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Here is some general information about triplets that I have come across, which you may
find interesting: (If you just want to see pictures click here.
Go to the diary link to see more information about the scans.)
- Triplets are rare: In 1998 in the UK, 1 in 2,200 maternities was a triplet
maternity. (323 out of 710,408).
- Triplets are almost always born prematurely. The average term for triplets is 32
weeks - that's 8 weeks premature. 80% of triplets are delivered before 35 weeks; 30%
are delivered before 31 weeks.
- Almost every triplet birth is by caesarean section.
- During the pregnancy, triplet babies are more mature developmentally than singleton
babies of the same age, and are therefore ready to be born two to three weeks sooner.
The lungs, in particular, are ready sooner to deal with the stresses of the outside
world.
- On the other hand, triplet growth slows down sooner, so that triplets are generally
lighter than singletons of the same gestational age.
- The average birth weight for triplets is 3lb 12oz.
- A triplet mother can be expected to put on between 45 and 60lbs weight during her
pregnancy.
- With all those babies inside, the uterus of a triplet mother is stretched to full size
by 28 weeks.
- Around 90% of triplet pregnancies are the result of infertility treatments.
- Triplet mothers get morning sickness three times worse than singleton mothers.
- The two biggest risks in a triplet pregnancy are pre-eclampsia (very high blood
pressure) and pre-term labour. Triplet mothers need a lot of monitoring and lots of
rest. It is common for a triplet mum to spend the last two months of the pregnancy
in bed at home or in hospital.
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