Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘Multiple Pregnancy’

Having twins is not a rare fact, but three, four or more babies who are born at the same time – this is really rare. Many people say that it’s a game of nature. Despite the external attractiveness (birth of two at once – this is great!) the pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and children. Therefore, a woman with a multiple pregnancy should punctually comply with all the requirements of a doctor.

What is a multiple pregnancy?
Multiple pregnancy occurs with the development of two or more fetuses. The heredity is among the main causes of multiple pregnancy: there are families, where from generation to generation twins and triplets were born.
Multiple pregnancies can happen with the fertilization of two (three, etc.) eggs, and then develop twins of different fetuses. But sometimes a single fertilized egg develops two fetuses.
Fetal egg and its structure
Twins can share one egg with one common membrane (amnion) or a separate membrane for each fetus.
The examination of placenta can show whether twins were one-egg or two. For two-egg twins the presence of individual or contact placenta is characterizing, the septum between amnions has four leaves. For one egg twins a common placenta is characterizing, and the septum consists of two sheets.

Multiple pregnancy can proceed normally, but can often be complicated with miscarriage, premature delivery and toxicity. Even sometimes the following may appear: fatigue, breath shortness, rapid urination, constipation – all of this is due to the significant increase in the size of the uterus.
Development of the fetus is usually the same; the difference in their weight is low. But sometimes there may appear the unevenness of development associated with the presence of anatomizes (bridges) between the vessels of the fetus placenta. With various cardiac intensity the blood supply of one of them is better and because of that the second one will be less developed and may even die. Sometimes such fetus in the form of amorphous is called “paper” fetus.
Location of the fetuses in the uterus may be different, but mostly they both are in the longitudinal position (head down). There are also other options.

Multiple pregnancy diagnosis
Nowadays such a diagnosis is not difficult because the ultrasound lets us clearly hear the heartbeat of each fetus in the 2.5 weeks of pregnancy.

Multiple pregnancy births
Multiple pregnancy births usually occur through natural delivery. But sometimes there occur difficulties during childbirth: weak clan forces due to hyperextension of uterus, hypoxia (insufficient supply of oxygen to tissues)of the fetus, premature detachment of placenta after the birth of a second fetus, late breaking hulls of the second fetus, bleeding.

Assistance during multiple pregnancy childbirth
To control the activities of the uterus and to ease the childbirth anesthesia drugs, removing spasm of smooth muscles of internal organs including the uterus are used.

The fetal bladder of the first fetus is opened, gently and slowly releasing amniotic waters. The period of the expulsion of the first fetus is done in the natural way. But in case there are any complications from the mother or fetus they accelerate the process by using various techniques (e.g., overlaying obstetrical forceps).
After 10-20 minutes after the birth of the first fetus doctors usually reveal the second fetal bladder and give birth to the child and, if necessary, apply special obstetric techniques.
Then they carefully examine to determine their integrity (in the remaining piece of the uterus may bleed) and to determine their one-or two egg origin.

Prevention of multiple pregnancy complications
Multiple pregnant women require careful observation in a clinic. While there are any complications during pregnancy (e.g., toxicity or threat of miscarriage), a woman should be directed to the department of pathology in Maternity Hospital for receiving necessary treatment.