Is pregnancy with twins more difficult?
James Olson
Updated on April 06, 2026
Rob Atlas, M.D., an ob-gyn at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, calls twin pregnancies “double trouble.” Moms carrying twins are at higher risk for premature birth, high blood pressure, and—especially in the case of identical twins—fetal abnormalities.
Can you force a twin pregnancy?
Conception happens when a sperm fertilizes an egg to form an embryo. However, if there are two eggs present in the womb at the time of fertilization or the fertilized egg splits into two separate embryos, a woman can become pregnant with twins.
Is it possible to be pregnant with twins and not see it on an ultrasound?
Ultrasound can tell us a lot about a pregnancy, but it’s not always perfect. This is particularly true in the early months of pregnancy. Though it is rare, it is possible to have a “hidden twin” that is not visible during early ultrasound screenings.
Which month of pregnancy will know twins?
An ultrasound scan is the only way to confirm that you’re pregnant with twins (McAslan Fraser nd, NICE 2011). The earliest you’re likely to find out is between 10 weeks and 14 weeks, when you have your dating scan (McAslan Fraser nd, NHS 2019, NICE 2011). Ultrasound is almost foolproof at diagnosing twins.
When does the risk of miscarriage go down with twins?
If those numbers seem high, keep this in mind: After week 20, the risks go down significantly, and moms carrying twins have about a 90 percent chance of delivering two beautiful babies. Most miscarriages involve bleeding and/or cramping.
What should you not do when pregnant with twins?
Drink Alcohol, Use Drugs, or Smoke. It’s never advisable to drink alcohol excessively, smoke, or take drugs, whether you are pregnant or not. When you are pregnant, doing so exposes your unborn babies to toxic substances, raising their risk of birth defects and chronic illnesses.
What pills can I take to get pregnant with twins?
Clomiphene and gonadotropins are commonly used fertility drugs that can increase your chances of having twins. Clomiphene is a medication available only through prescription. In the United States, the brand names for the drug are Clomid and Serophene.
What are the chances of having twins after 30?
The rate of twin pregnancies with IVF with fresh embryos is 12.1 percent for women under age 35 and 9.1 percent for women ages 35 to 37. The chances decrease with age (unlike natural twin conception), as women 38 to 40 only have a 5.3 percent rate of twins.
What happens when one twin dies in the first trimester?
When a twin dies after the embryonic period of gestation, the water within the twin’s tissues, the amniotic fluid, and the placental tissue may be reabsorbed. This results in the flattening of the deceased twin from the pressure of the surviving twin.
Can twins be detected at 7 weeks?
“Today, twins can usually be diagnosed as early as six to seven weeks of the pregnancy,” he adds.
How is a twin pregnancy is more difficult?
8 ways a twin pregnancy is more difficult 1 Everything is doubled, even visits to the doctor. 2 People make weird comments about how twins are conceived. 3 Most mothers will not understand your journey. 4 The risks are absolutely terrifying. 5 You really can’t make a birth plan. 6 (more items)
What should you know if you are pregnant with twins?
No.3: Women pregnant with twins clock in more time at the obstetrician. Twin pregnancies require more monitoring than single pregnancies, Monga says. “We tend to do more frequent ultrasounds for growth in twin pregnancies, compared with one anatomy scan and one growth scan in a singleton pregnancy.”. But along with additional testing comes risk.
What’s the percentage of women having twins or more?
According to national data, the percentage of IVF treatments resulting in twins or more were as follows: 1 29.1 percent for women younger than 35 2 26.5 percent for women age 35 to 37 3 20.9 percent for women age 38 to 40 4 13.6 percent for women age 41 to 42 5 8.8 percent for women age 43 and above
What happens if one twin dies during pregnancy?
Basically, a potential complication is that one twin can end up “stealing” nutrition and other vital resources from its sibling, allowing one to thrive while the other suffers. In the end, both can die if the issue isn’t addressed quickly and effectively.