“How Do I Know If I Am Carrying Twins During Pregnancy?”

How Do I Know If I Am Carrying Twins During Pregnancy?

During each of my pregnancies I wondered at some point or another whether I might be carrying twins. This often happened after people told me how “large” I looked for my due dates. I also have a family history of twins and triplets, on my moms and my dads side.

Despite this I successfully carried three babies to term without carrying twins or more. Of course, were I to have more children this may change. For some the prospect of carrying twins is exciting and mysterious. For others it is filled with mystery and anxiety.

Tips For Uncovering Twin Babies During Pregnancy
How do you know if you are carrying twins? Most women will find out if they are carrying twins during a routine vaginal ultrasound carried out during the first 12 weeks of conception. Many doctors will perform an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and ensure the embryo has implanted in the uterus where it should be.

Any time after about 6 weeks pregnant your doctor may suspect a twin pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, your doctor may detect two separate fetal heartbeats using a Doppler ultrasound.

Still another sign you may be carrying twins includes larger than average weight gain during the first trimester. This however, may also be a sign you are simply overindulging during pregnancy.

Old Wives Tales About Twins in Pregnancy
There are many “old wives tales” that exist about carrying twins in pregnancy. Some suggest for example that women whose abdomen’s simply look larger must be carrying twins. Realistically speaking however, the size of a woman’s abdomen has nothing to do with whether she is carrying twins. That said, women who are pregnant with twins uteruses will grow more rapidly than women carrying single babies.

Just because you are measuring larger than expected for your dates however, is not guarantee you are carrying twins. It may be you miscalculated your due date.

Even if you have a family history of carrying twins there are no guarantees you will carry twins. Some studies suggest that eating extra folic acid during or before pregnancy may improve your chances of twins, but these studies are controversial at best. There is some evidence however suggesting the more babies you give birth to, the more your odds of carrying twins increases. Thus moms who have had three or more children are more likely to conceive twins than first time parents. Mothers who are advancing in age are also more likely to carry twins than their younger counterparts.

Here are the more common “hints” a woman may be carrying twins. Keep in mind however none of these is 100% foolproof. The only way to truly determine whether you are carrying twins is by ultrasound exam or if your doctor hears two heartbeats.

•  Larger than average weight gain early in pregnancy.
•  Carrying larger than expected for projected due dates.
•  Increased early pregnancy symptoms including severe morning sickness.
•  Family history of twins.

Of course, there is ample evidence more and more women are carrying multiples today. Part of this is due to technological innovations including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization. Use of assisted reproductive technology often increases the odds a mother will carry twins or triplets during pregnancy.

Fraternal Vs. Identical Twins
If your doctor does confirm you are having twins, you may wonder whether your twins are identical. Often doctors are not able to tell whether twins are fraternal or identical until after birth. Of course, babies who share the same amniotic sac and one placenta are definitely identical. If this is the case your doctor can confirm their status during pregnancy.

Most times twins in separate sacs are fraternal, however identical twins may be in separate sacs as well. Fortunately there are a series of tests your doctor can perform after delivery to confirm whether your children are identical or fraternal.

Whether carrying twins or not, most women have fun especially during the first weeks of pregnancy trying to decide whether they are carrying twins or more. If you are one of the many, enjoy this fun filled time of mystery and delight!