You may be wondering if there is a contrast or difference between a single or twin pregnancy. The truth is there are a lot of differences. The general conception is that twin pregnancies can be a bit more stressful compared to single ones, but it’s not all bad. Singleton and twin pregnancies are pretty much the same, but there are a few differences that you may want to look out for to ensure the health of either one baby or two.
The first notable difference, even those that aren’t noticeable to the ones carrying the baby, is the size of the belly. When carrying one baby, a woman’s belly will get big after some time. Carrying twins will obviously make it larger, but not in an exaggerated way.
Outside appearances aren’t just the only difference between singleton and twin pregnancies. Here are some of the most common ones.
Some changes also include needing to eat healthier, but some women tend to disagree with certain types of food. They want to eat food that they like that may not necessarily be healthy, which should be avoided as much as possible. This also means that they need to drink more water and fluids. This calls for a restricted diet for pregnant women.
This leads to the next difference, where mood swings can happen more often. Denying a pregnant woman what she wants to eat can sometimes annoy her. Women can become agitated because their hormones are surging and they are also worried about their baby. This can happen more often when carrying twins because some mothers think it is a riskier pregnancy. However, doctors say that a twin pregnancy has the same risks as a singleton pregnancy with only a few more risks involved when having twins.
Pregnant women may find it hard to sleep. There are different reasons, but pregnant women find it hard to sleep due to their belly being pushed against the bed, gas, and nausea.
Women with singletons may find it hard to sleep because of this, but it can be harder for those that have twin pregnancies. The belly still gets in the way, but if it is much bigger than the average pregnant belly, they may have difficulty finding a good position while sleeping even when they are on their side. When sleeping problems arise, there are always ways to alleviate it. These pregnant women can buy products like a good wedge pillow to help them sleep well at night.
Morning sickness is another factor for pregnant women. It doesn’t always happen in the morning and it is different for every mother. Even mothers with single pregnancies can have worse nausea symptoms than those with twins. Morning sickness is natural for pregnant women because the surge in hormones can affect their body in ways that can trigger issues like nausea, headaches, joint pains, and more. There’s not much difference when having twins versus one baby because hormones are zooming all over the place. It all depends on how the mother’s body reacts to it.
Another difference between single and twin pregnancy is that the body changes can be a bit more overwhelming. An example is that women can gain more weight and develop spots on their body.
Be sure to visit the doctor as much as you can or as necessary. Pregnant women have to be more careful when they are carrying twins. One thing about delivering twins is that it is done much earlier. While gestation can last as long as 9 months, pregnant women with twins usually deliver much earlier. There are several reasons why in some cases twins or more babies are born earlier than singletons. It could be attributed to placenta problems or the rupturing of the amniotic membrane, which is when the water breaks too early.
There are differences between being pregnant with one baby, twins, or more. While the conditions are similar, they can be a bit amplified, to say the least. You don’t have to worry if you are unsure as you can easily get twin pregnancy information especially in today’s digital age. However, don’t trust search engines as much as you trust your doctor. So take good care of yourself and your baby or babies.
Pregnancy is a time when a woman is extremely at risk. Many pregnant women experience mental health problems during pregnancy. Some women often find pregnancy a time of hope or a means of self-realization. Others view it negatively. For example, they may feel inadequate about becoming a mother or may simply fear childbirth.
A research survey carried out by Baby Glimpse in 2017 contributed to a better understanding of mental health during pregnancy. Among 1000 women who participated, 365 admitted to experiencing mood swings and other types of emotional disorders during pregnancy.
Psychiatric disorders not only affect the pregnant woman’s wellbeing but may also have major effects on the unborn baby. Depression during pregnancy, for instance, is a risk factor for premature delivery, psychotic illness, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, as well as adverse birth outcomes.