If you are early in your first trimester of pregnancy to know how many babies you are carrying, you may be curious about whether you may be expecting twins. Although it is impossible to detect whether you are having twins without a conclusive ultrasound, there are some signs can could possibly suggest you are having twins.
Here are some signs to look out for.
Multiple Pregnancy Symptoms
If you are pregnant with twins or triplets, you may experience heightened pregnancy symptoms. If you have had a baby before this pregnancy, it will be easier for you to notice the heightened symptoms. Unfortunately, if this is your first pregnancy, you may not know if your symptoms are more prevalent than if you were having only one baby.
Extreme Weight Gain
If you are carrying twins, you are likely to gain more weight than you would if you were having only one baby. Keep track of your weight gain and discuss it with your doctor at every visit. While it is impossible to determine if you are having twins just by this factor, it can help determine if your weight gain is normal or more than it should be.
You Measure Large
If you are carrying twins, you will measure larger than a typical mother-to-be in your gestational stage. Make sure to keep track of your size by writing it down every so often. Your doctor will also likely measure you when you go in for visits. If your growth is happening quicker than a typical pregnancy, it may mean you are having twins.
Severe Morning Sickness
Not all women suffer from morning sickness, and if you’ve been pregnant before, you can tell if your morning sickness is on the severe side. Most women who carry twins report much more severe morning sickness symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Women who are carrying twins also feel overwhelming fatigue that does not go away during the first trimester.
Elevated hCG Levels and AFP Test Results
HCG levels are much higher for pregnant women who are carrying twins. Additionally, during the second trimester, you will undergo an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening to check for genetic or birth defects. A very high reading can also indicate that you may be carrying twins.
Early or Frequent Fetal Movements
While fetal movements are felt somewhere between four to six months into your pregnancy, for women carrying twins, this may happen a lot quicker. This is because there are two babies sharing a limited amount of room within you, so you are likely to feel movements a lot sooner.
Multiple pregnancies run in families, so if you have family members who have had twins, you have a higher chance of having twins. While these signs can help indicate twins, they do not offer a definite answer. The only way to be sure is through ultrasound and a doppler heartbeat count. Talk to your doctor about how soon you can find out if you are having multiple babies.
Prenatal Care in Miami, Florida
At Levin’s Women’s Health & Wellness Center, we have the tools needed to determine if a pregnant woman is pregnant with one, two, or three babies. If you are curious about how many babies you are carrying, come see us today!
Ultrasound is not just a tool used to diagnose twins, but also to confirm a healthy pregnancy. More than ultrasound services, we also provide prenatal services and provide high-risk pregnancy care.
If you wish to learn more about our obstetric services, call Levin’s Women’s Health & Wellness Center at (305) 981-0231 or send an appointment request today.