Yes, it is possible to have surprise twins, especially if you do not have regular ultrasounds during pregnancy.
Prior to the widespread use of ultrasound technology, surprise twin deliveries were much more common. Today, routine prenatal care, including ultrasounds, typically identifies multiple pregnancies well before delivery. However, certain situations can still lead to a surprise:
- Limited Access to Prenatal Care: Individuals with limited access to healthcare or those who don't seek prenatal care might not receive ultrasounds, increasing the likelihood of a surprise twin birth.
- Early Ultrasounds Miss Twins: Occasionally, an early ultrasound (e.g., before 8 weeks) might miss one of the twins, particularly if one is hiding behind the other.
- Rare Cases of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: In very rare circumstances, if one twin passes away early in the pregnancy and is reabsorbed, it could go unnoticed until delivery.
- Home Births/Unassisted Deliveries: Individuals choosing to have a home birth without skilled medical assistance or an unassisted delivery are more likely to be surprised by twins.
- Maternal Body Habitus and Ultrasound Clarity: In some cases, maternal body habitus can affect the clarity of ultrasounds, making it more difficult to visualize both fetuses.
While modern prenatal care significantly reduces the chances of a surprise twin birth, it remains a possibility, particularly in situations where regular ultrasounds are not performed or are inconclusive.
