Twins pregnancy is a form of multiple birth where two offspring are produced at the same time. It occurs when one egg (ovum) splits to produce two identical embryos during fertilization, or when multiple eggs are simultaneously fertilized by separate sperm.
Twin pregnancies may happen spontaneously in 1 out of every 89 live births, and can also be achieved through assisted reproductive technologies such as fertility drugs and/or artificial insemination techniques like IVF (in vitrofertilization).
These twins commonly have similar physical characteristics due to their common genetic stamp but differing personalities, strengths and weaknesses which emerge later on throughout life from environmental influences.
Complications associated with twin pregnancies often include preterm delivery and lower fetal weights than singleton babies due to reduced nutrition supply for each fetus compared with carrying only one baby.
However, advances in complete prenatal care make it possible for many expecting mothers of multiples to deliver healthy full-term newborns without significant risk factors involved
See also anemia during pregnancy
There are several signs of a twin pregnancy that can indicate the possibility before an ultrasound test. These signs include:
1. An elevated level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin):
If this hormone is too high in a woman’s blood, it may be an indicator that she has twins.
2. Abdomen size increases rapidly:
Women carrying multiple babies tend to have larger abdomens than those with singleton bby at the same stages of gestation due to excessive productionof amniotic fluid and uterus enlargement.
3. Feeling Fetal Movement Early On :
Expectant mothers often notice kicking movements earlier during their pregnancies if they have multiple babies growing inside them as untoing develop sooner when occupying more space .
4 . Increased Weight Gain :
Twins usually mean extra weight gain throughout the course of pregnancy , so noticing rapid or early changes on scale could signal presence two .
To distinguish between single and double pregnancies, the most common method used is ultrasound imaging.
During an ultrasound scan, a medical technician takes images of the uterus to detect any fetuses in utero. If there are two distinct shapes present within the uterus on the image then this indicates a twin pregnancy.
Other signs such as higher than normal levels of HCG in a mother's blood or urine can also indicate multiple pregnancies.
A obstetrician will confirm multiple pregnancies through physical examination once fetal movement has been felt by examining fundal height which measures noticeably larger measurement when pregnant with twins compared to only one baby; they may also measure movements from each fetus separately if possible/required