CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE MADE IT TO THE SECOND TRIMESTER!
I hope you had a big ol’ second trimester party today! You made it. Yeah, we know it’s not traditional to celebrate the start of being 13 weeks pregnant with twins, but it should be. Your body is working overtime making those babies, and you are physically working overtime too: Planning a nursery, figuring out plans for maternity leave, dealing with all the prying questions from strangers when they find out you have two in there. It’s all hard work.
Well, it’s time to take a break and check out what we have in store for you here at Twiniversity. We compiled some of the best tips, tricks, and facts about being 13 weeks pregnant with twins. These facts are not only from over 10 years of experience being the #1 twin parenting website online, but some of the info is literally taken from our over 1 million parent audience. You’re in good hands now. Welcome to Twiniversity and congrats on celebrating your second trimester!
Our new digital twin pregnancy journal is up for sale on the Twiniversity Etsy store! This is the first and only digital journal exclusively for twin pregnancy. It’s the perfect way to record your precious twin pregnancy memories to cherish for years to come. Click here to learn more… and while you’re at it, check out our expecting twins classes and Twiniversity Shop!
What’s going on with those twinnies?
Your twins each weigh about 0.81 oz, which is about the size of a lemon.
Your twins now have fingerprints and their veins and organs are clearly visible through their skin.
To-do list
Announce your twin pregnancy to the world (or wait until you’re comfortable). Traditionally folks wait till the second trimester to tell the universe, and you may want to join them. Some folks are very clever coming up with pregnancy announcements, while others simply just blurt it out in casual conversation. It’s up to you to decide how, when, and with whom you share the news, but we are glad you are sharing it with us 🙂
Ask your social network for referrals to other parents with twins you can talk to or meet in your area. Time to start digging in and find a local twins club and even start researching local pediatricians. Your local moms group (twin specific or not) is a great place to start with referrals.
Join the Twiniversity Parent-to-Parent Mentorship program to find a mentor! Now is the time. We can match you up with an experienced mom or dad who will help you every step of the way. Sure, they may not live across the street from you, but thanks to this fancy system called the interweb, we can connect moms and dads around the globe. So join today.
5 tips for a better 13th week
Drink one gallon of water a day to help avoid preterm labor.
If you’re constipated, eat 1-2 prunes daily.
Rest when you can – take naps when you have the chance!
Don’t wait any longer to buy maternity clothes. Embrace your new wardrobe!
If you’re feeling nauseous, eating a small snack will really help to ease nausea.
Advice from other twin moms
Try to rest as much as you can. Don’t overdo it. Even at work, you have to slow down some. You are carrying two sweet babies. Your body is already working hard before you even go to work. – Michelle G., Columbia, TN
Be excited to finally be out of the first trimester. Enjoy sharing the news with family & friends! – Anonymous
Keep eating as healthy as you can. And don’t forget to drink water. I’ve also been drinking Ensures to try to keep some nutrients in me. – Shandi J., Aurora, CO
Get as much sleep as you need! Eat what you’re craving. Listen to your body. – Liz B., Philadelphia, PA
Drink lots of water and several snacks a day! I am so much less nauseous this pregnancy because I have been vigilant with eating and drinking. – Joanna R., Franklin, TN
Just health, and hoping that they don’t come too early.
Big “life” things – needing a bigger house, bigger car, how we’re going to afford it all.
Worry that I’m not eating right.
Worry that I’m going to get huge.
Can I really afford to go back to work and pay for daycare for twins?
Everything. I feel like the whole process is scary because my twins are high risk. I’m not sure if that ever goes away.
Questions twin moms had for their doctor
What testing should I expect?
Do I need to have any special considerations for exercise?
Can I do prenatal yoga?
Do I have any lifting restrictions?
Can I have normal sex?
What can I use to ease constipation?
Do you ever try to deliver vaginally or always c-section?
At how many weeks do you induce?
What type of twins do I have? Di/di, mono/di, or mono/mono?
Typical tests that are done
Chorionic villus sampling (or CVS) is an optional test and is typically offered between weeks 10-13 of pregnancy, when the test results might have a significant impact on the management of the pregnancy. Chorionic villus sampling can reveal whether a baby has a chromosomal condition, such as Down syndrome, or other genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. Ultimately, the decision to have chorionic villus sampling is up to you. Your health care provider or genetic counselor can help you weigh all the factors in the decision.
Typically, first trimester screening is done between weeks 11 and 14 of pregnancy. First trimester screening is a prenatal test that offers early information about a baby’s risk of certain chromosomal conditions — Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and extra sequences of chromosome 18 (trisomy 18). First trimester screening includes a blood draw and an ultrasound exam.
Check out all our Twiniversity merch in our SHOP! We’ve got twin mom and dad t-shirts, twin planning printables, lactation support, twin baby shower planners & games, a digital twin pregnancy journal, and so much more! Start shopping now
Twin mamas suffer from many of the same problems as singletons, ranging from simple discomforts to life-threatening emergencies. We are just so lucky that the discomforts start earlier and are often more severe. Count yourself doubly blessed for these all too common pregnancy complaints.
Fatigue
The number one complaint of all twin mamas is fatigue. If you’re someone who used to burn the midnight oil and now you’re passing out on the couch at 9, just throw in the towel, man. Don’t feel bad about it. I always laugh when I hear women who are carrying twins ask, “Why am I so tired?” You’re building not one, but two humans in there. That’s why. Go to bed already. Go to bed now. You have my full permission…
Have you taken your expecting twins class yet? We offer a great class on demand so you can take it on your own schedule! There are so many video modules covering everything from your twins’ baby registry to your first week at home with twins! Sign up today to get started before your twins arrive.
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