Ten Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Twin Pregnancy

1. How many placentas are there?

Some twins share a single placenta. Other twins have dual placentas. Why does it matter? Your medical care may differ depending on the situation.

3. Can I get a referral to a Perinatologist or a Maternal Fetal Specialist?

As the [link url=http://multiples.about.com/od/funfacts/a/twinbirthrate.htm]birth rate for twins[/link] rises, twins have become more commonplace and medical caregivers have become more experienced in handling twin pregancies and deliveries. However, because a twin pregnancy is inherently more high risk than a singleton pregnancy, some cases may require more specialized care. Your doctor will help you determine whether your situation requires the expertise of a specialist.

4. What do you consider full term for twins?

Typically, twins are born earlier than singletons. In 2006, for example, the National Vital Statistics Report reported that sixty percent of twins were born preterm before thirty-seven weeks gestation. Some doctors prefer to deliver twins and multiples before the pregnancy progresses past thirty-nine or forty weeks while others opt to let the pregnancy follow its course. It's important to discuss this issue with your doctor and determine her philosophy about late-term twin pregnancy.

9. What do you differently for twin pregnancy?

More frequent monitoring, more frequent office visits, amnio, etc.