Multiple Pregnancy & Births

What Is a Multiple Pregnancy?

A multiple pregnancy is a pregnancy with more than one fetus. This means having twins, triplets or more.

Types of Multiple Pregnancies and Births

The most common types of multiples include:

• Fraternal Twins- Two separate eggs are fertilized and implanted in the uterus. The babies may look similar or different and may the same or different gender.
• Identical Twins- One egg is fertilized and split in half. Identical twins will share many of the same characteristics as they share the same DNA.
• 三胞胎或高阶倍数（HOMS）三倍ts or more can be fraternal, identical or a combination of the two.

多重怀孕和出生的原因

Natural causes of multiple pregnancy include:

• History of multiple births in your family
• Age – women who get pregnant over the age of 35 have a greater chance of having multiples
• You’ve had a multiple pregnancy before

Reproductive technologies may also increase your chances of having a multiple pregnancy, such as:

• Ovulation-stimulating medicine
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or other methods used to help couples get pregnant

How Common Is Multiple Pregnancy?

On average about 3 out of every 100 pregnancies is a multiple pregnancy. The occurrence of multiple births has become more common in recent years due to an increase in the use of IVF.

What to Expect with a Multiple Pregnancy and Births

Like with any pregnancy, taking good care of yourself is important for the health of your babies. With multiples, you can expect:

• Frequent checkups– You’ll visit your doctor often to track the progress and health of your babies. You’ll also want to watch for signs ofpreterm labor.
• More weight gain– It’s generally recommended with multiples that you gain more weight than if you were carrying just one baby. Be sure to work with your doctor to determine what a healthy weight gain is for you.
• Early delivery– A剖腹产may be recommended to help lower the risk of complications during delivery.

Complications and Risk Factors of a Multiple Pregnancy

Many women experience a multiple pregnancy with little to no complications. However, multiple pregnancy can increase your risk of certain conditions such as:

• Premature delivery
• Gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Preeclampsia

It’s important to us that you have a happy, healthy pregnancy and delivery. If you have any questions about multiple pregnancy or births, talk to the Banner team of experts today.