Preparing for Delivery of Twins

One of the factors that cause twin pregnancies is hormonal changes that occur with age. This change allows a woman to release two eggs that are ready to be fertilized. The age range of women who are most likely to conceive twins is 30-40 years. Not only that, one of about 400 pregnant women is also likely to have identical twins. This condition is not influenced by family history factors so that each woman has the same opportunity to experience it.

How Can You Have Twins?

The background to the appearance of twins can also be explained by its type:

• Fraternal twins / not identical.

When two different eggs are fertilized, two different sperm. Physically, their physical appearance will not be so similar. Just like brothers and sisters in general. Non-identical twins occur because there are two eggs released from the ovaries, and then both are fertilized by sperm.

• Identical twins.

When one fertilized egg cell divides and develops into two fetuses. Therefore, the physical appearance of both will be similar and the same sex.

Who Can Have Twins?

Many people are looking for ways to get twins. What are the actual factors that influence it? The following factors make some groups of women more likely to have twins, especially not identical twins.

• There are twin family members. However, identical twins are not inherited in the family. You are more likely to have identical twins if your family member first has twins.
• Women who are pregnant at an older age are more likely to conceive twins, because they are more likely to release two eggs simultaneously.
• Women who use IVF to get offspring.

However, outside of the above group, the opportunity to conceive twins is still open because the actual background of the trigger has not been clearly established.

Relationship between Eating and Pregnant Twins

Pregnant twins does not mean you need to eat double than ordinary pregnant women. The diet of pregnant women with twins is generally more or less the same as that of pregnant women with one fetus.

• Strive to always eat healthy foods and balanced nutrition that is rich in fresh vegetables and fruit.
• Meet the needs of protein and calcium that can be obtained from the consumption of cooked eggs, cheese, milk, beans, and lean red meat.
• Eat snacks that are also healthy, such as fresh fruits. Avoid snacks that are not nutritious, such as packaged chips or confectionery.
• Women who are pregnant with twins need extra folic acid to reduce the risk of fetal defects. If in a pregnancy one baby needs 0.4 milligrams of folic acid every day, then it takes 1 milligram per day in twin pregnancies.

Pregnant women with twins are more at risk of experiencing iron deficiency. Therefore, you need to eat foods with high iron content, such as beans, lean red meat, and green vegetables.

Differences in Delivery between Twins and One Baby?

Twins can be born on time like in a pregnancy with one baby, but generally doctors will recommend delivery through labor induction or cesarean section, weeks 38-39 of pregnancy. The more babies they carry, the higher their risk of being born prematurely. Therefore, your twins may be given corticosteroid injections to accelerate the development of their lungs. The labor process is also more likely to be by cesarean section. In most cases, if the baby's head is down, the first baby can be removed in a normal manner, but a cesarean section is needed to remove the second baby. While for triplets and above, almost every delivery is done by Caesarean.

How to Risk Containing Twins

With a healthy diet and lifestyle, the risk of complications in women who are pregnant with twins is actually not higher than for those who are pregnant normally. However, there are still possibilities for complications, such as:

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels during pregnancy are higher in women with twins. This condition causes the possibility of morning sickness or nausea and vomiting becomes more pronounced.
• The risk of miscarriage is higher in mothers with twins, especially those who experience minor bleeding early in pregnancy.
• Weight gain in women who are twin pregnant certainly higher than those who are pregnant with one baby. The average weight gain in pregnant women with one fetus is around 11 kg, while in twin fetuses is 13-15 kg.
• The weight of the baby is more at risk of pressing on the blood vessels in the pelvic area, so that pregnant women twin tend to experience hemorrhoids and varices.
• Pressure on the stomach risks causing flatulence and heartburn.
• More at risk of experiencing pelvic pain and back pain because of the greater burden.
• Mothers who are pregnant with twins are more at risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy.
• Transfusion between twins. Twins who share blood vessels in the placenta are at risk of having an unbalanced blood division. One baby can get excessive blood and another deficiency. This condition can cause serious complications in both babies and is usually treated with an earlier birth.

What are the Preparations for Caring for Twins?

Handling two babies at the same time requires extra strength and ability too. The following are some things that deserve more attention.

• Body sports

The risk of health problems is higher in women who are pregnant twins making mothers who contain two or more fetuses need to exercise regularly during pregnancy, such as Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles.

• Seeking help

Consider asking for help from relatives or using the services of a caregiver to help you care for the twins after birth. Breastfeeding and caring for two babies at once will be enough to make you tired, not to mention coupled with housework.

• Greater expenses

Prepare costs for two children at once, both from funds for baby equipment to their future education. To reduce costs, some equipment such as clothes, toys and shoes can be obtained from relatives who no longer use them. However, some equipment that requires safety standards should still be bought new, such as dining chairs and strollers (stroller).

With good preparation, the challenges experienced by pregnant women with twins can be dealt with, so that it can be a double happiness.