What’s a multiple pregnancy?

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Multiple gestation, or multiple pregnancy, occurs when two or more fetuses are conceived in the same woman at the same time. It can be differentiated from the term “multiple births” because it refers to the conception of fetuses and may or may not lead to the birth of multiple children. In some cases, a woman’s body may naturally reduce the number of fetuses present, or a woman may decide to reduce the number due to the health risks associated with multiple gestations.

With multiple gestation, the fetuses are monozygotic or dizygotic. Monozygotic means that, during conception, the sperm fertilizes an egg, which will later divide into two or more developing embryos. These types of siblings are genetically identical and almost always of the same sex.

Dizygotic multiples occur when a woman’s body releases several eggs, and those eggs are each fertilized by different sperm cells. The resulting fetuses are fraternal brothers and are not identical. Fraternal twins or triplets are typically only similar to each other as other normal siblings.

Several factors can increase the chance of multiple gestations. There is a higher rate of occurrence with the use of fertility drugs or treatments, such as IVF. Multiple gestation is also more likely to occur in older women or those with a family history of multiple births.

With this type of pregnancy, the mother faces a few more considerations. She usually has to eat more than she would if she were carrying a single baby. The expectant mother may also experience more discomfort due to the extra weight gain, and also because her uterus becomes larger than that of a typical pregnant woman.

There are additional risks associated with multiple gestations. The mother is more likely to develop high blood pressure or gestational diabetes and may experience more nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. During childbirth, there is also a danger of prolonged labor and excessive bleeding. These mothers are also more likely to give birth by cesarean section than by vaginal delivery.

Multiple gestation is also more likely to cause premature birth, which can lead to even more complications. Babies born prematurely are likely to have a lower birth weight and may have developmental problems or serious health problems. In particular, cerebral palsy is more common among twins, triplets, and other multiples.

A mother carrying two or more fetuses should expect more medical supervision and specialized prenatal care. It may be necessary for the mother to attend more frequent visits with her doctor or for her to receive additional tests. Although multiple gestation can be more complicated than single births, most outcomes are positive.

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