How to Know If You Are Having Twins
- 1). The pregnancy hormone hCG is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Measurable around ten days after conception, hCG---Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin---rises rapidly, doubling almost every day for the first two weeks. HCG levels rising more than double or continuing to double after a few weeks can be a sign of a multiple pregnancy. HCG levels are measurable through simple blood tests.
Higher levels of hCG can also mean more bouts or more violent bouts of morning sickness. If you're unable to get a blood test, but you're morning sickness is worse than previous pregnancies, you may be carrying multiples. - 2). Rapid weight gain in the first trimester is also linked to multiple births. If you weigh significantly more than average for your pregnancy date, it could be a sign of twins. Since weight gain in the first two trimesters is the most important for a healthy baby, don't try to slow it down if you're above average unless recommended by your doctor. Twins will need the extra growth spurts.
- 3). Higher than normal AFP, or alpha fetoprotein, levels have been associated with twin pregnancies. AFP is a growth hormone released by the baby, but it is detectable in the mother's blood. AFP tests are usually given around 16 to 18 weeks and detect nearly half of all twin pregnancies. If your doctor detects high AFP levels, there's a good chance you are having twins.
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Fundal height, or the size of the uterus is one of the best ways to predict multiple pregnancies.enceinte image by pipahadesse from Fotolia.com
Fundal height, a measurement from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus, is generally associated with gestational age. If your fundal height is consistently large for your baby's gestational age, there's a good chance you're carrying twins. Generally, physicians will order an ultrasound at the first sign of significant fundal height difference to test for multiple pregnancy. - 5
A positive ultrasound is the only way to confirm multiple pregnancies.nurse image by astoria from Fotolia.com
The single, sure-fire way to confirm you're going to be a mother of two is an ultrasound. Many of the signs listed above may prompt your doctor to complete an ultrasound or you may just be due for a routine one. Either way, an ultrasound often reveals two signs that you're having twins: the distinct sound of two fetal heartbeats and the image of two growing babies.
Twin embryos have been detected as early as five weeks, with most being detected by ultrasound at 10 weeks or earlier. Actual twin heartbeats are detected later, around 12 weeks. Either way, once the ultrasound is performed and confirmed, its official---you're having twins.
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