Who is pregnant with triplets

You will need to eat more to meet the babies' nutritional needs. You may need to take iron and folic acid supplements. Your healthcare team will provide you with a nutrition plan. You are more likely to experience annoying pregnancy symptoms like reflux , haemorrhoids , varicose veins and constipation.

Carrying triplets or more means you may also experience backache , so correct posture is very important. Always bend your knees when lifting, tilt your pelvis forward when sitting, standing or lying, and consider stomach support.

Because the babies are likely to be born early, it's a good idea to get the nursery ready and attend antenatal classes earlier than you would for a single pregnancy. If possible, look for classes or information evenings designed specifically for women expecting a multiple birth. You will get very large and tired in the later stages of the pregnancy. You may have problems sleeping, but frequent rest and drinking plenty of water will help.

Towards the end of the pregnancy, you will have to limit physical activity and travel, and may need to go on bed rest. You will usually have to stop work earlier than with a single pregnancy. Your healthcare team can advise you on the right time for this. While a normal pregnancy usually lasts 40 weeks, triplets are often born earlier. However, generally the longer your babies can stay in the uterus, the better.

But when you are pregnant with triplets or more, complications often develop that mean it's better for you and your babies if they are delivered early. Most multiple births take place by caesarean section. Your medical team will decide when to deliver based on your health and that of the babies. You may need to stay in hospital for a while before the birth. If you experience any signs of preterm labour , call your doctor immediately.

If you are expecting higher order multiples, it's common to worry about possible pregnancy complications, how big you will get, how your other children will cope, and what help you will need. For support and resources, contact the Australian Multiple Birth Association. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Multiple pregnancies, including triplets and more, are rare but require lots of support. Find out about the different types of multiple pregnancy here.

If you are pregnant with triplets or more, the birth will need careful planning. The main risk is that they will be born prematurely. Find out more here. There has been an overall increasing trend in multiple births in the last two decades in Australia.

Attributed largely to the increased use of fertility drugs and assisted reproduction technology and the growing number of older mothers. Read more on Twins Research Australia website. There will be a full medical team in the room, including a specialist obstetrician and paediatrician who are experienced in the care of triplets or more.

Babies born before 34 weeks may need help with breathing, feeding and keeping warm. They are at greater risk of complications than babies born at full term. The neonatal intensive care unit has specialist medical staff and equipment to care for premature and sick newborn babies. When your babies no longer need this high level of care, they may be transferred to the special care nursery or special care baby unit.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Learning you're pregnant with triplets or more can be a shock, but overall, most parents find having multiple babies to be a positive experience. Multiple pregnancies, including triplets and more, are rare but require lots of support. Find out about the different types of multiple pregnancy here. Feeding multiple babies, such as triplets or more, can be challenging at first, but even breastfeeding is possible with some expert help.

Raising multiple babies - triplets or more - involves planning, hard work, and well designed routines. But with support, raising multiples does get easier. Read more on Better Health Channel website. More than 9 out of 10 premature babies survive and develop normally, thanks to medical advances. Here's what to expect when you have your baby before 37 weeks. Learn about the neonatal intensive care unit NICU , where premature or very ill babies are admitted for highly specialised hospital care.

If you're pregnant with twins, a healthy lifestyle and diet will help you cope with your pregnancy and give your babies the best start in life. Pregnant with twins? Read more on raisingchildren. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

Video call. This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. Birth weight also corresponds closely to the severity of disability throughout the childhood years. As noted above, the average birth weight even for quadruplets is well above this number. Prevention during infertility treatment is the best approach to avoiding a multiple pregnancy. In ART cycles, limiting the number of embryos transferred is an effective approach.

Consult the ASRM Practice Committee Report titled Guidelines on Number of Embryos Transferred for recommendations regarding the optimal number of embryos to transfer based on patient age, embryo quality, and other criteria.

In the United States, physicians and patients jointly decide how many embryos to transfer. However, in England, no more than two embryos may be transferred in most cases. In Canada, a maximum of three embryos are recommended for transfer. The ultimate goal of ART is to achieve a high pregnancy rate while transferring a single embryo.

While physicians can transfer two embryos and still maintain acceptable pregnancy rates, the transfer of one embryo is associated with good pregnancy rates in certain patient groups, thereby resolving the problem of multiple pregnancies caused by multiple embryo transfer. Multiple pregnancies are a known complication of ovulation stimulation drugs. Most physicians monitor patients with ultrasound examinations and blood tests. A woman with a large number of ovarian follicles or high hormone levels has an increased risk of a multiple pregnancy, and the cycle may be canceled to avoid the risk.

No proven way of reducing multiple pregnancies with superovulation has been identified, although preventing fertilization with development of more than three follicles is helpful in reducing high-order multiples. When a triplet or high-order multiple pregnancy occurs, multifetal pregnancy reduction may be considered to improve the chance for survival of the fetuses. While multifetal pregnancy reduction carries some risk of a complete miscarriage, it also reduces the chances of extreme premature birth.

In order to achieve the best outcome with a multiple pregnancy, the expectant mother must work as part of the health care team. A nearly total change in lifestyle can be expected, especially after about 20 weeks into the pregnancy. There is an increased need for maternal nutrition in multiple pregnancies. An expectant mother needs to gain more weight in a multiple pregnancy, especially if she begins the pregnancy underweight.

With multiples, weight gain of approximately lb. The pattern of weight gain is important too. Healthy birth weights are most likely achieved when the mother gains nearly one pound per week in the first 20 weeks. The increase in fetal growth with appropriate nutrition and weight gain may greatly improve pregnancy outcome at a minimum of cost. Many physicians who manage multiple pregnancies believe that a reduction in activities and increased rest prolongs these pregnancies and improves outcomes.

However, routine hospitalization for bed rest in multiple pregnancy has not been shown to prevent preterm birth. Women with high-order multiple pregnancies usually are advised to avoid strenuous activity and employment at some time between 20 and 24 weeks.

Bed rest improves uterine blood flow and may be helpful for fetal growth problems. Intercourse generally is discouraged when bed rest is recommended. Since preterm birth and growth disturbances are the major contributors to newborn death and disability in multiples, frequent obstetric visits and close monitoring of the pregnancy are needed.

Prenatal diagnosis using a variety of new techniques can be done near the end of the first trimester to screen for Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities. Amniocentesis may be performed between 16 and 20 weeks. Amniocentesis may be complicated and difficult to perform in twins and triplets and may not be possible in high-order multiple pregnancies.

However, reasonable data exist for the use of serum screening in the setting of multiple pregnancies and can be a helpful tool to assess risk of these and other conditions. Many physicians perform cervical examinations every week or two beginning early in pregnancy to determine if the cervix is thinning or opening prematurely.

If an exam or ultrasound shows that the cervix is thinning or beginning to dilate prematurely, a cerclage, or suture placed in the cervix, may prevent or delay premature dilatation. However, preventative cerclage has not been shown to prevent preterm birth in twins or triplets. Tocolytic agents are medications that may slow or stop premature labor. It is important to attempt to delay delivery to minimize the risks of premature delivery.

Ultrasound examinations in the second trimester can identify some birth defects. Assessment of fetal growth by ultrasound every 3 to 4 weeks during the second half of pregnancy is commonly performed. Every multiple pregnancy should be considered at high risk, and obstetricians experienced with the management of multiple gestations should provide care.

A neonatal intensive care unit nursery should be available to provide immediate and comprehensive support to premature newborns. Vaginal delivery of twins may be safe in some circumstances. Many twins can be delivered vaginally if the lowest infant is in the head-first position. Most triplets will be delivered by cesarean section. Appropriate anesthesia and neonatal support are essential, whether delivery is performed vaginally or requires cesarean section. Delivery of multiples requires planning by the entire medical team and availability of full intensive-care support following birth.

Although the majority of women with a multiple pregnancy do very well, their families may experience significant stress. If prolonged hospitalization is needed, arrangements must be made for work, home, and family care.

Even when medical problems are overcome and the infants survive without disability, the effect of multiple births on family life is substantial. The impact of a multiple birth clearly affects the parents, but also the babies, other siblings, and the extended family. Financial stresses are common, due to the additional costs of feeding, clothing, housing, and caring for multiple children. Postpartum depression also is more common after delivery of multiple pregnancies in both the mother and the father and may be long-term.

Psychological counseling and support groups may provide a lifeline for the parents of multiples, who may feel isolated or depressed. Most physicians can provide appropriate referrals to a mental health professional or a support group. The objective of infertility treatment is the birth of a healthy child. In a small percentage of patients, treatment results in multiple pregnancy that may place the mother and the babies at increased risk for an unhealthy outcome.

Since multiple pregnancies and their complications are an inevitable risk of fertility therapies, education about these risks is crucial prior to treatment. Ultimately, prevention is the key to reducing the risk of multiple pregnancy.

A professional medical organization of approximately 9, health care specialists interested in reproductive medicine. A procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed through a needle from the fetal sac at about 16 weeks into a pregnancy. The fluid is studied for chromosomal abnormalities that may affect fetal development.

Thin membrane that expands to enclose a developing fetus. This membrane sac holds the amniotic fluid that protects the developing fetus.

Assisted reproductive technology ART. Placement of a nonabsorbable suture around an incompetent weak cervical opening in an attempt to keep it closed and thus prevent miscarriage. Also known as a cervical stitch. Cerebral palsy. A disorder causing damage to one or more specific areas of the brain usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; or in infancy.

Cerebral palsy is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function, particularly muscle control and coordination. Other problems that may arise are difficulties in feeding, bladder and bowel control, problems with breathing, skin disorders, and learning disabilities. The lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects the uterine cavity to the vagina. Clomiphene citrate. An oral anti-estrogen drug used to induce ovulation in the female.