two growing babies. Extreme fatigue, coupled with other symptoms, is often a good indication a woman is expecting twins.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is known as the hallmark of pregnancy symptoms, but excessive morning sickness can be a sign of twins. The increased hormones associated with a multiple pregnancy plus the demand of more energy from the mother to the unborn fetuses can increase the presence of nausea and vomiting.
Weight Gain
In pregnancies with multiples, a woman will gain more weight than in single-fetus pregnancies. This is because there are two babies growing instead of one. The excess weight gain is about 10 pounds more than a single birth, but weight gain early or late in the pregnancy may be an indication that it is a twin pregnancy.
Measuring Large
Many women measure larger than they should for gestational age from time to time, but a pregnancy that is measuring large consistently even early in the pregnancy is a sign of a twin pregnancy. Measuring large alone is not a sure sign of a twin pregnancy, but it may be when accompanied by other signs.
Abnormal Test Results
Twin pregnancies are unique because the body is secreting more of the hormones or chemicals needed to sustain pregnancy or secreting them earlier than in a single pregnancy. Early in a pregnancy, a woman will have a high hCG test and will also have an abnormally high AFP test. These tests can come back high or positive for other reasons, so when they do come in high a doctor will usually order imaging to test to identify a multiple pregnancy.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Multiple Pregnancies: Twins, Triplets and More
- "Taking Charge of Your Fertility"; Toni Weschler; 2006
