When we receive the news of a pregnancy, it is normal for the doubt to jump, will it be one or two? Twin pregnancies are becoming more and more common, and it is logical to have the doubt whether it will be a single or twin pregnancy. The safest way to know the number of embryos that there are, is through ultrasound, but there are a series of signs that give us some clue to know if you are pregnant with twins.
Increase in the number of twin pregnancies
There are more and more twin pregnancies. When a few decades ago, seeing a twin stroller was not very common, today it is something we see a lot. This increase in twin births is due to various factors. On the one hand, the increase in pregnancies achieved by fertility techniques which slightly increases the chances of having a multiple pregnancy. We talked about this topic in the article "Myths about assisted reproduction", since there is a belief that there will always be multiple pregnancies but only 24% of pregnancies through reproductive techniques are twins.
Another factor to take into account in the increase in twin pregnancies is the increased age of motherss. As women are older, we are more likely to have multiple ovulation in our menstrual cycles. And there is also the hereditary factor. If we have a history in the family of twins, we are more likely to have them as well.
How is a single pregnancy different from a twin pregnancy?
In general, the symptoms are the same but we can notice some differences that can help you know if you are pregnant with twins before the ultrasound. Let's see what they can be.
- More severe nausea and vomiting. Multiple pregnancies hCG hormone levels multiply also. With a blood test we will be able to know the levels of this hormone that we have in the blood, although it is not definitive either since many women with singleton pregnancies have this very high hormone. We can notice these triggered levels of this hormone in much more intense nausea and vomiting, especially in the first trimester.
- Extreme fatigue and tiredness. The body needs more rest to be able to give energy to two babies that are forming inside you. So it is normal to feel much more tired than usual, especially during the first months of pregnancy.
- Much more hunger and weight gain. With a twin pregnancy it is normal to gain more weight, since in the end there are two babies and not one, and the uterus has to grow faster to be able to house both of them. In the first trimester, an average of 2-3 kilos is usually gained in a single pregnancy, and about 5 kilos in a twin pregnancy. Because of the constant feeling of hunger, the body needs to rest and eat more.
- You will feel their movements before. Baby's first kicks, as we could see in this article, they usually begin to be felt in the 20th week of a single pregnancy. In the case of a twin pregnancy, even two weeks before.
What tests are necessary to detect if you are pregnant with twins?
- Ultrasound. It is the first test to confirm that it is a twin pregnancy. This test allows you to clearly see how many embryos there are and to know their growth.
- Hormone analysis. As we saw before, the hCG hormone increases in the case of multiple pregnancy. But it is not totally reliable either, an ultrasound will raise doubts.
- Heartbeats. If more than one heartbeat is heard through the Doppler there will obviously be more than one baby.
- Uterus size. The gynecologist can know the size of the uterus and if it matches the gestational age. If the uterus is larger than usual it may indicate multiple pregnancy.
Because remember ... do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you have any questions. As soon as an ultrasound can be done, you can know immediately if you have a single or twin pregnancy.