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 1-27 of about 27 comments from week 4-8
1

jessica7 - Wednesday, 1 Jul
I just left my ultrasound appt, and they saw 2 gestational sacs, and no fetal pole or heartbeat. They say I am 6wks 3 days. Please advise if this is normal?

kristymumof4 - Monday, 29 Jun
my mother is a twin dose that mean i have a chance of having twins

cdn - Sunday, 28 Jun
Yazzy... I'm 35 wks preg with twin girls, but I saw your comment. Honestly the fathers side doesn't matter when it comes to twins. The mother carries the twin gene. And it just depends on if you drop one egg or 2 that gets fertilized or if one splits. the best thing would probably be fertility drugs seeing as twins run in your side of the family anyway. And generally they skip a generation so it depends also if its your generation or not. Just some helpful info I have picked up along the way, just don't be upset if you end up pregnant and its another singleton. You can't plan multiples, its hard enough to plan pregnancy period. Good luck, and hope you find this helpful.

Ashley96786 - Sunday, 28 Jun
yazzy.. i did not do anything to get preg with twins ... i just had a rare egg that split in 2... only thing that could have happen was my husband was in iraq.and i actually got preg the day he came home, so i did not hve sex for 11 months,,, if that did it i dont know... but, i'm sure you dont wanna try that...lol.. good luck..

yazzy - Saturday, 27 Jun
hey everyone i have a question for all of u twin moms and soon to be twin moms ..so i have a 9 month old and im thinking about havin a second baby whe hes about 18 months so he will have a sibiling close to his age and i was wondering twins dont run in my family alot just a couple of scaterd relatives by blood that have or are twins and on my hubbys side not really much either ..so i was wondering how can i up my chances of having twins because i would love to maybe have a some advice frm u all i herd some plp have twin when ther sick due to a high tempeture that makes them realease out more eggs or something like that did u guys do anything diffrent to try to have twins or up ur chances just curious thnx u guys!!

corrin - Wednesday, 24 Jun
see im thinkin because ots so different from my son that i may be blessed with a lil girl!! :) i am going to say im having a girl!!! the closest twins i have on my side is my moms grandmother...my great grandmother. So im sticking with the lil girl theory!!

Ashley96786 - Wednesday, 24 Jun
i have a 3 year old son and never had sympoms with him. this time im preg. with 2 boys and never second guessed there was more than one.. actually i thought i might have got lucky and was havin a lil girl... at 15 weeks my dowwn syndrom test come back 1 in 124 chance and they had me in for ultrasound the next day. They do not have Down syndom. it was elevated because i have one placenta ..... with 2 babies.. mono/di. i had morning sickness from hell. and dizzy when i got up a few time.. that hapens more now.. and i craved water like i was a fish.. i showed sooned than my first bit read that was normal your second pregnacy.. my type is caused by my egg splitting in to two.causing identical twins. not genetic, but rare. hope this helps and good luck..

MmmanduhMama - Wednesday, 24 Jun
Hi! I had my first u/s today and everything looked normal. My nurse just called me and told me I have to get another one Monday bc there might be two! I am 6w5d!

baby-4 - Wednesday, 24 Jun
hi i have to ask but this is my fourth baby and im feeling really weird this time around.i never had any symptoms with the other three kids no sore boobs no dizziness nothing and im really thinking that there might be 2 in there i dont get my ultrasound till the 29th so i guess i will no then but im going crazy thinking about it it also runs on both sides of our family's so i was just wondering if you could maby tell me how you felt with your babys?

Ashley96786 - Tuesday, 23 Jun
Corrin i am 19 weeks and 3 days preg. with twin boys and i did not find out untill week 15. i had really bad m/s and craved water. lol.drinking soda made me sick. i did show sooner and i am huge now.. i still dont crave alot of things..mainly flammin hot cheeto's..lol.. and i never really feel hungry like i did with my son.all my friends and family told me i was havin twins cause of my fast growin belly. my type is mono/di,( identical boys) with one placenta. not genetic. and before ,i knew nothing about twins, i thought they were all genetic.lol... untill i had an ultrasound when they were found my ob only picked up one heartbeat also.

corrin - Tuesday, 23 Jun
so i was wondering about symptoms of twins...esp from moms who already have kids. With my son i had no real symptoms besides peeing alot..no morning sickness or anything....well i am pregnant again(different father..long story!!) and this man is a twin...he has some twins scattred throughout his family..i have a great grandmother who is a twin and more scattered throughout. So now with this pregnancy i have had morning sickness since umm about 3 weeks...and its more like all day sickness...with some good days thrown in there..im completly exhausted..could be my 16m old!.. but i am soo moddy and i have crazy cravings. and i do have a little bit of a belly already..but im blaming that on bloating and im denying the fact that twins could be possible!! what do you ladies pregnant with twins think?? Oh and im only 5 weeks by the way!

IMakeArmyBrats3 - Monday, 22 Jun
any of you ladies have a set of twins but then experienced vanishing twin syndrome? did you ever go on to have another set of twins? i'm so anxious to see if i'm having two again, i have the same gut feeling as i did before...first ultrasound on july 6th!

jennifern13 - Friday, 19 Jun
I just found out that we are expecting Identical twins. They are mono-amniotic twins and I have a lot of concern and questions? If anyone has the same type of pregnancy or knows someone who has please let me know. thanks.

myboysmom - Monday, 15 Jun
Hi everyone! Just found out yesterday that I am with twins...OMG...what a surprise!! No twins in the family...WOW!!!

firstbub - Monday, 15 Jun
Hey ladies, thanks for your comments, I have just come out of hospital. One hospital said they couldnt find anything in my uterus and I got sent to the Women and childrens one. I had surgery one sat and home today, monday. They told me I had an ectopic pregnancy, but in the ultrasound it is marked POD and it's in my uterus. Well they took me left tube and the pregnancy cyst off my right ovary as it had bleed into it's self and was 6 cms but I'm still not bleeding. My doc wants to do more checks and stuff and whats worse my 14 month old was helpless without me, he ran a muck on daddy and now he is really sick! ARGH! And I'm making an appointment to see the doc again to find out what they think! Anyways good luck with your pregnancies and you are all in my hearts, stay happy and healthy ladies!! MWAH

ASBOALI - Sunday, 14 Jun
Hi All, Im very new to all this. I havent got my scan until next Friday (19th June) - I should be 6/7 weeks but cannot confirm that as last month i had a miscarriage and not bleed since (fell pregnant again 5 days after miscarriage). i am convinced its twins. I have no idea why as they do not run in the family!! I have a constant stretching in my uterus and have done since about week 3 - it feels like its on both sides (not just in one place). I am always short of breath and can see my heartbeat through my tummy. Constipation is the bain of my life at present! I have only been sick twice. Breats are sooo sore, worse when i get up in the morning. Anyway i would appreciate hearing your early pregnancy story. Ill Let you all know how i get along at scan. :O)

alottamocha - Saturday, 13 Jun
When you are pregnant with twins, do you show earlier? If so around what time?

rylansmommy23 - Saturday, 13 Jun
I knew from my hcg levels at 14 dpo that it was more than one....they were really high.

identical4helen - Friday, 12 Jun
Yahoo! I made 32 wks, and I just ate a tub of icecream to celebrate - better not do that often. So are all us women on here while the NHL game is on - hahaha. So I got a note from the doctor to get off work - he said 32 wks, but I'm working until 34 :( But only 2 wks to go!!! My back is killing me, and because I have cheated on my diet :( my legs are starting to swell. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day and back on the sugar free diet.

katznkt - Thursday, 11 Jun
I am with you firstbub! I know every pregnancy is different, but this one is really kicking my butt! With my daughter I never had morning sickness and with this one, I am sick to my tummy all day and night long! Even water doesn't sit pretty! And I just cannot keep my eyes open. I am assuming it is a singleton because I haven't heard otherwise and my chances of multiples are slim to none, but the thought has crossed my mind. Good luck to all you ladies, and I will let you know when I find out for sure!

newmommyX2 - Tuesday, 9 Jun
i had no idea i was pregnant with twins! didnt expect it either the only family connection i can find is my grandfathers side of the family his brothers and sisters! not too sure how i factored in to that??

firstbub - Monday, 8 Jun
I dont know if I'm having a single child or multi, but I keep dreaming I'm having twins, this pregnancy is nothing like my last one, and that was just my son lol. I'm really sick and all my pants are tight. Twins and quads run in my family, I have to wait a few days then I can make an appointment for an ultrasound but for some reason I keep thinking twins!! What do you ladiers think?

katznkt - Monday, 8 Jun
Just wondering if any of yall knew you were pregnant with twins before you found out for sure? This is my second baby and I know my chances of having twins are slim to none, but I am already starting to show at 7 weeks (not just bloat)and all my symptoms seem worse than with my daughter. I know I am probably just crazy, but I have a silly feeling like it might be twins. Anybody else have this feeling? I might know by tomorrow, and if so, I will leave another message! Best of luck all, and a healthy pregnancy!

mrsrheins - Friday, 29 May
I am in the United States. U?

mamaDIVINE - Friday, 29 May
hi everyone. i live in ireland and i only got an appt for September 10, i am 5 weeks. It seems everybody here has or is going to a doc already. Which country u in?

Nicole1stTimeMom - Thursday, 28 May
hello everyone..im new here..I'm 9 weeks. so I've been having spotting. my levels were 12,321 then dropped to 10,873 then went back up to 18,399. a lot of ppl have told me that I could have a twin pregnancy and m/c one. nothing has passd yet..then I've heard that I could have twins and just have a sac of blood trapped in my uterus. I don't have an ultrasound til june 2nd(my bday) and I go to the doctor 2morrow..don't really know what's gonna happen. I need opinions please! sorry for the life story!

xtian305 - Wednesday, 27 May
29 Weeks with twins Mono/DI, Baby A is small weighing 2lb, Baby B is 3.5 lb. Doctor says no sign of TTTS we are being monitored weekly now. Anyone with similar situation?

mrsrheins - Tuesday, 26 May
did any of you just know you were pregnant? I am only about 4 wks and I won't be going to the dr until probably next week.

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