Symptoms and Diagnosis of Multiple Pregnancy

Multiple pregnancy is a term used to describe when a woman carries more than one baby at the same time. It's also common for many women to suspect that they are carrying more than one baby before it is medically confirmed. The healthcare provider may help them diagnose multiple babies early in pregnancy. This case is common when fertility treatments are used. Now, let’s learn more about the multiple pregnancy symptoms, the ways to diagnose them, and other details below.

How Does Multiple Pregnancy Happen?

Multiple pregnancies occur in two primary ways: 

• A single ovum or fertilized egg splits before getting implanted in the uterine lining.
• Different sperm fertilize two or more separate eggs at the same time.

These two types of multiple pregnancies result in identical or fraternal siblings in several cases. 

Symptoms of Multiple Pregnancy

Each woman witnesses slightly different symptoms during various pregnancy stages. However, the most common symptoms associated with multiple pregnancy are:

• The uterus seems larger than expected for the dates in pregnancy.
• Increased morning sickness.
• Greater appetite.
• Too much weight gain, especially during early pregnancy.
• Movement of the babies felt in different parts of the stomach at the same time.

How to Diagnose Multiple Pregnancy?

Healthcare providers often diagnose pregnant women. This involves analysing their health history, physical exam, and conducting the following tests:

• Pregnancy Blood Testing: All human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels may be higher in women with multiple pregnancies. These pregnancy conditions can be diagnosed with the help of blood testing. 
• Alpha-fetoprotein: Levels of a protein found in the mother's blood and those released by the fetal liver may be higher when more than one baby is making the protein. This helps healthcare providers diagnose the condition easily. 
• Pregnancy Ultrasound: This imaging test leverages high-frequency sound waves to create images of tissues, blood vessels, and organs. Pregnancy ultrasounds are usually done with the help of a vaginal probe or transducer, especially in early pregnancy. A few healthcare providers also conduct the test with abdominal probes in later pregnancy.
• Fundal Height Measurement: Healthcare providers must also measure the fundal height during routine prenatal checkups. It refers to the distance from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone. 

Secure Your Baby’s Future with Cord Blood Banking

Anyone can witness pregnancy complications, regardless of the number of babies they are carrying. The same applies to the case of a multiple pregnancy. However, if you’re still concerned about your baby’s future health, consider cord blood banking. 

One of the top cord blood banks in India, Cryoviva, provides excellent services for umbilical cord preservation. To ensure that families have access to potentially life-saving therapies in the future, they provide a variety of storage plans to fit various needs and budgets.

Want to learn more about cord blood banking and its benefits? Visit Cryoviva now.