I’M 35 YEARS OLD AND 12 WEEKS PREGNANT WITH TRIPLETS. IS MY PREGNANCY HIGH RISK AND WHAT KINDS OF COMPLICATIONS SHOULD I BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR?

A“Every multiple pregnancy is regarded as high risk, especially higher-order multiples like triplets. It’s imperative that you’re seen by a foetal maternal subspecialist as soon as possible to determine the type of triplets you’re carrying. This will guide future foetal follow-up scans. Depending on the type of triplets foetal risks are generally much greater than in singleton pregnancy including higher risk of miscarriage, growth restriction and preterm labour. From the maternal side all general complaints of pregnancy are generally exaggerated, for example nausea and vomiting. Pre-eclampsia is more common in multiple pregnancies, as is gestational diabetes. Your healthcare provider will check your urine and blood pressure regularly and will monitor you for signs of gestational diabetes,” explains Dr Jana Rossouw, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Tygerberg Hospital.