Are you having twins and don’t know what to expect? You’re definitely not alone.

Having two buns in the oven is much different than having just one. Two buns are a double blessing but it also comes with distinctive complications and new situations that you need to look out for. However, you shouldn’t worry because we are laying them out for you:

• According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, every 3 in 100 pregnant women are giving birth to twins or triplets in the US. This number will continue to rise.
• Mothers are more likely to become pregnant with twins when they are in their 30’s and 40’s. It is true that the older you get, the harder it is to conceive. So, why are the chances of a twin pregnancy higher in your 30’s and 40’s? Abdulla Al-Khan, MD states that at this age, your ovulatory cycles are irregular, which means you could be ovulating two follicles at the same time, resulting in a twin pregnancy.
• Risk increases with twin pregnancies. This type of pregnancy requires more monitoring compared to standard ones. More testing brings on more risk. One example is that the chance of a miscarriage with amniocentesis, in a singleton pregnancy is one in 1,000. With twins, the chance of a miscarriage is doubled to one in every 500.
• There are two types of twins: identical and fraternal. Identical twins are much less common, as they require the splitting of the same egg. Fraternal twins are produced when two separate sperms fertilize two separate eggs.
• Breastfeeding twins is definitely possible but you will need to eat at least 500 additional calories per day. If you have breastfeeding questions, you can speak with a local lactation consultant for advice and extra support.

Pregnancy is a challenge, which means being pregnant with twins is a double challenge. It can be stressful but there are tons of ways to get support – from your family and friends, to your doctors and other expecting mothers. This will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!

Leave all of your questions, comments, stories and concerns about being pregnant with twins in the comment section below!