Twin pregnancy ultrasound: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Anh Tu - Doctor of Obstetric Ultrasound - Prenatal Diagnosis - Obstetrics Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Twins or multiples is the term used to describe having more than one fetus in the uterus. Multiple pregnancy is usually diagnosed by fetal ultrasound, most commonly the ultrasound image of twins. Twin pregnancy ultrasound is a widely used paraclinical tool and multiple pregnancy itself has many complications, so pregnant women need to equip themselves with some basic knowledge to better understand the ultrasound images. twin pregnancy sound.

1. How does a multiple pregnancy form?

A woman with more than one embryo is called a multiple pregnancy. During a menstrual cycle, if more than one egg is released and all of them are fertilized by sperm, more than one embryo will be formed and implanted in the uterus, possibly with twins or triplets. This is the mechanism of fraternal twins, when one egg is fertilized and divides into many different embryos, it can also lead to the formation of twins or other multiple pregnancy conditions, known as identical twins, Identical twins are less common than fraternal twins.

2. Causes of twin pregnancy

Infertility treatment uses fertility drugs that cause more than one egg to be released during a menstrual cycle, resulting in more zygotes forming and possibly resulting in twins, triplets, or more. IVF can lead to multiple pregnancies if more than one embryo is transferred into the uterus. Identical twins appear to have split a previously fertilized egg. Women over the age of 35 have a higher chance of conceiving twins because they usually release at least 2 eggs in each menstrual period.

3. Signs of twin pregnancy

Women who are pregnant with twins often have more severe morning sickness or breast engorgement than other women with a normal singleton pregnancy. They may also gain weight faster. However, most twin pregnancies are confirmed by fetal ultrasound.
According to many recommendations, women pregnant with twins should be given nutritional supplements to gain more weight than women with singleton pregnancies. The average energy requirement is 300 calories/day for an embryo. This means that the energy requirement of a pregnant woman with twins is 600 calories/day.

4. Should you practice sports while pregnant with twins?

Regular physical activity when pregnant with twins is important for the health of pregnant women, but strenuous activities should be avoided. Some exercises suitable for pregnant women are swimming, yoga and gentle walking. The average workout time should be about 30 minutes a day.

5. Is there a higher risk of complications in twin pregnancy?

Women carrying twins are more likely to experience obstetric complications. These pregnant women need more careful antenatal care by obstetricians. When starting in the second trimester, a twin ultrasound should be repeated every 4-6 weeks (For twins with placental twins, the second trimester should be done every 4 weeks, while for monochorionic twins, it's a good idea. 2 weeks)
If an abnormality is suspected, other tests may be ordered to assess fetal status, and twin ultrasounds will be performed more frequently.

6. What is the most common complication of twin pregnancy?

The most common complication of twin pregnancy is preterm birth with a prevalence of more than 50%. Babies born prematurely before 37 weeks have an increased risk of short- and long-term health problems, including abnormalities related to breathing, body temperature and nutrition. Other problems, such as language impairments and behavioral disorders, may appear later as the child gets older. Extremely premature babies born before 32 weeks can die even with good care after birth. In addition, preterm twins have a higher risk of gestational diabetes than other preterm pregnancies, which, if not well controlled, can lead to severe brain damage.

7. Does having twins affect my risk of preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a vascular abnormality that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy or postpartum. Preeclampsia occurs more often in multiple pregnancies, even at an earlier time and with more severe manifestations. Preeclampsia can damage many organs in the body, most commonly the kidneys, liver, brain, and eyes. The disease can progress to more severe and lead to eclampsia. In women diagnosed with preeclampsia, the fetus may need to be delivered right away, even before full term.

8. Does twin pregnancy affect the development of the fetus?

Twins often face more growth-related problems than singletons. The development of the fetus is usually not normal. Fetal growth restriction may be present in one or both fetuses. Twin ultrasound is a means to diagnose and monitor fetal growth disorders throughout pregnancy.

9. Does twin pregnancy affect delivery?

The likelihood of a cesarean section is higher in pregnancies with twins. However, in some cases, a twin pregnancy can be monitored for vaginal delivery. The decision to choose a method of delivery depends on many factors, including:
Features of the fetus: fetal position, weight and health status Maternal characteristics: the mother's general health and specific characteristics. point of labor. Experience of medical staff.

10. Ultrasound image of twin pregnancy

Ultrasound plays an important role in the diagnosis of twins, monitoring of pregnancy and planning for delivery. The number of fetuses and the number of amniotic chambers, the status of amniotic fluid captured must be shown on ultrasound images of twins, as well as investigation for morphological abnormalities and other complications. Determining the location of placental attachment and insertion of the umbilical cord into the placenta are also important ultrasound images of twins because an umbilical cord adhesion condition increases the risk for a pregnancy. Twin ultrasound is also essential for grading and treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, detecting abnormalities in fetal development. Flow doppler ultrasound has been shown to reduce postpartum mortality.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, twin pregnancy ultrasound focuses on determining the number of embryos, the number of amniotic chambers and placenta, assessing nuchal translucency, and severe malformations. During the second and third trimesters, the opportunity to assess cervical length should not be overlooked to assess the risk of preterm birth, a common complication of twin pregnancies.

At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: acog.org

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