Week by week Twins calendar: pregnancy in weeks 16-20


4-8 8-12 12-16 16-20 20-24 24-28 28-32 32-36 36-40

Congratulations on the halfway point of your pregnancy! Your babies are continuing to grow at an amazing rate! By week 20, each baby will be a 7.5 inch person! This is a magical month for you as most women will feel the fetal movements now! Both babies are responsible for producing their own amniotic fluid now, whereas the placenta was doing it before. The membrane between the two babies is very thin but can be seen clearly on ultrasound. Although they can not see or hear yet, researchers believe that the babies have knowledge of each other at this point. Each fetus has the appearance of a very little baby and their movements are becoming more coordinated. Most of the development is now complete; however, the babies still need to grow and the systems will still mature. The lungs and brain will continue to develop throughout the pregnancy.

You more than likely can not hide the pregnancy anymore, even if you tried! Strangers can tell that you are obviously pregnant. Your uterus is much larger than a woman with a single pregnancy. This is because your uterus has to stretch more for the extra passenger(s)! If you have not bought maternity clothes, its time to do so or raid your husbands closet!!

More than likely you are in the honeymoon part of your pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting are a thing of the past, your appetite is probably great, and you are likely to have more energy! But, you will also be experiencing new symptoms. Round ligament pain feels like a sharp pain in a precise location on one side of your stomach. It is usually between the hip and navel. The pain is generally brought on by movement, but can occur from nowhere also. It is caused by the stretching of the uterus and ligaments that support the uterus. It is a normal pain of pregnancy and will most likely resolve on its own within a few minutes.

Ongoing Symptoms

Fatigue
Change in sexual desire
Sensitivity to sun
Constipation
Breathlessness
Hearty appetite
Sleep changes
Heartburn
Swelling feet
Vaginal discharge
Nasal stuffiness
Spine curving from added weight
Bleeding gums
Anemia
Increased heart rate
Pregnancy glow
Larger abdomen
Headaches
Stretch marks
Decrease in urination

To Think About This Month

Birthing options
Finding out sexes of the babies
Work plans after pregnancy
Discuss travel options with your doctor

At The Doctor
As always, discuss any questions or concerns with your caregiver at this time. Your doctor will be discussing the results from any prior screening tests. You will be discussing the ultrasound process and amniocentesis, if needed. They will also be checking:
1.) Weight gain
2.) Blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate
3.) Heart and lungs
4.) Breast exam
5.) External palpation of the uterus
6.) Measure height of fundus
7.) Check fetal heartbeat
8.) Urine screen for blood, sugar and bacteria
9.) Ultrasound assessment
10.) Pelvic exam



Comments by 16-20 week pregnant Twin mothers

Showing 1-45 of about 45 comments from week 16-20
1

KassaS - Tuesday, 23 Sep
Hi everyone, just so happy to have reached week 16 - I am feeling and looking huge, extremely tired all the time, but apart from that I am healthy and happy - hope you are all well x

triplet mom - Friday, 19 Sep
I've already started having hearburn and it's awful! It didn't even start this early with my triplets! My back always seems to be hurting, too. I think the worst though are my headaches. I've tried taking tylenol but it doesn't seem to do anything. Does anyone else have these problems? Any idea what could be triggering these headaches? Well... at least my morning sickness is gone.

orangeyaglad - Tuesday, 2 Sep
I'm at 17 weeks and I'm having such a horrible time sleeping. Is anyone else experiencing this so early? Sometimes, I take Unisom, but then I feel so guilty the next day...I hope my twins are ok.

AmberInIowa - Monday, 25 Aug
Welcome PaulsAngel and thank you for the compliment. I am so exausted all the time i can take naps and still be tired. heartburn had subsided for the moment thank good that was a horriable 2 weeks. And YES i feel like im bursting at the seams. i feel overbloated and i feel further along than i am. well this computer chair really makes my back hurt so ill talk to you all later

rahomsw - Sunday, 24 Aug
Duvet covers are dreadful!! We haven't put ours on the comforter in months bc we are too lazy to do so!! LOL!

sofaaddict - Sunday, 24 Aug
oh yeah and was up 25 times in the night to pee forgot to mention that
• i push and push myself and then wonder why i am incapable of doing anything the next day.. i fell asleep at 9 last night up at 5 and did some cleaning and haven't really done anything else all day i just can't be bothered no energy. and i've got to put the duvet cover on my duvet i hate that job .... maybe later.

rahomsw - Sunday, 24 Aug
Definitely more intense. Like yesterday....after walking a lot...it was getting REALLY TIRING. Yet, I'm really bad at stopping myself. UGH!! I need to listen to my body more!

sofaaddict - Sunday, 24 Aug
there is no way anyone can complain more than me at the moment its all i seem to do. my 3 yr old keeps saying she feels sick all the time and that her back hurts and that her head hurts and that she has no energy but its all lies shes copying me i'm turning her into a hypocondriac. i honestly feel like i did at 7months with my daughter. does anyone else feel like this twin preg is weird or more intense?

rahomsw - Sunday, 24 Aug
I've heard prego symptoms are twice as bad with twins. OK....so now I have another complaint! My belly is soooooo hard and big that I can't even eat a big meal anymore bc I feel like I'm going to blow up afterwards or go flying in the sky like a balloon. I'm eating 4 small meals a day, but last night and tonight we went out for dinner and I overate both times!! Guess I won't do that again!

PaulsAngel - Saturday, 23 Aug
thanks rahomsw! heartburn is killin me too! i tend to get it a lot anyway but this is just constant, especially if i ahve to bend or sweep the floor or something! my backs is getting sorebut not too bad yet, i suppose i can look forward to that though!! Amber, those are nice names, i especially like Kaden!

rahomsw - Saturday, 23 Aug
Welcome Paulsangel! Congrats on the twins!! AmberinIowa - Well, my back pain subsided today some.....Tylenol doesn't even do anything for it...has never helped me with pain. UGH!!! My chiropractor is seeing me a lot and that helps some!! Oh, I have heartburn too and feel full all of the time now. I live off of Rolaids when I'm prego. Good luck!

AmberInIowa - Saturday, 23 Aug
Yes my back has been killing me. Ive tryed everthing to make it better. i even tryed proping my legs up and back up but that didnt work tryed the pillow between the legs to help with stress on the hips that made it a little better. tylonol is the only thing that helps. I also have had horrible heartburn. the kind that you get when you wake up and it doesnt go away. tums and rolaids stopped working so dr said take zantec. sometimes i feel like i could blow fire like a dragon. lol other than that i have names that im kinda stuck on. Boy...Kaden James Girl... Kamryn Michelle

PaulsAngel - Friday, 22 Aug
hi everyone congrats to all! i just found out im having twins! i am really scared but they are both perfectly healthy so that's fantastic! i was told they are identical and the sonographer was about 85% sure that they are girls but didn't want to say absolutely positively. i could see those three little lines myself before she even said anything though! so things are a lot different now! plans must change! how is everyone else coping with their pregnancies?

rahomsw - Thursday, 21 Aug
Is anyone having back pains?? My back killed me yesterday and today it's better, but still hurts some when I sit. It's better when I stand up. My belly has grown a lot in the last week so I'm thinking this is the culprit.

AmberInIowa - Thursday, 21 Aug
I went to the dr today to have my ultrasound and Im having a boy and a girl. Im so excited. I was hoping to get a girl. Im just having trouble with the names now. any suggestions??? Im 18 weeks but the babies measured out at 19.2 and 19.5 weeks. so they are going to try and recalculate the due date. I am having horrialbe heartburn and trouble sleeping. The babies are kicking each other and keeping each other awake. sibling rivalry already aint that a shame...lol

lilrhy87 - Saturday, 16 Aug
has anyone been told they were having identical twins?

AmberInIowa - Saturday, 16 Aug
So I went to the dr on the 11th. I was so bummed that they didn't do another ultrasound yet but now they want me to go to a diffrent office to do the ultrasound. a specialist or something. well i go on wednessday hopefully if these little bugers flash the cam than mabey ill know what they are. Oh BTW my 6 year old goes to first grade on tuesday i am so happy ill get more (much needed) sleep... lol well ill let everone know what im having

sue12333 - Thursday, 14 Aug
Sorry I left that comment on the wrong page.. but there you go anyway ladies.. a little bit of insite!! Good luck to everyone!!
• I feel ur pain!! And these male doctors are just like 'what do you expect its twins and you measure 40 weeks of course your in pain' geee thanks! Well not too much longer... I thought I would miss it but its so bad now I can't wait till its over.. Im 33 and 3 days and my doc says he give me till 36 tops!!

2atonce - Thursday, 14 Aug
hi ladies dr told me on tuesday i was 19 weeks not 18 like isd thought good and a bad thing so i had ultrasound monday and surprise surprise its 2 boys so that will be 6 boys i have put on almost 8 and a half kilo already almost my singelton weight scary

Jeanette B. - Thursday, 14 Aug
Imartin5- This is my 2nd pregnancy and I was the same size to begin with for each pregnancy. I compared pictures of myself now with those of my past pregnacy and at 5 mo. prego now, I look like I did at 7 mo. prego with my first (singleton preg). So, you are not the only one:))

rahomsw - Wednesday, 13 Aug
Imartin - I look like I'm 7 months prego!! LOL!! Oh well, I'm just trying to enjoy it and know this is my last pregnancy so I have lots of time to work it off.

lmartin5 - Wednesday, 13 Aug
I am 18 weeks 4 days and I feel huge! Everyone keeps telling me that I am getting bigger by the day! I havn't gained any weight, yet! but I am already 6 inches bigger aroud than I was. Does anyone else have this problem?

mrsgordon86 - Tuesday, 12 Aug
Wasup ladies, I Found out that I was having twins at 12 weeks pregnant, and almost had a nerves break down! Being 22 yrs old and the youngest girl out of 3 older sisters, I never though it would be me having twins! I’m now 18 weeks 2 days. I’m having 2 boys, paternal twins, Emery and Elija, It's truly a blessing. I have had no problems so fare, I’m just very very lazy, I even quite my job. I feel tired all the time, I don’t like to do anything but sleep. I have not had any vomiting just nausea. The nausea just will not go away. I have lost 12 pounds, and still the babies are growing perfectly fine thank God. I feel like I’m 8 months pregnant, my belly is huge, by back hurts, I can’t sleep, I toss and turn all night long and I have strange dreams. Am I the only one?

rahomsw - Tuesday, 12 Aug
SOFAADDICT - I am so ready to be done with this pregnancy and just wish I could have my healthy babies here instead of being on bedrest for the next week while I wait for this placenta to move up. JEANETTE B. - Up until I spotted today, my doctor (high risk) has not said anything about bedrest. Last week, he said I was going to work until 38 weeks. I VERY short so this has surprised me. We'll see what the future holds. Good luck and keep me posted. SUDEV - I'm being checked regularly to see if I need a cerclage. So far, I don't...but I'm being watched very carefully, as I'm already having a few Braxton Hicks here and there and my son was born 8 weeks early. I start Progesterone shots next week. I had spotting today and went right to the doctor....things seem OK but I'm on bedrest at least until next week.

Jeanette B. - Tuesday, 12 Aug
Cant wait till Mon18th. Going to the doctor for another u/s. Hope everything is still good. I will be 21 wks. No difficulties so far. The doc has put me on bed rest starting at 20 wks even though I have had no probs now or with past pregnancies. Could it be my age? I wouldnt think so cause I'm only 29. Does anyone else think this is too harsh? My doctor is kinda old could that be it??

AmberInIowa - Monday, 11 Aug
Well I go to the dr today. Im so excited. Ill let everyone know how it goes.

sudev - Saturday, 9 Aug
well, we went to the Dr and had a doppler and heard strong heart beats. THis was the first time we heard it and my hubby was so excited to hear it. The Dr. said nothing to worry, everything is good, take rest and eat well. I am back at home, but still feeling the giddiness almost everytime I move around or change my position. I ahve never experienced anything like this and it is scary.hope to feel much better tomorrow. TIme to go to bed. c ya tomorrow.

sofaaddict - Saturday, 9 Aug
seems to be very dead on this page at the mo. to answer your question though i've had bloody discarge at 9 weeks and about 2 weeks ago i was told the first time its quite common with multiple pregnancy (babies bedding in or something) ... i would recommend going to the doctor though better to be safe then sorry good luck

sudev - Saturday, 9 Aug
Newly joined his group, I am into the 16 week of twins. Had a cerclage done about 3 weeks earleir (as a precaution than anything else). beginning to feel the flutters inside. However, i saw a very light brown dischsrge this morning. There has been no pain or naything like that. Just getting worried. going to my Dr. today to get checked. has anyone experienced anything like this? Since yesterday i ahve had giddiness about 3 times. any inputs from you ladies?

sofaaddict - Thursday, 7 Aug
feel about 8 months pregnant ... sickness has pretty much gone but in its place have got back ache, stretching pains, tiredness i seem to be waddling as well already!!!!!!!!!.... does anyone else feel like their at the end before they've really begun. how the hell am i gonna feel in another 4 months . sorry for moaning guys ..i feel a bit silly and annoyed missed a midwife appointment today i'm gutted could of heard their heatbeat and it just slipped through one of the large holes in my brain aarrgh

TwinsMake7 - Wednesday, 6 Aug
Just found this site and it's awesome! I am 16 weeks pregnant with twins and it's still a huge shock to us... we already have 5 kiddos and this was to be the last one. LOL So much for our plans! I am thrilled to find a site that has so much real info. I have just been put on bed rest and hopefully it won't be the rest of my pregnancy.

Jeanette B. - Wednesday, 6 Aug
My Dr. told me that I should hope for 37 weeks because that was considered full term for twins. I think at 28 wks their survival is around 90% or better, but the longer they are in there, the less likely they will have medical problems or developmental delays.

lmartin5 - Tuesday, 5 Aug
Has any one's dr told them that twins usually deliver around 36 weeks anything after that was just a bonus?
• Has any one's dr told them that twins usually deliver around 36 weeks anything after that was just a bonus?
• Has any one's dr told them that twins usually deliver around 36 weeks anything after that was just a bonus?

Jeanette B. - Sunday, 3 Aug
I found out that I was having twins at 13 weeks pregant. At 16 weeks we found out that they are fraternal boy and girl twins in separate sacs, but sharing the same placenta. I am now 19 weeks pregnant. So far, everything looks normal with their growth, etc. My doctor has told me that he wants me on full bed rest beginning at week 20. I do not understand the bed rest so early since there has been no complications. Has anyone else experienced this?

lilrhy87 - Thursday, 31 Jul
beatrice9603-- Im 14 wks and i began to feel mine (identical twins) around week 11 and 12...it feels like a flutter, or butterflys in your stomach...

Annelize - Wednesday, 30 Jul


lmartin5 - Tuesday, 29 Jul
AW I am finially in week 16 these weeks move slower on the twin page!

ashvlgrl - Monday, 28 Jul
18 weeks begins tomorrow and I'm in agony! Anyone have any suggestions for heartburn? I'm sill barely able to eat much of anything due to my severe nausea, but now anything I eat gives me the most painful heartburn. I'm using Pepcid and tums, but it's not enough. Help!

heart2broke - Sunday, 27 Jul
hey all, how is everyone? I am 17.3 weeks prego today, and i am having that feeling that im no longer prego. I dislike this very much. Anyone else not feeling prego. I find out what my twins are Aug 18th, woo hoo so far away

beatrice9603 - Tuesday, 22 Jul
I'm 17 weeks and 2 days pregnant with identical twins and was just wondering what week you were in when you first felt the babies move.. just curious...

arvane24 - Sunday, 20 Jul
I feel so full that I can't eat much at a time, but I always have to chew something or I feel weird. Is this normal or just me?

maurice - Tuesday, 8 Jul
Ok lady's I have a couple of questions. Please forgive my ignorance!lol My wife's dr. said he hasn't seen a uterus like hers in ten years. I guess for twins it usually measures 3 1/2 while my wifey's measures 5 1/2. Doc says it great and he is excited.lol while my wife is extremely uncomfortable. she is 31 weeks today I think? she told the dr. to c section her b/c she can't take anymore pain after 34 weeks, he laughed and said with her castiron uterus he wouldn't. My question is what does the uterus do? the bigger the more the baby can grow? what about the cervix, when it softens what does that mean? I would ask my wife however she might get agitated by me.lmao please let me know!!!!

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