What Is Multiple Pregnancy?
A multiple pregnancy is when a woman carries a twin, triplet, or more babies in her womb. More than three babies are termed higher-order pregnancy.
Best Multiple Pregnancy Scan Centre In Chennai
Jammi Scans at T.Nagar is the best ISO certified Multiple Pregnancy test centre in Chennai.
Jammi Scans offers pregnancy scan services under the care of Dr Deepthi Jammi, an award winning Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Chennai. Here, we take the utmost care to keep yourself and your baby’s safety as our priority.
What Are Some Causes Of Multiple Pregnancy?
The use of fertility drugs to induce ovulation often causes more than one egg to be released from the ovaries and can result in twins, triplets, or more.
In vitro fertilization can lead to a multiple pregnancy if more than one embryo is transferred to the uterus. Identical multiples also may result if the fertilized egg splits after transfer.
Women older than 35 years are more likely to release two or more eggs during a single menstrual cycle than younger women. Therefore, they are more likely than younger women to become pregnant with multiples.
Other reasons are if the patient has a family history of twins on her mother’s side or if she has had a multiple pregnancy before.
A single fertilized egg splits in the other case, resulting in multiple identical embryos. This type of pregnancy results in identical twins (or more). Identical twins are less common than fraternal twins.
As the early ball of cells implants itself into the womb, the lining of the womb starts growing another type of tissue called the placenta.
The growing embryo is attached to the placenta through a tube called the umbilical cord. The placenta supplies all the nutrients and blood to the growing fetus.
The fetus grows within a bag of fluid called the amniotic sac. The inner lining of the amniotic sac is called the amnion. The outer lining is called the chorion, and connects to the placenta.
Dizygotic fetuses have their own placenta, amnion and chorion. Each fetus develops separately in its own sac with its own blood supply. Each placenta may be separate or fused together.
In identical (monozygotic) pregnancies, however, this situation is more complicated. It depends on exactly when the zygote divided into two or more zygotes.
There may be one placenta or more than one. If there is one shared placenta, this is called a monochorionic pregnancy. There can be various different types of monozygotic pregnancies – for example:
- Twins can be dichorionicdiamniotic. The twins have separate amnions and chorions. This is the type of twin pregnancy with least risk.
- Twins can be monochorionicdiamniotic. The twins share the same chorion and placenta. They grow in separate amniotic sacs.
- Twins can be monochorionicmonoamniotic. The twins share the same amnion, chorion and placenta.
- Siamese twins (conjoined twins). The fetuses themselves are joined together physically. It is very rare.
- Triplets can be:
- Trichorionic. Each baby has its own placenta and chorion.
- Dichorionic. Two of the babies share a placenta and chorion and the other is separate.
- Monochorionic. All three babies share the same placenta and chorion.
These different types of multiple pregnancy have different risks and problems attached to them. Antenatal care is therefore different depending on which type of multiple pregnancythe patient has. Generally, the more babies there are, the higher the risk.
In twin pregnancies, one twin can receive a reduced blood supply and have a slower growth rate (twin-twin transfusion). Sometimes, there is a small risk of miscarrying one fetus.
A single fertilized egg splits in the other case, resulting in multiple identical embryos. This type of pregnancy results in identical twins (or more). Identical twins are less common than fraternal twins.
What Is Meant By A Non-Identical And Identical Twin?
In some cases, more than one egg is released during the menstrual cycle, and each is fertilized by a sperm resulting in more than one embryo getting implanted and growing in the uterus.
This type of pregnancy results in fraternal twins (non-identical).
A single fertilized egg splits in the other case, resulting in multiple identical embryos. This type of pregnancy results in identical twins (or more). Identical twins are less common than fraternal twins.
Difference Between Identical And Non-Identical Twins
Identical babies are called monozygotic :
Monozygotic siblings come from one egg. In this case the egg has been fertilised by one sperm and then split into two or more embryos. These babies will all be the same sex. They will all have identical genes.
Non-identical twins are called dizygotic :
Triplets or higher multiples are polyzygotic. In this case each egg is fertilised by a separate sperm. The babies are not necessarily the same gender and they have different genes.
Is The Risk Of Complications Higher With Multiple Pregnancy?
- The risk of certain complications is higher with multiples such as:
- There is an increased risk of stillbirth.
- There is an increased risk of preterm birth.
- Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) occurs commonly in monochorionic twins. But it also occurs in monochorionic and dichorionic triplets.
- There is an increased risk of umbilical cord entanglement, mainly in monochorionicmonoamniotic twin pregnancies.
- There is an increased risk of IUGR.
- There is an increased risk of congenital abnormalities.
Type Of Scans Done In Multiple Pregnancies
The extra scans that can be performed for multiple pregnancies are:
- A chorionicity scan at the same time as the dating scan and combined screening test. This is to check whether the babies share a placenta, or have one each.
- Growth scans in the third trimester will check that the babies are growing normally. Babies sharing a placenta will be scanned every two weeks from 16 weeks. Those with their own placenta will be scanned every four weeks from 20 weeks.
Scanning twins is more of a challenge than scanning one baby, because one twin is often behind the other.
If one baby’s head is low in the pelvis, it would be difficult to get any measurements. The scans will take more time than they would for a single pregnancy.
It may not be easy to check the babies’ growth, and scans will not tell exactly how big the babies are. But by measuring them each time during a scan it’s possible to get an idea of whether they’re growing normally.
A variety of measurements have to be taken into account to get an accurate picture of the babies. Where possible, measurements of the babies’ heads, abdomen and thigh bones will be taken.
Difference in the size of twins, whether identical or not, is expected and normal. It’s only when one twin is more than 25 per cent bigger than the other, or growing much faster, that there may be a problem.
Despite an increased number of scans, it has to be noted that there is no increased risk to the mother or the babies.
- Differences in fetal weight should be monitored using two or more parameters at each ultrasound scan from 20 weeks.
- Mothers with uncomplicated dichorionic twin pregnancies should be scanned every 4 weeks from week 20.
- Mothers with uncomplicated monochorionicdiamniotic twin pregnancies should be scanned every 2 weeks from week 16.
- Monochorionic twins should be scanned fortnightly to detect TTTS from 16 to 24 weeks of gestation.
- Women with uncomplicated trichorionictriamniotic triplet pregnancies should be scanned every 4 weeks from week 20.
- Women with uncomplicated monochorionictriamniotic and dichorionictriamniotic triplet pregnancies should be scanned every 2 weeks from week 16.
- If there is a 25% or greater difference in size between twins or triplets, this is a clinically important indicator of growth restriction.
Prenatal Diagnosis
It should be noted that in a multiple pregnancy, there is a greater likelihood of Down syndrome, hence different options for screening and a higher false-positive rate of screening tests.
In case of monozygotic twins, the risk is the same for each twin. However if the babies are not monozygotic, the risk of Down’s syndrome will be different for each. It is not possible to be as accurate in determining this risk in multiple pregnancies as it is when there is just one baby. As a result of this patients have a greater likelihood of being offered invasive testing and of complications occurring from this testing.
Screening tests for genetic disorders that use a sample of the mother’s blood are not as sensitive in multiple pregnancy. It is possible to have a positive screening test result when no problem is present in either baby.
Invasive tests for birth defects include chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. These tests are harder to perform in a multiple pregnancy because each fetus must be tested. There also is a small risk of loss of one or all of the fetuses. Screening should be performed between approximately 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days during which:
- The Fetal positions should be noted.
- Triplet pregnancies should use nuchal translucency and maternal age. It is not advisable to use serum screening.
- Mothers with uncomplicated monochorionicdiamniotic twin pregnancies should be scanned every 2 weeks from week 16.
If one fetus is detected as abnormal, selective termination (if desired) must be accurately targeted. Selective termination in monochorionic pregnancies could pose risksto the co-twin.
What Is Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome?
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) can affect identical twins who share a placenta (monochorionic twins).
TTTS happens when there is an imbalance in the placental blood vessels that connect both twins. If the blood doesn’t flow evenly between the twins, one gets more blood, called the recipient twin, while the other gets less blood (the donor twin).
The uneven blood flow results in the recipient twin growing bigger, due to the extra nutrients and fluid than the donor twin.
The extra fluid the recipient twin takes in can put a strain on the heart. The body will try to get rid of the fluid by producing more urine. As a result, the recipient will have too much surrounding amniotic fluid, while the donor will have little or none.
The recipient twin and the extra fluid can press the donor twin against the wall of the womb (uterus). This may make the mother uncomfortable and can even result in contractions.
The vast majority of twins who share a placenta grow normally. A majority of the monochorionic twins don’t develop TTTS. TTTS can be very serious if it is not treated. However, treatment is successful in a significant percent of cases.
The scans for TTTS take place every two weeks from 16 weeks to 24 weeks. If there are signs that TTTS may be developing, the patient should have weekly scans and undergo further treatment.
The fetal medicine specialist can offer multiple options. One is to drain amniotic fluid from the fuller sac (amniodrainage). This may help to correct the imbalance and reduce the pressure inside the womb in mild or moderate TTTS.
In severe cases of TTTS, before 26 weeks, there is another option. The specialist may be able to use a laser to close the vessels in the placenta. A laser beam is used to destroy the abnormal vascular connections connecting the two twins. It is performed by a Fetal Medicine specialist under anaesthesia. The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes. A tiny telescope is inserted into the amniotic cavity through a minute incision on the mother’s abdomen. The abnormal vessels viewed are then closed using heat.
This will stop the blood imbalance supply between the twins. The specialist may also drain some of the excess fluid at the same time.
While laser treatment is a permanent treatment for TTTS, amniodrainage has to be repeated. However, laser treatment is more complex.
There is a risk of the patient’s water breaking, the placenta coming away from the womb wall (placental abruption), or miscarriage.
If the patient undergoes treatment for TTTS, then she’ll have to be scanned regularly to check that it’s resolved the problem and that the babies are growing well. This may be at least weekly until birth.
Babies affected by TTTS are more likely to be born prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions
There can be some possible symptoms of multiple pregnancies like severe morning sickness, extreme breast tenderness, or gaining weight more quickly than you expected. And it is also said if you have multiple pregnancies, you might have higher levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). But, all these symptoms don’t necessarily mean that you should carry multiple pregnancies. You will still need to confirm your pregnancy status with an ultrasound scan.
Fraternal twins: Two separate eggs are fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
Identical twins: are formed when a single fertilized egg is split in half.
Triplets and ‘higher-order multiples (HOMs): Happen rarely when a single fertilized egg splits, more than one egg is fertilized, or both things happen at the same time.
It is not possible to be as accurate in determining this risk in multiple pregnancies as it is when there is just one baby. As a result of this, patients are more likely to be offered invasive testing.
Extra care is needed when you carry multiple pregnancies like,
- Increased nutrition
- More frequent prenatal visits
- Increased rest
- Maternal and fetal testing
Certain health risk factors might be associated when you carry higher-order pregnancy (triplets or more). Your doctor might suggest a fetal reduction procedure in such a condition.