A triplet pregnancy produces three babies. The triplets may be identical, fraternal or mixed. Being pregnant with triplets raises the risk of complications. Frequent checkups and specialized care may lower this risk.
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Triplets are a type of multiple pregnancy that produces three fetuses.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Triplets can occur when:
Types of triplets include:
Depending on how and when the triplet pregnancy occurs, they may share a placenta and gestational sac:
You’re more likely to have a triplet pregnancy if you:
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The first signs that you may be carrying more than one fetus include having extremely sore breasts. You may also gain weight quickly or experience severe morning sickness.
Your healthcare provider may notice signs of more than one fetus during a prenatal checkup. The signs include:
Prenatal care includes regular checkups to assess fetal development. Triplet pregnancies have a higher risk of complications. Your pregnancy care provider will also monitor your health for complications. Because you’re at risk for potential complications, your provider will see you more frequently. You’ll need more frequent checkups depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy:
A special diet isn’t necessary. But you’ll need to get enough calories to support three developing fetuses. Your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) will let you know how many calories you need or if you should alter your diet in any way.
You should also take a prenatal vitamin to ensure you receive essential nutrients. These include:
Carrying more than one fetus makes your pregnancy higher risk. This means you have higher-than-normal chances of experiencing complications.
These potential complications include:
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Complications can affect one or more babies and include:
If there are complications, you may need to see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
This type of provider cares for high-risk pregnancies with services that include:
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Bed rest includes limiting physical activity when the pregnancy is at high risk for complications. Many people with triplet pregnancies end up on bed rest in the late stages of pregnancy.
It includes:
Delivery for triplets often occurs via C-section. This type of delivery is necessary:
Preterm delivery is also common with triplets, especially if:
It’s important to note that multiple pregnancies typically don’t last as long as singleton pregnancies (one fetus). The average pregnancy lasts 37 to 40 weeks when there’s one fetus. As the number of fetuses increases, the duration of the pregnancy decreases. The average duration for triplets is 32 weeks to 35 weeks.
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If you’re pregnant with triplets, you’re carrying three fetuses. A triplet pregnancy raises the risk of complications during both pregnancy and delivery. Frequent prenatal care and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, when necessary, can help you stay as healthy as possible.
Your Ob/Gyn is there for you throughout many different parts of your life. At Cleveland Clinic, our experts can help you throughout your entire journey.
Last reviewed on 02/21/2023.
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