{"id":40765,"date":"2024-07-24T16:51:36","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T08:51:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/?post_type=health-article&#038;p=40765"},"modified":"2024-10-03T17:13:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T09:13:44","slug":"expecting-multiples-challenges-solutions-of-carrying-more-than-one-baby","status":"publish","type":"health-article","link":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/expecting-multiples-challenges-solutions-of-carrying-more-than-one-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"Expecting Multiples: Challenges &#038; Solutions of Carrying More than One Baby!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"40765\" class=\"elementor elementor-40765\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2729b23 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2729b23\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f496b07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f496b07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Imagine the moment you discover that within you exists two, three, or even more tiny hearts. \u201cI\u2019m carrying more than one baby!\u201d is a phrase that carries with it a weight of wonder (and complexity!). The prospect of simultaneously nurturing not one, but multiple lives, can be both exciting and, truthfully, a tad intimidating for new mums-to-be. Not to forget, the demands of caring for multiple newborns must also be considered and managed effectively.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38d6240 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"38d6240\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44c621e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"44c621e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic01\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Busting common myths about expecting multiples<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ef30dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ef30dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A twin or multiple pregnancy is a pregnancy with more than one fetus. \u201cIt is a common misconception that all twins are identical. In general, all twins can be divided into identical (monozygotic) and non-identical (dizygotic or fraternal) twins,\u201d says Consultant Obstetrician &amp; Gynecologist from Columbia Asia Hospital \u2013 Petaling Jaya, Dr. Shrilekha Suriya Narayanan.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ec0a96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6ec0a96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da423c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da423c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Identical twins are formed when a single embryo is fertilized by two sperms and further divides into two embryos, sharing a placenta. On the other hand, nonidentical or fraternal twins occur when two embryos are fertilized by two separate sperms, resulting in two fetuses in their own gestational sacs and with separate placentas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc8712f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"cc8712f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c832c7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c832c7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cIt is also often misconceived that mothers carrying twins or more babies are required to eat for three, but this is untrue. Growing two or more babies is hard work, but a healthy weight gain is crucial,\u201d adds Dr. Shrilekha. \u201cFor example, a woman having twins should gain about 16 to 20 kg throughout the pregnancy. One should only need an additional 600 healthy calories added to her typical diet, and this can vary from one individual to another.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4a1396 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b4a1396\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-911805d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"911805d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Lastly, it is frequently thought that when one is carrying multiple babies, they will need bed rest. In reality, women with multiple babies are encouraged to continue their daily activities as usual, especially when their pregnancy is progressing normally. However, some will require bed rest, especially when they are at risk of premature delivery or other pregnancy-related complications.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b788952 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b788952\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e195498 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e195498\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic02\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are the chances of getting twins or more?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27e1c8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"27e1c8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"836\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-40777\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-1.jpg 836w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-1-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-1-768x367.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dc9b9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1dc9b9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-316b2e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"316b2e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Several factors can increase the likelihood of having twins. Fertility treatments, such as those involving ovulation-inducing drugs used in invitro fertilization (IVF), can stimulate a woman\u2019s ovaries to release more than one egg. This leads to the possibility of both eggs being fertilized.<\/p><p>Age is another factor. Women over 35 are more likely to release multiple eggs during their reproductive cycle, increasing the chances of twin pregnancies.<\/p><p>Genetic predisposition also plays a role; a family history of twins, particularly on the mother\u2019s side, raises the likelihood of conceiving multiples. Additionally, women who have had previous pregnancies with multiples, such as twins or triplets, have a higher chance of conceiving multiples again.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-735902b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"735902b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a297c7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a297c7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic03\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Multiples on board: The challenges and solution<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbf7703 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cbf7703\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"836\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-2-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-40778\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-2-1.jpg 836w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-2-1-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-2-1-768x367.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d507e77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d507e77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a8e1d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9a8e1d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Being pregnant with more than one baby is an exciting and happy event for a couple. However, there are certain challenges and risks the mother faces when carrying twins or multiples.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aeb5ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9aeb5ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd13837 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd13837\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cWomen expecting twins or more are at a higher risk of developing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus because the increased size or number of placentas can lead to insulin resistance. So, they will need to undergo a sugar test to screen for this condition during pregnancy. Also, they may be more prone to anemia due to the greater nutritional demands, but this can be managed with iron supplements,\u201d explains Dr. Shrilekha.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ad5f85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0ad5f85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a7b591 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3a7b591\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Other than that, there is also an increased risk of developing Gestational Hypertension, or even worse, pre-eclampsia. If diagnosed with these conditions, the mother will need regular and close follow-up appointments and may require antihypertensive agents to control her blood pressure, or even the need for early delivery if complications arise.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70ac5e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"70ac5e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d59cc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d59cc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cThose expecting multiples may experience heartburn or acid reflux. To manage this, it is helpful to make a few lifestyle changes, like eating your last meal at least three hours before bedtime, avoiding foods that trigger symptoms, and elevating your head while sleeping. In some cases, your doctor might prescribe antacids to help relieve these symptoms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83d5673 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"83d5673\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7c8e03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7c8e03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cSome mothers might also experience lower back pain or sciatica, which is a pain or tingling that radiates down the leg. To help with this, wearing shoes with good arch support, sitting in chairs that offer good back support, sleeping on your side, and placing a pillow between your knees for extra support can be beneficial,\u201d says Dr. Shrilekha.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfa5e97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"cfa5e97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2adb902 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2adb902\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic04\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A closer look at the complications of multiple pregnancies<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7698d12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7698d12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"836\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-3-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-40779\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-3-1.jpg 836w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-3-1-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/health-article-expecting-multiples-image-3-1-768x367.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d58f251 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d58f251\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d7cf37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d7cf37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Other than the mothers, the unborn babies may also face potential complications. The risk of preterm birth is three times higher in twin pregnancies, but not all will result in early delivery. According to Dr. Shrilekha, premature birth may occur spontaneously or be medically necessary due to conditions such as worsening maternal health, stunted fetal growth, or signs of infection.<\/p><p>Transvaginal ultrasound of the cervical length before 24 weeks gestation is the most effective tool for predicting preterm birth, regardless of other risk factors. The use of vaginal progesterone in women with shortening cervical length in multiple pregnancies has been shown to reduce the risk of preterm birth as well as perinatal mortality.<\/p><p>Other preventive measures include cervical cerclage and an Arabin pessary placement. Cervical cerclage is a surgical procedure where stitches are used to close the cervix during pregnancy to prevent premature birth or miscarriage. An Arabin pessary is a silicone device placed around the cervix to provide support and reduce the risk of preterm labor.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a356f4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a356f4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c8ef3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c8ef3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cMultiple pregnancies also have a higher risk of intrauterine growth restriction, where one or more of the babies may weigh less than expected for the particular gestation. This can occur with twins and other multiples because they have less space or because the placenta might not be able to provide enough nourishment for all of them,\u201d says Dr. Shrilekha.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efd7724 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"efd7724\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d3acb5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d3acb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cAnother condition to be aware of is twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, which is a serious complication that can happen with identical twins. This occurs when blood flows unevenly between the twins through their shared placenta. One baby ends up getting too much blood, which strains their cardiovascular system and leads to an excess of amniotic fluid. Meanwhile, the other baby does not get enough blood and has too little amniotic fluid,\u201d explains Dr. Shrilekha. Twins sharing an amniotic sac can also become entangled in their umbilical cords. Because of these risks, it is crucial to closely monitor twins, especially in the third trimester.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d0f80b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9d0f80b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75a5478 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75a5478\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">This article first appeared in<\/span>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/parenthood.my\/bump-to-birth\/expecting-multiples-challenges-solutions-of-carrying-more-than-one-baby\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parenthood, 24 July 2024.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Imagine the moment you discover that within you exists two, three, or even more tiny hearts. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40760,"template":"","topic":[158,101],"language":[137],"class_list":["post-40765","health-article","type-health-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-obstetrics-gynecology","topic-women","language-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Expecting Multiples: Challenges &amp; Solutions of Carrying More than One Baby! 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