Pregnancy with more than one baby brings its own rhythm of joy and vigilance. As a consultant maternal-fetal medicine consultant, Dr. Lida provides specialised, individualised, and compassionate care for high-risk multiple pregnancies, supporting both mother and babies through prenatal care and delivery.
Book a Multiple Pregnancy Consultation WhatsApp UsPregnancy with more than one baby is called a multiple pregnancy. Multiple births are rising these days due to fertility treatments — according to the National Center for Health Statistics, births have seen a 70% rise since 1980. Several factors increase the chance, such as pregnancy at an older age and fertility treatments like IVF.
A multiple pregnancy happens in two ways: when the fertilised egg splits before it is implanted in the uterine lining, or when different sperm fertilise two or more eggs at the same time. Identical twins or triplets happen when a single egg is fertilised and splits into identical embryos, so the children look similar and share the same sex. Fraternal siblings happen when separate eggs are fertilised by different sperm, so the children do not look identical and may be of a different sex.
Multiple pregnancies require specialised maternal and foetal care. Dr. Lida Anwari has extensive expertise in foetal-maternal medicine and provides exceptional, tailored care for multiple pregnancies, supporting high-risk pregnancies with individualised treatment and compassionate care.
Fraternal siblings happen when separate eggs are fertilised by different sperm. Because the egg and sperm are different, the children do not look identical and may be of a different sex.
Identical twins or triplets happen when a single egg is fertilised and splits into two identical embryos. The children will look similar and share the same sex.
A family history of multiple pregnancies, being above 30 years old, ovulation-stimulating medicines such as FSH and clomiphene citrate, and assisted reproductive technology like IVF all increase the chance of multiple pregnancy.
Symptoms are often more intense than a single pregnancy: severe morning sickness and nausea, swift weight gain in the first trimester, tender breasts, high hCG levels, and a high amount of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood.
More than 60% of multiple pregnancy babies are born before 37 weeks. Premature babies have low birth weights and can find it difficult to breathe, eat, stay warm, and fight infection, so early recognition and support matter.
Women carrying multiple fetuses can develop high blood pressure, which increases the chance of placental abruption. Anaemia is also common in multiple pregnancies, so we monitor blood pressure and iron status closely.
Multiple birth babies have an increased risk of congenital abnormalities such as neural tube defects, heart problems, and gastrointestinal problems. Vanishing twin syndrome, where one fetus is miscarried in the first trimester, is also more common.
Managing a multiple pregnancy calls for closer attention and personalised care. Here is what a typical pathway with Dr. Lida can include.
A fetal medicine specialist like Dr. Lida provides extra comfort during pregnancy and helps you navigate challenging situations, offering more than routine obstetric care.
Continuous monitoring of the health of both mother and fetus throughout the pregnancy.
Manages any unexpected maternal medical complications and treats pregnancies with obstetric complications.
Handles c-section or normal delivery, and ensures post-delivery support and care.
Identifies the risk factors for future pregnancies, helping you plan ahead with confidence.
Preterm birth is a common complication of multiple pregnancies. Apart from preterm birth, other complications include preeclampsia, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, placental abruption, and foetal growth restriction.
Caesarean birth, or C-section delivery, is higher in multiple pregnancies, though vaginal delivery is possible in some cases. The delivery depends on the number of babies, their position and weight, and the babies' health.
Yes, but it takes time. Eat healthy food and drink plenty of liquids to increase the milk supply, and consult a lactation consultant to help solve any issues related to breastfeeding.
It can happen. A general home urine test may show a false-negative if you test too early, and hCG levels are higher in multiple pregnancies. A false-positive can also occur with certain medicines, specific medical conditions, or a recent miscarriage. If you are confused by your results, it is better to seek advice from an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist.
Multiple pregnancies are typically detected by ultrasound scans. A fetal Doppler scan can also detect a multiple pregnancy at an early stage, alongside signs such as high hCG levels and a high amount of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood.
Dr. Lida delivers babies at Saudi German Hospital and Trellis Hospital in Dubai — both equipped for routine and high-risk deliveries with dedicated maternity and neonatal support, and covered by most major health insurance plans.
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