Contents
- Twin pregnancy: fraternal or identical twins, not the same number of ultrasounds
- Pregnant with twins: more pronounced symptoms and severe fatigue
- Twin pregnancy: should you stay bedridden?
- Twin pregnancy and rights: longer maternity leave
- A maternity level 2 or 3 to give birth to twins
- A scheduled birth to consider
Twin pregnancy: fraternal or identical twins, not the same number of ultrasounds
To detect a possible anomaly and take care of it as quickly as possible, expectant mothers of twins have more ultrasounds.
The first ultrasound is at 12 weeks of gestation.
There are different types of twin pregnancies, which do not require the same follow-up month by month and week by week. If you are expecting “real” twins (known as monozygotes), your pregnancy may be either monochorial (one placenta for both fetuses) or bichorial (two placentas). If they are “fraternal twins”, called dizygotes, your pregnancy is bichorial. In the case of a monochorionic pregnancy, you will have an examination and an ultrasound every 15 days, starting from the 16th week of amenorrhea. Because in this case, the twins share the same placenta, which can cause more serious complications, in particular intrauterine growth retardation of one of the two fetuses, or even a transfusion-transfused syndrome when there is has unequal blood exchange.
On the other hand, if your pregnancy is bichorial (“false” twins or “identical” twins each having a placenta), your follow-up will be monthly.
Pregnant with twins: more pronounced symptoms and severe fatigue
Like all pregnant women, you will experience discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, etc. These pregnancy symptoms are often more pronounced in a twin pregnancy than in a typical pregnancy. In addition, you will probably be more tired, and this fatigue will not go away in the 2nd trimester. At 6 months of pregnancy, you may already feel “heavy”. This is normal, your uterus is already the size of a woman’s uterus at term! La weight gain is on average 30% more important in twin pregnancy than in a single pregnancy. As a result, you can’t wait for your two twins to see the light of day, and the last few weeks may seem endless. Even more so if you have to stay lying down so as not to give birth prematurely.
Twin pregnancy: should you stay bedridden?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you do not have to stay in bed. Adopt for these few months a calm and regular rhythm of life, and avoid carrying heavy things. If your older child insists, explain to him that you cannot carry him or her on your arms or on your shoulders, and give him to his dad or grandfather. Do not play the fairies of the house either, and do not hesitate to ask for a housekeeper from your CAF.
Twin pregnancy and rights: longer maternity leave
Good news, you will be able to nurture your twins for longer. Your maternity leave officially begins 12 weeks before term and continues 22 weeks after birth. In fact, women are arrested by their gynecologist most often from the 20th week of amenorrhea, again because of the greater risk of prematurity.
A maternity level 2 or 3 to give birth to twins
Preferably choose a maternity unit with a neonatal resuscitation service where the medical team will be ready to intervene and your babies will be quickly taken care of if necessary. If you had dreamed of having a home birth, it would be more reasonable to give it up. Because the birth of twins requires the presence of a gynecologist-obstetrician and a midwife, even if the birth takes place by natural means.
To know : from 24 or 26 weeks of amenorrhea, depending on the maternity wards, you will benefit from a visit from a midwife once a week. She will act as a relay between the various consultations at the hospital and will monitor the progress of your pregnancy. In addition to her technical skills, she is at your disposal and can answer all your questions.
A scheduled birth to consider
In the majority of cases, childbirth takes place early. It is also sometimes triggered at 38,5 weeks of amenorrhea (the term being 41 weeks for a single pregnancy), to prevent complications. But the most frequent risk in multiple pregnancies is premature delivery (before 37 weeks), hence the importance of deciding quickly on the choice of maternity. Regarding the mode of delivery, unless there is a major contraindication (pelvis size, placenta previa, etc.) you can completely deliver your twins vaginally. Do not hesitate to ask all your questions and to share any concerns with your midwife or gynecologist.