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Hey, how are you feeling mama? At 12 weeks pregnant with twins, you are nearing the end of your first trimester with twins and hopefully (fingers crossed for you), the end of any morning sickness.
Now that you have passed one of the most worrying times of your pregnancy, you are probably starting to think about all the things you need to get organized before your little treasures arrive. We have quite a bit to cover this week, so make a cup of tea and put your feet up mama. You deserve it.
Read on to find out what those two little babies of yours are up to this month.
How are you feeling mama?
Twin Pregnancy Symptoms at 12 Weeks
You’re nearing the end of the first trimester. Thankfully this tends to be the time that your hormones and emotions start to settle a little. The second trimester officially starts at week 14.
You may be seeing swelling in your feet and ankles, possibly fingers too.
Stretch marks may start appearing, so get moisturizing that belly of yours!
As your center of gravity changes, you might start to lose your balance in some situations so watch your step and think about retiring those killer heels for a few months.
You may also start showing by now and maternity clothing will be a must!
Your twin pregnancy care team may also have you booked in for regular ultrasounds, especially if your twins share a placenta or have been identified as high risk.
The chance of having a miscarriage is also significantly lower now that you’re nearly in the second trimester too, so if you haven’t already, it may be time to share the good news with family and friends!
What are your twins up to this week?
Your Twins at 12 Weeks – Height & Weight
At 12 weeks your babies are the size of a plum and measure around 5cm long and 15 grams in weight each. Within four weeks your babies will have grown to the size of a large orange each which will be why they will start making their presence known from the outside.
Your Twins Fetal Development at 12 Weeks
The embryonic stage is now over and your babies are officially fetuses. All of their internal organs are formed, as are their little fingers and toes. Their liver is beginning to work and their kidneys are actually producing urine.
Your babies actually look like little babies now. Those beautiful faces are now mostly formed and they spend their days practicing moving, sucking, swallowing and all those other skills they need to learn before they arrive into the world.
What you might be wondering about this week
Your Twin Pregnancy Announcement
Can’t wait to share your special news?
Check out our Pinterest board for ideas of fun ways to make it an announcement fit for TWINS.
Joining your Multiple Birth Club
Finding local support from other parents of multiples is vital when you discover you are having twins.
The clubs are often run by volunteers who are also parents of multiples and they usually offer a range of services and support to help you during your pregnancy and through those first years.
Antenatal Classes for Twins
If you are lucky enough to live in an area that offers antenatal classes for twins then get your name on their next available class list early. It will be a great way for you to connect with other twin parents in your area which may become an invaluable support to you once your babies arrive.
Your local Multiple Birth Club will be able to share class details with you.
You want to aim to be finished with your antenatal classes by around 24 weeks if possible. If you don’t have access to a twin antenatal class then you can discuss your needs directly with the educator on booking and they will be able to discuss your specific needs with you.
Twin Pregnancy Complications
Any pregnancy comes with risk, but for you mama there are a few extra things to worry about when you’re cooking two!
Early on in your pregnancy, your scans will be looking for signs of Twin to Twin Transfusion if your babies are identical. And then later in your pregnancy, they will be making sure your babies are both growing well and at a similar pace and that you are remaining healthy.
READ MORE: Twin Pregnancy Complications
READ MORE: Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Twin Pregnancy Weight Gain
I had a giggle a while back when I saw a Facebook post about how stressed out Beyonce was about how much weight she was gaining with her twins. Sadly it’s a fact that two babies = extra weight. But not as much as you think.
Check out our handy twin pregnancy weight guide to see how you are tracking and if you need to pull back a bit (ooops) or add a bit more nourishment into your day.
READ MORE: Weight Gain During Twin Pregnancy
Questions to Ask your Twin Pregnancy Care Team
Baby brain is a real thing mama.
I turned up to many an Obstetrician appointment with a pile of questions in my head that would completely disappear the minute I stepped into the room.
It pays to write a checklist before you head off to your appointment or even better, jot things down in a notebook as you think of them to make sure you cover off all your questions and concerns.
Our article Twin Pregnancy – Questions to ask your Doctor will save you the embarrassment of those mid appointment baby brain moments and provides a great starting point of questions to ask.
It might also help to bring up some other questions you might have which you can add to the list.
Shopping for your Twins
It is very easy to get overwhelmed by all the things you will need to help you look after these beautiful new additions to your family.
So before you start filling up the credit card(s) have a read of our handy blog post Our Ultimate Guide to Preparing for Twins to help you start the planning process.
I hope you have found this week’s Twin Pregnancy guide informative and helpful.
If you want to check out our 8 weeks pregnant with twins blog post, you can find it here.
I look forward to catching up again when you are around 16 weeks!
Take care and much love.
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