Multiple births refer to the delivery of twins or higher-order multiples from a single pregnancy. Risk factors include infertility treatments, advanced maternal age, family history. Pregnant people may experience excessive weight gain, feeling multiple fetuses move. Ultrasounds can detect multiple fetuses. Medical care involves monitoring the pregnancy for preterm labor, growth issues, and blood pressure. Neonates may need intensive care for prematurity complications. Long term, there are increased risks of maternal depression, parenting difficulties, and behavioral issues for the children.
Multiple births refer to the delivery of twins or higher-order multiples from a single pregnancy. Risk factors include infertility treatments, advanced maternal age, family history. Pregnant people may experience excessive weight gain, feeling multiple fetuses move. Ultrasounds can detect multiple fetuses. Medical care involves monitoring the pregnancy for preterm labor, growth issues, and blood pressure. Neonates may need intensive care for prematurity complications. Long term, there are increased risks of maternal depression, parenting difficulties, and behavioral issues for the children.
Multiple births refer to the delivery of twins or higher-order multiples from a single pregnancy. Risk factors include infertility treatments, advanced maternal age, family history. Pregnant people may experience excessive weight gain, feeling multiple fetuses move. Ultrasounds can detect multiple fetuses. Medical care involves monitoring the pregnancy for preterm labor, growth issues, and blood pressure. Neonates may need intensive care for prematurity complications. Long term, there are increased risks of maternal depression, parenting difficulties, and behavioral issues for the children.
The term "multiple births" refers to the delivery of
twins and higher-order multiples (ie, triplets, quadruplets, etc) occur when multiple fetuses are carried during a pregnancy with the subsequent delivery of multiple neonates History Mostmultifetal pregnancies are prenatally diagnosed. Maternal complaints of excessive weight gain, hyperemesis gravidarum, the sensation of more than one moving fetus, the use of ovulation- inducing drugs, or a family history of dizygotic twins should alert caregivers to the possibility of a multifetal pregnancy. Physical May have a uterine size that is inconsistently large for dates May experience accelerated weight gain Upon auscultation, more than one fetal heart rate may be heard. Causes Risk factors for multifetal pregnancy can be divided into natural and induced. Natural include advanced maternal age, family history of dizygotic twins, and race. Induced occur following infertility treatment via the use of ovulation-inducing agent, multiple gamete/zygote transfer. Laboratory Studies Obstetrical: Routine prenatal laboratory studies are indicated. Neonatal: A CBC count is obtained to evaluate for anemia and polycythemia. Neonatal arterial blood gas and cord blood gas: These are measured to evaluate for respiratory distress, hypoxia, acidosis, and perinatal depression. Metabolic panel: Fluid status and electrolyte levels should be evaluated and metabolic status should be determined, including through screening for hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia. Bilirubin level: This is obtained to screen for increased risk of hyperbilirubinemia associated with prematurity and polycythemia Imaging Studies Obstetrical: Prenatal ultrasonography Fetal echocardiography: This is used to screen for congenital heart disease in neonates. Fetal MRI: This is used to screen for fetal anomalies. Neonatal: Chest radiography is used to evaluate respiratory distress. Ultrasonography Echocardiography: This is used to screen for congenital heart disease. Medical Care Obstetric medical care is specific to the type of multifetal pregnancy. The highest risk is in monochorionic/monoamniotic pregnancies. An inherent risk of other conditions (ie, preterm labor, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), hypertensive diseases) Many neonates require only routine newborn care; others require neonatal intensive care secondary to prematurity, low birth weight, and their associated complications Special concerns