Related risks

Basically, pregnancy is not an illness, but a natural event. However, pregnancies can be associated with complications and in twin pregnancies complications are more common. Twins, for example, have a higher risk of premature birth than a single child.

A few weeks are not critical, but very early births are more common in twins. These children can then suffer from immature lungs and other developmental disorders. A twin pregnancy can also lead to a twin transfusion syndrome.

In this case, the children’s cycles are coupled and one child becomes the donor and the other child becomes the recipient. This results in different care and uneven growth of the children. This can lead to the death of the under-served child.

In principle, twins can also suffer from a growth delay because the mother has to provide the nutrients for two children. During birth, additional risks can also occur because the children take up a different position in the mother’s stomach than a single child. Twin births are therefore more common than Caesarean section.

All other risks are similar to those for single children and may only be increased in frequency. Detailed information on complications can be found here: Pregnancy complications – Everything about this topic! Nowadays, the diagnosis of a twin pregnancy is possible at a very early stage.

This can be a curse and a blessing. Mothers must be prepared for the fact that not both children will survive, since in many twin pregnancies one embryo dies in the first weeks of pregnancy and only one child grows up. A deceased twin in this early stage does not mean a higher risk for the mother or the living twin.

However, if a child dies later in pregnancy: this does represent a risk. The deceased twin usually has to be taken out or the mother loses the child of her own accord. If the amniotic sacs are separated, this is well compatible with a continuation of the pregnancy, while if the amniotic sac is divided, the second child often has to be born prematurely.