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 1-19 of about 19 comments from week 16-20


twins-oh-boy - Wednesday, 18 Nov
I had an ultrasound last Friday only to discover that my twins had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. I am fortunate to live near a great medical center. I was immediately taken to a nearby hospital in the medical center and had an extensive ultrasound to determine what stage of TTT syndrome my babies were at. My options: do nothing and the babies will both die or have laser surgery to repair the bad umbilical cord vessels and give them a chance to live. I was scheduled for surgery Monday. It was a crazy weekend with little sleep. The more I read about Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome the more nervous I got. I decided I had to take it one step at a time. The first step was to get the surgery and pray that the babies make it through the surgery. It is Wednesday, I am at home on bed rest and happy to report both babies have made it through the surgery. It is too early to determine if the surgery will actually work but I am so thankful that both girls are still alive and have a fighting chance. My job is to be on bed rest. I feel terrible for my husband because everything falls to him. He has been wonderful and reminds me that I must sleep and get well. If you have identical twins that share the same placenta, please look for the following signs of TTT syndrome because I did not know them: getting extremely big in a very short period of time, not being able to sleep, dizzy spells and your stomach feels extremely hard like two bricks are in there. When I say you feel as though you grow large overnight, I truly mean in a very short period of time. During the surgery, the doctor's removed two liters of amniotic fluid. In a matter of about 2 weeks I grew inches. This appears to only happen to identical twins that share the same umbilical cord. I just wanted to share my story for those that are pregnant with identical twins because you want to detect this disease early. Thanks for reading and letting me discuss my scary situation with you.

Excitedmomma2b - Monday, 16 Nov
I'm 18 1/2 weeks and I had to hae an u/s with a full bladder and they told me it was just because it was easier to see the babies. I was very uncomfterable but did not hurt and it seems to take so long because they have to get tons of pictures of each baby. That is great that you are having one of each, I find out tomorrow morning so I hope we also get the same and that thy are not shy.

mommy530 - Monday, 16 Nov
hey to all mommys im new to this page and im 17 weeks pregnant having twins boy and girl yeh so excited to know i will have another ultrasound when im in week 19 and im so excited. well i have a concern i have heard from so many people that when i they do this ultrsound and you know how tour bladder has to be full well i want to know if its painful cause im a first time mommy but its just that i have heard from so many people and friends that its painful. i hope that any of you guys can tell me who has had twins or further along than me its just that im really nervous

fgejzc - Thursday, 12 Nov
Luckymummy, I felt my twins move at 14 weeks. This is not my first pregnancy though. I heard that if it's your first pregnancy, you might feel the babies move a little later. :) Good luck with your pregnancy and Congrats :)!

mother in shock - Tuesday, 10 Nov
to Kazz, Were in this together!, I have a 6 year old a 3 year old a 4 month old and just found out I'm 8 weeks pregnant with identical twins (totally not expecting this pregnancy at all, was on birth control)how has it been, has this pregnancy been different than the others b/c I feel a little better than my other pregnancies, I was wondering if thats temporary and the symptoms come later?

twins-oh-boy - Monday, 9 Nov
I am actually 18 weeks. I am still waiting on that second trimester burst of energy. I feel run down daily. How is everyone looking? Do you look pregnant? I clearly look pregnant. Not sure if I am gaining too fast or if it is common for twin pregnancies to already look pregnant at this stage. When I sit down, my stomach feels so big it actually aches at times and I am noticing my portions at meal times reducing and reducing because once I sit down, I feel extremely full or like I do not have enough room for food. Anyone else feeling this way?
• aledleand2- Wow! That is fast. Do you mind me asking why you will be admitted at 24 weeks? Have you had difficulties with this pregnancy?

aledleand2 - Friday, 6 Nov
Hello everyone I'm so glad I found this site, we found out we are having mono twins at 10 weeks, since then every drs. appt makes me even more anxious. I was told I will be admitted at 24 wks and will not be able to carry them past 30 weeks. I am 16 weeks today and trying to get things in order before all this takes place, I have a 15 yr old, 13 yr old, and 7yr old.

mom-in-2010 - Monday, 26 Oct
Waitingfornumber2: I found out at 10 weeks we were having twins. The only cue that really made me question if there was more than one was that I was absolutely exhausted and by week 10 I had already gained about 6 pounds yet I wasn't eating much because I was so nauseous.

waitingfornumber2 - Sunday, 25 Oct
I wanted to ask you twin mommies a question, there are a lot of twins in our family, and i had a dream i was having twins, my pregnancy has actually been great so far, with my son i was really sick, but i'm feeling fine except i think i'm anemic, i'm having dizziness, loss of coordination, and extreme fatigue, with my son i didn't get anemic until later in my pregnancy, just wondering if any of you guys experienced this early on, i'm about 10 weeks, i will be finding out for sure how many there are this week or next :)

jennamoz - Sunday, 25 Oct
twins-oh-boy: I'm not sure if it's considered normal to be put on bedrest at 20 weeks or they said that just to prepare you that it could happen. I'm on my second set of twins and have not been put on bed rest with either pregnancy. I'm 32 weeks along. A lot has to do with how healthy you are and listening to your body. If you're tired or you're getting contractions, rest and drink lots of water. Hope that helps.
• To all you mommies of twins: I just want to encourage you that you'll do just fine!! It's a big job to raise twins, there's no doubt about that and if you have young kids at home already, it's a bit stressful. However, every month gets easier and every body bounces back. I have a 5 year old and two two year olds (twins) and am expecting another set of twins around the beginning of December! Only 6 weeks away. I'm trying to get my youngest ones to do most things on their own and have the oldest one be a really big help with her little sisters. Anyhow, just thought I'd let you know I was thinking of you ladies with lots of little ones that are also expecting twins. Take care!

twins-oh-boy - Thursday, 22 Oct
I was told by my first obgyn that discovered I am pregnant with twins that it is not uncommon to be put on bedrest at 20 weeks. Has anyone else heard this?

luckymummy - Thursday, 22 Oct
P.S. I was just reading an interesting post because it was relevant to me before realising it was mine! duh? lol
• Wow KAZZ!!! You are going to have your hands full!! Don't worry about it, we women are programmed to cope with anything!! Don't be expecting any peace and quiet though! Hope you have lots of friends and family around for support. I thought I was going to struggle!? I'm 28 with 3 girls, 11,9 and 1 and am 19wks tomorrow with twins, sex unknown. At least mine are old enough to help out a little! You'll be just fine, and, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

kayleesma - Wednesday, 21 Oct
Hi everyone! We found out we are having fraternal twins - Boy and Girl! Can't wait!

nicki90 - Tuesday, 20 Oct
kazz: holy crap!!! i dont even know how im going to cope with having a 22month old and a newborn!!!! good luck is all i can say!!!

kazz - Tuesday, 20 Oct
I love reading everyone's comments, so I thought I would put my own up here. I am 22 years old and 16 weeks pregnant with identical twins (monoamniotic) I have a 5 year old daughter, 3 year old step daughter, a 2 year old son and a 6 months old daughter. And now pregnant with twins. I have no idea how I am going to cope. Is there anyone out there with similar worries as me?

jakobsmommy2 - Tuesday, 20 Oct
Hello! I am 17+5 today and I just found out i am having twins. A boy and a girl. We only found out though b/c the hospital called and told me to come in right away b/c they thought my 'kid' was going to have a hole in it's spine or skull...i was freaking out...then we get there and they do the sonogram and BAM there are two beautiful healthy babies. has this happened to any one else? please comment on my page.

luckymummy - Monday, 19 Oct
When did evrybody feel their babies move? I'm 18+3 now and feel next to nothing. a couple of little flutters last week, mainly when i have a full bladder, but other than that nothing significant. I thought it would be sooner rather than later due to lack of space issues but apparently i'm wrong!

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