The Average Birthweight of Twins While the risks for twins are not as elevated as they are for higher-order multiples, twins are still more likely to be born early and weigh less.
The main cause of low birthweight is preterm delivery, and this is more common in monozygotic than dizygotic twin pregnancies, due particularly to premature rupture of the membranes.
Twin delivery, on average, occurs around 35 to 36 weeks. Triplets and quadruplets may come even sooner. Moms of singletons, on average, deliver at 39 weeks. Since many twin births happen early, the average twin arrives weighing about 5 1/2 pounds.
It has been well documented that twins are shorter at birth than are singletons and that a difference in body height remains for at least a few years after birth (1–4). It is unclear, however, whether the difference persists into adulthood.
The average weight of twins is 2.5kg.
In addition, previous studies have shown that first-born twins are, on average, taller and heavier than second-born twins until adolescence (Silventoinen et al., 2007; Pietiläinen et al., 2002).
The median gestation-specific birthweight for twins were remarkably similar to those for singletons from a similar era until around 32 weeks gestation. The difference then becomes progressively more pronounced, reaching 640 g for males and 480 g for females at 40 weeks.
While 40 weeks is the full gestation period of the average pregnancy, most twin pregnancies are delivered at approximately 36 weeks (range 32-38 weeks depending on the type of twin pregnancy).
Studies also show that twins are more likely to suffer from specific health disorders. While they represent just 2 percent of the general population, twins make up 7.4 percent of the nation's cerebral palsy sufferers.
Multiples are about twice as likely as singleton babies to have birth defects, including neural tube defects (such as spina bifida), cerebral palsy, congenital heart defects and birth defects that affect the digestive system. Growth problems. Multiples are usually smaller than singleton babies.
Babies who are multiples have about twice the risk of birth defects than singleton babies, including neural tube defects such as spina bifida and heart and gastrointestinal abnormalities. Cerebral palsy. Twin babies are more than four times as likely than single babies to have cerebral palsy.
A baby is more likely to be very low birth weight if he or she is premature or has intrauterine growth restriction. Other things linked to the mother can increase the risk for VLBW, growth restriction, and prematurity. They include: Having an infection during pregnancy.
Barring pregnancies that result from assisted reproductive technology, dizygotic twins are far more common than monozygotic twins and account for 70 percent of all twin gestations.
If one identical twin has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the other twin has a 76 percent chance of also being diagnosed with it. The numbers are lower for fraternal twins. The percentage of fraternal twins who each share an ASD diagnosis is 34 percent for same-sex twins and 18 percent for boy-girl pairs, Dr.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), for example, recommends delivery between 34 and 37 weeks for twins with a shared placenta and at 38 weeks for twins with separate placentas. Some other physician groups recommend delivery closer to 39 weeks with separate placentas.
The most significant percentage of twins (49%) was observed to be delivered at 37-38 weeks, and 6% were preterm. About 60% of mothers were between 25 and 35 years of age, and in 57%, this was their first pregnancy.
Twins are more likely to be born early, often before 38 weeks, so it's important to understand your birth options. Less than 1 in every 2 twin pregnancies continues beyond 37 weeks.
No. 7: If you're pregnant with twins, you may gain more weight than if you're carrying one child. "With twins, mothers gain more weight as there are two babies, two placentas, and more amniotic fluid," says Al-Khan. "You also need more calories for twin pregnancies."
The heaviest birth weight for surviving twins on record goes to Mrs. J.P. Haskin of Arkansas, on February 20 1924, whose twins weighed in at an eye-watering 14lbs & 13lbs 12oz, totalling 27lb 12oz. The Uk's heaviest set appear to have been the Warren's born on December 6th 1884 totalling 25lbs 8ozs.
In Australia, twins happen in 1 in every 80 births. This means that 1 in 40 Australians is a twin.
“Having twins is not twice as hard—it's exponentially more difficult,” says Natalie Diaz, author of What To Do When You're Having Two and CEO of Twiniversity, a global support network for parents of twins.
Knowing which twin is the older one is usually a no-brainer. The time of birth is recorded, and whichever one is born first is officially the eldest.
There is no right or wrong answer, it's a personal preference. Some chose to be completely open or tell their twins to give a “smaller” twin leverage if he/she is older. Other choose not to tell so that they don't bicker about the subject or the dominate “older” twin doesn't have more leverage.
The process of labour is more or less the same as for 1 baby, but your maternity team will usually advise you to have your babies electronically monitored because of the higher risk of complications. This means attaching belts with sensors (1 for each twin) to your bump.