Week by week Twins calendar: pregnancy in weeks 12-16


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

By twelve weeks, your once called embryo is now called a fetus. At twelve weeks each of your developing babies will weigh approximately 20 grams. At the beginning of week 13, each of your twins will resemble the familiar tadpole looking image! Although the babies do not have any obvious organization of movement yet, if seen on ultrasound you will notice reflexive motions. By 16 weeks the twins will each weigh around 120 grams! What amazing growth! They will also reach a length of about four inches long. By sixteen weeks, the devloping twins can swallow and the kidneys begin to operate. The production of urine by the fetus contributes to the amniotic fluid. Your babies are now beginning to show some control over its environment.

In most pregnancy, nausea should be diminishing or may even be completely gone. You should be enjoying a hearty appetite. At times you may feel ravenous and that is okay. Follow the dietary guidelines that your caregiver has given you and enjoy nourishing your babies!! If you are still experiencing cravings, that is fine, but do discuss any extreme cravings with your doctor. You may need an additional supplement or vitamin.

Vaginal discharge that is white and creamy in texture is common and should not be cause for concern. Any discharge that is any color besides white or is associated with other symptoms should be reported to your caregiver.

You may notice that you are not getting as much sleep as you are used to. Your sleep can be disturbed by the need to urinate, increased dreaming, heartburn or other reasons. Find a comfortable position and try to get as much rest as possible. It is hard work to carry a twin pregnancy and you need to be fair to your body and let it rest often.

Many women complain of an increase in headaches. If you experience severe and/or frequent pain, you should report it to your caregiver. Do not take any type of pain reliever without the consent of your caregiver. Try a relaxing bath, calming music, eating and drinking often, rest in a darkened room or a soothing compress over your eyes. Hormone production may cause migraine headaches. Many environmental, food, hormonal and lifestyle triggers cause migraines. Avoid air pollution, smoke, fumes, bright lights, alcohol, aspartame, caffeine, chocolate, dairy products, fatty foods, MSG, nuts, and physical exertion. Depression, stress and anxiety can also lead to migraines.

At this point of the pregnancy, maternity clothes are probably a must. You may be outgrowing your pants as your waistline expands. Moms of multiples experience this earlier. Maternity bras are very important also. Purchase or borrow clothes that will last the entire pregnancy.

Swelling of the feet is a common complaint also. The extra weight in your abdomen has the effect of increasing the curve of your spine. Wearing athletic shoes and propping your feet up throughout the day should alleviate discomfort.

Ongoing Symptoms

Increase or decrease in saliva
Anemia
Food cravings
Increased heartrate
Constipation
Leaking from nipples
Nasal stuffiness
Breast tenderness
Bleeding gums
Heartburn
Breathlessness
Sensitivity to sun
Change in sexual desire
Fatigue
Stretch marks

To Consider This Month:

Maternity clothing
Start purchasing necessary baby supplies
Any testing that needs to be done

At The Doctor
Your doctor will be assessing many factors of the pregnancy at this checkup. Address any questions or concerns at this time. You may have an ultrasound to assess the babies condition. Your caregiver will most likely offer you the AFP test to check for abnormalities. Your caregiver will also be checking:
1.)Weight gain
2.)Blood pressure, pulse and 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



Comments by 12-16 week pregnant Twin mothers

Showing 1-31 of about 31 comments from week 12-16
1

piecesofyoukp - Wednesday, 1 Jul
Folic Acid is most important in the first trimester before babys back closes...by not taking prenatal only you not your babies will be hurt by that....the babies will still take whatever they need there will just be less for you...had a good friend who couldnt stomach prenatals so she took 2 flintstones a day...maybe you may want to look into that....CONGRATZ on your twins...

Bostania - Tuesday, 30 Jun
this is my fouth pregnancy! i stoped having folic acid dunno why i dont feel like having it! is there any problem with that. i stoped folic acid and prental vitamins with my third pregnancy as well my baby is fine, smart, normal so i dont see any necissity for that! any ideas?
• btw i just turned 13 today, when u think u/s can figure out babys sex? they are identicals one sac
• i found abt twins news two days ago! i was like 'WHAT, no way, oh my God, my husband wont believe this!' the Dr. was laughing i dont hv any family history just one friend and i make fun abt her! really worried and no nothing abt it. very excited and glade i fnd u guys sharing same expeience with me :)

newmommyX2 - Monday, 29 Jun
yes this site is a life saver its almost like counseling for me at times! im addicted to it! :)

piecesofyoukp - Sunday, 28 Jun
newmommyx2....it is comforting to know that there are ppl on this site that can relate to what im going through....twins dont run in my family and i dont have any friends that have twins....this is my best source of info and support

newmommyX2 - Friday, 26 Jun
iam also having trouble sleeping because i cant get comfortable . and i wake up in the middle of the night sometimes just cuz and sometimes to use the restroom. plus i am going through some personal problems which doesnt have my mind at ease at night so in the sleep department im not doing too well

piecesofyoukp - Wednesday, 24 Jun
Oh yeah has anyone got insomnia...mine is super bad and also cant seem ro put any weight on and am always eating...any suggestions??
• Twins...I am 13 wks and my docs also believe my babies are identical and in the same sac...Have been told thetrouble with this is that babies may tangle in one anothers cords and also that you have toworrie about twin to twin transfusion...(google this tolearn more) congrats....

twins! - Wednesday, 24 Jun
wow ultrasounds are just so amazing and beautiful! im having twins who r in fact in the same sac.... this frightens me.. wat all do i need to worry about with this sort of pregnancy... And also she was saying that it looks like two girls how sure can i be about this?

scooterhavingtwins - Tuesday, 23 Jun
Today I am 16 weeks, and it feels like I have been pregnant forever. I guess it's because of all the trips to the doctors and all of the ultrasounds. This is my second pregnancy. I have a four year old son so of course I wanted at least one girl. I didn't get my wish and I have having a set of Identical Twin boys. I am exhausted all the time and my stomach is constantly hurting. From stretching and pressure. But it seems like yesterday I was saying I wish I was 10 weeks and then 15 weeks. So all and all I imagine that we are doing good and hopefully the exhausted feeling will go away!

zed - Tuesday, 23 Jun
I cant wait to start feeling the babies!!! im 15 weeks now!! All I can feel at the mo is like little flutters!!

mrscorrigan - Friday, 19 Jun
Hi Zed. yes I am 15 weeks pregnant tomorrow with non-identical twins and this is my first pregnancy. I still can't take it all in but i'm sooo excited. I just can't wait to meet them. All my sickness has gone but the iron tablets (I think they're ferrous sulphate) are upsetting my tummy a little. I've only been on them a week so i'll give it another while and see how I get on. xx

zed - Thursday, 18 Jun
I am 14 wks and this is my 1st pregnancy!! I dont know any1 else who is having twins the 1st time - so am quite worried as i am quite slim and my stomach absolutely aches at night with all the stretching!!! nebody else having twins 1st time pregnancy???

piecesofyoukp - Wednesday, 17 Jun
I dreamed i was having twins...and then at my ultrasound at 9 weeks there was Baby A and Baby B....i am hopind for girls as we already have 2 buoys...I am both terrified and excited hopefully this website will be of great help to me....congrats all...

steph2009 - Thursday, 11 Jun
and, it's funny that so many of you 'knew' or had a sign that it was twins before you had it confirmed... I had a very strong feeling that there was two and I certainly didn't have that during my last two pregnancies... I mentioned it to my girlfriend just before the confirming ultrasound and we'd even looked up what the ultrasound images would look like if it was two - that way I would know what to look for and be able to work it out before the sonographer said a word! Very strange...
• Thanks for your replies - I'm a little too anxious this time around. Twins, coupled with the fact that my baby son passed away just after birth last year, has left me noticing all the little twinges a little more than I need to... And, from all that I've read, it seems that as long as the discomfort doesn't turn into regular cramping and isn't accompanied by bleeding, then it's probably completely normal... And, give how HUGE I am already (I look about 5 months pregnant already and I'm not quite 14 weeks) all that stretching has got to hurt at least a little! Anyway, thanks for sharing your stories everyone... I really don't know anyone who's had twins before so it's great to be able to pop online and ask others who are going through it all right now! Hope everyone is well... Steph xx

mandaarchie - Thursday, 11 Jun
I did have a feeling that I was having twins before It was confirmed...My four year old son kept saying Mommy you having two babies and i kept correcting him no mommies only having one...Then surprise at my second ultrasound there there was baby B....My four year old was the only one that insisted it was two even though numerous friends made the comment...What was so weird to me is that I already have two kids ages 4, 5 and nobody not once ever said a thing about twins....LOL.....But im loving it...It is so exciting and scary at the same time. I go on the 23rd for my level 2 ultrasound cant wait to see what they are.They told me they will spend 30 minutes on each baby...

heidileighc - Wednesday, 10 Jun
Did any of you dream you were having twins before you found out that you really were? Or did you feel and was cinvinced before you were confirmed?

mrscorrigan - Wednesday, 10 Jun
Hi newmummyx2. How are you keeping? I read your recent blog. sorry you're not having a good time at the moment. Have you sat down with BF and had a big long talk? he needs to be honest with you and tell you what's going on his head so you can sort this out. take care of yourself. olivia xx

newmommyX2 - Tuesday, 9 Jun
mrscorrigan-thats a possibility i just started showing i would say yesterday! im loving it though!im for sure finding out im a really impatient person so i just have to know! :) i dont think i would be able to go the whole time and not find out

mrscorrigan - Tuesday, 9 Jun
I was having little twinges exactly like you describe and wondered what it was- I looked it up (think it was baby centre) and it's called round ligament pain. basically strecthing like you say. Do you think we get it more because we're having twins and we're stretching even more?? Has anyone else decided to find out the sex of their babies? My husband wants to know as soon as possible but I can't decide. I do want to know but feel like maybe we should wait another while... I hope everyone is doing well Olivia xx

newmommyX2 - Sunday, 7 Jun
i have some slight pains in my lower tummy everyone keeps saying its just me stretching for the babies. They arent constant but they happen quite a few times a week.they feel more like pricks or poking pains maybe its just the babies but im not sure

steph2009 - Saturday, 6 Jun
I have a question... this is my third pregnancy (my first two were singletons) and I've been having much more abdominal discomfort than with either of my previous pregnancies. It's not cramping, as such, but just achy, vaguely tight feelings here and there. Is anyone else experiencing this? I suspect it's normal - there must be a lot of stretching going on in there - but I'd still love to hear what others are feeling! Hope everyone is well...

mandaarchie - Saturday, 6 Jun
I am 15 weeks and yeah im showing... Already had to buy some maternity clothes so i can breath comfy...

steph2009 - Friday, 5 Jun
I'm about thirteen weeks and I look about twenty weeks... I feel huge!

daddyneedluv2 - Thursday, 4 Jun
Not really showing at all...

newmommyX2 - Wednesday, 3 Jun
15 weeks 2moro not showing much how about anyone else?

daddyneedluv2 - Sunday, 31 May
Hello ladies in week 13 how are you all doing.

CANTWAIT4TWO - Thursday, 28 May
Jessica you need to stop writting on this forum. I am reporting you to the mediator.

mls1188 - Tuesday, 26 May
Jessica...I personally don't care if ur message gets deleted. I just think that if you feel the need to argue about something then you should go to a political website or something. Not a site that's intended for sharing experiences and good news. Sometimes part of being smart is not having to let everyone know just how smart you are.

Jesica13 - Tuesday, 26 May
The problem Casie is that any intelligent factual discussion that goes on here gets deleted. This will keep the stupid, naive and undeducated moms that write here in the hormone stupor of pregancy....thinking they feel babies move at 10 weeks, that twins are caused by breast feeding and other idiotic ideas, instead of discussions on maternal mental health, baby health etc. Lets see how long before this gets deleted.

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

Read newest comments (all weeks)