Understanding OBGYN Healthcare

Posted on: 9 December 2022

Some women get a memorable life experience when they discover that they are pregnant with more than one baby. Multiples may be a time of joy for couples who have had trouble conceiving, but many are surprised to learn that two or more babies are expected to arrive. Sometimes these pregnancies occur when fertility medications are taken. However, it is possible for the conception of multiples to occur without the use of fertility medications.

Parents who are expecting multiples need to understand that pregnancy and delivery are likely to be different than single pregnancies and deliveries. The differences may come as a surprise to women who have had the experience of having one baby at a time. The following points highlight a few things that could happen with multiple pregnancies.

Different Weight and Nutrition Expectations

Obstetricians can estimate how much weight a woman needs to gain when she is going to have a single delivery. A variety of factors are used, and weight is carefully monitored at prenatal appointments. Some women may weigh less than recommended due to issues such as frequent nausea.

Most women are also given nutritional recommendations at the beginning or throughout their pregnancies. Expecting multiples means that a higher caloric intake will be required and the nutritional expectations will be different. Expectant mothers will have to consume significantly more nutritious food. The estimated weight gain needed will be based on the mother's BMI, and reaching the desired weight may protect against pre-term labor. All expectant mothers should take prenatal vitamins as recommended by their OBGYNs.

Increased Risk of Complications

A multiples pregnancy requires careful monitoring to identify potential issues with the babies and the mother. Some issues can be life-threatening if they are not identified and treated. This is why prenatal appointments should not be missed and immediately rescheduled if the mother needs to. The mothers of multiples are at an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia, which is a potentially fatal type of high blood pressure experienced by pregnant women. It can create a need for emergency C-sections, even if the babies are not full-term. There is also a higher risk of gestational diabetes.

The babies may have complications such as differences in weight. One or more babies may be smaller than the other(s). It is also possible for babies to share a placenta and for one of the babies to receive more blood flow than the other. Delivery complications can occur if the babies are facing the vaginal canal in different positions or if there are differences in their size or a shared placenta. 

An obstetrician is the best resource to use for guidance during multiple pregnancies. They are armed with a wealth of information that can help parents navigate these special-consideration pregnancies and deliveries. Obstetricians can prepare parents for the deliveries of their babies by using diagnostic testing such as ultrasounds to determine the gender, weight, and health status of their babies. 

For more information, reach out to an obstetrician near you.