So, You're Pregnant With Twins?

Finding out that you are pregnant with twins may be a shock, but reality will soon show up and then the excitement begins. In your mind, you start planning the nursery and all the baby things you will need for two babies.

There are several factors that may increase your chances of having twins:

• Conceiving in your thirties or later. As you get older your body may release more than one egg at a time. This increases your chance of the sperm fertilizing more than one egg.
• In Vitro Fertilization, in which several eggs may be fertilized
• Genetics. If you have a family history of multiple births chances are you stand a greater chance of having multiples yourself.

Being pregnant with twins will take a little special attention to eating the right foods, drinking plenty of liquid and also keeping yourself healthy. Remember you are eating for three now, so it is important to get the right amount of everything.

You may want to keep a journal in a notebook of all the symptoms you have, document anything different and as your pregnancy gets further along you will need to count movements. This is sometimes hard to do in twins because you don’t know if each movement is from the same baby or from both of them.

In the first trimester carrying twins doesn’t feel much different from a regular pregnancy. If you've ever been pregnant before you pretty much know what to expect.

During the second trimester the babies really start to gain weight. In order to ensure that you and your babies get the right amount of vitamins, minerals and proteins, you will need to increase your caloric intake.

During the second trimester your babies will start to grow and they'll seem a little heavier every day. This is a very crucial time for your baby’s growth and development. Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice.

Most twins are born prematurely due to early rupture of membranes or because of complications such as pregnancy induced high blood pressure. Health risks are generally higher because of the extra baby your body is supporting.

Your doctor might order you to bed rest during the third trimester in order to give the babies a chance to stay put while their lungs are maturing. Sometimes this can be done at home or in the hospital. Make the most of this time by writing a book, reading, and calling friends that you never have time to call.

Other pregnancy conditions may develop while you are pregnant with twins. Diabetes is one of these conditions. That is why it is important to make sure you get the proper prenatal care during the entire pregnancy. You will see your doctor once a month until your third trimester in which your doctor will ask you to come in more often.

It’s important to make it to each doctor's appointment in case there are any changes happening in your body that you may not be aware of. Make sure you write any concerns you may have about your pregnancy down on paper so that you can remember to ask your doctor.

Being pregnant with twins is a wonderful experience that not every woman gets the opportunity to experience. Enjoy every moment of it.