Common complications in twin pregnancies are significantly higher than in single pregnancies and include both maternal and fetal risks. Twin pregnancies require close monitoring due to these increased risks.
- Preterm Labor and Birth:Â More than 60% of twin pregnancies result in premature birth, which carries risks for immature organ systems and low birth weight in babies.
- High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia:Â Women carrying twins have over twice the risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia compared to singletons, increasing maternal and fetal risks.
- Gestational Diabetes:Â Increased placental hormone levels and insulin resistance raise the risk for gestational diabetes in twin pregnancies.
- Anemia:Â More common due to increased blood volume and nutritional demands in twin pregnancies.
- Placental Abruption:Â Premature separation of the placenta can occur more often in multiples, risking fetal oxygen supply.
- Low Birth Weight and Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR):Â Twins are more likely to have growth restrictions due to shared resources in the womb.
- Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS):Â A serious condition affecting identical twins sharing a placenta, causing uneven blood flow and fluid imbalances.
- Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence (TAPS):Â Another placental blood flow disorder seen in identical twins, where one twin becomes anemic and the other polycythemic.
- Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction (Selective IUGR):Â One twin grows normally while the other does not, leading to complications.
- Umbilical Cord Entanglement:Â Particularly in monochorionic monoamniotic twins sharing a sac, this can cause dangerous cord compression.
- Higher Cesarean Section Rate:Â Due to risks and positioning, surgical delivery is more common in twin pregnancies.
Twin pregnancies are high risk with frequent complications related to prematurity, growth, placental function, maternal health, and delivery. Specialized prenatal care with frequent ultrasounds and monitoring by maternal-fetal medicine experts is essential to manage these risks for the best outcomes for mother and babies.
If any particular complication or symptom arises, early detection and treatment can improve prognosis significantly.
If you’re facing pregnancy concerns like nausea, back pain, dizziness, cramps, spotting, or worries about travelling, getting timely guidance is important. A skilled gynecologist can assess pregnancy safety, manage complications, provide ultrasound evaluations, and guide you on safe travel. You can consult Dr. Sofia Manzoor a leading gynecologist with 16 years of experience. She’s known for handling infertility cases, high-risk cases, travel-related concerns, and overall women’s health with expertise and care.
