The signs and symptoms of pregnancy usually start before the confirmation in many cases. While in twin pregnancy, your intuition also adds along with those early tell-tale symptoms. As you conceive, your body will produce hormones and undergo many physical and emotional changes. The early symptoms of a twin pregnancy may be slightly intense when you are expecting more than one baby.
The ratio of natural twin pregnancies is 1:250. Some factors that are responsible for twin pregnancies are genetics, age, reproductive health, etc. You may experience a few typical pregnancy signs, such as sore breasts, fatigue, nausea, pains, cramps, mood swings, and a missed period. However, these signs can sometimes be a bit intense when you are expecting twins.
In This Article
What Are The Early Signs And Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy?
Many mothers feel or sense the twin pregnancy even before confirmation due to the early signs and symptoms they experience. In a twin pregnancy, early symptoms appear and be a bit more dramatic than in a singleton pregnancy.
Here are a few signs and symptoms of twin pregnancy
1. Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. It is the feeling of vomiting(nausea) or occasional vomits. Despite the name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day or night. For some people, morning sickness starts before the pregnancy is confirmed and may last for three months or throughout the pregnancy. For some people, morning sickness will not be a symptom at an early stage but starts in late pregnancy. It varies from individual to individual.
But in the case of twin pregnancy, morning sickness will occur at an extreme level. Here are a few remedies that can help you cope with morning sickness in twin pregnancy
- Healthy snacking
- Eating fruits
- Keeping yourself hydrated
- Sipping ginger ale (in moderation)
In very rare cases, morning sickness is so intense that it turns into a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition can cause extreme fluid loss. Hyperemesis gravidarum requires medical attention to keep the mother from getting dehydrated.
2. Higher Levels of HCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is called the pregnancy hormone as it is produced by the placenta to help grow a fetus. It is produced only during pregnancy and is responsible for early symptoms. Mothers with twins have a higher level of HCG, compared to a singleton pregnancy.
The HCG levels will substantially rise during the early pregnancy days. Twin pregnancies will have more HCG levels when compared to single pregnancies. The range of HCG for singletons is 5 – 397, and for twins, it is 48 – 683. There is a big difference between the first hCG level in singleton and twins. A twin pregnancy can be detected by HCG level, but confirmed only by ultrasound.
3. Fatigue
Fatigue is over-tiredness, low energy, and a strong desire to sleep that usually occurs as soon as one week after conception. It is an early sign of pregnancy that can indicate pregnancy before the test. And for some mothers, daytime tiredness is paired with sleepless nights, which can be because of the discomfort caused due to nausea and vomiting.
Fatigue ranks high in twin pregnancies among early symptoms of pregnancy. No one knows the cause for more sleepiness during the first trimester of twin pregnancy. However, sudden and increased levels of HCG and progesterone may also be the reason for fatigue in twin pregnancies.
4. Increased Appetite
An increase in appetite is common during pregnancy. It is an early sign of pregnancy. Some women may also experience a loss of appetite because of morning sickness. But in a twin pregnancy, a rapid increase in appetite is observed resulting in extra weight gain which is considered normal.
The requirement for nutrients for a twin pregnancy is greater compared to a singleton pregnancy. During early pregnancy, changes in hormones can make the mother feel hungry at any time of the day. Eating protein-rich food, and fruits, snacking 3-4 times a day, and drinking lots of fluids can help the mother feel fuller for longer.
5. Mood Swings
Twin pregnancy includes drastic mood swings. If you are the one with twins, don’t worry that’s normal. Mood swings usually occur due to hormone fluctuations. During twin pregnancy, the hormones fluctuate more compared to a singleton pregnancy, hence making you incredibly moody. A twin pregnancy will be physically and emotionally anxious.
Other Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy
Other than the above-mentioned symptoms, women pregnant with multiples may also experience a few other symptoms like
1. Cramps
Usually, cramps start from 23 – 26 weeks. But in a twin pregnancy, it can start a bit early. Mothers with twin pregnancies can experience more uterine cramps. This can be because the uterus accommodates a good space for two.
2. Frequent Back Pain
Severe back pain is common in twin pregnancies. This usually aggravates as the pregnancy progresses because of the slight shifting of the uterus. Some other reasons for back pain are weight gain and hormone fluctuation.
Mothers with twin pregnancies may experience intense and frequent back pain from the early stage of pregnancy.
3. Frequent Urination
Frequent urination starts within 2-3 weeks of conceiving. In a pregnancy, more frequent urination is one of the common signs of you expecting twins. With a progressing twin pregnancy, women experience urgency in the late first, second, and third trimesters.
Frequent urination occurs due to the expansion of the uterine wall that exerts pressure on the bladder, making it unable to hold for long. Another reason can be weak pelvic muscles and hormonal imbalances.
4. Insomnia
Pregnancy Insomnia can start at any point after conception, but it typically peaks in the later half of pregnancy, once symptoms intensify. Most women with twin pregnancies usually experience insomnia during pregnancy as early as 6 to 7 weeks.
In twin pregnancies, a change in sleeping patterns is another common sign. Physical discomfort, anxiety, hormones fluctuation, etc., may lead to insomnia. Some women experience insomnia in early pregnancy, and some in late.
In twin pregnancies, insomnia can be an early sign and symptom that progresses with pregnancy and be at its peak in the late 9th month.
5. Digestion Issues
Women with twin pregnancies experience more intense and frequent digestion issues like constipation, gasses, etc. As your body produces more HCG and progesterone to support pregnancy, Progesterone is an important pregnancy hormone that relaxes muscles in your body. This includes the muscles of your intestine as well. Slower movement of intestinal muscles leads to slow digestion and this allows gas to build up, which in turn leads to bloating, burping, and flatulence.
In a twin pregnancy, The early signs and symptoms are more intense and horrible than in a singleton. From the intensity of symptoms and signs, women can predict it to be twins, but an ultrasound is vital for confirmation.
FAQ’s
1. How Early Can You Detect Twins?
A twin pregnancy can be detected as early as after conception from those intense signs and symptoms. But the only definite way to confirm is an ultrasound scan.
2. Do Twins Cause More Pain In Early Pregnancy?
Yes, for some women, twins can cause severe pain at an early stage of pregnancy.
