When more than one fetus develops simultaneously in the uterus, it is called multiple pregnancy. Twin pregnancy is the commonest type of multiple pregnancy. However it can bring with itself a number of complications. They can either be maternal complications or fetal complications.
Maternal complications:
*During the course of pregnancy, mother can have increased frequency of nausea and vomiting.
*There will be an increased body demand of iron due to tow fetuses and mother is more likely to suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
*Mal presentation is common, especially with the second baby, which can cause problems during labor.
*Preterm labor is common in twin pregnancy.
*Mother can have palpitation, difficulty in breathing, hemorrhoids during the course of pregnancy.
*During labor there can be an early rupture of fetal membranes and cord prolapse.
*Increased incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, which is bleeding after child birth.
Fetal complications:
*Rate of abortion is increased in twin pregnancy.
*Preterm births are common, that is delivery of the baby before the full term.
*Growth problems in babies can occur.
*Few fetal anomalies like cardiac anomalies, Downs syndrome and hydrocephalus are more often seen in twins.
*Intrauterine death of one of the fetuses can also occur.
These are few of the many complications that can occur in twin pregnancy. Constant monitoring at frequent intervals is thus very important in such pregnancies.
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