FAQ: Twin Pregnancy

Got more than one baby on the way and curious about twin pregnancy symptoms? Your pregnancy is bound to be different from a single-baby pregnancy, so it's important to know some tips for twin pregnancy to make the most of this special time. Here are the answers to your most pressing questions about expecting twins or multiples.

How Did I Become Pregnant With Multiples?

IVF and certain fertility medications can raise the odds of having twins or more. A family history of twins also plays a role.

Multiples or twins can either be identical or fraternal, and, in a higher-order multiple pregnancy, you can have both identical and fraternal babies in the same pregnancy. Identical babies are conceived when one fertilized egg splits into two or more embryos. In the case of fraternal babies, two eggs are fertilized simultaneously, resulting in more than one embryo.

What Are the Symptoms of a Twin or Multiple Pregnancy?

If you're pregnant with twins or more, you might sense something different early on. Common signs of a twin pregnancy often include:

• Severe morning sickness, due to higher quantities of the hCG hormone being produced in the body

• Rapid weight gain over the first trimester

• If you're expecting twins, your baby bump might be bigger or show earlier. This is because your uterus is usually larger than if you were pregnant with just one baby

• Experiencing more breast tenderness than those carrying a single baby.

How and When Can a Multiple Pregnancy Be Confirmed?

Your healthcare provider may suspect you’re pregnant with twins or multiples if your uterus is larger than normal and if there seems to be more than one fetal heartbeat. An ultrasound exam − which uses sound waves to create visual images of your babies − can usually detect multiples by 12 weeks.

What Types of Twin Pregnancy Are There?

There are two types of twin pregnancies:

• Identical twin pregnancy. When you have identical twins, this means you had one fertilized egg that split into two very early on in your pregnancy. They will be the same sex and look very much alike, with the same eye color, hair color, and blood type.

• Fraternal twin pregnancy. This is the most common twin type. Fraternal twins can be thought of as two separate pregnancies happening at the same time while sharing the same womb. When two eggs are fertilized, these can develop into fraternal twins. This means genetically your babies are related to each other the same way siblings are related. You can have same-sex twins, or a boy and a girl. You can see how fraternal twins are different from identical twins in the image below.

You can learn more about the types of twins in our dedicated article.

How Is a Multiple Pregnancy Different?

Even if you're feeling good, carrying twins or more is considered a high-risk pregnancy. You'll probably see a specialist and have more check-ups, blood tests, and ultrasounds compared to a single baby pregnancy.

For more information, check out our twin week-by-week guide.

What Are Twin Pregnancy Risks?

• Premature delivery. The risk of premature delivery is higher in a multiple pregnancy. Calculate your approximate due date, but keep in mind your little gang might arrive early, possibly before 36 weeks. In this case, your babies might need special assistance with breathing or sucking for a while.

• Low birth weight. Each baby tends to be smaller in a multiple pregnancy, weighing on average 5. 1 pounds at the time of birth.

• One of the babies can get tangled in the umbilical cord. In very rare cases, some twin babies can share the same amniotic sac. This can be risky if one of the babies becomes tangled up in one of the umbilical cords. Should you have this kind of pregnancy, your healthcare provider will monitor you more frequently, and it is likely you will have to give birth via a c-section.

• Twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Another risk is twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), where one baby gets too much blood flow, and the other baby doesn't get enough. Your doctor will discuss with you how to overcome these challenges.

How Much Weight Should I Gain in a Twin Pregnancy?

When you’re pregnant with twins, it’s natural that you’ll gain more weight. It’s important that you gain the weight gradually and steadily to support your babies’ health.

Gaining weight while pregnant depends on your height and starting weight before you’re pregnant. In general, if you are healthy and had a normal weight before becoming pregnant, the recommended weight gain with twins ranges from 37 to 54 pounds. This may require an additional 600 calories a day (300 for each baby), on top of the recommended 2000 daily calories in the second half of your pregnancy, depending on your activity level. Ideally, you would gain about a pound a week in the first half of your pregnancy, and then a little more than one pound a week in the second half.

Read more about gaining weight healthily during pregnancy or try our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator.

How Can I Prepare for Twins?

Here are some tips for twin pregnancy to help you navigate your journey:

• Find the right healthcare provider. First up, it’s important to choose healthcare providers who are experienced with twins. They’ll be able to answer the questions that are relevant to your pregnancy and offer the appropriate advice and care.

• Take care of yourself. When you're expecting twins, taking care of yourself is key. Rest becomes even more crucial, especially in the second trimester. Light exercise can also help improve your sleep quality. Following a balanced pregnancy diet helps ensure you and your little ones are getting all the nutrients needed for healthy growth. It's also important to attend all your prenatal visits.

• Make sure you get ready with plenty of time to spare. If possible, try to take early maternity leave. Many parents expecting twins do this because their babies might arrive as early as 35 weeks. This extra time helps them get everything ready at home. This can mean stocking up on sets of everything from car seats to cribs, clothes, and diapers; babyproofing your home; and getting your hospital bags packed nice and early, at around 34 weeks.

Is It Normal to Feel Anxious About a Twin Pregnancy?

It’s natural to feel apprehensive about expecting two or more babies. After all, you’ll have to be prepared, focused, and physically fit to take care of more than one newborn at once. Having multiple babies means you'll have more of everything, but remember, your growing family will also bring a lot of joy. More children mean more love in your life.

Try to seek out support networks, speak to your healthcare provider, and find other parents of twins for guidance. Be sure to take a childbirth class, too; there are some that are designed specifically for parents of multiples.

The Bottom Line

Having twins can be a handful, but the joy is doubled! They'll always have a buddy, and you'll cherish watching them develop into unique individuals.

Stay informed about twin pregnancy symptoms and gather tips for twin pregnancy to ensure a healthy and smooth experience.

If you have been struggling to narrow down your baby name wish list, one of the benefits of having twins is that you can choose even more names for your little ones. Try our Baby Name Generator for more ideas.

Soon enough, you’ll have not one, but two bubbly little personalities adding joy to your family. And if you haven't already, download the Pampers Rewards app to earn discounts and rewards on all those diapers you'll be purchasing once your little ones arrive.