The early signs of pregnancy in a woman are when HCG is detected in the mother’s blood or urine just before she misses her period. It is this hormone that pregnancy tests look for. So, once a woman’s test is positive, then a baby is absolutely on the way!

It doesn’t stop there. HCG levels also have something to do with finding out if a woman is pregnant with one baby or multiple babies. This is because the HCG levels for twins are different from that of singletons.

What is HCG?

HCG or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is secreted once an egg is fertilized. This hormone regulates the production of progesterone and estrogen until the placenta is fully developed to, later on, assume that role.

HCG is produced early on after fertilization and consequent implantation of the zygote (fertilized egg cell) into the wall of the mother’s uterus.

HCG nourishes the zygote which will develop into the embryo. This also signals the body to cease menstruation since the lining of the uterus will have to thicken to nurture the growing baby.

Even before a woman misses her period, HCG is already produced as early as 11 days after conception. This hormone can now be detected in the blood within 12-14 days once excreted in the urine. An HCG Level above 25 mIU/ML is considered positive for pregnancy.

What does HCG Screening have to do with Multiple Pregnancy?

To be clear, a simple home urine pregnancy test is not reliable enough to find out if a woman will be having twins or not. This is because home pregnancy tests simply measure whether there is a minimum amount of HCG present which leads to a positive test result.

Going through an HCG level blood pregnancy test is more conclusive to really find out if a mother is going to have twins.

For a single baby, HCG level varies from 70 to 750 mIU/mL. When it comes to twins, the normal HCG levels during the early stages of pregnancy is about 30% to 50% higher than in a single pregnancy.

This is somewhere around 200 to 1750 mIU/ML. When a woman is pregnant with multiples, HCG levels will be particularly high because of each developing child secrets a normal amount of HCG. The following are the HCG Levels in single and twin pregnancy.

HCG Doubling Time Twins are Expected to Have

According to the American Pregnancy Association, out of 85% of normal pregnancies, the HCG level doubles every 48-72 hours. As the pregnancy progresses, HCG levels get higher. To check the best doubling times for successful twin pregnancies, check out the table here.

HCG needs 72-96 hours to develop if it is 1200 – 6,000 mIU/mL serum. If the values are above 6000 mIU/mL, it takes around four or more days to double. The moment the HCG level reaches 1000-2000 mIU/mL, usually a transvaginal ultrasound is done to be able to see the gestational sac. Then growth slows done once levels go beyond 6000 mIU/mL.

The HCG levels tend to peak between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy and then it starts declining. This is also one of the reasons why nausea and tiredness, which are usually felt during the first trimester of pregnancy, begin to settle down after the first few months.

At around four months of gestation, the placenta is now supporting the embryo and there is no longer need for high HCG levels.

What are other reasons why HCG levels for twins are high?

There are other reasons why HCG levels are high aside from being pregnant to multiples. If a woman is taking fertility drugs, then HCG levels increase. Another reason that could explain this is that there may be a complication in pregnancy called Molar Pregnancy.

Molar Pregnancies are also known as a gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). This condition is infrequent and is found to happen in only 1 out of 1,000 pregnancies. It is caused by a problem during the time the egg and sperm join together and get fertilized resulting in an abnormality in the placenta.

A molar pregnancy can either be a complete molar pregnancy or a partial molar pregnancy.

A complete molar pregnancy means that there are placental parts, but no baby. Because the egg is empty, then no baby was formed. A partial molar pregnancy, on the other hand, happens when the mass contains both abnormal cells and the embryo has severe birth defects.

If this happens, the fetus will be overcome by the growing abnormal mass quickly. Another case is if only one embryo is developing normally, and the other is a mole, then the healthy embryo will be consumed by the abnormal growth.

Women who are over the age of 40 and have had a miscarriage or had a prior molar pregnancy are at risk of molar pregnancy.

Symptoms of molar pregnancy include nausea, vomiting, vaginal spotting or bleeding, developing thyroid disease or other rare complications, early preeclampsia, increased HCG levels, and no fetal movement or heartbeat is detected.

What if the HCG Levels don’t go up?

If the HCG level does not rise during early pregnancy (specifically during the first 8 to 10 weeks) the mother would need to have a repeat blood test. If the analysis shows the same HCG level or has fallen, then it may mean that the pregnancy is not progressing normally.

To be sure, doctors would correlate the HCG test result with an ultrasound examination to know for sure. Usually, doctors would expect to see evidence of pregnancy through an ultrasound by the time the HCG level reached about 1,000 to 2,000 IU/L.

If a gestational sac is not seen at this stage, then this is a point of concern. If this happens, then consulting with a health professional is urgently needed.

Going through a pregnancy with the proper understanding of the HCG Levels for Twins and for singletons has its advantages. It paints a clearer picture of what may be expected and makes any mother stronger and more prepared.

When we think of twins, we usually think of two babies born on the same day at nearly the same time. It’s something that seems so logical that the question: are twins born on different days actually possible?

Actually, yes! There are many reports about twins or multiple births. There are even twins born in different years or twins born at different times. So if you’ve ever wondered how this wacky coincidence of sorts happens, here’s a closer look.

Twins born on different days isn’t as convoluted as you think

The critical thing to keep in mind here is that a twin (or multiple) births is similar, but not the same as a single birth. Of course, there’s the additional pair of eyes and ears to look out for, but there’s also something else: not all twin births are the same.

One of the best explanations for this is something called delayed interval birth. Sometimes, during twin or multiple pregnancies, a complication occurs with a baby that doesn’t with the others.

This can cause the mother to go into labor early to get the baby out (or doctors will induce the labor process), but the other baby or children remain in the womb.

The most common reason for this is that babies need to stay in the womb for the full gestation period to increase their chances of survival. While one complication may happen to one twin, the other twin may be entirely unaffected (unless they’re two in one sac, which we explain here.)

The length of time between actual deliveries also play a role. If a woman gives birth through C-section, both babies are more or less born at the same time; but for vaginal births, the interval of the babies can take anything from up to a few minutes to an entire hour.

This leads to the answer to the question “can twins be born on different days?”

Timing

This is usually the most common reason as to why this isn’t so far-fetched. Some births typically take place in the evenings, where the difference between 11:59 pm and 12:00 midnight is a matter of seconds.

As we’ve previously discussed, if the twins are delivered vaginally, they could be taking their first gasps of air on what is technically separate days.

You start to enter crazier territory when it comes to other, more rare events. It could be possible for one twin to be born on a separate year if the birth takes place on New Year’s Eve – or even a separate millennium!

This sort of timing causes twins with different birthdays to exist and is often a running gag in their family once the pair grows up.

Are there any consequences to twins being born on different days?

Generally speaking, no. While delayed interval births will often result in complications for the twin that came out first, most twins that are born on different days will generally live as normal twins would. However, there can be possible legal ramifications for this that parents will have to keep in mind.

One of these are benefits, programs, and services that require verification of the date of birth. While common sense law may apply concerning medical ruling, there are sometimes strict cutoffs and deadlines that the law enforces when it comes to these programs.

This can also play a part even in the educational system if the twins fall under such jurisdiction. Parents can always file an exception to these rules, and with the help of hospital records, overturn them.

All in all, twins with different birthdays aren’t a bad thing! While you may get some confusion as to how to celebrate, they’re still the same twins that you know and love, just with a little extra sprinkling of an exciting story as to how they were born. Here’s a video:

If you’re looking for tips on raising twins, we have a bunch of articles for you to look at! And for more twin discussions such as twins born on different days, you can join our online community here.

A lot of moms who are pregnant with twins or multiples feel that they would have to deliver by C-section and that a natural or vaginal twin birth is complicated or even close to impossible. This is necessarily not the case.

Good news! There are actually many options to give birth naturally that a mother can choose to go through if she is expecting more than one baby.

How to have Twins?: Is it possible to have a natural twin birth?

UK’s National Health Service (NHS) reports that more than 40% of multiple deliveries are vaginal birth twins.

This shows that giving birth to twins naturally is definitely possible. However, to ensure that vaginal birth is successful there are a number of conditions to be met first. One of which is that the mom should not have any health issues that might put her or her babies at risk such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

The second condition is that the babies should have both heads down. This position is called vertex/vertex and it is the most cooperative position that you would want your twins to be in on D-day.

This head-down position happens 40% of the time ensuring that a mother will go into labor naturally. If, for example, the baby nearest the exit is head down, but the second baby is breech in position (feet first), it is still possible to give birth vaginally.

The mother would need to deliver the first baby and then the practitioner would try to turn the second baby into a head-down vertex position. This can be done by either applying manual pressure to the mother’s abdomen, or by reaching into the uterus to turn the second baby.

If the baby doesn’t turn, the practitioner may go through a breech extraction. That is, pulling the baby out feet first. Case in point, vaginal birth has a high success rate when done by experienced practitioners.

Home Birth Twins: Giving birth at home can be a wonderful experience

When it comes asking how to give birth to twins naturally, another option is homebirth. Home birth involves trained midwives or nurse-midwives in cases where pregnancies are low-risk and healthy. Before the era of hospitals, this is the way mothers actually gave birth and it has its benefits.

Home birth costs much less than giving birth in the hospital, for one. Another is that in home births, the mom and babies are surrounded by people who love them throughout the birth process.

Before going for home birth, weighing the pros and cons of giving birth at home should be given ample thought. Because in reality, home birth is not for everyone.

The American Pregnancy organization gives some pointers to know if home birth may be an option. One is that the mother is healthy and has a low-risk pregnancy. Second, a home birth is good if the mother wants to share the experience with close family and friends.Third, if the mother wants to avoid a C-section, an epidural or an episiotomy, then home birth may be done. Finally, this may be an option if the mom wants to enjoy the comfort of her own home during delivery.

Take note though that there are some instances when a mother is transferred to the hospital. One situation is when the mother is exhausted and unable to continue. The second is if there is a premature rupture of membranes. Third, if the mom gets high blood pressure and has no progress with labor. Fourth, if fetal distress, cord prolapse, or hemorrhage is experienced.

What would a vaginal twin birth be like?

When a mom gives birth to twins naturally, there are differences compared to singleton deliveries. Expect that there will be a lot more health professionals in the delivery room. The medical team usually includes an obstetrician, two midwives, two pediatricians and two neonatal nurses.

Pain relief will also be offered in the form of Entonox (gas and air) and pethidine. Entonox (also known as laughing gas) made of half oxygen and half nitrous oxide. It is colorless and odorless and can take the edge off labor pain.

Pethidine on the other hand, helps relieve pain by making the mother feel more relaxed. An epidural is likely to be offered, too.

During labor, the babies will be monitored with EFM (electronic fetal monitors) which are a standard in multiple births. A belt with sensors will be attached to wires around the mom’s belly, and these wires will be able to pick up the twins’ heartbeats, as well as the frequency and intensity of the contractions.

When all systems are a go to start pushing, the OB-GYN would usually move the mom to the operating theater, just in case assisted birth is needed. Once the first baby is born, the second twin’s position will be checked by the doctor.

He can either do a vaginal examination, have an ultrasound scan or feel the mom’s tummy. If the second baby’s position has no problem, then the mother may now give birth to the second baby. After giving birth to the twins, the placentas will also be delivered.

Once the placentas are out, an injection will be administered that helps the mother’s womb contract slowly. It also helps protect the mom from heavy bleeding.

Is it really safe to go through vaginal birth for twins?

Studies have shown that vaginal birth is safe and can be successful if the babies are older than 34 weeks given that they are in good positions and do not have complications (umbilical cord knots for example). In addition to that, it is important to have an experienced obstetrician.

The Twin Birth Study led by the chief of maternal-fetal medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Dr. Jon Barret, reveals that a vaginal delivery for women who are pregnant with twins are just as safe as a planned C-section delivery.

This is why the study urges everyone not to rule out vaginal delivery for twins.

Understanding birthing options for mothers who will go through a twin birth is important to know which method is best for the mother and the twins.

At the end of the day, what is most important is that in whatever choice made, the goal is to deliver two incredible babies to one safe mom.

Of all the things to feel, it should be a sense of optimism. This is because twins born at 30 weeks have a high survival rate (more than 90%, to be exact) as long as they are given due medical attention.

Such medical care is more than available today through the development of medical technology and procedures. However, certain intricacies go along with 30-week-old preemies that every mother should know about.

You and Your Twins at 30 Weeks

As a mom to 30-week-old twins at this time, it is entirely reasonable to feel really exhausted and find yourself trying so hard to endure the worsening back pain. You will also notice some changes in your feet and experience more mood swings.

It becomes difficult to sleep, and you go to the bathroom more often. It will be beneficial if you take naps throughout the day and you may also want to buy that pregnancy pillow everyone has been talking about! You definitely need all the rest and comfort you can have.

Also, take time to elevate your feet to make things easier on your back, and watch your posture.

PHOTO: https://unsplash.com/photos/H07Act0XaGY

CAPTION: The health of the mother and babies is a priority.

Your twins, on the other hand, weigh about three pounds each and are about 15 to 17 inches long, which is about the size of a cucumber. It is at week 30 when the growth in twins begin to lag behind compared to singletons.

Twins who are 30 weeks old have more fat stored, start shedding the fine hair that covers their bodies and can already blink. More importantly, the brain development of 30-week preemies begins to control body temperature.

Twins stomach and intestines are getting ready to digest milk and can begin sucking which develops their muscles used for eating.

What should I expect if my twins are born at 30 weeks?

Most babies who are born between 28 to 31 weeks require oxygen therapy through surfactants and mechanical assistance so they will be able to breathe a lot better. This means they would need to spend some time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Oxygen therapy allows babies to breathe increased amounts of oxygen and may be given in many different ways.

One is via using an oxygen hood, a plastic dome with warm and moist oxygen. This is for babies who need extra oxygen even if they can breathe on their own. Another way is to use the nasal cannula which is a tube with soft prongs that is placed into the baby’s nose.

Compounds called surfactants may also be used to reduce surface tension allowing the lungs to inflate easily. Finally, to breathe for the baby, using a breathing machine is sometimes needed.

What are the complications involved in twins born at 30 weeks?

It is known that babies born before 37 weeks are considered premature. Meaning, the babies’ bodily systems are immature which poses a number of health concerns.

A number of these complications are common in premature twins are seen while they are in the NICU, according to Eugene Ng, a neonatologist and chief of newborn and development pediatrics at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto.

1. Preemies may develop Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease that makes babies more prone to infections and bronchitis.
2. Feeding issues would be most likely. Preemies have what is described as slow-moving guts making them vomit more. This is why when it comes to feeding them, breast milk is best.
3. Eye Problems can arise in babies who are born before 31 weeks. Specifically, this condition is called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) which affects how blood vessels of the retina are developed. In the future, preemies may require glasses because they are at risk of refractive error which causes nearsightedness and farsightedness.
4. Preemies are at a high risk of acquiring infections because of their immature immune system. Because infections become quite severe, there are a number of SOPs in NICUs. Visitors and parents are screened for any illness, hand washing is mandatory, and medical instruments are always sterile.
5. Babies who are born less than 32 weeks may also be at risk of brain hemorrhage or brain bleed. But then, this risk decreases about five percent every week the baby is in utero. A brain ultrasound is done during their stay in the hospital for this kind of things.

Although thinking about these complications and conditions is stressful, there is a guarantee that twins born at 30 weeks have a high chance of survival be able to live full lives. And as a mother, there is nothing like seeing and being involved in every milestone your twins will have.

If twins are born before 37 weeks, is what is considered premature birth or are said to be premature. More specifically, twins born at 32 weeks are considered moderate to late preterm, according to the World Health Organization. This means that since these babies have hit a significant milestone in their development, they are no longer considered “very preterm” which is something quite comforting if you think about it.

Like any woman who is pregnant with twins, it is best to eliminate all doubts and have all questions answered, especially when it comes to the possibility of giving birth at the 32-week mark. This article aims to do just that.

Premature Baby: Twins Fetal Development at 32 weeks

Baby Centre UK explains that at 32 weeks, the weight of each twin is about 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg). From head to foot, they measure an average of 42 cm (16.5 in). It is possible that one twin may be bigger than the other. Both of the twins already look like newborns but they would still need more time to grow.

The twins’ movements can be a bit different because they no longer have that much space to move around. If you don’t feel them moving, try to lie down or drink something cold. This can help spur some movement. If you feel them squirm, then you know they’re fine.

At this time, it would be best to know what symptoms are experienced and how to have a healthy pregnancy during this week.

Preterm Pregnancy: What should I expect if twins born at 32 weeks?

Dr. Barbara Luke, author of “When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads,” says that fifty percent of twin pregnancies are born prematurely. Because of today’s advanced technology, the survival rate of babies born between 32 and 34 weeks has increased.

Although this is good news, there are still risks when twins are born at 32 weeks that all parents of preemies must know:

1. Weight is a concern. If a newborn baby is less than four pounds, he will automatically be placed in the neonatal intensive care unit. The baby will have to remain there until he reaches the ideal weight (4 lbs). Weight can be a potential danger because preemies do not have enough of the needed body fat to sustain their body temperature. Thus, the need for incubators or radiant warmers.
2. Expect feeding issues. Babies born before 34 weeks have a difficulty sucking effectively to feed. A feeding tube (gavage) may be needed which will be inserted into the stomach of the baby. Intravenous feedings may also be done so the baby can still get all the essential nutrients he needs to grow. If preemies babies feed through the mouth, food is poorly digested and would trigger other problems.
3. Delayed development can happen. Learning and behavioral delays might be an issue because the brain has not fully developed in preterm babies.
4. Preemies are prone to infections. Since the twins’ immune systems are not fully developed at 32 weeks, preterm babies easily develop infections. An infection can come from a feeding tube, a respirator, a surgical incision, or from an unhygienic environment.

How should I care for my 32-week Preemie Babies?

March of Dimes has released guidelines on “Life-saving Essential and Extra Newborn Care” for babies who are born preterm. These essentials include Kangaroo Mother Care (thermal care), infection prevention, and feeding support.

Kangaroo Mother Care, otherwise called thermal care, has proven mortality effect for babies. This is a way of caring for preemies by having mothers hold their baby involving skin-to-skin contact for at least one hour, as many times as possible.

The mother and the babies should be covered with a blanket while doing this. Other methods to maintain a baby’s temperature include drying, wrapping, increasing the environmental temperature, and covering the baby’s head with a knitted cap.

Since preemies are prone to bacteria, infection prevention is a must. Basic hygienic practices should be done religiously such as hand washing and maintaining a clean environment.

Lastly, extra support for breastfeeding is equally important. Initiating breastfeeding within one hour after birth reduces newborn mortality. This is because breast milk benefits premature babies nutritionally, immunologically, and developmentally. Methods to provide feeding support include cup feeding and tube feeding.

Mothers with twins born at 32 weeks need all the extra care and support they need. The challenges and joys that go along with caring for preemies can be a rollercoaster ride so it is important for everyone in the family to realize that each one has a significant role in caring for the twins, as well as the mom.

What’s important is that everyone steps up and does his or her part.

If the fetal growth of one or both twins suddenly slows down or even stops while they are in the womb, this condition is known as IUGR. About 25% of twin pregnancies are affected by IUGR and IUGR twins face big risks.

This is why never missing a prenatal checkup is extremely important to check fetal growth as well as taking the necessary steps to reduce the impact of this condition on your twins.

What is IUGR? 

IUGR refers to Intrauterine Growth Restriction. To diagnose IUGR in twin pregnancies, a comparison of the babies’ weight percentile at birth is taken into account. The comparison should be based on the standards of the gestational age of the babies which includes infant length.

If a baby is born with an inappropriately low weight (less than 2.5 kg) for the duration of pregnancy, then the growth is considered inadequate and thus points to IUGR. Some babies who are born small for their gestational age may catch up during the first two to three years of life, but there may also be some that will remain small.

In a nutshell, IUGR happens because more than one baby is competing for the resources in the mother’s womb causing the restricted growth.

IUGR Causes in Twin Pregnancy

The most known causes include hypertension, diabetes, history of restricted fetal growth, chronic illness, raised levels of hCG, having low weight before pregnancy, or unsatisfactory maternal weight gain which is less than 10 kg at 40 weeks.

Other causes are alcohol use, drug use, tobacco, vaginal bleeding, maternal anemia, severe lung disease, infections (syphilis, CMV, rubella, HBV, HSV, HIV, toxoplasmosis), congenital disorders, placental pathology and maternal smoking which is the culprit of 30% to 40% cases of IUGR.

Risks of Intrauterine Growth Restriction Twins

IUGR twins with delayed growths are at risk to certain health concerns during pregnancy, at delivery, and even after giving birth. One of which is these babies have low birth weight, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low resistance to infection, and low Apgar scores – a test given after birth that evaluates the newborn’s physical condition.

Decreased levels of oxygen are to be expected and difficulty handling vaginal delivery stresses. Meconium aspiration is likely to happen which leads to problems breathing. Babies may also have a very high red blood cell count and will experience trouble with maintaining body temperature.

Other twin risks that come along with sharing one placenta is the unequal distribution of blood and nutrients among the babies. Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) may also be developed because of the unequal exchange of blood between twins. The umbilical cords may also be tangled which restricts blood flow in one or both twins.

How is IUGR Treated? When to deliver IUGR baby

The treatment for IUGR will depend on how far along a mother is in her pregnancy. If the gestational age is already 34 weeks or more, being induced for early delivery may be recommended by doctors. If, however, the fetus is less than 34 weeks, then healthcare professionals will keep monitoring the fetal well-being and amount of amniotic fluid of the babies.

When delivery happens to be done before 34 weeks, an amniocentesis will be performed. This helps evaluate the lung maturity of both twins. Mothers who have IUGR twins are expected to visit their health professional every two to six weeks until delivery.

How can I prevent the impact of IUGR in my babies?

To prevent IUGR’s drastic effects from happening on your twins, be sure to get the best nutrition while pregnant, stop smoking, and get plenty of rest. Maternal nutrition is critical for both the mother and the twins.

A total of 25 to 35 pounds weight gain is the standard to achieve throughout the pregnancy. A mom should eat three well-balanced meals a day and have a few snacks in between to keep blood sugars stable.

Having a IUGR baby is not at all an easy thing to deal with but can be managed with the support and encouragement from your health professional, friends and of course, family members.

Find comfort in knowing that 90% of babies who are born with IUGR catch up quite well before your twins turn 3.

Premature birth is always an event in every family that merits mixed emotions. On the one hand, you get to see and love the newest member of your circle a little sooner – but on the other hand, a premature birth has plenty of complications that you will have to deal with.

For twins born at 34 weeks, this situation definitely doubles in importance.

What to know about premature births

First off, it’s important to know what exactly to expect with premature birth. While it’s true that the 37-week mark is the most ideal for babies to be born, babies actually have an excellent chance of survival if they come out around week 32 to 34.

This is why most babies born in this period may still have complicated births, but generally live to have full, healthy lives.

At this point, you might be wondering what exactly it is that causes premature births to happen. Truthfully, there isn’t a particular cause why. Many factors that can be pointed to, but here are some of the most common:

• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Low-lying placenta
• Intrauterine growth restriction
• Pre-eclampsia
• Being pregnant with more than one baby

However, the case will often differ depending on the woman. Some cases of premature birth can also be artificially induced (because of factors like kidney disease or growth restriction). What’s more important isn’t the why – but the what to do afterward.

What should be done after a premature birth?

The reason why babies need nine months to develop in their mother’s womb is that the process for growing a human being typically takes that long – it’s not a process you can rush. If a baby is born before the process is completed, they will usually run into a gamut of health problems.

These problems can range from moderate to severe depending on how ahead of time were they born.

• 34-36 weeks, or near-term babies, will often avoid the majority of the problems that premature babies will go through such as breathing or increased risk to hypothermia. The most assistance they will need is how to suckle and swallow – in which case, they may be hooked up to a machine that provides them with nutrition.
• 32-33 weeks, or moderates, will most likely face mild breathing problems and blood sugar complications.
• 28-32 week babies face all the issues above, as well as possible infection and susceptibility to complications in their bloodstream. However, since they are far along in their development stage, babies are usually fine with support.
• 27 weeks and below are babies that face the most risk. They’re often put in neonatal intensive care units, and carefully watched over until their development finishes (or their body stabilizes.)

If you want to see more information on premature babies, here’s a documentary about babies that were born earlier than expected:

I had twins born at 34 weeks – what should I do?

The first thing you should do is not to panic. Yes, it may be early, but your twins have an excellent chance of survival.

Secondly, stay with your babies whenever you can. While it can be entirely possible that both or one babies will be sent for a while to the neonatal intensive care units, this is more or less a precaution rather than a necessity.

The most important thing for your twins right now is growing and gaining weight. They may face difficulties in trying to eat or breathe, but these problems are rare.

Finally, kangaroo care – or skin-to-skin contact – is something that you must absolutely do with your newborns. Not only does it help their respiratory development, it also fulfills a practical purpose of helping their bodies stabilize to room temperature, and eventually strengthen your familial bond.

Fathers can participate in this just as much as mothers can so let daddy cradle your newest loved ones for a while!

The most important thing though is to remember that no matter how early or how complex they’ve come into your life, your children are still deserving of your love and care!

Ever heard of the hidden twin ultrasound? Imagine this scenario. You have recently found out you are pregnant. Already, thoughts of having a baby make you really excited!

Of course, you visit your OB-GYN, go through an ultrasound and feel utter joy and relief that everything that’s going on in there is as it should be.

After about 20 weeks, you have a repeat ultrasound, and then lo and behold! You get the surprise of your life and find out that you’re not just pregnant with one baby, but you’re actually having twins! The other twin has been hiding all this time.

Now, take a moment to breathe. You are definitely not alone. A number of mothers have experienced this surprise hidden twin syndrome. Don’t you worry. We’ve got everything you need to know about this, so read on.

What are the chances of hidden twin ultrasound?

Perhaps, a most-asked question related to this is, “Can twins be hidden in an ultrasound?” According to OB-GYN Idries Abdur Rahman of TwinDoctors TV, it is definitely possible to have a so-called hidden twin even if this condition is uncommon. He adds that this occurs a lot more in early ultrasounds because the baby is smaller during the first trimester than during the second and last trimester of pregnancy.

Hidden twins usually happen in monoamniotic pregnancies, where the babies are found in the same amniotic sac. Finding out that a second twin is hiding is often discovered at the 20th-week mark of pregnancy.

The Washington State Twin Registry also explains that there is a possibility that ultrasound pictures can be misinterpreted or misleading, which also contributes to experiencing hidden twins.

Early in pregnancy, two fetuses can be positioned where one is directly in front of the other. This blocks the second fetus in totality, which makes it possible for an ultrasound to miss twins.

Is it enough to “feel”  pregnant with twins even without an ultrasound? What is there to know beyond the common signs and symptoms?

Although only an ultrasound can say for sure if a woman is pregnant with twins, there are several signs and symptoms of a multiple pregnancy. Knowing what these are can be helpful especially when you have a hunch that you are pregnant with more than one baby.

A woman may feel that there really is something else going on beyond the commonly known symptoms in pregnancy.

Some of these above-and-beyond physical manifestations include morning sickness that is extremely terrible or even unbearable, while the other is getting a lot of fetal movement early on. If, however, a woman continues to suspect that she may be pregnant with more than one baby, the best thing to do is to request a 3D (or 4D) ultrasound.

These types of ultrasounds are not standard and are only needed to check for anomalies but in cases where a woman needs to know if she really is pregnant with twins, a request will be granted. The point is, whenever in doubt, always be sure to talk to get in touch with an OB-GYN.

How do I cope with the emotions of expecting twins?

A mom-to-be who finds out that she is having twins goes through a roller coaster of emotions. Among these feelings include shock, denial, depression, acceptance, and (hopefully, in the end) a feeling of bliss when the twins are born. But then, not everyone goes through a pregnancy the same way and may be cause for concern.

Lana Levin, a psychologist who specializes in pregnancy-related concerns says that a woman who is pregnant with multiples may have a lot of fears. They feel fear of the possibility of losing a baby, fear of having a preterm delivery, and fear of not being able to cope financially. With these overwhelming thoughts and emotions, depression may sync in.

The signs of depression include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, having negative thoughts about one’s self, not being able to sleep well, a lack of interest in doing things or being with people, and a loss of appetite.

If these feelings are unattended, then a woman’s emotional condition will worsen. But if it is dealt with correctly, these emotions will not lead to serious problems. The American Pregnancy Association suggests ways to cope to make pregnancy emotions more manageable.

1. Give importance to Self-care. Be aware of what you need regularly. If you need time to relax, do so. If it is reading a book, going on a stroll, having your hair done, or enjoying a bubble bath, make time for it.
2. Get at least 8 hours of sleep. A minimum of 8 hours is considered a healthy amount of sleep. Find your best sleeping position for utmost comfort.
3. Eat healthy and natural food. A healthy diet boosts physical and mental health which in turn increases emotional stability.
4. Get support from the people around you. This is the best time to keep in touch with your closest family and friends who really understand what you’re going through. If you feel overwhelmed, let them know. Always be open with your thoughts and feelings.
5. Communicate with your doctor, especially when it becomes extremely difficult to deal with your emotions or if you feel that depression is becoming severe. Professional counseling may be needed as an intervention.

Other things to try to fend off the pregnancy blues are to focus on the positive things in life. Having the right perspective does wonders to one’s emotional well being. Another is to ask help for practical things like grocery shopping or household chores.

Find out about local support groups and plan some time off with them and your friends. Avoid being too hard on yourself or your partner. And finally, keep fit and get the happy hormones going with exercise.

These remedies would surely make you feel better about yourself and your pregnancy amidst experiencing the highs and lows of a hidden twin ultrasound.