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!
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⬅ 12 Weeks Pregnant with Twins 👶👶
👶👶14 Weeks Pregnant with Twins ➡
- 13 Weeks Pregnant Video
- What’s Going On With Those Twinnies?
- To-Do List
- 5 Tips for a Better 13th Week
- Advice From Other Twin Moms
- Concerns Other Twin Moms Had
- Questions Twin Moms Had for Their Doctor
- Typical Tests That Are Done
- Product Recommendations
- An excerpt from “What To Do When You’re Having Two”
- Belly Photos at 13 Weeks Pregnant With Twins
- Ultrasound Photos at 13 Weeks Pregnant With Twin
- Videos to Check Out
- Register for Class
13 Weeks Pregnant Video
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.
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
Got twins? Us too! The Twiniversity Podcast with Natalie Diaz was created BY parents of twins FOR parents of twins, from your pregnancy days through your twin’s teenage years, this podcast covers it all. It’s all about parenting twins, offering plenty of strategies for making life better, parenting hacks, and, of course, humor. We are laughing WITH you every step of the way.
Concerns Other Twin Moms Had
- Twin-to-twin Transfusion Syndrome (listen to the podcast above)
- 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.
Product Recommendations
Best Cradle – Maternity Support Belt
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Tummy Butter & Stretch Mark Massage Lotion
Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding/Sore Breast Relief Packs
Digital Twin Pregnancy Journal
Boppy Pregnancy Support Pillow
Check out this list of more Must Have Pregnancy Products You Need Right Now
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
An excerpt from “What To Do When You’re Having Two“
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…
Pregnant with twins and not sure where to start? Visit the Ultimate Twin Pregnancy Guide to find all the top articles and resources to get you ready for twins. While you’re at it, check out our expecting twin classes and Twiniversity shop!
REMINDER: Don’t forget to take a belly shot!
Belly Photos at 13 Weeks Pregnant With Twins
Ultrasound Photos at 13 Weeks Pregnant With Twin
Related Articles
- Finding the Humor Through Those Twin Pregnancy Days
- 10 Tips to Deal with a Summer Twins Pregnancy
- 5 Tips to Manage an Irritable Uterus with a Twins Pregnancy
Videos to Check Out
Register for Class
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.
Want to get weekly emails about your twin pregnancy? Sign up for the Twiniversity email list! Subscribe today to get emails about giveaways, events, weekly article roundups, and more! We’ll be sending you a weekly twin pregnancy email to keep you on track with your pregnancy to-do list! Click here to learn more… and while you’re at it, check out our expecting twins classes and personal twin parent coaching services.
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Sources
- AAFP. 2011b. Your baby’s development: The second trimester. American Academy of Family Physicians.
- Mayo Clinic. 2015. Fetal development: The 2nd trimester.
- MedlinePlus (ADAM). 2015. Fetal development.
- OWH. 2010. Stages of pregnancy. U.S. Office on Women’s Health.
- ACOG. 2015. FAQ156. Prenatal development: How your baby grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
