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Request an AppointmentContributor: Carolina Bibbo, MD
Carolina Bibbo, MD, is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and director of the Comprehensive Care Center for Multiples at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
While multiple babies account for only three percent of all births, the multiple birth rate is rising. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the twin birth rate has risen 70 percent since 1980 (about 33 per 1,000 live births). The birth rate for triplets and other higher-order multiples rose dramatically, but has slowed since 1998.
A multiple pregnancy can increase the risk for complications to both the baby and mother. To find complications early enough for management or treatment, mothers carrying more than one child typically require more frequent visits with their doctors.
“Visits every two-to-four weeks allows for more ultrasounds, lab work and special testing to monitor the health of the babies,” says Carolina Bibbo, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and director of the Comprehensive Care Center for Multiples at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists work with high-risk patients to help mothers achieve the healthiest pregnancy and delivery possible. They also collaborate with specialists within the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine and other specialists to support families expecting multiples, including nutrition, genetic counseling, lactation, social work, and others.
While mothers carrying multiple babies face more challenges than a single pregnancy, these risks can be managed with the guidance of a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. This type of specialist offers high-risk pregnancy care for women who may develop a medical condition while pregnant.
The more babies a mother carries, the greater the chance there is for an early birth. Approximately 60 percent of twins and nearly all higher-order multiples are born premature (before 37 weeks).
“Premature babies are born before their organ systems have fully matured. They may require help breathing, eating, fighting infections, and staying warm. Many multiple birth babies will need care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit," says Dr. Bibbo.
Whether the babies are delivered vaginally or via cesarean section depends on the gestational age of the pregnancy, position of the babies, their estimated weight, and the clinical situation. Delivery of multiple babies typically occurs in an operating room in case a cesarean section is needed. An operating room also allows more space to accommodate multiple babies.
Mothers carrying two or more babies require more calories, protein, and other nutrients. It’s common for a mother who is carrying more than one child to feel full more often. As such, it can be harder to consume the necessary calories, and it’s important for a mother to closely monitor her nutritional status.
“I recommend healthy dietary changes that may include eating small, frequent snacks, and extra protein through shakes. Also, mothers should supplement with 30 milligrams of iron in the first trimester, and 60 milligrams until delivery. I usually refer mothers to a nutritionist, who can help them better understand their daily calorie requirements, and learn more about the nutritious foods they should be eating to maintain a healthy pregnancy,” says Dr. Bibbo.
For multiple pregnancies, above average weight gain is recommended. The Institute of Medicine recommends that a woman carrying twins who has a normal body mass index should gain between 37 and 54 pounds. Those who are overweight should gain 31 to 50 pounds, and obese women should gain 25 to 42 pounds.
The extra weight in the front of a mother’s body can strain muscles in the lower back, buttock, thigh, and abdomen. This can lead to low-back pain and sciatica (pain that travels down to the legs). Back pain during pregnancy is common and typically resolves after delivery. Practicing gentle stretching or yoga, as well as using good posture, can help relieve low-back pain. Some mothers may be referred for physical therapy as needed.
It’s also common for a pregnant mother to experience heartburn, or acid reflux. If this causes too much discomfort, your doctor may prescribe a safe medication or offer other suggestions to resolve heartburn.
Women carrying twins or multiples are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, a condition known as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, that develops during pregnancy and is more common in multiple pregnancies. This complication usually occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. This complication occurs when the body can’t make enough insulin during the pregnancy. Placental hormones counteract the actions of insulin, which leads to insulin resistance.
“A mother with gestational diabetes will have their blood sugar closely monitored. The condition can usually be controlled with diet, exercise, or a safe medication. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery, but sometimes it does not, and a mother may be at a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Bibbo.
Multiple pregnancy increases the risk for complications to the baby. However, more frequent visits with an obstetrician or maternal-fetal medicine specialist can help find complications early and manage or treat any potential problems.
The rate of miscarriage is higher in twins than singletons, and much higher for higher-order multiples. A phenomenon called vanishing twin can occur in the first trimester. This is also known as fetal resorption, in which a fetus in a multi-gestation pregnancy dies in utero and is then partially or completely reabsorbed.
Twins that share a placenta are at higher risk of congenital (present at birth) anomalies, including neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida), gastrointestinal, and heart abnormalities.
The growth of a baby can be restricted if the babies are not receiving the nutrition they need. Growth restriction is diagnosed when the estimated fetal weight is less than 10 percent for that gestational age on the growth curve. The growth of twins appears to slow after 30 weeks. The higher rate of growth restriction in multiple pregnancies is thought to be due to uterine crowding and uteroplacental insufficiency.
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare condition of the placenta that develops only in twins that share a placenta. It happens in about 10 percent of monochorionic-diamniotic twins (one placenta, two amniotic sacs). This is because of vascular connections within the placenta that are unbalanced between the twin circulations that lead to uneven flow of volume between the twins.
“It’s important to know that TTTS is uncommon and, in most cases, presents in a mild form that does not require fetal intervention. Since the diagnosis is made via ultrasound, frequent surveillance is recommended, with ultrasounds every 2 weeks, starting at 16 weeks for all monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies,” says Dr. Bibbo.
We understand that you may have concerns and want to assure you that we are steadfast in our commitment to safely providing the care you need. Our experts in the Comprehensive Care Center for Multiples are available to connect with you in person and with Virtual Visits. To request an appointment, call 617-732-5130 or submit the form below.
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