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Finding out that you’re pregnant can be an exciting and overwhelming news. After all, your entire life is going to change and who doesn’t love a new addition to the family? But then realizing that you’re having twins or multiples later on during pregnancy can be quite a surprise. Of course every baby is a blessing but we’re sure the mother has some reservations about how she’s going to carry and give birth to all or both of the beautiful babies. And that’s a valid concern. For this reason alone, many women can’t wait to find out if they are having twins or multiples. The sooner the better as this way they have time to mentally and physically prepare themselves for what’s to come. So if you’re wondering when you can find out if you’re having more than one little bundle of joy and what the signs may be, then this is the article for you. Read on to know more!
Are There Any Early Signs That Show That You’re Having Twins Or Multiple?
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It’s true that you won’t be 100% sure if you’re having twins or multiples until you have an ultrasound, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any early signs that you can look out for. There are a couple of telltale signs that you can catch onto like experiencing severe morning sickness, extreme breast tenderness or even gaining weight and showing a baby bump more quickly . Experiencing bouts of extreme fatigue can also be a sign that you are carrying twins or multiples. But keep in mind that all of these symptoms can also be applied to a normal, single baby pregnancy as well. Factors like stress, a demanding work life and juggling many responsibilities can also leave you feeling exhausted and sick during your pregnancy. So, twins or not, try to take it easy and focus on giving your body and brain a break. After all, they are hard at work and need all the rest they can get.
The greatest telltale sign that you’re pregnant with twins at an early stage is that you have a greater appetite, your weight increases rapidly and that your baby bump starts to “show” every quickly. You may also start to feel the babies move in different parts of your stomach. This will feel different from one baby just moving their hands and legs simultaneously.
When Can You Find Out If You’re Having Twins Or Multiples?
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Thankfully, women typically find out that they are having twins or multiples during their first trimester ultrasound itself. So, the chances of another baby sneaking up on them later on during the pregnancy are slight. In fact, nowadays, even a pregnancy blood test can detect that the person may be expecting twins or multiples. How cool is that! This is mainly due to the fact that you may have higher levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), that is, the pregnancy hormone, when pregnant with multiples or twins. But it is important to note that higher levels of hCG don’t guarantee that you are pregnant with multiples either. So, it’s best to hold off on buying two cribs and car seats until you have confirmation through an ultrasound. This also applies when using a doppler in order to detect if you’re having twins. A doppler is an instrument that is used to detect fetal heartbeat sounds. But keep in mind that it is possible to hear a single heartbeat in two different sides of a mother’s womb. This doesn’t mean that there are two separate heartbeats or babies. Only a skilled midwife or doctor can differentiate between the two. So, instead of taking your chances, go do an ultrasound and find out once and for all.
What To Do Once You Learn You’re Having Twins Or Multiples?
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Well, you can jump up and down in excitement or stay shocked for a while. Either reaction is valid. Finding out that you will be dealing with multiple newborns, toddlers and teenagers all at once can be overwhelming to say the least. And there’s a good chance that you will have to make changes to accommodate a multiple baby pregnancy or twin pregnancy. For instance, you may need more help than you anticipated. Or you might need to change your birth plan altogether. Do you really want to give birth at home with the help of a midwife and not in a hospital setting? Are you sure you don’t want an epidural? A vaginal birth for one baby can be tiring, let alone two or more. So, take your time scouting your options and make an informed decision.
Being pregnant with twins and multiples can be a lot to deal with. But the more prepared you are and the more time you have to process your new reality, the better you will be at adapting to all the new challenges coming your way. So, make sure to keep an eye out for any signs and do an ultrasound to confirm the good news!
Sources
- Prediction of twin pregnancy preeclampsia based on clinical risk factors, early pregnancy serum markers, and uterine artery pulsatility index, NCBI
- Fetal Movement, NCBI
- Urinary hCG patterns during the week following implantation, NCBI
