21 Weeks Pregnant with Twins: Tips, Advice & How to Prep | Twiniversity #1 Parenting Twins Site

What can you expect at 21 weeks pregnant with twins? We’ve compiled a list of common symptoms, to-do’s this week, pregnancy tips, pregnancy concerns, questions to ask your doctor, advice from other pregnant moms of twins, and tons of other info below to help you through this week in your twins pregnancy. Enjoy!

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⬅ 20 Weeks Pregnant with Twins 👶👶
👶👶 22 Weeks Pregnant with Twins ➡

21 Weeks Pregnant With Twins

21 Weeks Pregnant With Twins Video

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What’s Going On With Those Twinnies?

Your twins each weigh about 12.7 oz, which is about the size of an endive.
Your baby’s movements have gone from flutters to full-on kicks and jabs against the walls of your womb. You may start to notice patterns as you become more familiar with her activity.

To-Do List

Decide if you’ll circumcise (if you’re having boys.) This is a decision you should be discussing with your doctor if you aren’t sure.
Create a phone and email list to alert your closest friends/family after the babies have arrived. Designate a point person in your family to be the one to inform everyone who needs to know so that you don’t have to worry about it. Another idea is to type up an email and leave the babies’ stats blank, save it in your “drafts”, fill in the blanks after the birth, and send. Utilize social media to inform the masses, but make sure that the people who are closer to you find out via personal phone/text/email before seeing it on social media.
Talk to your parents/closest family/friends about how they can help in the early weeks after the babies are born. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, even if you don’t know how much or how often you’ll need it. Just be forward and honest that you will need help and that you need specific people to be on call once the babies are born and you know what you’re looking at. Here’s a great chore chart to post in your home to help people help YOU when they visit.

5 Tips for a Better 21st Week

Wear comfortable clothes. You’re not trying to impress anyone!
Eat protein every two hours, such as hardboiled eggs, cheese sticks, Ensure, protein bar, Greek yogurt, etc. to help keep sugars regulated so your heartbeat can slow down.
Tell people what you need – they often really want to help.
Stay positive. Avoid the message boards if they are bringing you down.
Give yourself a break. Do not be too hard on yourself if you can’t exercise as much as you’d like or you aren’t looking the way you’d hoped. You’re growing/carrying two babies, and that in itself is AMAZING.

Advice From Other Twin Moms

Take it as easy as you can, accept all available help.
– Aileen S., Edinburgh, Scotland

Enjoy the journey, seeing your body change is amazing. Embrace it!
– Annie R., Moreno Valley, CA

It is okay to feel self-conscious the first time you wear maternity clothes! I am finally at the point where my regular clothes just don’t feel good, and when I try to wear them, I end up tugging and pulling at the clothes and fidgeting to try to make myself more comfortable. At the same time, accepting that my body is REALLY changing at this point feels so strange. I was so anxious about wearing maternity clothes for the first time, but I was SO much more comfortable.
– Leslie B., Chicago, IL

Try not to listen to singleton moms and their pregnancy stories. It sounds isolating or rude, but our pregnancies are not the same.

Rest whenever you can! Get as much sleep at night, and nap in the afternoon if you can! Meal prep to help make nightly dinners easier for you, but keep eating healthy. Invest in a pregnancy pillow if you haven’t already. It makes sleeping a bit more comfortable. If you work a job where you’re on your feet a lot, invest in compression stockings.
– Emily S., Concord, NH

Get involved with twin moms groups. Try not to compare your pregnancy to others, especially “singleton” moms; it sounds isolating or rude, but our pregnancies are not the same. Make sure you have at least one person you can go to for help or advice.
Margo L., Lutz, FL

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

Getting the nursery set up

One baby (mo/di) weighing more than the other

My mental health, I’m hormonally wrecked

My birth plan

The results of the anatomy scan

Planning my maternity leave

I now weigh more than I have ever weighed in my entire life. Coming to terms with that is tough, and knowing that I am only half way there is a little scary.

I haven’t started to be able to feel the babies moving yet. The ultrasound tech explained that it was due to where my placenta is growing, and that it is totally normal. Even knowing that, I am still a bit of a nervous wreck about it.

Whether they will be born super early and whether we will be ready for that

I’m feeling good. No major concerns.

Delivery. I had a beautiful, unmedicated vaginal delivery with my singleton and am hoping and praying for a vaginal delivery with our twins. At our ultrasound last week they were both head down– praying they stay that way!

Gender! Ours are identical, but we’re choosing to not know the gender until birth. I can’t help but wonder though!

Questions Twin Moms Had for Their Doctor

How are they developing? Equally? (My twins are identical and share a placenta).

Are they the appropriate weight/size?

Am I gaining enough weight?

When will I feel the babies kick?

How much longer will the babies be able to change position before running out of room?

Is it ok for one baby to weigh more than the other at this point?

What are my anatomy scan results?

Is it normal to feel swollen legs?

Cause of itchy belly?

What exercises are best?

What can we expect going forward at appointments?

Any symptoms I should be looking out for?

There was a 3 oz difference between the babies at the anatomy scan last week. Is that enough to be concerned about?

Should I be worried that I still can’t feel the babies moving?

I don’t have stretch marks at this point. Does that mean that I might not get them at all?

I am hungry ALL OF THE TIME. Is that normal?

How early should I go on maternity leave?

When should I stop traveling?

How soon will we have ideas about vaginal birth or c-section?

When will I need to take a glucose test?

Is there anything I can do to prevent going on bed rest?

Will you vaginally deliver a breech Baby B?

Typical Tests That Are Done

Between weeks 18-22 you’ll have a level 2 anatomy scan. This is when you can typically find out the sex(es) of your babies. Don’t be surprised, however, if it’s too difficult to see one or both babies’ genitalia to determine the sex, most often because of the position the babies are in. During this scan, your medical team will be assessing the development of each baby’s brain, face, heart, spine, and other major organs, as well as the placement of the placenta(s), umbilical cords, and amniotic fluid levels. Do not be surprised if you are asked to come back for a follow-up scan. This is very common with multiple birth pregnancies because it’s often difficult for the technician to get a good picture if your babies are not cooperating.

SOURCE: TheBump.com

“This week consisted of lots of naps. I had a chiropractor and acupuncture appointment which was very helpful for my back pain. I’ve started slowing down when eating / pausing mid-meal, because I’m running out of room!” Lauren, 21 weeks pregnant with twins

Product Recommendations

Maternity Yoga Pants

Maternity Jeans

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

Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow

Boppy Pregnancy Wedge

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“

Daily Vitamins

It is important to make sure that are taking your prenatal daily vitamins. If you are tired of paying for your daily vitamins, when you go to the doctor’s office, just tell them to give you a boatload of samples. They will give them to you. I don’t want you to be shy about anything like that ever again. Every time you go to the doctor’s office, just take whatever you want. If you need gloves, ask the nurse for a few pairs! You’re paying enough to that doctor. I mean, really, the birth of your twins will cost almost a hundred grand between your hospital stay, the babies’ hospital stays, plus every freaking specialist in the universe who is going to come witness your birth and probably bill for it. I think you deserve some free vitamins.

Water

I mentioned this before, but it’s worth bringing up again. You need to drink at least a gallon of water a day not only to prevent hemorrhoids and all that fun stuff, but also to ward off dehydration and pre-term labor. If your body gets too dehydrated, your muscles can tighten and cramp, and this can be confused with labor pains, so it is crucial that you remain properly hydrated throughout your twin pregnancy.

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 21 Weeks Pregnant With Twins

Ultrasound Photos at 21 Weeks Pregnant With Twins

Articles You Should Read This Week

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.

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⬅ 20 Weeks Pregnant with Twins 👶👶
👶👶 22 Weeks Pregnant with Twins ➡