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Signs You Are Having Twins

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If you’re not sure whether you’re expecting a singleton or twins, there are some early signs to look for. High levels of a hormone called hCG are one of these signs. 

However, the hormone can change quickly, and it’s not a foolproof indicator. In order to be sure, you should have an ultrasound performed. Your doctor will be able to confirm whether you’re expecting twins or singletons.

An ultrasound is one of the most reliable ways to confirm if you are pregnant with twins. It’s best to wait until you’ve had a full ultrasound to determine if you’re having twins. 

Bloating is another common twin pregnancy sign. It can make you appear larger than you are. You may even feel like you’re growing faster than you expected. These signs of pregnancy can be subtle but are nonetheless important to keep an eye out for.

In this article, we are going to discuss the common symptoms and signs of pregnancy for twins.  

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Are There Signs That You’re Carrying Twins?

Yes, there are many different physical signs that you’re carrying twins. If you’re unsure what those signs mean, you should get an ultrasound. 

A pregnancy blood test will show increased levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Although this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re carrying twins, it’s an indicator that you’re pregnant.

Another sign that you’re carrying twins is an increase in your fundal height. This measurement is taken during a physical exam by your healthcare provider. The fundus is the area between the top of the pubic bone and the top of the uterus. A woman’s fundus is at its highest at around 12 weeks. 

If you strongly feel you’re carrying twins, an ultrasound will help confirm the pregnancy. The scan will take place during the first trimester of pregnancy. A larger belly and increased appetite are also common symptoms of twin pregnancy. 

What Are the Chances of Having Twins?

While it may seem like a complex question, several factors can increase or decrease your chances of having twins. According to researchers, every 1 in 250 pregnancies can result in twins.  

First, your ethnicity plays an important role. Couples with Hispanic parents are less likely to have twins than couples with Caucasian parents. Afro-Americans, on the other hand, have the highest chances of having twins. Another factor that can increase your chances of conceiving twins is assisted reproductive technology or ART.

Fertility treatments like IVF and IUI also increase your chances of having twins. Many of these treatments use ovulation-stimulating drugs, such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara), to stimulate your ovaries. These drugs increase your chances of conceiving twins by causing you to produce multiple eggs at one time.

What Are Twin Pregnancy Symptoms?

One of the most obvious twin pregnancy symptoms is elevated hCG levels. This pregnancy hormone, also known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is released during the early stages of pregnancy to help the placenta develop. A woman’s urine may contain elevated hCG levels six days after conception. Although these symptoms may not always be a sure sign of twin pregnancy, they should not be overlooked.

If you are expecting twins, you may have noticed that your appetite is much more intense than usual, and you’re eating more than you normally do. Your belly is also larger, and you’ve probably noticed a spike in your levels of hCG, the main hormone of pregnancy. 

Pregnant women with twins may also notice that their mood swings are more extreme than normal. The good news is that these symptoms are easily detectable as early as six weeks into pregnancy. If you’re not sure whether you’re pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test. 

Pregnant women who are pregnant with twins may also notice that they’re experiencing more intense morning sickness. These symptoms are often worse than with single pregnancies, and they’re likely to last longer. In addition, nausea and vomiting are more severe with twins because of the increased pressure on the digestive system.

Another sign that you may be pregnant with twins is that you feel your twins moving in your belly. This is commonly called quickening, and it occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy. However, some women may notice fetal movement earlier, or even more frequently, than this. The earlier you notice these movements, the more likely you are to be carrying twins.

What Are The Common Signs of Pregnancy for Twins?

There are several symptoms that you may experience during your twin pregnancy. They may include more morning sickness, tummy aches, intense fatigue, and more weight gain early in pregnancy. Here are some of the common signs of pregnancy for twins

  • More Morning Sickness

A twin pregnancy can be a bit different than a single pregnancy. It can cause more morning sickness than one experiences, and the symptoms can last a little longer. You can expect your nausea to be more severe and your vomiting to be more frequent. You may also experience higher water retention and more swelling. If you notice any of these changes in your body, you should consult a doctor to find out whether or not your symptoms are related to twin pregnancy.

  • Intense Fatigue

Intense fatigue is one of the early symptoms of twin pregnancy. You may have a sneaking suspicion, but your intuition may not be accurate. The first trimester of a twin pregnancy is the most taxing time on a woman’s body. As the baby develops, you will have a higher basal metabolic rate and produce more progesterone. This increase in progesterone will result in a higher level of fatigue.

  • Tummy Troubles

If you’re carrying twins, you’re more likely to have stomach problems. Women experiencing tummy troubles during twin pregnancies are at a higher risk for many complications and health problems. A woman carrying twins should avoid spicy food and eat smaller, more frequent meals. Other common symptoms include back pain, nausea, and indigestion.

  • More Weight Gain 

During the first trimester, weight gain is normal for a pregnant woman, but the process may be more difficult for twins. If you’ve noticed weight gain earlier than usual, it’s likely you’re carrying twins. Although morning sickness can cause weight loss in the first trimester, the fact that you’re gaining more weight earlier than normal is also a sign. 

  • Increased Appetite

Increased appetite is one of the early signs of twin pregnancy. While most women experience some increased appetite during their first trimester, women carrying twins may experience a sudden and intense increase in appetite. This is because babies draw nutrients from their mothers during their intensive developmental cycle. 

  • More Fetal Movement

Generally, women will experience more fetal movement during a twin pregnancy than during a singleton pregnancy. It will vary, however, depending on the mother’s size, build, and position of the placentas. Some women will experience more movement during the second trimester, while others may not feel the movement until the third trimester.

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When Are You More Likely to Have Twins?

Several factors make you more likely to have twins. These factors include age, gender, and weight. For example, if you are over 35 years old and have had fertility treatments, you’re more likely to have twins than someone younger. Being overweight or obese can also increase your chances of having twins. Here are some common factors that can lead to twin pregnancy

  • You’re Over Age 35
  • You’ve Had Fertility Treatments
  • You’re Overweight Or Obese
  • You’re Black
  • You Have A Family History

FAQs

  • What Are the Symptoms of Twins in the First Trimester?

You’ll experience more intense morning sickness and fatigue during twin pregnancy. Other symptoms include increased appetite and a larger belly.

  • How Soon Can You Tell If You’re Carrying Twins?

The ultrasound will pick up sound waves in your uterus and provide a live image to confirm twin pregnancy. This test is best done around 10 or 14 weeks of pregnancy.

  • What Increases the Chance of Having Twins?

Fertility treatments such as IVF and intrauterine insemination can increase the chance of twins. In addition, higher body weight is associated with an increased chance of having twins. Age is another factor that increases the risk of having twins.

Conclusion

If you suspect that you are pregnant with twins, there are certain signs you can look out for. The first sign is intense morning sickness and fatigue. If you are feeling extremely nauseous and tired during the first trimester, you may be carrying twins. However, instead of speculating, you can visit your doctor during the 10 to 14th week of your pregnancy to confirm twin pregnancy with the help of an ultrasound. It will help you to prepare for twins as well as avoid any complications. 

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Srujana Mohanty
She is the Managing Editor of Cogito137, one of India’s leading student-run science communication magazines. She's been working in scientific and medical writing and editing since 2018, also associated with the quality assurance team of scientific journal editing. Majored in Chemistry with a minor in Biology at IISER Kolkata, Srujana loves doodling and watching series.

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