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2. Doppler Heartbeat Count

Using absolutely harmless sound waves, a Doppler system amplifies fetal heart sounds, usually distinguishable at some late point in the first trimester. An experienced physician or midwife can even detect more than one heartbeat, indicating a multiple pregnancy. However, those sounds can be misleading; what appears to be a second heartbeat may actually be background noise or, rarely, the mother’s own heartbeat.

3. Elevated HcG Levels

For various reasons, doctors may monitor HcG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels. HcG is a hormone detectable in a pregnant women’s blood or urine about 10 days post-conception; it increases at a rapid rate, peaking about 10 weeks into the pregnancy. Twins may produce elevated levels of HcG. However, the standard HcG level for twins also falls within the normal range for singletons.

4. Abnormal AFP Test Results

AFP (Alphafetoprotein) screening is a blood test performed on pregnant mothers sometime during the second trimester. Also known as maternal serum screening or triple marker screen, it is usually used to identify increased risks of certain birth defects. A twin pregnancy can produce an usually high – or “positive – result.

5. Measuring Large for Gestational Age

Throughout the pregnancy, your doctor or midwife may measure the height of the uterine fundus (from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus) as a way of indicating gestational age. Your twin or multiple pregnancy may causes the mother’s uterus to expand beyond the range of a single pregnancy. However, other factors may also increase the measurements and need to be taken into account.

6. Weight Gain

Just as a multiple pregnancy may cause mothers to measure large, it may also result in an increased weight gain. How much weight women gain can vary depending on her height, body type and how much she weighed before the pregnancy. Increased or rapid weight gain more than likely reflects eating choices rather than twins; generally, mothers of twins only gain around 10 lbs. more than singleton mothers.

7. Excessive Morning Sickness

About 50% of pregnant women experience some amount of vomiting or nausea that is associated with their pregnancy. Moms of multiples certainly aren’t exempt, but neither are they doomed to a double dose. Only about 15% of respondents in a poll on this site actually reported enhanced morning sickness symptoms as an indicator of their multiple pregnancies. Experiences vary widely – so some do, some don’t.

8. Early/Frequent Fetal Movement

Feeling a baby — or babies — move inside your womb is one of the most thrilling aspects of your pregnancy. Although many moms of multiples do experience more frequent or earlier fetal movement, there is some considerable disagreement among medical professionals on the subject. For many women, recognizable feelings of movement occur earlier in subsequent pregnancies, whether there is one baby or more.

9. Extreme Fatigue

This is one of the most commonly reported complaint during pregnancy with multiples. Sleepiness, lethargy and exhaustion during the first trimester can be enhanced because your body is working overtime to nurture more than one baby. In some cases, the fatigue can be attributed to other factors such work, stress, poor nutrition or having other children, but it can also be an indication of multiples.

10. History/Hunches

While the other items in this list refer to some kind of visible evidence – meaning: exaggerated symptoms, abnormal test results, etc. – we can’t disregard the power of a mother’s intuition. A family history of multiples, or a powerful hunch can be convincing indicators. Follow up with your doctor about these feelings to find out more.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 at 1:59 am and is filed under Twins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.