Becoming parents is a miracle in itself and becoming parents to triplets is a bigger miracle. There are many couples who would want a single child, or twins or none at all for that matter. Conceiving triplets is difficult but if looked from the view point of undergoing fertility treatments each time one is trying to get pregnant, conceiving triplets seems like a good deal. Conceiving triplets also reduces the amount of time spent in the hospital and doctor visits and even helps in recovery process as the woman will just have to go through the procedure once instead of a few times child. Another consideration of having triplets is that the couple believes that having triplets will make the children share a special and unique sibling bond, which might be important to the parents.
The sheer number of people conceiving multiple pregnancies has increased over the last couple of decades. This increase in the number of multiple pregnancies is primarily because about one-third of the women who are having babies are over the age of thirty, and that is the age for women when they are more likely to conceive multiples. Another important reason for the increase in number of multiple pregnancies is the use of fertility drugs and fertility procedures.
Types of Multiples
In general there are two types of multiples: identical/monozygotic and fraternal/dizygotic. The identical or monozygotic multiples originate from a single fertilized egg and are genetically identical. Monozygotic multiples are usually referred to as identical twins or multiples. These multiples would look alike and would be the same gender. The occurrence of identical or monozygotic multiples is considered a very random event and is not influenced by heredity, age or race. The occurrence of identical multiples is counted as only 3 to 4 in every 1,000 live births. The dizygotic multiples or the fraternal multiples/twins are the result of origination from multiple eggs and are fertilized by different sperm. These multiples or twins may be of different genders. This form of multiples is similar in genetic identity to normal siblings.
The most common type of multiples is the fraternal or dizygotic multiples. They are common in occurrence because of the infertility treatments that the couples undergo to conceive a child. An increase in fraternal multiples is also due to the fact that many women today are conceiving at a later age and the chances of having multiples increases with the increase in age. However, age is not the only thing that increases the chances of conceiving fraternal multiples. Women who have a high body mass index or a woman who has recently discontinued the use of hormonal birth control also has an increased chance of conceiving multiples.
[Read more about Age And Fertility]
How to Get Pregnant With Triplets?
In order to conceive triplets, one needs to increase one’s chances of being pregnant at all. One often asks how to get pregnant with triplets naturally? The answer lies in the basics of a single pregnancy plus a variety of factors that assist in conceiving more than just one. Quitting alcohol and tobacco, consuming more dairy products and putting on weight would assist one in getting pregnant. A woman also needs to start taking folic acid every day before starting to think about conceiving. A woman who eats a diet rich in milk, yams and dairy products has an increased chance of conceiving triplets. For a woman trying to conceive triplets, she needs to start eating foods that will stimulate one’s ovaries to release more than one egg during the ovulation cycle. Yams have compounds that over-encourage the ovaries to release eggs. Thus women who consume yams on a regular basis have a higher rate of conceiving twins or triplets than women who do not consume yams on a regular or daily basis.
Other foods that help or encourage in conceiving multiples are walnuts, eggs, chicken and whole grains, as they increase the progesterone production. As mentioned above, age is a big factor when trying to conceive multiples. Thus, one should try to conceive between the ages of 30-40 to increase one’s chances of conceiving multiples. Another factor to remember is that the chance of conceiving multiples increases as one has more children. This is because of the extra body weight that one gains because of having a child. The extra body weight also increases the chances of having triplets.
The last factor to mention here for increasing one’s chances of conceiving triplets is to try to conceive shortly after stopping the intake of hormonal birth control drugs. In a small percentage of women, this factor has caused the ovaries to release more than just one egg which in turn increases the chances of conceiving triplets or multiples.
However, one should keep in mind that the above stated factors are not fool proof and none of them are a one hundred percent way of conceiving multiples. However, they all have a certain percentage aligned to them for increasing the chances of conceiving triplets or multiples.
Risks and Complications of Triplet Pregnancies
Triplet pregnancies come with a higher risk of complications compared to single or twin pregnancies. The most common risks include premature birth, low birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.
Women who are pregnant with triplets are also at an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and placenta previa. It is important for expectant parents to be aware of these risks and to work closely with their healthcare provider to manage and minimize any potential complications.
Raising Triplets: Challenges and Solutions
Raising triplets can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Parents of triplets often face a number of unique challenges such as sleep deprivation, financial stress, and difficulty in providing individual attention to each child.
However, with proper planning, preparation, and support from friends, family, and their community, parents of triplets can successfully raise their children. Some helpful solutions for raising triplets include enlisting the help of a support system, organizing schedules and routines, and dividing responsibilities among family members and caregivers.
Emotional Impact of Having Triplets
Having triplets can have a significant emotional impact on expectant parents. The sudden increase in responsibilities and the need to care for three infants at once can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and overwhelmedness.
It is important for parents to be aware of these emotions and to seek support from friends, family, and mental health professionals as needed. Engaging in self-care activities, seeking support from others, and seeking professional help when necessary can help parents to manage their emotions and thrive as parents of triplets.
Conclusion
Becoming parents to triplets is a special and unique experience that comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. While conceiving triplets may require some effort and planning, the bond that the siblings share is often seen as a valuable aspect of having triplets. It is important for expectant parents to be aware of the risks and complications associated with triplet pregnancies and to work closely with their healthcare provider to manage these risks.
Raising triplets can be challenging, but with the right support and resources, parents can successfully navigate the ups and downs of raising multiple children. The emotional impact of having triplets can also be significant, and it is important for parents to seek support and engage in self-care activities to manage their emotions. Whether it’s through the support of friends and family, or through professional help, parents of triplets have the resources they need to thrive and build a fulfilling and meaningful family life.
