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Home >> Parenting & Families >> Multiple Pregnancy
Multiple Pregnancy
If you are pregnant with more than one baby—with twins, triplets, or moreyour pregnancy is called a multiple pregnancy. Fraternal twins are more col mon than identical twins and are the result of two sperm fertilizing two egg Fraternal twins may or may not be the same sex and are no more alike appearance than any other siblings. Identical twins occur less frequently are the result of one sperm fertilizing one egg, which then separates. Since identical twins carry the same genetic material, they are always the same and always look alike, and always have the same blood type. They may be mini images of each other.
During pregnancy, an increased demand is placed on the body of a woman carrying more than one baby as well as additional placentas or one larger percents. The discomforts of pregnancy are accentuated, since there is increased demand on the circulatory system and the uterus is larger in size The chances of PIH and preterm labor are greater. For these reasons, many physicians place these women on bed rest at around 28 weeks gestation.
Women experiencing a multiple pregnancy have higher protein and calcium requirements. Additional protein is necessary to provide for adequate growth of the babies and ensure good muscle tone of the overdistended uterus. Women who eat well during pregnancy decrease their chances for complications and increase the chances for delivering at term.
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