Twin pregnancy week by week: 20-24 weeks pregnant

Members

Now online

Member search

New members Latest comments

Comment Spy

Forums

Week by week

Baby development Latest photos

Pregnancy

Babies

Bellies

Ultrasound

Member pages Latest Updates

Blogs & Questions

Updated profiles

I-am-pregnant

Trying

Pregnancy

Babies

Forum & Info

Nursery rooms

Polls

Members

Baby names

Q & A

Help

Contact

Week by week Twins calendar: pregnancy in weeks 20-24

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

Twin babies at 23 weeks

At 20 weeks, each of your babies will weigh approximately one pound! By 24 weeks, they will have gained another half pound and will be approximately 12 inches long! The babies are continuing to grow and have produced some fat under the skin. Lanugo-soft, furry hair-covers their skin and you will most likely notice this at birth. The babies are also starting to be covered with a cheesy substance called the vernix caseosa coating. The twins are in constant contact and kick and nudge at one another for space. The membrane that separates them still is amazingly elastic! Every joint in their bodies are flexed. The chin is at the chest and their elbows are tucked at their sides. Their legs are often brought up to their chest and the feet are tucked under their bottoms. On ultrasound, you will often see that they like to have their hands up near the face. During periods of awake time, they will stretch out and move around.

You should be feeling your babies move around every day. You might not be able to tell which one is which though. You may only be able to feel it one side occasionally and that is OK. It may be that both sets of legs are stretching out in the same direction.

Edema is not uncommon during any pregnancy, especially when carrying multiples. Sometimes the extra accumulation of fluid can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a tingling or numbness in part of the palm and fingers caused by excessive compression of the bones and nerves. If you are experiencing this, try to rest as much as possible and drink lots of water. You can also purchase carpal tunnel wrist guards at a local drugstore. Symptoms usually go away after delivery.

You may be noticing that you are warmer than everyone else in the room. Your resting metabolic rate is increased during pregnancy and causes you to feel overheated. It does not mean you have a fever. Drink extra fluids to replace any fluids that you are losing through perspiration.

Many pregnant women also begin to experience leg cramps at this point of their pregnancy. It can be a sudden and extremely painful feeling. Because you are carrying multiples, you are at increased risk for experiencing leg cramps. You are carrying extra passengers and they can be very greedy when it comes to getting the mineral they need for good nutrition. You may be suffering from a shortage of calcium. Ask your doctor to help you find a way of getting enough for your and your babies.

It is not uncommon for mothers of multiples to go in to labor early. Pay close attention to any changes in your pregnancy and inform your caregiver at once if you experience any signs or symptoms of preterm labor.

Ongoing Symptoms

Nasal stuffiness
Sensitivity to sun
Bleeding gums
Constipation
Round ligament pain
Leg cramps
Anemia
Leakage from nipples
Glow of pregnancy
Change in sexual desire
Hearty appetite
Sleep changes
Expanding uterus
Fatigue
Headaches
Heartburn
Swelling feet
Stretch Marks
Spine curving
Vaginal discharge
Decrease in urination

To Think About This Month

Obtaining baby care essentials
Birth preparation classes
Birthing options and plans
Work arrangements if not already done
Childcare arrangements if needed

At The Doctor

You should be very comfortable discussing concerns with your doctor at this point. It is important to share your feelings and questions with them. Make sure to keep your doctor informed on your lifestyle and any changes that are occuring. If you have not had a 20 week diagnostic ultrasound performend, you will most likely be receiving that as well. Your doctor will be reviewing the results of any tests you have had performed. Your doctor will probably be going over the sings of preterm labor and giving strict instructions on when to call if needed. In addition, your caregiver will also be checking:
1.) Weight gain
2.) Blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate
3.) Heart and lung check
4.) Breast exam
5.) External palpation of the uterus
6.) Measure height of fundus
7.) Fetal heartbeat
8.) Urine screening for blood, sugar and bacteria

Comments by 20-24 week pregnant Twin mothers

Showing 1-9 of about 9 comments from week 20-24

Katrina-Mommi-of-3 - Wednesday, 18 Nov
Hi all!! I am new to this site =) I am a mommy of a 5 year old daughter and 21 1/2 wks prego with identical twin girls. This week has been good, i passed my state nursing boards!! but on the other hand, i still have the stinking morning (all day) sickness!! i dont think this is going to go away!!!!

jennamoz - Monday, 9 Nov
noway1: I would try eating more potassium (banannas) for the cramps or calcium. Hope that helps

lori18 - Tuesday, 3 Nov
you can look up who offers them (3 & 4-d)near you and just pay for one!

amandadawn - Tuesday, 3 Nov
i am 22 weeks with twin girls, due in march. i am going through the clinic provided by the hospital because they are providing me with service due to low income. i asked them the other day if only people who have better insurance are the ones that are the only one to get the 3-d or 4-d ultrasounds because i have not been offered them at all. i said i would understand if thats case. They said no, and that the reason doctors have their patients get those ultrasounds is because something might be wrong with the baby. I keep seeing all of my friends upload their 3-d & 4-d ultrasounds to their myspaces and whatnot and not one of them talk about something being wrong with their babies. Am i being put on here? But then again, all of my tests are coming back great and they say i am having a great pregnancy. Any suggestions?

noway1 - Monday, 26 Oct
anyone have a problem waking up in the middle of the night with bad leg cramps?

jennamoz - Sunday, 25 Oct
most of my stretch marks from my first single pregnancy are on my hips and they did not disappear. However, with the last set of twins and these ones, it appears, that I get them around my belly button and under my belly. After the last two were born, I couldn't tell after a while that I had any around belly button or lower belly. I'm hoping that's the same with these ones!

patsyscoob - Friday, 16 Oct
Hi ladies i went from no stretchmarks one day to 3 at the bottom of my tummy the next, really hoping this is not a sign of things to come

nikki01 - Friday, 16 Oct
not yet but have really painful knees does anyone if i can use deep heat for the pain

Alyssa-Marie - Thursday, 15 Oct
kcr... I have had some come up on the back of my knees and the bottom of my bum :(

kcr - Thursday, 15 Oct
Anyone have stretch marks yet? (Who didnt have them before)

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

Read newest comments (all weeks)

Leave a comment

Only members cam leave comments.
Sign up free

In which week/month am I?
Calculate your due date and how many weeks you are along!