Symptoms of Multiple Pregnancy

The symptoms of multiple pregnancy

There are some common symptoms of multiple pregnancy. However, each pregnant woman may feel symptoms differently. Symptoms of multiple pregnancy is listed below –

Increased morning sickness happening during anytime
Uterus is larger than expected and therefore, due date cannot be judged. There could be more pain as compared to single fetus
Increased appetite
In early pregnancy, there will be excessive weight gain
The fetal movements are felt in various parts of the abdomen and not at one particular place as in single fetus.

Diagnosing multiple pregnancy

It is often seen that many women guess that they are pregnant with more than one fetus, especially if they have been pregnant before. Therefore, in multiple pregnancy early diagnostic process is required genuinely. In addition to the complete medical history and thoroughly physical examination, diagnosis can be carried out by –

Blood test for pregnancy

This is common and simple to perform. The levels of hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) can be quite high with multiple pregnancy.

Ultrasound (sonography)

This is wonderful diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer that displays the inside portion. It also displays blood vessels, organs, tissues the positioning of the fetuses and also their measurements. Ultrasound is one of the most widely used tools to detect the pregnancy and to know about the status of pregnancy. Feeding the last menstrual period properly, the machine can also give your EDD – expected delivery date.

Alpha-fetoprotien

The levels of a protein that is released by the fetal liver and found in the blood of mother is high when more than one fetus is producing that protein. The levels of this protein may indicate the multiple fetuses in mother.

The management of multiple pregnancy

The multiple pregnancy needs specific management. Your doctor may determine your condition based on:

Your pregnancy, overall health and medical history
The number of fetuses your womb carry.
Your physical tolerance to certain medications, therapies and medical procedures
Your opinion, preference and permission
The expectations for the course of the pregnancy

The management for multiple pregnancy include following remedies –

More frequent prenatal visits

If you are carrying multiple fetuses, you need to see doctor often as compare to a woman with one fetus. The routine checkup is required more frequently to know the status of multiple fetuses.

The visits may require couple of tests each time you go. The doctor would never take a chance for anything going wrong since multiple pregnancy carries some extra risks of complications.

Increased nutrition

Two or more fetuses require more nutrition, which is quite obvious. The mother is to be supplied with more nutritious dishes and foods. The diet chart is strictly followed and it may differ from trimester to trimester. Higher weight gain is also advised for multiple pregnancy to meet the pregnancy requirements. The American college of Obstetrician and Gynecologists recommends that women carrying multiple pregnancy should minimum gain 35-45 pound.

Referrals

You might be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist known as perinatologist. This is done to have special testing or ultrasound evaluations or align care of complications might be necessary.

Increased rest

As compared to a woman carrying single fetus, multiple fetuses make mother to take more rest. Higher number of fetuses require mother to take bedrest in the beginning in the middle of the second trimester.

Tocolytic medications

Some medications those are given to help slow or stop contractions. These are tocolytic medications. These may be given either orally or through injections. Sometimes corticosteroids are prescribed to help mature the lungs of the fetus.

Cervical cerclage

Cerclage is the procedure that involves the suturing of the cervical opening to hold those multiple fetuses in the womb.
When there are multiple fetuses present in one womb, the cervix gets weakened and unable to remain closed during the pregnancy. There will be prematurely opening of the uterus that may bring the condition of miscarriage.