What can you expect at 38 weeks pregnant with twins? You can expect to CELEBRATE because this is the official end of your twin pregnancy! Most doctors won’t let a twin pregnancy go past 38 weeks due to risk of complications. So CONGRATS!!! You did it!!!
Are you curious about your twins’ eye colors? Their irises are not fully pigmented, so if they are born with blue eyes, for example, they could change to a darker color up until they’re about a year old.
Birth those babies! I bet you’re MORE than ready to evict those two little cuties from your ever-growing belly.
Take advantage of all the help you have in the hospital. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the nurses, lactation consultants, etc. and (if your babies are up with you in your room) have the nurses take the babies to the nursery as often as you need to so that you can get some rest. This is your chance to take advantage of 24/7 care!
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Advice from other Twiniversity moms when they were 38 weeks pregnant with twins
Just get through it! You have made it all the way to the end of a full-term twin pregnancy and all that’s left to do is rest until it’s delivery time. You will be feeling really uncomfortable at this point but just remember that you will have your babies in your arms so soon! HANG IN THERE! – Julie N., Morton Grove, IL
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We know that twin pregnancy can be very isolating and overwhelming. No one else will truly GET YOU like other parents of twins and expecting parents of twins. That’s why we launched Twiniversity Memberships as a way to offer our twin parents and expecting twins parents more ways to connect with other twin parents (virtually) and gain more parenting education. Highlights of these memberships include monthly Twiniversity twin club meetings hosted on Zoom, a private Facebook group just for twin parents to ask questions, and a learner library with exclusive videos of Nat’s tips and tricks for twin parenting. Click here for all the details on what the memberships include!
Concerns other Twiniversity moms had when they were 38 weeks pregnant with twins
Everything hurts.
I can’t sleep for more than an hour before having to get up to pee or get into a new position.
It’s really hard to get out of bed because I’m as big as a whale.
I can’t pick up anything off the floor — thank God I bought that grabber!
My skin itches so bad and I can’t wait to get these babies out of me!!!
Questions Twiniversity moms had for their doctors when they were 38 weeks pregnant with twins
How am I still pregnant?
When will this be over?
Any last words of advice?
Typical tests that are done
It is common to have weekly nonstress testing (NST) with fluid assessments starting at 32 weeks in an uncomplicated twin gestation. As your pregnancy progresses you will likely be scheduled more and more frequently, building to every 1-2 days as you get closer to full term. A nonstress test is used to evaluate your babies’ health before birth. The goal of a nonstress test is to provide useful information about your babies’ oxygen supply by checking their heart rates and how it responds to your babies’ movements. The test might indicate the need for further monitoring, testing, treatment or delivery. A nonstress test typically requires no special preparation. During the nonstress test, you’ll lie on a reclining chair. You’ll have your blood pressure taken at regular intervals during the test and each baby will be monitored while you relax in a recliner for 20 minutes, playing on your phone or reading a book.
If you are having a c-section you may be tested for MRSA. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of staph infection. Even if a pregnant woman contracts MRSA in her pregnancy, it’s easy to treat. Antibiotics will cure most cases, and they’re safe for a developing baby to be exposed to. A baby will only get the infection if he comes into contact with it through vaginal delivery. Many women must be screened for MRSA when they need a C-section because hospitals must screen every surgery patient for the infection prior to the operation. To perform the screening, a nasal swab is collected by rotating a swab inside each nostril. Occasionally, a swab of a wound infection site or skin lesion is collected.
When they bring you your babies, they will be in these little bassinets with a drawer underneath that is full of diapers, wipes, washcloths, measuring tapes, bulb syringes, and all sorts of other goodies. You are never, ever, EVER, to send those babies back with anything in that drawer. They throw all of that stuff out if you don’t take it, so take it. Bring an empty bag with you to the hospital for this specific purpose. Don’t be shy about asking for more, either. You just had twins. You can ask the nurses for an extra pack of diapers or see if they have any extra formula. Chances are, they will be more than happy to hook you up.
