Multiple pregnancy: how to prepare for it?
Life has given you a wonderful surprise: during your first ultrasound, several embryos appeared on the screen… You're expecting twins or triplets , and the family is about to grow a little faster than expected! A twin or multiple pregnancy is a beautiful adventure that requires some planning and preparation, and it brings with it a host of questions: what about your prenatal care, your delivery, and the potential risks? Here are some answers and tips to help you best prepare for the arrival of two, or more, babies!
- Twin pregnancy and multiple pregnancy
- Living well with your twin or multiple pregnancy
- Getting organized after childbirth
Twin pregnancy and multiple pregnancy
Twin pregnancy is when you are carrying two babies, whether they are identical twins or not. On the other hand, we speak of multiple pregnancy if it involves at least three fetuses.
These cases remain relatively rare in France, since it is estimated that you have respectively a 1.6% and 0.03% probability of becoming pregnant naturally with twins or triplets.
However, couples going through a PMA (Medically Assisted Reproduction) course have a greater chance of seeing two or three babies implanted since the chances then reach 25% for twins and 2.5% for triplets.
Some couples dream of welcoming several children at the same time, yet there is no real natural method proven to be effective for promoting multiple pregnancies. However, the role of heredity is proven in the conception of fraternal twins: if your mother had them, you are indeed more likely to have them in your turn. Age also comes into play: you're more likely to have twins after age 35.
If the news takes you by surprise, you will now have to announce it and prepare as best you can for the arrival of the babies – and here are some tips to help you!
Living well with your twin or multiple pregnancy
Overall, a multiple pregnancy takes place, week by week, like a classic pregnancy, with a few differences, because these pregnancies can be synonymous with complications and risks for the health of the mother and fetuses. To give you an idea of what to expect, you can consult our section Pregnancy month by month. In the case of a multiple pregnancy, you will be monitored more closely by your gynecologist , who will offer you more frequent examinations (ultrasound, blood tests, etc.) to ensure the good health of the babies.
Women pregnant with twins or triplets typically gain 30 to 40 percent more weight than a woman expecting just one child. This tension can be difficult to bear for the mother-to-be (remember to hydrate your stomach well with anti-stretch mark treatments such as Pause Douceur which will instantly soothe your baby bump that stretches so much during this adventure!
Result: your stomach is heavier, its weight is heavy, back pain and fatigue intensify. This is why you would benefit from extended maternity leave: 34 weeks for twins, and 46 weeks for triplets, to fully recover before returning to work.
Especially since multiple pregnancies are rarely carried to term. The further the pregnancy progresses, the greater the risks for the pregnant woman (hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc.) but also for the fetuses. This is why an induction birth is generally considered around the 8th month (36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy).
Cramped inside your uterus, fetuses have less room to grow and generally weigh less than a “solo” baby while experiencing a greater risk of prematurity . If you are expecting monozygotic twins, who therefore share the same placenta – and who are commonly called “ identical twins ” – we will closely monitor the transfusion/transfused syndrome. One of the babies receives more than he gives, the other gives more than he receives: their growth is uneven and this imbalance is one of the most serious complications in the case of a twin pregnancy. It may require immediate delivery by cesarean section upon diagnosis.
If your pregnancy goes well, you are free to choose your maternity ward. But as a precaution, and because of the risk of complications and the risk of giving birth prematurely, you will probably be advised to opt for a level II or III maternity ward, specialized in the care of multiple births – with a neonatology unit and neonatal intensive care unit on site.
Getting organized after childbirth
The arrival of a baby generates many costs: you have to equip yourself with childcare equipment, put together a wardrobe, not to mention diapers and boxes of milk. A budget that multiplies very quickly if you are expecting several children ! Consider buying second- hand, renting the equipment or having it loaned to limit expenses. You can also create a birth list so that those around you can give you a gift that will be really useful to you on a daily basis!
Don't hesitate to join groups and associations of parents of twins or triplets who will share their experience with you and support you in your new life as a mother.
If you can, ask for help from those around you to take turns on bottles and diaper changes. Also check with the CAF: it can subsidize household assistance or a multiple birth bonus (depending on the departments and your resources). Help that will be very useful to you while you get your bearings with your little family!
Photo credit: tinyposers (Instagram), Amina Filkins & Pixabay (Pexels), Beaba USA (Pinterest)
