Welcome to week 17, mama! You’re well into your second trimester, and the excitement of preparing for your twins’ arrival is really ramping up. The second trimester often brings a bit of relief as the most intense early pregnancy symptoms start to ease, but it’s also a time when your growing bump becomes much more noticeable—and with it, the reality of life with two babies is probably really starting to sink in.
It’s around this time that many moms-to-be start thinking practically about how life is going to change once their twins arrive. Getting out of the house with one baby can be a challenge, but with two, it can feel like a logistical nightmare.
That’s where a well-thought-out twin travel system comes in. Whether you’re planning your first doctor’s visit with your newborns or imagining long walks to the park, having the right gear will make all the difference.
Let’s quickly outline what a twin travel system is……
A twin travel system is a combination of a stroller and two infant car seats designed specifically for twins. It allows you to easily move your babies from the car to the stroller without having to take them out of their car seats. The car seats can be clicked directly into the stroller, making it a seamless, hassle-free way to transport your twins while keeping them safe and hopefully asleep.
It can also include things such as bassinets for your stroller and bases for your infant seats as they should all work together and be integrated so it all works to make your life easier.
It sounds a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry, mama—we’ve got you covered. This week, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about creating a twin travel system that fits your lifestyle, helps you stay organized, and, most importantly, keeps your babies safe. Plus, we’ll throw in some tips and tricks for making your first few outings with twins as stress-free as possible.
How Are You Feeling, Mama?
Twin Pregnancy Symptoms at 17 weeks
At 17 weeks pregnant, your twins are probably starting to make their presence known as your body starts to stretch and accommodate room for two babies. As a result, you may be noticing some new or more pronounced physical symptoms:
Back pain: With your belly growing more quickly, back pain is common. The extra weight and pressure can strain your lower back and hips. Try incorporating gentle stretches, prenatal yoga, or using a pregnancy pillow at night to support your back and bump. Some moms find a maternity support belt helps relieve the pressure, especially if you’re on your feet a lot during the day. And don’t underestimate the power of a 10-minute lie-down to help you recharge and let your back have a rest.
Pelvic pressure: You might be feeling some heaviness or pressure in your pelvis as your babies grow and your uterus expands. Rest when you can, and avoid lifting heavy objects. Pelvic floor exercises can also help strengthen the muscles that support your uterus and ease some of the pressure.
Fatigue: Even though the second trimester is often called the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy, carrying twins is no small task! Your body is working overtime to nourish two growing babies, so it’s completely normal to feel tired. Don’t hesitate to take naps or rest throughout the day if you can. Listen to your body, mama—it’s okay to slow down.
Round ligament pain: As your uterus expands, the ligaments supporting it stretch, which can cause sharp pains on the sides of your belly. This is called round ligament pain and usually happens with sudden movements. Try moving slowly when standing up or shifting positions to minimize discomfort.
Increased appetite: With two little ones growing inside, your body needs more energy. You might find yourself feeling hungrier than usual, and that’s completely normal. Focus on nourishing, balanced meals, and keep healthy snacks on hand to fuel you throughout the day.
And that’s just the physical stuff!
You’re nearly halfway through your pregnancy mama! And the reality of having twins might be sinking in a little more each day. As much as you’re looking forward to meeting your babies, it’s also perfectly normal to feel nervous about what’s to come. Thoughts about labor, delivery, or even managing two newborns can be overwhelming. Take it one day at a time, and don’t forget to lean on your support network—whether it’s your partner, family, or friends.
What are your twins up to this week?
Your Twins at 17 Weeks – Height & Weight
At 17 weeks, your twins are each about the size of a pear! Measuring around 5 inches (12.7 cm) long from crown to rump and weighing roughly 5 ounces (140 grams), they are growing rapidly. Keep in mind, if you’re carrying fraternal twins, there may be some size variation between your babies, which is completely normal. Identical twins, on the other hand, tend to grow at a similar rate at this stage.
Your Twins Fetal Development at 17 weeks
This is a week of exciting developments for your twins! Their sense of hearing is becoming more fine-tuned, and they’re beginning to recognize sounds from the outside world, like your heartbeat and voice. It’s a great time to start talking, singing, or even playing soft music to help them become familiar with you.
Their hearts are also hard at work, pumping blood through their tiny bodies, and their skeletons, which were soft cartilage, are continuing to harden into bone. Their little limbs are moving more frequently now, and they’re starting to practice reflexes like sucking and swallowing. You might even catch them sucking their thumbs during an ultrasound! Meanwhile, their skin is still translucent, but they’re beginning to develop a protective layer of fat underneath to help regulate their body temperature once they’re born.
As they get stronger and more active, you’ll soon start to feel those first exciting kicks and flutters, if you haven’t already!
What You Might Be Wondering About This Week
Feeling Those First Flutters
One of the most exciting milestones of pregnancy is feeling your babies move for the first time, and with twins, you might notice those early movements a bit sooner. At week 17, some moms describe the sensation as tiny flutters or gas bubbles.
Those early kicks and wiggles are a beautiful reminder that your babies are growing and getting stronger each day. As they become more active in the weeks ahead, you’ll start to notice distinct patterns in their movement.
If you haven’t felt it yet, don’t worry—it can take a little longer to notice or even to know if what you are feeling is the babies, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. It will happen soon mama.
Why a Twin Travel System is Important
As I mentioned above, it is essential to think ahead about your lifestyle and how you are going to get out and about with your twins before you start purchasing any gear—especially the big purchases like your twin stroller and infant car seats.
When you have two babies to get in and out of cars, suddenly the logistics takes on a whole new dimension. You have to be constantly aware of “while I am focused on one baby, is the other baby safe and within arms reach”.
You want this transition time to be as quick and fuss-free as possible to ensure your babies are safe and not inadvertently put in harm’s way by a moment of inattention.
Imagine this for a second…..
You’re out shopping, it’s pouring with rain and you need to get home as your babies are seriously hangry and letting you know quite loudly that it’s way past lunchtime. You make a dash for the car. You park the stroller next to the car, get one baby out, and pop them into their infant seat. But as they are fussing and you have your head in the car trying to get their buckles safely secured, the other twin is in the pouring rain and now screaming their head off as they are soaked. And while your focus is on baby one, a car is trying to reverse into the park with the stroller and baby two still in it……
Now imagine scenario two…
You’re out shopping, it’s pouring with rain and you need to get home as your babies are seriously hangry and letting you know quite loudly that it’s way past lunchtime. You make a dash for the car. You park the stroller next to the car and unclip one infant seat from the stroller, open the car door and click it into the base all while keeping an eye on the stroller. You then unclip the other car seat and go around to the other door and click them into the other base. Babies are safe and you can deal with the stroller into the back of the car.
And yes, you may be soaked in both scenarios, but your babies are safe, and it’s a whole lot less stressful.
And that is where having an integrated travel system works its magic.
Choosing the Best Twin Stroller: Tandem vs. Side-by-Side
The first big decision in creating your twin travel system is choosing the right double stroller. There are two main types of twin strollers—tandem and side-by-side.
Tandem strollers place one baby in front of the other. These are typically easier to maneuver through narrow doorways or crowded spaces, making them a good option for city living. However, the baby in the back seat may not have as good a view, and some tandem strollers can be heavier to push due to the length.
Side-by-side strollers seat your twins next to each other so both babies have equal views of the world around them. They tend to be easier to push, but their width can make it challenging to fit through some doorways or aisles.
Think about where you’ll be using the stroller the most. If you’re often in tight spaces, a tandem might work better, but if you value easy steering and both babies having equal space, a side-by-side could be the way to go.
You also need to consider that with two, you will probably end up using the stroller for longer than your mama friends with only one child, so leg space can become an issue in a tandem stroller as they get older. You will also have fights/tantrums over who gets to sit in the front…. just a heads up.
Whichever double stroller style you decide on, you need to ensure that it comes with adapters for the brand of infant car seats you are looking to purchase.
READ MORE: Setting up a Twin Travel System
Finding the Right Infant Car Seats for your Twins
The next step in your travel system is selecting the right infant car seats for your twins.
Look for car seats designed for newborns. These should have features like side-impact protection and a 5-point harness for maximum safety.
I would highly recommend that you purchase a base with your car seat. Yes, it adds cost, but from a safety perspective, for your sanity, and to make life easier for yourself, it really is a no-brainer.
You also want to find a car seat that is as lightweight as possible. Remember you will be carrying TWO of these around, and they will be in these seats until they are around 6 months old, and they can be heavy by then. You do not want to add the weight of a heavy car seat as well.
Lastly, make sure the car seats fit securely in your vehicle. If you’re driving a smaller car, double-check that you can fit two car seats in the backseat with room to spare. You will have a lot of other stuff to carry around with twins.
Stroller Accessories You’ll Need for Twins
Once you’ve chosen your stroller and car seats, it’s time to accessorize! Here are a few must-have accessories for twin parents:
Cup holders: For both you and the babies (because you’ll need that coffee!).
Storage baskets: Extra-large storage underneath the stroller is a lifesaver when you’re out with twins.
Rain covers and sun shades: Protect your babies from the elements while on the go.
Diaper bag clips: These let you attach your diaper bag to the stroller handles, freeing up space for other essentials.
Bassinets: You may find these useful if you are planning lots of walks around your home. They also make an excellent sleeping place if you are visiting with friends/family.
Packing Your Diaper Bag for Twins
When you’re out with two babies, you’ll need to be prepared with double the supplies! Choose a diaper bag with lots of compartments so you can stay organized. You’ll need:
- Double the diapers, wipes, and changes of clothes.
- Bottles and formula or pumped milk.
- Snacks for you and the babies.
What makes a great diaper bag for twins? I cover everything you need to know about what to look for in a diaper bag for twins plus a few suggestions of ones I think you will LOVE in my article The Best Diaper Bags for Twins.
Antenatal Classes for Twins
If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area that offers antenatal classes specifically for twins, it’s a smart idea to register early, as these classes can fill up quickly. Twin pregnancies come with unique challenges and considerations, and attending a class tailored to multiple births can provide you with valuable information specific to your journey. These classes cover topics such as managing a twin pregnancy, preparing for twin labor and delivery, and the logistics of caring for two newborns at once, giving you the confidence and knowledge to handle what lies ahead.
Antenatal classes for twins are also a fantastic opportunity to meet other expectant twin parents. Building a community of people who truly understand what you’re going through can make a world of difference, both during your pregnancy and once your babies are born. Many parents of twins find that these early connections develop into long-lasting friendships and support systems, offering a network of people to lean on when the going gets tough or when you need advice about managing life with twins. Having others who can relate to your experience can be an invaluable comfort.
Your local Multiple Birth Club is a great place to start when searching for twin-specific antenatal classes. They often have up-to-date information about available classes in your area and can point you toward resources tailored for parents expecting multiples.
If possible, aim to complete your antenatal classes by around 24 weeks. Twin pregnancies tend to be more physically demanding, and many moms carrying twins deliver a little earlier than those carrying singletons. Finishing your classes earlier ensures you’re prepared before the final stretch of your pregnancy, when you may feel more tired and need more rest.
If you don’t have access to twin-specific antenatal classes, don’t worry! When booking a general antenatal class, simply discuss your needs with the class educator. They’re usually more than happy to adjust the class content to focus on the unique aspects of a twin pregnancy and can offer advice and resources that cater to your situation. You may also want to ask about the delivery process for multiples and any additional information about caring for two newborns at once, as the challenges will be different from those with a single baby. Many educators have experience with twin pregnancies and births, and they can provide insights that will be helpful for you.
Wrapping Up Week 17
Creating a well-planned travel system will be one of the best decisions you make as a new mama of twins. It will simplify your outings, help you stay organized, and allow you to focus more on enjoying your time with your babies rather than worrying about logistics – cos it can be stressful.
Whether it’s choosing the right twin stroller, installing car seats, or packing your diaper bag, you’re taking important steps to make your life easier once your little ones arrive. Remember, you’ve got this!
With each week that passes, you’re getting closer to meeting your babies, and with the right tools and preparation, you’ll feel more confident and ready. Keep taking care of yourself, and we’ll be here to guide you every step of the way!
Until next week…
Much love
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