Are there fraternal triplets

However, non-identical male twins father twins at a rate of 1 set per births. Maternal age and prior pregnancy history. The frequency of twins increases with maternal age and number of pregnancies. Women between 35 to 40 years of age with 4 or more children are 3 times more likely to have twins than a woman under 20 without children.

Maternal height and weight. Non-identical twins are more common in large and tall women than in small women. This may be related more to nutrition than to body size alone.

During World War II, the incidence of non-identical twinning decreased in Europe when food was not readily available. Fertility Drugs and Assisted Reproductive Technology. Multiple pregnancy is more common in women who utilize fertility medications to undergo ovulation induction or superovulation. Use of drugs to cause superovulation has caused the vast majority of the increase in the multiples.

Assisted reproductive technology ART procedures such as in vitro fertilization IVF also contribute to the increase in the multiple birth rate. The risk of multiple pregnancy increases as the number of embryos transferred increases. The duration of a normal singleton pregnancy ranges from 37 weeks to 42 weeks from the time of the last menstrual period. Twin pregnancies occasionally progress to 40 weeks but almost always deliver early.

As the number of fetuses increases, the expected duration of the pregnancy decreases. The average duration is 35 weeks for twins, 33 weeks for triplets, and 30 weeks for quadruplets. Complications increase with each additional fetus in a multiple pregnancy and include many medical issues that will be discussed below.

In addition to these, there is a higher incidence of severe nausea and vomiting, cesarean section, or forceps delivery. If you are pregnant with twins or more, or if you are at risk for a multiple pregnancy, you should be aware of these and other potential problems you might experience.

Preterm labor and birth pose the greatest risk to a multiple pregnancy. Cesarean section is often needed for twin pregnancies and is expected for delivery of triplets. Since preterm labor and birth present such serious risks, the pregnant mother must understand the warning signs of early labor.

Sometimes, preterm delivery can be delayed by a few days or more if it is detected early. Each day gained provides valuable fetal growth and development.

Once a woman is in advanced labor, delivery cannot be stopped. In rare instances, delivery of a second twin can be delayed. This delay, when possible, allows for continued growth in the protective environment of the uterus. Currently, there are no effective treatments to prevent preterm birth of multiples. The placenta is attached to the wall of the uterus, and the fetus is attached to the placenta by the umbilical cord. The placenta provides blood, oxygen, and nutrition to the fetus through the umbilical cord.

Placental function is more likely to be abnormal in a multiple pregnancy. If the placenta is unable to provide adequate oxygen or nutrients to the fetus, the fetus cannot grow properly. The placenta ages prematurely and may slow fetal growth, especially late in the third trimester. Another placental problem is twin-twin transfusion, a life-threatening condition in identical twins.

This transfusion occurs when blood flows from one fetus to the other through a connection in a shared placenta. Therapeutic amniocentesis and laser coagulation of blood vessels that link circulation to the twins in the placenta s may reduce complications of twin-twin transfusion. Preeclampsia, also known as toxemia, occurs 2 to 5 times more often in multiple pregnancies.

The condition may progress and threaten the health of the mother and baby. When severe, the mother may have seizures, and stroke or other life-threatening complications are possible. Women with multiple pregnancies are more likely to develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Babies of diabetic mothers are more likely to experience respiratory distress and other newborn complications. However, gestational diabetes is common even in singleton pregnancies, and treatment is well established and effective.

Preterm delivery places an infant at increased risk for severe complications or early death. Prematurity also may result in visual impairment or blindness. Neonatal intensive care unit admission is required for one-fourth of twin and three-fourths of triplet deliveries. Despite these numbers, it is important to note that the vast majority of multiple-birth infants do survive. Fetal death occurs in about 1. Furthermore, compared to singleton pregnancies of the same birth weight, there is no significant increase in the incidence of chronic lung disease or brain, eye, or gastrointestinal problems in multiple-birth infants.

Low birth weight of less than 5. The average birth weight is approximately 4 lb. As a result of prematurity, the risk for cerebral palsy is 4 times more likely to occur in twins. The rates are even greater for triplets and high-order multiple births. Birth weight also corresponds closely to the severity of disability throughout the childhood years.

As noted above, the average birth weight even for quadruplets is well above this number. Prevention during infertility treatment is the best approach to avoiding a multiple pregnancy. But with support, raising multiples does get easier.

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Diagnosis of multiple pregnancy Signs you may be expecting multiple babies include: You gain weight rapidly at the start of the pregnancy. When brothers and sisters fight, it's sometimes called sibling rivalry. This is common among twins and triplets, too. In fact, being the exact same age as your sibling might make competition between you two or three or more! You might have the same friends, teachers, and coaches who don't think of you as individuals.

It can be really frustrating when people constantly compare you to or always associate you with your sibling. If you are having trouble dealing with these feelings, talk to your parent or another trusted adult about it. Together, you can come up with a way to solve the problem, like maybe painting the half of the room you share a different color, getting a new haircut, or trying a new after-school activity.

Most twins and triplets have intense bonds with one another. Your twin may understand you better than anyone, and it's comforting to have someone know you so well. It can be great having someone your own age to hang out with all the time, and you're not likely to get bored when you're a twin or triplet!

Specifically, which is the more powerful determinate when it comes to how children evolve into adults. Fraternal triplets are more common than identical or monozygotic triplets.

This is largely because most of the factors which influence other multiple births such as twins , which still play a part in conceiving non identical triplets. There is less likelihood of monozygotic or identical triplets occurring, as these are dependent on the splitting of one embryo into three exact zygotes. And this understandably is a very rare biological event. Fraternal triplets do not share an amniotic sac or placenta. They are three entirely separate and unique little pregnancies.

Because of this, they will be enclosed in their own sacs and have their own umbilical cords and placentas. However, as the pregnancy advances, it is possible for the three placentas to fuse together and appear as if it is one enormous placenta. If it is not clear if your multiples are identical or fraternal, it is common obstetric practice for the placenta to be sent to the laboratory for analysis. Fraternal triplets can look just like any other siblings.