What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Multiple Pregnancy?

Intense Symptoms

• In some women, double or triple babies can lead to double or triple the severity of common pregnancy symptoms. Morning sickness or vomiting, fatigue, urination and breast pain may be more intense. It is especially noticeable when the woman has had previous pregnancies. If a woman is experiencing severe symptoms it is important that she notify her doctor to rule out a serious illness or complication.

Increase in Size

• In a single pregnancy, women tend to gain weight slowly during their first trimester; however, women who are pregnant with multiples gain weight at a much faster pace.

  Also, women who are pregnant with multiples can have a larger abdomen. These women will transition into maternity clothing sooner and, while it is difficult to measure fundal or uterus height in early pregnancy, a significant increase will be evident to an obstetrics provider.

Other Signs

• Early fetal movement is another sign that there may be more than one egg in the basket. In a single pregnancy a woman usually detects faint movement between 13 and 25 weeks. In a multiple pregnancy a woman may feel movement much earlier.

  Hereditary plays a role in multiple pregnancies. A family with a history of twins, triplets, etc., increases the chances that a woman will have multiples.

  Race may be a factor as well, African-Americans are more likely to give birth to twins than any other race.

  Age and medical intervention can also determine a possible multiple pregnancy. Older women have a greater chance of multiples and women who have had medical help with conceiving--either through drugs, invitro-fertilization or other means--have higher instances of multiples.