Multiple pregnancy is a condition when more than one offspring develops in the uterus of a woman. Multiple pregnancies are of two types – identical and fraternal.

Identical or monozygotic offsprings develop from a single egg that has been fertilized by a single sperm. What happens in this case is that the newly formed zygote splits into two or more embryos during the very first stage of development. Though sharing of the placenta is quite common in the case of identical fetuses, chances of their sharing one amniotic sac are very less. Identical offsprings are usually of the same sex and blood type. Such children are usually mirror images of each other; thus, when one child is right handed the other is left-handed.

Fraternal multiple pregnancies are a result of the fertilization of separate eggs by separate sperms. The different fraternal fetuses are fed by different placentas and are encapsulated in different amniotic sacs. Fraternal offsprings can be of different sexes and have different blood types. Appearance wise they may have some similarities (just like most siblings), yet are certainly not mirror images of each other.

Multiple pregnancies result from a number of different causes. Cases of multiple pregnancies are common among non-Hispanic (white or colored) women in the age group 35 – 45. Women who have already had a multiple pregnancy (fraternal) runs the risk of having another multiple pregnancy. Having a family history of fraternal twins or triplets or more may also be the reason behind your multiple pregnancy. Sometimes, infertility treatments such as the use of fertility drugs and/or Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to transfer multiple embryos directly into the uterus also increase your chances of having multiple pregnancy.

Multiple pregnancies are considered high-risk as they lead to multiple complications for the mother as well as the developing embryos. Miscarriage, premature birth, birth defects, genetic disorders, after birth complications, etc. are common with multiple pregnancies.

Infections during pregnancy are matters of great anxiety and tension. Any sort of harmful external infliction can harm both the mother and the child. Coughs, cold and flu are quite common during pregnancy. Though they are a bit troublesome but there is, nothing to get extra tensed and worried. However, if situations become worse then it is better to take antibiotics but obviously under the strict supervision of an experienced doctor.

Vaginal infection is also quite common during pregnancy. Candia albicans is the originator of this thrush infection. Candia albicans is a kind of yeast found upto 30% in a pregnant mother. It is usually not an encumbrance but tends to bother at times in form of itching, soreness or the typical white thick discharge. Clotrimazole or Canesten is the perfect treatment for vaginal infections. Capsule or tablet treatment, Fluconazole or Diflucan is not at all suitable as it may create complications in pregnancy.

There are many doctors who advise not to indulge in sexual relationships at the time of pregnancy. This, they do just to minimize chances of transferable sexual disease, which may naturally pass on to the growing infant causing severe damage. Chlamidya and gonorrhoea are two well-known sexually transferable disease affecting 1% to 5% pregnant women in UK. Nowadays HIV infection test have become customary before normal pregnancy.

Other common infectious symptoms at the time of pregnancy include chicken pox, troxoplasmosis, infection in the urinary tract and genital herpes. Pregnancy is a period when it is essential for you to be extra conscious and sensible enough to take the right amount of care both of yourself and of your child.