Pregnancy with twins in dynamics by week

The experience of expecting twins is special and thrilling. New developments and changes for the mother and the babies occur every week. There are many notable distinctions between having twins and a single baby, even though there are some similarities as well.

The early weeks of carrying twins can be quite hectic, from the moment two heartbeats are discovered to the later weeks of rapid growth. Knowing what to anticipate on a weekly basis aids parents in getting ready for the milestones and difficulties associated with a twin pregnancy.

This manual will walk you through the most important phases of a twin pregnancy, outlining the progression of each week and the changes you can expect along the way. Keeping an eye on the babies’ development or handling the physical demands on them can both be made easier and more pleasurable with a clear picture in place.

First month – conception and implantation

The first week of pregnancy in obstetrics is considered to be the week when the future egg just begins to mature and develop, and the woman may have her period and, of course, conception has not yet occurred. A woman can conceive a child only during the fertile period, when the egg leaves the follicle, ovulation occurs. On this day, which usually falls in the middle of the menstrual cycle, as well as within 24-36 hours after ovulation, conception can theoretically occur. Thus, on the day of conception, a woman is already 2 weeks pregnant. Conceiving twins has its own characteristics. Usually, nature provides for the maturation of only one egg, the growth of the rest in the ovaries is suppressed at the hormonal level. But sometimes the well-established natural mechanism “fails”, and two eggs are released into the fallopian tube on the day of ovulation. In this case, both can be fertilized, and then dizygotic twins or triplets will be born. They will develop in the same mother"s womb, but each will have its own genetic set, and such children will not be similar to each other. Each baby will have its own placenta, they may well be of different sexes.

One of these dizygotic twins might turn out to be blonde, while the other might be brunette. Their characteristics, temperaments, aptitudes, inclinations, tastes, and preferences will all differ from birth, and their differences in height and weight will also be notable.

Monozygotic twins are born as a result of the fertilization of one egg. After the paternal and maternal reproductive cells exchange genetic information, one zygote is formed – an independent cell with its own set of DNA. The reasons why the zygote suddenly splits into two parts are not exactly known to science, but its splitting into two separate zygotes occurs within the first two days after fertilization. If such a separation occurs during the first three days, then the twins will each have their own fetal membranes and placenta, if the separation occurs later, then twins are formed that will feed from one placenta. If the separation occurs late, two weeks after fertilization, then there is a high probability of the formation of conjoined Siamese twins.

Twins are genetically identical to one another because they were created from a single zygote at first. These children are of the same sex, so if one of them gets a genetic illness, it affects both of them simultaneously.

• Bichorionic diamniotic – children who each have their own fetal membranes and their own chorion, which will later become two separate placentas. Such a pregnancy is considered the safest and most optimal, most often this happens when conceiving twins from two different eggs and only in 30% of cases – when conceiving multizygotic twins.
• Monochorionic diamniotic – children who have a single placenta for two, but each has their own amniotic sac. This happens in 60% of cases when conceiving identical twins and almost never when conceiving twins.
• Monochorionic monoamniotic – children who have one placenta, different umbilical cords that are attached to it. The babies are inside one fetal egg for two.

Usually by the end of the fourth week of pregnancy, these characteristics have been developed. The mother is the only one who is currently unaware of it. It is time to wait for the next menstrual cycle, which never arrives, at the end of the fourth week. Additionally, the mother’s mind is still consumed with concerns regarding the pregnancy’s diagnosis and confirmation. The primary astonishment—twins—is not yet evident.

Subtleties of diagnostics

Multiple pregnancy diagnosis can be challenging in the early stages. The hCG levels are the only thing that can suggest subtly that the mother is carrying two babies instead of just one. Following implantation, the chorionic villi produce this hormone, and its concentration rises every two days. Consequently, it is possible for a human chorionic gonadotropin blood test performed on the day of the delay, a few days prior to it, or after it to reveal relatively high values in comparison to the norm.

In this instance, the two chorions’ combined efforts will result in "double" hormone values, which are required to sustain pregnancy.

In hCG tests, twins with a single chorion might not be "noticeable." Additionally, they can only be identified by ultrasound after 8 to 9 weeks of pregnancy; a scan will reveal two embryos.

Regretfully, a home pregnancy test strip will only reveal a woman’s pregnancy status at four weeks along, not the exact number of fetuses. Early pregnancy symptoms won’t be any different from those of a singleton pregnancy.

Every week brings new changes and developments during a twin pregnancy, making it a unique and exciting journey. Parents can feel more prepared and confident throughout the process if they know what to anticipate at each step of the process.

While there may be additional difficulties when carrying twins, regular check-ups with the doctor and appropriate care guarantee mom and baby stay healthy. Managing this unique period requires being aware of physical changes, asking questions, and keeping informed.

In the end, having twins is a fulfilling and challenging experience, but parents can enjoy the happiness of welcoming two new life into the world with the right help and direction.

Every week brings new changes for the mother and the babies during a twin pregnancy, making it an unforgettable experience. Anticipating parents can better prepare by being aware of the weekly developments of both babies, from early indicators such as increased symptoms and faster growth to the unique developmental milestones. Monitoring increases in frequency as the pregnancy goes on, and it’s critical to understand the variations between carrying twins and a single baby, including dietary requirements and possible complications.

Video on the topic

Features of a twin pregnancy. Risks of multiple pregnancy. Gusov I.I.

TWIN PREGNANCY. Features of carrying twins and triplets.

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