Multiple Pregnancies Carry Higher Risks and Require Specialized Prenatal Care

If you are going to have twins, triplets or more, it will be a happy path with twice the delight and expectation. However, this joy will also mean more obligations. Multiple pregnancies are associated with the occurrence of more complications for the mother and babies than in single pregnancies. Moreover, the body is doing more work, the monitoring is more intensive, and the care has to be more specialized.

In this blog, we will discuss the higher-risk multiple pregnancies, the main problems that the mother and the babies face and the great role that the specialized prenatal care plays in giving the positive health results.

Understanding Why Multiple Pregnancies Present Higher Risks

A mother ends up with multiple pregnancies if her body supports more than one baby and consequently the strain on all body systems is doubled or even more. The cardiovascular system will have to pump more blood, nutritional demands will increase and the uterus will be considerably distended.

Furthermore, the placental configurations are one of the factors that complicate the situation. In this case, some women can have more than one placenta, while others have only one that they share, which can affect the distribution of nutrients and oxygen. A lot of the conditions that occur in single pregnancies can show up in multiple ones, but at an earlier stage and with a higher degree of severity.

Basically, the mother’s body is forced to operate beyond its normal capacity which is the main reason why the risks are considerably elevated for both mother and babies. This fact also demonstrates the necessity of careful prenatal monitoring.

Common Maternal Risks in Multiple Pregnancies

Moms who are pregnant with twins or more are under so much  physiological stress and are more likely to have certain problems.

Preeclampsia: Multiple pregnancies can result in high blood pressure and organ overload, among other complications. Besides, if left going, this disease can involve both the mother and the baby’s life. 

Gestational Diabetes: The rise in the body’s glucose needs may result in insulin resistance, a condition that must be controlled with a strict diet and medication.

Anemia: The requirements for iron and folic acid will at least double resulting in an increase in the risk of tiredness and developmental problems in babies if the matter is not taken care of.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Severe nausea and vomiting accompanying pregnancy can happen more frequently leading to dehydration and weight loss.

Polyhydramnios: The production of too much amniotic fluid may over-expand the uterus and thus cause premature labor.

Postpartum Hemorrhage: After delivery, the uterus that has been too stretched may not get back to the normal size rapidly and the heavy bleeding is then possible to occur.

Any one of these high-risk pregnancy issues, individually or together, underlines the necessity of a very close medical follow-up along the entire journey.

Risks to Babies in Multiple Pregnancies

Multiple babies are a special case in terms of development, as they have to share the mother’s resources and the limited uterine space.

Preterm Birth: Is the main risk among others because the capacity of the uterus is reached at an earlier stage. Premature babies can end up with immature lungs and thus, the need for NICU care.

Low Birth Weight: Since the nutrients are shared, quite a number of babies weigh less than 2.5 kg at birth. This factor leads to the increased need for special care.

Growth Restriction: It may happen that one or more babies are slower in growth because of the uneven distribution of the placental blood or the shared nutrients.

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS): In the case of identical twins that share a placenta, the situation of one baby getting more blood flow than the other is possible, thus, requiring the correct medical treatment as soon as possible.

Birth Defects: The probability of some congenital diseases is only slightly higher, but the occurrence is very seldom.

Through regular check-ups as well as timely medical treatment, most twin pregnancy complications can be absolutely controlled.

Embracing Your Journey with Expert Support

It is true that multiple pregnancies are riskier but still can be healthy and satisfying with the proper medical advice. Consistent doctor visits, nutritious eating and timely applications of medication or treatment are what make a difference.

We at Sugam Hospital are fully equipped to provide you with detailed prenatal and delivery care suitable for the mother of twins or triplets. Using modern monitoring instruments and having the presence of empathetic doctors, we are taking care and managing every phase of your pregnancy with accuracy and love.

In case you are expecting, going to be a mother of multiples or are just planning a multiple pregnancy, get in touch with a gynecologist specialist in Chennai at Sugam Hospital for utmost care.