Pregnancy & Baby 
PregnancyTwinsTwo in one
Advertisement

Two in one

by Dr Howard Lee
continued from page 2
Growth retardation. This can sometimes occur within the womb and often the twins differ considerably in size from each other. Surprisingly, the difference can be greatest amongst identical twins.

Premature birth. There is an increased risk and this means also that the birth weight of twins can be low.

  • The average gestation time for singleton pregnancies is just over 40 weeks. For twins it is only 37 weeks.
  • Labour starts early in 20–50% of twin pregnancies compared with 5–10% in singleton pregnancies.
Doctors and midwives try to identify those mums likely to go into early labour and prevent this if possible. If it isn’t, they will make sure the babies are delivered in a hospital with neonatal facilities to care for premature babies.

Antenatal care will certainly entail more ultrasound screening, tests and investigations and more appointment sessions. It should also include social support and advice, to plan for the extra load before, during and after delivery.

Despite all the reassuring advice, you will undoubtedly develop some anxieties, and it is important that you express them. (You can email me at iVillage with any questions you have.) It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant your concerns – give voice to them because busy medical staff sometimes forget to reassure you about the normality of most births.

read more:  previous | 1 |  2 |  3 | print printer friendly send to a friend

iVillage TV - Pregnancy experts

View video in larger player
iVillage Recommends Maternity dresses
  
RATE IT
Loading ....
Loading ....
Most Viewed
  1. Fertile days
  2. Pregnancy week by week
  3. Ovulation calculator
  4. Celeb baby
  5. Ovulation
  6. Statutory maternity pay
  7. Embarrassing pregnancy questions answered
  8. Name dictionary
  9. Fertility calculator
  10. Cool celebrity baby names
Most Searched
  1. ovulation calculator
  2. early pregnancy
  3. ivf treatment
  4. due date calculator
  5. fertility
  6. spd
  7. fertility
  8. ovulation calendar
  9. pregnancy calendar
  10. baby names
Delicious   Digg   reddit   Facebook   StumbleUpon