Multiple
Pregnancy Symptoms
- Fundal
height greater than expected for the length of gestation
- Hearing
of two or more heartbeats that differ by at least 10 beats
per minute
- Elevated
alpha-feto protein levels
- Elevated
Hcg
levels
- Severe
morning sickness
- Visualization
on ultrasound of more than one gestational sac
Currently,
the occurence of twins in the United States is about 1 in
45 or about 2%. Certain factors can increase your chances
of twins.
Risk
Factors for Multiple Pregnancy
- African
American
- Increased
age - the older you are the greater your risk for having
multiples.
- Number
of previous pregnancies - the more times you have been
pregnant the greater your risk for having multiples
- Being
tall and heavier increases your risk of having multiples
- Certain
fertility medications can increase your risk for having
multiples
- A
family history of fraternal twins increases your risk
of having fraternal twins - identical twins are not believed
to be hereditary
You
may have all the risk factors and many of the symptoms of
a multiple pregancy and not be pregnant with multiples. The
way to know for sure is by an ultrasound. If you're concerned
about having twins (or more), consult your health care provider
for further information.
