Week by week Twins calendar: pregnancy in weeks 4-8


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You may just be finding out that you are pregnant. Congratulations! Many women are shocked to find out that they are carrying more than one baby! By four weeks, your developing babies will show up on ultrasound as two little gestational sacs. Although you cant see it on ultrasound until around week 6, the amniotic fluid and embryo are inside the entire time. Your babies are developing quite rapidly. During this time, the baby's brain, bladder, liver, kidneys, spine, extremities, reproductive tracts and heart are all beginning to develop. The first time your twins are visible on ultrasound, they will be about 2-3 mm long-which is less than a grain of rice. However, by week 7 and 8, each baby is about the length of two grains of rice . Cardiac activity can also be seen by ultrasound.

You might be noticing a great change in your appetite. This is one of the first signs of a pregnancy. Most women will experience an increase in their appetite between weeks 4 and 6. It is perfectly normal and may continue for the rest of the pregnancy. Because you are carrying twins, you should listen to what your body is telling you and eat accordingly. A woman expecting twins has about one and a half times the caloric need of those that carry single pregnancies.

It is also very normal to feel tired, or just plain exhausted at this point. Your body is working overtime to produce two healthy babies. You should try to get extra rest at night and rest as much as possible throughout the day. Eating a healthy diet and participating in light exercise will help.

An increased frequency of urination is a common complaint early (and throughout) pregnancy for most women. The uterus is beginning to grow and put pressure on the bladder, therefore making it hold less urine than normal and sending you to the restroom more frequently. If you experience burning or pain during urination, contact your caregiver.

Morning sickness and nausea may be worse with a multiple pregnancy. Although it rarely becomes serious, it can be frustrating. Nausea and vomitting can happen at any time of the day. Eating frequent, small meals should help ease your stomach. Many women also experience a hightened sense of smell and may experience an aversion to certain smells and tastes.

A twin pregnancy seems to cause more heartburn, and does so earlier in the pregnancy. This is because your uterus is larger. Antacids will help with heartburn symptoms for most women. Rather than lying down after a meal, take a short walk or sit straight up for a while to aide in the digestion of your food. You may also notice that you feel constipated. Drink lots of water and increase your fiber intake.

Many women experience nosebleeds and stuffiness during pregnancy. This is because the mucus memranes in your body have an increased blood supply. The increase in blood can make the mucus membranes in the nose become swollen and secrete additional mucus. Many pregnant women also experience a sensation of breathlessness. The feeling will get worse as the pregnancy progresses. It is normal to have an increased heart rate. This is from an increase in blood supply and decrease in blood pressure.

Breast tenderness is a common symptom of early pregnancy. Breast tenderness and swelling seem to increase in women who are expecting twins. You may also notice a darkening of the areola-the circle around the nipple on the breast. Support your breasts properly during pregnancy.

To think about this month:

Finding an obstetrician
Finalize all insurance concerns or questions
Apply for Medicaid if needed

At the doctor

During your first visit with the doctor, he or she will be going over information regarding your pregnancy. Address any questions or concerns that you have. They will also be doing a complete work up on you, including:
1.)Blood pressure and vital signs
2.)Physical exam-heart, lungs, breasts, abdomen, and pelvic
3.)Family history questionaire
4.)Urine Sample
5.)Blood samples



Comments by 4-8 week pregnant Twin mothers

Showing 1-43 of about 43 comments from week 4-8
1

youngmomma2 - 10 hours ago
ok thanks. I am just kind of nervous... I have wanted twins before, now i keep thinking please just one. Either way we will be happy tho.

Quan-twinsplus1 - 11.2 hours ago
Im 28wks with twin girls. I started feeling fetal movement at about 13wks.Also started urinating more too, now i use it like im 38wks. I live in the bathroom. My stomach got larger fast also when i turned 3mon people thought i was 4 1/2-5mon.

youngmomma2 - 11.8 hours ago
hey all I am 18 weeks and as far as we know there is only one baby but we are beliving other wise. Twins run on both side of our families and I have had awful m/s and still have it. Headaches are almost everyday. I can't get to sleep at night even though I am tired. I sleep off and on all morning. I have been feeling movement for about two or three weeks now. Not every day but defentaly fetal movement. I am peeing like crazy already and with my first preg that didn't happen until I was like 25-30 weeks. I am so confused. I have an u/s on Friday and am so anxious. I was just wondering if anyone here could tell me if this sounds like them.

moknows1 - Monday, 8 Feb
ashleighsmom, those are great strong heartbeats. I can't wait to hear my twins hearbeats again next Wednesday. Stay positive...I'm trying to. :)

ashleighsmom - Monday, 8 Feb
I saw the twins again today :) Both are doing great. Baby A heartbeat 169 and Baby B 167. A is measuring in at 8 weeks even and B is bigger at 8 weeks 6 days. he scares me everytime by telling me that there is still a chance that one won't make it. I keep praying all will be ok.

moknows1 - Friday, 5 Feb
I am checking this page daily, but not much conversation going on. I've been much more active on the regular weekly webpage. Bambino...I've never been told that.

bambinonum3 - Thursday, 4 Feb
um there are no mothers who are here..on this stage i am supposing=( how sad!
• hi twin mamas..anyof you been told you have had 2 corpus leutuem cysts on your ovarys at an early scan?...plese share..thank you

WOWME - Monday, 1 Feb
I'M SO TIRED, AND I KNOW THIS IS NORMAL WHEN PREGNANT, BUT I'M A HOMEMAKER WITH 4 OTHER CHILDREN, AND TWINS ON THE WAY....I FEEL SO BAD ABOUT SLEEPING SO MUCH, AND LAUNDRY EVERYWHERE. SHOULD I GET HELP?

moknows1 - Thursday, 28 Jan
Sorry, typo...I meant to say two sacs in the first sentence below. Pregnancy mind setting in already. :)
• petulka, at your stage, if they did an internal ultrasound they would be able to see two just like the picture on this webpage. My Ultrasound picture from 5 weeks 1 day looks just like the picture on this page. Is there any reason why you suspect you were having twins (fertility treatments, family history, etc)?

liyah22 - Wednesday, 27 Jan
they don't really check the hcg levels here. but how cool is that to have more than twins! i wish we could check the babies everyday for our peace of mind. lol.

petulka - Wednesday, 27 Jan
Hi all, I am new here, just find out few days ago that I am in week 5 :) How can they recognise you are carrying twins in such early stage? My first US is scheduled for week 13! When was your first one?

Karma143 - Wednesday, 27 Jan
Evening ladies! I just found out yesterday that I'm 5 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins and my levels were a little over 46,000. My DH is worried that I might be pregnant with more than twins. Are my levels consistent with a twin pregnancy?

afonsor - Wednesday, 27 Jan
My doctor informed me Tuesday that my Hcg level was so good. Taht next week during my first US at 6 weeks I may be hearing two heartbeats. Please dear God let them grow healthy and strong. This is my first pregnancy and I've waited so long. Im alittle nervous, but completely excited

Franssygirl - Wednesday, 27 Jan
my twins were too early to hear heartbeats as well, but it said in the report that there was visible evidence of them.. i found out yesterday that my twins are bi-chorionic (sp?) bi-placentic twins which means they have formed from completely seperate ovum and sperm. how cool is technology these days?!?! has anyone else found out what kind of twins they're carrying?

ashleighsmom - Wednesday, 27 Jan
At my us on monday the babies were 125 and 101. I was worried b/c one was much lower, but he said anything over 100 is fine. Some people have said girls have higher heartbeats and boys have lower. Is anyone going to find out the sexes eventually? I think we are since it's twins. If it was a single then we would have been surprised.

moknows1 - Wednesday, 27 Jan
I have not seen heartbeats yet, it was too early when I was there last week. We have the next US on Tuesday and should be able to see the heartbeats then. Keeping my prayers hopeful.

liyah22 - Wednesday, 27 Jan
yay! found out today that i'm having twins, i was really surprised because it doesn't run in the family. my first pregnancy end up in miscarriage so i'm really hoping and praying that this will turn out well. Goodluck to us all! ashleighsmom, aww, that's sad. i hope it'll survive. what's your baby's HB? mines are 122bpm and 114bpm, i'm not sure if those are normal for twins. i heard singletons have higher HBs.

ashleighsmom - Tuesday, 26 Jan
moknows1, my dr told me yesterday that there is a 20% chance that one of the twins might not make it. did you see the heartbeats?

Franssygirl - Tuesday, 26 Jan
ok, going to the doctors today, probably wont have an u/s for another few weeks though, fingers crossed my babies! are ok i really hope i can sustain both babies

ashleighsmom - Tuesday, 26 Jan
Hi everyone! Just found out yesterday that I am having twins! Soooo excited!!!

moknows1 - Tuesday, 26 Jan
Ok, I'm starting to freak out and think that this may actually end up being twins. I am still uncertain because with my daughter we had two sacs as well and only one formed. I'll find out next week with another us. But it would make sense because one of the two women at work that know I'm pregnant just told me this morning that I am showing already. I kind of suspected it, but thought I was just being too observant of myself. Haven't been able to button pants since last week when I was 5 weeks pregnant. Good thing I have several bella bands to use.
• Franssygirl, I think that is normal. I had some spotting with my daughter and it was fine. You need to be worried if it turns bright red and gets heavier. Good luck.

Franssygirl - Monday, 25 Jan
i am apparently pregnant with twins, only early yet, just five weeks, but at work today i sytarted to have some pinky brown d/c (sorry TMI) would this mean im losing the babies, or a baby? i'm really worried and sad and any advice would be helpful

lizzyjr - Friday, 22 Jan
Well I just found out tht i am 4 weeks pregnant. but i look like im four months. havent gone to the doctor yet. is it possible that i could be carryin twins. twinning is common in my family. Im just concerned..cause i have nvr show tht i was this pregnant this fast. I mean my 1st pregnancy was twins but one did not grow. so is it possible tht i could be pregnant with twins?

threeprettygirls - Friday, 22 Jan
Hi mommas of twins! Congratulations to all of you! Here's my question: I had my ten week appt and they said it's probably too early to hear a heartbeat but we can try. They heard it right away- I am wondering even though we only heard o e heartbeat is it still possible that I could be having twins? Or would we have heard both of them? I am always so hopeful and curious until I have my sonogram at 12 weeks. Never had twins but always hope I will. Any comments would be great! Thanks :) and I hope everyone is feeling great with a nice pregnancy glow!

moknows1 - Friday, 22 Jan
Hi ladies, I just found this page also after using the singlton pregnancy page for my last pregnancy and so far with this one. We found out yesterday that we have twins right now (I am 5 weeks 2 days), however we had twins at this stage with my daughter also and one never formed. I am very curious about how this pregancy will turn out. Clomid is a tricky drug and apparently works in my body very well. Having two sacs was very encouraging though since I had two blighted ovum mc's last year. With two sacs, I feel like I have a back up in case one doesn't materialize. Anyone know the odds of both developing?

InkANgel - Friday, 22 Jan
Congrats all!!I found out yesterday I was having twins.And with 4 previous kids this is gonna be interesting.And southstar my hcg level was well over 34 thousand and i am right at 6 weeks.

southstar - Thursday, 21 Jan
congrats to all! i find out if i'm having twins on monday! i am going through fertility treatments and had two mature eggs ready to go....my hcg numbers came back very high soooooo the wait it killing me. does anyone else know their hcg numbers, so I may compare???

Tigrusha - Tuesday, 19 Jan
Hello, ladies! I'm 7 weeks along and having twins too! So far I feel good, but I am gaining weight a bit faster then with my first son. Good luck to you all!

Deemarie - Tuesday, 19 Jan
Hi Ladies, I just found this page this morning and its looks very itneresting. My fiance and I found out that we were having twins 2 weeks ago and boy were we siked! Twins don't run on my moms side nor my fiances side so its interesting and exciting. I am going on 8 weeks this Wednesday and going to a new doctor where I live, this week. Sure they will do another u/s. Congrats to all of you with twins! Has anyone had queasiness on and off in their first tri-mester? I am just about everyday now...no vomiting though thank goodness but its not fun when you have to get to work lol.

excited.first.time.mom - Sunday, 17 Jan
Hi Everyone! This is my first time writing as I just joined today! This site seems pretty informative and I have enjoyed reading everyone blogs and just want to say congrats to all you lucky prego women out there! I am 10 weeks and 1 day pregnant with twins! This is my first pregnancy and my husband and I are really excited (but a little scared at times too)!! Twins does run in the family so I think this will be the 5th set! I notice I feel crappy on and off during the day and have only thrown up a few times & know that grease is not agreeing with my stomach LOL. I go for the Prenatal Genetic testing on Jan 29th so I think my nerves will be more calm once that take place. Does anyone know how long that testing takes & what they do? I know there are 2 parts. Do they tell you the results right then and there or do you have to wait and see your doctor? Any feedback would be awesome! Thanks! :)

fostergirl - Saturday, 16 Jan
To buninoven, I have talked to the doctors in length about the twin situation. Are your twins faternal or identical? Also my husband is a twin so we have search a lot about this subject.
• Can anyone help, I am 7 weeks pregnant and I found out at 5 1/2 weeks I was having twins. I have been experiencing some cramping but it is just a little has anyone else had this. I have been pregnant before but it was only one baby and it was a couple years ago. Thank you

yasmin - Friday, 15 Jan
hey ladies. my doctor thinks I might have multiples according to my levels. It was 142 at 13dpo. I will find out next week at the ultrasound. what do you ladies think? is 142 a sign of multiples?

nataha - Thursday, 14 Jan
hey everyone!!! how r u all doing? i went to docs app a week ago and she confirmed my pregnancy. she gave me some prenatal vitamins. I took them for couple of days and i threw up the entire time. I thought those were the symptoms. But i stopped and now i am ok. I wonder if they just weren't for me. anyway,my next app is at 8 weeks,Feb. 1 for the first ultrasound. I am very excited!!!! i wonder if i have one or two)))) caz it goes in a women line and skips a generation and my grandma had twins. r there any other signs how i can find out if i have twins? other q,at 8 weeks,can we hear the heartbeat?

mlandis - Wednesday, 13 Jan
Good afternoon all. I am in my 5th week and just found out yesterday that there is a very good chance it's twins. It is very clear there are 2 sacks, but could only see 1 heartbeat. I have to go back in 3 weeks for another ultrasound to take another look. I was very nervous at first about twins, but now i am super excited and pray that everything is ok.

buninoven - Tuesday, 12 Jan
I am pregnant and I have 18month old twins concieved naturallly! If you girls know of any one with twins twice i'd love to hear a story! I am super scared i have another batch of 2 or more!

Imaan - Monday, 11 Jan
Hi I am new here. Not too sure because this sounds too soon. My hubby and I decided to have another child, as our eldest will be 6 this year. We started conceiving 05th Dec '09. I normally get my period around the 7th but was late last month and got it 20 days later. Two days ago my breast starting becoming very sensative and that is normally a sign of my period coming on. However, my breast are still sensative, I have a headache from hell and feeling ready to hurl. Is this not too soon or am I just thinking about it too often.

dellie - Thursday, 7 Jan
Hi we found out yesterday we are pregnant with twins. I am 8w4d. we could not see any heart beat but the babies messures 6w6d and 7w0d. we have to go back in a week to check again. did this happen to anyone?? please pray for us. thanks

coloradomomtobe - Wednesday, 6 Jan
i'm 7w2d with fraternal twins. I've seen pictures of people who are already showing at this point. Is that normal, or is that just b/c they've had pregnancies before and their body 'remembers'?? I haven't gained any weight yet (not complaining here) and I'm just wondering what is normal.

fgejzc - Tuesday, 5 Jan
I went from 108 to 113 in 5 weeks. I have never gained that much weight within such a short period of time even when pregnant with singletons. I bled a lot when I was 7 weeks, went to the ER, had the U/S and the tech and the doctor were there, and although the tech isn't allowed to say anything, I had the doctor there to tell me that everything was ok, and that I was expecting twins. I didn't have to wait for any results.

lab122679 - Sunday, 3 Jan
Ok, so I am 9wks along with my fourth pregnancy. Twins run on my side of the family and I was wandering if hightened senses are true to women having twins? I dont have morning sickness as bad as my first three, but I am constantly snacking and I seem hungry all day long. I am showing like I am 3mths along as well. my weight went from 103 to 111. I had an u/s i the er cuz I kept spottin here and there and I just wanted to know why. They wouldnt tell me a thing about my u/s except that y pregnancy was still vilable. Does any1 have any thoughts.

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