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.
Labor is often shorter with multiples. If you're delivering vaginally, that means you'll get to work on the pushing part faster. It could also be longer. With a baby duo growing within, sometimes the uterus can become stretched to a point where it might weaken mom's contractions.
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).
When you're carrying twins or more, you'll typically have a greater number of Braxton Hicks, although some women don't have any symptoms. It's just your body's way of helping you get ready for the real thing. Actual labor contractions are similar for twins and singles (and yes, we're sorry to say, they hurt).
A typical, single pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, but a twin pregnancy often lasts between 35 to 37 weeks. More than half of all twins are born prematurely (before 37 weeks), and the risk of premature delivery increases with higher-order multiples. Premature babies (preemies) can have health challenges.
Exactly when this will be will depend on your circumstances. But if your pregnancy has been uncomplicated, this may be at: 37-38 weeks if you are carrying twins with their own placentas (dichorionic) 36-37 weeks if you are carrying twin babies that share a placenta (monochorionic)
More than half of twins are born early, with more than ten percent born very preterm, before 32 weeks. According to the March of Dimes, you are six times more likely to deliver early with twins than with one baby. With triplets, quadruplets and other higher-order multiples, the odds are higher, nearly 100 percent.
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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.
Your body typically gets rid of the plug between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation. It can even happen as late as when you are pushing baby out! (Yes, this happened to me in my 3rd birth.) Some women can lose it earlier in the pregnancy—the body will create more mucus to protect your baby.
Twin pregnancies are at an increased risk of a range of obstetric complications, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [3,4], gestational diabetes [5], growth restriction [6,7], and intrauterine fetal demise [8]. These conditions are often indications for the delivery and induction of labor.
Multiples are generally born only a few minutes apart. If delivered by cesarian section, the interval between births is usually only a minute, maybe two. The interval is generally longer for vaginal deliveries, ranging from a few minutes to more than an hour.
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.
The first stage of labor is the longest stage. For first-time moms, it can last from 12 to 19 hours. It may be shorter (about 14 hours) for moms who've already had children. It's when contractions become strong and regular enough to cause your cervix to dilate (open) and thin out (efface).
The median twin-to-twin time interval was 19 min (range 2–399) with 217 (41.2%) of the second twins being born within 15 min, 143 (27.1%) second twins were born within 16–30 min, 70 (13.3%) within 31–45 min, 37 (7%) within 46–60 min and 60 (11.4%) after 60 min.
Tightening or low, dull backache that may be constant or come and go, but changing positions and other comfort measures don't ease it. Menstrual-like cramps or lower abdominal cramping that may feel like gas pains, with or without diarrhea.
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. Babies born at under 5.5 pounds are considered to have a low birth weight.
The cervix generally needs to be dilated to 10 centimeters before it's ready for the baby to pass through. Your cervix can be dilated to a couple of centimeters for a few weeks before delivery. This softening can cause the mucus plug to be dislodged and come out.
Monochorionic-monoamniotic twins are identical twins that share both a placenta and an amniotic sac. This is the rarest and highest risk form of twin pregnancies.
The hardest thing about having twins is...
“Managing the movement of two babies. Carrying them both up and down the stairs, getting them into the car, etc.” —Simeon R. “Often having to make one baby wait!” —Catharine D. “Being outnumbered—the logistics of two on one is definitely the hardest.
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).
Drink Alcohol, Use Drugs, or Smoke. It's never advisable to drink alcohol excessively, smoke, or take drugs, whether you are pregnant or not. When you are pregnant, doing so exposes your unborn babies to toxic substances, raising their risk of birth defects and chronic illnesses.
Maternal age: Older mothers are known to labor longer. 6. Higher maternal body mass index: Studies show that mothers who are overweight have longer labors.
Transition phase of labor
The end of active labor is sometimes referred to as the transition to the second stage of labor. It's when the cervix completely dilates to a full 10 centimeters, and is the shortest – but generally considered the hardest – part of labor.
What is the second stage of labor? The first stage of labor ends and the second stage begins when your cervix is 10 centimeters dilated. This is usually the most difficult stage of labor because you start trying to push your baby out. It can last anywhere from half an hour to several hours.
The average weight of twins is 2.5kg.