Overall, it is considered that twin delivery should be around 37 weeks for dichorionic twins and 36 weeks for monochorionic twins. With singletons, the neurodevelopmental outcomes are best with delivery at 41 weeks, but the odds of death around the time of delivery are best at weeks 38-39.
A little more than half of twin pregnancies end in preterm delivery (before 37 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).
Among the 17 sets of monoamniotic twins that reached 30 weeks' gestation with at least one twin still alive, there were no further fetal deaths. The risks of early delivery in these pregnancies appear to outweigh the risk of fetal death as a result of monoamniotic status alone.
"And what the patient decides they are comfortable with regarding their risk level for themself and their baby — that's up to them and their doctor." While rare, there are mothers who carry healthy twins to 40 weeks and beyond.
Twin pregnancies have a higher risk for prematurity, which means birth that occurs after 20 weeks but before 37 weeks gestation. Just 40% of twin pregnancies go full term.
In fact, one British study tested ESP potential among identical twins and found that they were correct about 25% of the time, the same as any other siblings. There is one particular power though which twins possess, longevity. Fraternal twins live longer than singletons and identical twins longer still.
Twin pregnancies
The risk of stillbirth was significantly increased between 34 and 35 weeks (from 7.02, 95% CI, 5.4–8.93 to 12.3, 95% CI, 10.03–14.88 per 10,000 ongoing pregnancies) and between 37 and 38 weeks (from 12.56, 95% CI, 9.55–16.14 to 31.1, 95% CI, 21.67–42.92 per 10,000 ongoing pregnancies).
Twins are more likely to be born early, often before 38 weeks, so it's important to understand your birth options. Less than half of all twin pregnancies last beyond 37 weeks. Because of the likelihood that your babies will be born early, there is a good chance one or both of them will spend some time in special care.
People over 30, and particularly those over age 35, are more likely to conceive twins. 4 This is because the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) rises as birthing parents get older. FSH is responsible for the development of eggs in the ovaries before they are released.
Being pregnant with multiples doesn't necessarily mean that your pregnancy will be problematic. However, women carrying multiples do have a higher chance of developing complications such as high blood pressure and preterm labor. For this reason, all multiple pregnancies are considered high-risk.
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That's not all, Monga says. Women pregnant with twins complain of more back pain, sleeping difficulties, and heartburn than those who are carrying one child. Being pregnant with twins also carries a higher rate of maternal anemia and a higher rate of postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding) after delivery.
Twins can change positions, but if they're head-down at 28 weeks, they're likely to stay that way. When delivering twins vaginally, there is a risk that the second twin will change position after the delivery of the first.
Most often, fetuses known in utero as twin A are also first born and thus retain their label. However, this is not always the case, such that the twin A newborn was previously labeled twin B in utero and vice versa.
However, for a given pregnancy, only the mother's genetics matter. Fraternal twins happen when two eggs are simultaneously fertilized instead of just one. A father's genes can't make a woman release two eggs. It sounds like fraternal twins do indeed run in your family!
While the average single baby weighs 7 pounds at birth, the average twin weighs 5.5 pounds. Triplets typically weigh 4 pounds each, and quads weigh 3 pounds each.
The risk of preterm labor and premature birth are heightened when there is more than one baby in the womb. 1 Other conditions such as preeclampsia, placental dysfunction, and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome are more prevalent in twin pregnancy and increase the risk of an early delivery.
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.
Compared with singletons, monochorionic twins have a 13-fold increased risk of stillbirth and dichorionic twins a five-fold increased risk. Twin pregnancies account for almost 6% of all stillbirths, 18% of neonatal deaths (NND) and 20% of preterm births (many of which occur <28 weeks' gestation).
Triplets and identical twins who share a placenta and amniotic sac (Monochorionic monoamniotic or MCMA) are the most likely to experience problems. This is followed by identical twins who share a placenta, but have their own amniotic sacs (Monochorionic diamniotic or MCDA) .
Neonatal intensive care unit admission is required for one-fourth of twin and three-fourths of triplet deliveries. Despite these numbers, it is important to note that the vast majority of multiple-birth infants do survive. Fetal death occurs in about 1.6% of twins and 2.7% of triplets.
The average weight of twins is 2.5kg.
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.
Rob Atlas, M.D., an ob-gyn at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, calls twin pregnancies "double trouble." Moms carrying twins are at higher risk for premature birth, high blood pressure, and—especially in the case of identical twins—fetal abnormalities.