Medical complications are more common in a multiple pregnancy than in
a pregnancy with one fetus. They may include:
-
Vanishing twin syndrome early in the
pregnancy. About two-thirds of twin pregnancies are naturally reduced to one
fetus in the first trimester.1 The mother and
remaining twin are not harmed.
- Differences in size between the
fetuses (discordance), usually from
twin-to-twin transfusion.
- Higher risk of
birth defects and genetic disorders.
Rare problems include:
- Twins that share one amniotic sac (monoamniotic
twins).
- The fetuses becoming entangled (locking twins) during delivery.
- Conjoined
twins. Twins who are joined together (such as at the chest, head, or pelvis)
are called conjoined (Siamese) twins. Conjoined twins are very rare and result
when the cells of identical twins do not divide correctly.
Citations
Bush MC, Pernoll ML (2007). Multiple pregnancy. In AH
DeCherney et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 301-310. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
Bush MC, Pernoll ML (2007). Multiple pregnancy. In AH
DeCherney et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 301-310. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
