Pregnancy diet, nutrition & prenatal vitamins

You need to remember taking an iron supplement. Continue taking the supplement until a few weeks after birth. If you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t make enough red blood cells. A lack of red blood cells is called iron deficiency anemia. There’s an increased risk of bleeding more than you normally would during labor, when you give birth to twins. This is because the uterus is very large. Pregnancy and labor increase your likelihood of becoming anemic.

Fetal development & baby size

Your babies measure approximately 51 centimeters (20.08 inches), when you’re 40 weeks pregnant with twins. Many women experience that their babies act more quiet in the days leading up to the birth. Nevertheless, it’s important that you feel your babies kick several times a day even though their movements may be more quiet. If you can’t feel your babies as often as usual, call your doctor or midwife. They’ll probably ask you to come in so they can do an exam and make sure that everything is okay. You also need to react if one of your twins changes his or her pattern markedly.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly

Your belly is large at this point in your pregnancy, and you’ll feel the extra weight in your pelvis and back. As you hopefully have throughout your pregnancy, take good care of yourself in these last days of your pregnancy. Rest, nap and get family or friends to pitch in if you have older children. It can be hard to put yourself first especially if your have older children that are still quite young – and you probably won’t be able to a lot of the time. However, make sure that you do it once in a while – if you run yourself down, you won’t be able to care for your children in the way you’d like.

Pregnancy diet, nutrition & prenatal vitamins

There’s an increased risk of bleeding more than you normally would during labor, when you give birth to twins. This is due to the fact that the uterus is very large. Because of the expected blood loss, it’s a good idea a to continue taking an iron supplement until a few weeks after birth. This is to prevent you becoming anemic.

Fetal development & baby size

Your babies measure approximately 50 centimeters (19.69 inches) at 39 weeks pregnant with twins. Your babies bones are still soft. Between the bones of their skulls there are joints called sutures. They can ‘give’ a little under the pressure on the baby’s head as he or she passes down the birth canal. This is good as it helps the baby through the narrow birth canal. During early childhood, these sutures harden and the skull bones can no longer move relative to one another. The head of most babies born vaginally becomes misshapen to some degree during the birth process. It returns to normal within a few days after birth.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

You may feel VERY big and uncomfortable by now, as your children are taking up a lot of room in your womb. Common symptoms are:

• Pelvic pressure. It’s hard carrying two babies. Please note that sudden and intense pelvic pressure can be a sign of early labor.

• Lower back pain.

• It might feel like there’s no room left in your stomach. It’s difficult to eat a full meal. You may feel constipated as well.

Previous week – 38 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 40 weeks pregnant with twins

Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

Try to get as much rest as you can in the last few days or weeks of your pregnancy. Also, you need to remember taking an iron supplement. You must continue taking a supplement until a few weeks after birth, especially if you have a c-section or if you lose a lot of blood during a vaginal delivery. There’s an increased risk of bleeding more than you normally would during labour, when you are giving birth to twins. This is due to the fact that the uterus is very large.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

You may begin noticing early signs of labor. If you experience no signs of labor, your doctor or midwife might recommend a c-section or induction. This is because the risk of stillbirth and other complications in twins increases slightly in the weeks prior to you reaching full term. That’s 40+0 weeks. Many doctors will induce labor or do a c-section on women expecting monochorionic twins 1-2 weeks before they reach 38 weeks. Monochorionic twins are identical twins who share a placenta. Recommendations differ for dichorionic twins. Some doctors want to deliver dichorionic twins before 37+0 weeks whereas others will let you go further. Dichorionic twins are fraternal twins and identical twins with separate placentas.

Fetal development & baby size

Your babies measure approximately 49 centimeters (19.29 inches) at 38 weeks pregnant with twins. Your babies hair grow rapidly as well as their nails. Remember not to cut their nails after birth. They’re still soft from being soaked in amniotic fluid. You have to wait cutting them until they become hard. If you’re worried about your babies scratching themselves, you can gently peel off the ends with your fingers. Their nails are so soft that the surplus will come away easily. You twins are getting bigger and their movements may feel different as they have has less room to move. They won’t be able to flip and roll so easily and their kicks may feel different as your babies won’t be able to stretch out their legs as much.

Previous week – 37 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 39 weeks pregnant with twins

Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

Remember to take an iron supplement. Making sure that your iron levels aren’t too low is important as an iron deficiency will make you feel exhausted and weak. You can get a blood test to find out whether or not your iron levels are as high as they should be.

Signs of labor at 37 weeks pregnant with twins

It’s completely normal to be 37 weeks pregnant with twins and experience no signs of labor yet. However, if you’re expecting identical twins that share a placenta, some doctors won’t let you reach this pregnancy week. They recommend that monochorionic twins should be delivered at 36+0 weeks – either by c-section or by inducing labor if you haven’t gone into labor naturally. Other doctors believe monochorionic twins should be delivered at 37+0 weeks. Most doctors will let dichorionic twins – fraternal twins and identical twins that have separate placentas and sacs – wait a bit longer. Recommendations differ here as well. Some would like to deliver at 37+0 weeks whereas other will induce labor at some point during week 39.

Fetal development & baby weight

Your babies measure approximately 48 centimeters (18.90 inches), when you’re 37 weeks pregnant with twins. The median weight for dichorionic twins is 2869 grams (6lbs, 5oz) and for monochorionic twins it’s 2697 grams (5lbs, 15oz). Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. Your babies are still putting on layers of fat. They help your children stay warm.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

You may be fed up with being pregnant at 37 weeks pregnant with twins. You want to meet your babies as soon as possible. Common symptoms are:

• You feel uncomfortable and your body is tired and hurting from carrying two children.

• Some women are fine with being pregnant or would like to stay pregnant because they’re nervous or scared about giving birth to twins. If you’re feeling anxious, it’s important that you share those feelings with someone you trust. Going into labor scared without telling anyone isn’t optimal. It’s a good idea to let your doctor or midwife know about how you feel. They might be able to offer you some sort of extra support.

Previous week – 36 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 38 weeks pregnant with twins

In monochorionic twin pregnancies, recommendations range from 34 up to 38 weeks. In dichorionic twin pregnancies, it’s from 37+0 up to 39 weeks. Dichorionic twins are fraternal twins and identical twins with separate placentas and sacs.

Read more about the recommendations for the timing of delivery.

Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

You need to take an iron supplement. You must continue taking the supplement until a few weeks after birth if you lose a lot of blood during labor.

Get as much rest as you can. Your body needs to be rested for the arrival of your two bundles of joy.

Signs of labor at 36 weeks pregnant with twins

There are a few early signs of labor. These include bloody show, minor vaginal bleeding, contractions, abdominal pressure and breaking of water.

The tricky part is that women pregnant with twins can have contractions and feel pelvic pressure for months before their actual due date without going into premature labor.

Braxton hicks contractions are your body’s way of preparing for labor and not a sign of labor. However, if the contractions have a regular, consistent pattern and are increasing in duration and strength, they could be labor contractions.

If you give birth when you’re 36 weeks pregnant with twins, the babies will often leave the hospital with you. They won’t have to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

You may feel big and uncomfortable at this point. Some women feel miserable and have a strong wish to give birth as soon as possible. Other symptoms at 36 weeks pregnant with twins are:

• Lower back pain. This can be due to the added weight. Some women also feel contractions in their lower back. Note whether or not the pain is constant or if it’s increasing in duration and strength.

• Diarrhea. It could be a sign that labor is near, but it can also be caused by hormonal changes or because you’re more sensitive to particular foods. It’s important to stay hydrated if you have diarrhea.

• It might feel like there’s no room left in your stomach. It’s difficult to eat a full meal. Try eating smaller meals more often. Bring snacks with you when you go out. You can also try eating less solid food. Drink fruit or vegetable smoothies and add milk or yogurt. This may make you feel less stuffed.

Fetal development & baby weight

Your babies measure approximately 47 centimeters (18.50 inches). The median weight for dichorionic twins is 2691 grams (5lbs, 14oz) and for monochorionic twins it’s 2561 grams (5lbs, 10oz).

Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy.

Most babies have mature lungs by now. This means that your babies won’t need special help breathing if they’re born at 36 weeks. However, since babies develop at different rates, there are exceptions to this.

At 36 weeks pregnant with twins, the fine lanugo hair that covers your baby’s skin in the womb is beginning to disappear. This also happens with the vernix caseosa—the thick, waxy substance, that protects the skin of your babies while they’re surrounded by amniotic fluid.

When you babies drink they continuously swallow a bit of lanugo, vernix caseosa, and amniotic fluid. These will all combine to form a substance called meconium.

Meconium & green amniotic fluid

Meconium will constitute your baby’s first bowel movements when they’re born. Meconium often has a dark-greenish color. It’s viscous and sticky like tar and almost odorless. Sometimes it’s expelled into the amniotic fluid prior to birth or during labor and delivery.

Babies are not supposed to have their first bowel movements in the womb, it can be a sign of distress. If this happens, the amniotic fluid will turn green. If your water breaks and you notice that your amniotic fluid is green, you must react immediately.

Notify the medical staff and go to the hospital at once.

Previous week – 35 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 37 weeks pregnant with twins

You’ll get ultrasound scans to make sure that you babies are growing as expected. They’ll also check how your babies are positioned to know whether or not you’re able to give birth vaginally.

Let them know if you feel anxious or have any questions or worries regarding labor. Consider making a twin birth plan if that will make you feel more at ease.

Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

If at all possible, it’s good to stay active. You shouldn’t do activities that exhaust you, but swimming, brisk walking, taking your other children to the park, going for a walk or stretching exercises at home are great activities to do. Try not to get overheated or dehydrated.

You need to continue taking an iron supplement. If you lose a lot of blood during labour, you must continue to take an iron supplement for a few weeks after birth.

Fetal development & baby weight

Your babies measure approximately 46 centimeters (18.11 inches), when you’re 35 weeks pregnant with twins. The median weight for dichorionic twins is 2486 grams (5lbs, 7oz) and for monochorionic twins it’s 2386 grams (5lbs, 4oz).

Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. In most cases, twins born at 35 weeks are able to breathe by themselves.

If at all possible, they’ll benefit from staying in your womb. They still need to grow and gain weight.

Signs of labor at 35 weeks pregnant with twins

If you give birth, when you’re 35 weeks pregnant with twins, your babies may not need any medical treatment. They may be able to go straight to the maternity ward with you.

Read about early signs of labor, so you know when and how to react. It’s important that you call your doctor or midwife if you think or are unsure about whether or not you are in early labor.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

Some women feel quite well during their pregnancy whereas others feel quite miserable. If you belong to the last group, you may find comfort in the fact that you’ll be giving birth soon.

Most of the symptoms below will go away when you are know longer pregnant.

• Swollen feet. This can be caused by either fluid retention or your twin pregnancy weight gain.

• Your growing uterus can slow the circulation in your legs by compressing the pelvic veins and the vena cava. The vena cava is the large vein that returns blood from the lower half of the body to the heart. Lying flat on your back or standing still for too long makes it worse. Your heart pumps less blood, your blood pressure drop, and you feel anxious, lightheaded and nauseated until you shift your position.

• Maybe you can’t sleep due to thoughts of worry or because you’re belly makes you uncomfortable.

• Pelvic pressure. It’s hard carrying two babies. Please note that sudden and intense pelvic pressure can be a sign of early labor.

• Diarrhea. It could be a sign that labor is near, but it can also be caused by hormonal changes or because you’re more sensitive to particular foods. It’s important to stay hydrated if you have diarrhea.

Previous week – 34 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 36 weeks pregnant with twins

The hospital staff will look for whether or not twin a – the baby closes to the cervix – is head down. If twin a isn’t in a head-down position, you’ll most likely be offered a c-section in a few weeks.

Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

Make sure you set aside time to rest during the day. A short nap in the early afternoon is good for your body as well as your energy level. It’s especially important you do it if you have trouble sleeping or don’t sleep well.

Remember to take your iron supplement. You may have to continue with your iron supplement until a few weeks after birth. It depends on the amount of blood you lose during labor.

Signs of labor at 34 weeks pregnant with twins

Contractions and pelvic pressure can be early signs of labor. You should react if your contractions increase in duration and strength and/or if you feel sudden abdominal pressure.

Minor vaginal bleeding may occur as well. You should contact your doctor or midwife if you’re unsure about whether or not the changes you feel in your body are early signs of labor.

If your twins are born at 34 weeks they are considered born moderate to late preterm.

Fetal development & baby weight

Your babies measure approximately 45 centimeters (17.72 inches) when you’re 34 weeks pregnant with twins. The median weight for dichorionic twins is 2300 grams (5lbs, 1oz) and for monochorionic twins, it’s 2183 grams (4lbs, 13oz).

Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. The main thing they need to do at this point is growing and gaining weight.

Their lungs also need to mature. The lungs are one of the last things to finish developing in a baby.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

Some women feel that their belly is very much in the way at this point in their twin pregnancy. They feel big and uncomfortable – maybe even miserable. Other common symptoms are:

• Pelvis pain. Your pelvis might be tender or sore. It’s heavy carrying two babies around.

• You can’t sleep. This can be due to your belly getting in the way, hormones or thoughts of worry.

• Braxton hicks contractions. They are your body’s way of preparing for birth and not necessarily an early sign of labor.

Previous week – 33 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 35 weeks pregnant with twins

Even though almost all babies survive at 33 weeks if they’re born in high-income settings, doctors will try to stop the labor if they can. Your babies will still benefit most from staying inside your womb to grow and gain weight. This is if your pregnancy is progressing as it should.

If you’re expecting monoamniotic-monochorionic (mo-mo) twins, most doctors will recommend that you get a c-section around this week. Mo-mo twins are identical twins that share a placenta and both sacs.

Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

It’s important that you take care of yourself and that you get some rest. It’s a good idea to take a nap during the day if you feel exhausted. Get family or friends to entertain your older children if possible.

Life with newborn twins can be tough, and you need energy for it. Use the last pregnancy weeks to rest as much as possible. Also, continue taking an iron supplement. It is very important to take this iron supplement so that you’ll be ready when you give birth. Through giving birth, you will lose a lot of blood, which means you’ll lose a lot of iron.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

You may feel quite large and uncomfortable. Pelvic pain is no stranger, and you may feel more braxton hicks contractions. Other common symptoms at 33 weeks pregnant with twins are:

• Swollen feet. This can be caused by either fluid retention or your twin pregnancy weight gain. For some women, their feet will stay bigger even after they’ve given birth and lost the weight they gained. However, most women experience that their feet go back to the size they were before pregnancy.

• Some women sweat a lot during pregnancy. This is because your blood flow and metabolism is increased during pregnancy. That can cause your body to sweat more. Hormones are also partly to blame. The surges – increases and decreases in hormones that constantly occur during pregnancy – can give you hot flashes.

• You may feel that you’re stomach is in the way. You may need help to tie your shoes.

• Cramping and a tight stomach is not uncommon and not necessarily signs of early labor. It could be braxton hicks contractions which is your body’s way of practicing for delivery. However, if you feel intense or sudden abdominal pain, or contractions increasing in duration and strength, you should call your doctor or midwife.

Baby weight & fetal development

Your babies measure approximately 43,5 centimeters (17.13 inches) when you’re 33 weeks pregnant with twins. The median weight for dichorionic twins is 2110 grams (4lbs, 10oz) and for monochorionic twins, it’s 2014 grams (4lbs, 7oz).

Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. When you’re 33 weeks pregnant with twins, your babies are practicing nursing inside your womb. They’re sucking on their fingers and toes.

Some babies are born with red marks or blisters on their hands from sucking in utero. The space in your womb is tight by now. Nevertheless, you need to feel both your babies move every day. If you feel less or no life at all one day, you need to react.

Try drinking a glass of cold water and nudge your stomach a little. If you still don’t feel any reaction, contact your doctor or midwife. 

Previous week – 32 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 34 weeks pregnant with twins

That’s when you’re at least 37+0 weeks pregnant. About half of women pregnant with twins give birth at term. Many doctors recommend that you get a c-section or induction at least 2-4 weeks prior to you being full term with twins. Full-term with twins is 40+0 weeks.

Take Care of Yourself First: Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

Like with the other muscles in your body, it’s a good idea to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This will help ensure that you won’t experience urinary incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum.

Your doctor or midwife can refer you to a women’s health physiotherapist. The physiotherapist will be able to teach you how to strengthen your pelvic floor with a few exercises you can do on your own.

Also, make sure to take iron supplements consistently. These iron supplements will help you much when you go into labor and lose a lot of blood.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

You’re getting closer to your due date, and you may have more braxton hicks contractions. That’s your body preparing for labor. Other common symptoms at 32 weeks pregnant with twins are:

• Pelvic pain. Your babies are getting heavier, and it puts pressure on the muscles in your pelvic floor.

• The added weight, contractions, and pain in your body makes you feel uncomfortable and exhausted – maybe even miserable.

• It may affect how well you sleep. It might be hard to find a comfortable position.

• You may notice that you pee a little if you sneeze, cough or exercise. This is because pregnancy hormones loosen your pelvic floor. The weight of your babies stretches it further.

Twin birth plan & hospital bag

There are a few things you might want to get sorted out before you give birth.

Most prefer to pack their own bag for the hospital, and some women would like to make a twin birth plan. If you have a partner, remember to include him or her in this process.

Your partner won’t be the one to give birth, but it’s still important to be inclusive. Most partners prefer having a few things they can help with during labor. Otherwise, they can feel left out or helpless.

Twin birth plan

Some couples make a twin birth plan to decide together how they’d like the birthing environment and pain to be managed. It’s totally okay to “go-with-the-flow” and not have any specific wishes, you just need to be sure that this is how you and your partner feel.

Some women experience during birth that they change their mind and want something else. Rejecting the mutual decision can make their partner feel left out. Talk about this beforehand, and let your partner know whether or not you would like his or her help to stick to the original decision.

Be aware that the process can easily be changed due to complications or if your doctor or midwife believes that an alternative might be better for you. Listen to yourself, but also be open to suggestions from the specialized staff.

Needing to change a birth plan is normal and should not make you feel like a failure. Talk with your midwife, doctor or partner postpartum, if you have regrets or questions about how the birth went.

Hospital bag for twins

If you haven’t already, you might want to start getting your bag ready for the hospital. You don’t necessarily need to pack the bag, but make a detailed list. Your partner or close relatives might have to pack it for you, should you go into labor sooner than you think.

32 weeks pregnant with twins & preterm labor

Twins born at 32 weeks are considered moderate to late preterm which means that they’ve hit a major milestone. They’re no longer considered born very preterm.

The survival rate for twins born at 32 weeks is very good in high-income countries. Almost all babies born at 32 weeks survive. In low-income settings, half of the babies born at or below 32 weeks die.

Twins born at 32 weeks require assistance to breathe and they’ll need help eating. Read our twin birth stories and stories from mothers giving birth to identical twins with TTTS or TAPS.

   
These twins were born prematurely at 31+3 weeks.

Baby weight & fetal development

Your babies measure approximately 42,5 centimeters (16.73 inches) when you’re 32 weeks pregnant with twins. The median weight for dichorionic twins is 1929 grams (4lbs, 4oz) and for monochorionic twins, it’s 1821 grams (4lbs).

Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. If you’re having a girl (or more), her clitoris is not yet covered by the still small labia. They’ll grow to cover the clitoris in the last few weeks before birth.

Your children are often in a sought of “dozed-off” state between sleeping and being awake. They can move even though they’re dozing off. You’ll feel their most powerful movements.

There’s activity in their brains, both when they sleep and are awake. Once they’re born, they’ll be able to remember a specific song if you play or sing it regularly.

They’ll be able to recognize your voice and the voice of people you talk to on a daily basis.

Previous week – 31 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 33 weeks pregnant with twins

Pregnancy diet, exercise & prenatal vitamins

Do what’s possible to make yourself feel good. Go to a spa, get a massage, relax and keep your feet up. Do any kind of exercise you like – as long as you don’t engage in contact sports or horse riding. You still need to take an iron supplement at 31 weeks pregnant with twins.

Pregnancy symptoms & belly pictures

Your babies are getting bigger and that takes a toll on your body. There’s no doubt that it’s hard work carrying two children. Common pregnancy symptoms are:

• You feel exhausted. You may also feel misrable or unwell.

• You may feel like there’s not enough room in your abdomen. Your babies are pressing on your diaphragm, liver, stomach, intestines and bladder.

• You might feel sore – like when you have a bruise. That’s often caused by your babies kicking in the same place again and again. They may have a favorite position.

• Your lower back and pelvis might be tender or sore. It’s common to have muscle tension in your buttocks, abdomen and pelvis.

• Some women feel abdominal pressure. As your twins grow and become heavier, it puts increasing pressure on the muscles in your pelvic floor. If you feel intense and sudden pressure, you should be aware that it can be early signs of labor.

Baby weight & fetal development

Your babies measure approximately 41 centimeters (16.14 inches), when you’re 31 weeks pregnant with twins. The median weight for dichorionic twins is 1730 grams (3lbs, 13oz) and for monochorionic twins it’s 1642 grams (3lbs, 9oz). Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. Your children are developing their senses. They can now distinguish light from dark, feel, hear and taste what you’re tasting. The flavors your babies taste inside the womb won’t be quite as strong or distinct as those you taste. Sensory impressions are sent to their brains, stimulating their brain development.

Twin boys & genital abnormality

If you are expecting a boy – or two – their testicles will start to descend into the scrotum a few weeks before birth. When you’ve given birth, the midwife or doctor will check to make sure that their testicles are in the right place, as a part of a newborn’s physical examination. Cryptorchidism – known as undescended testicles – is the most common genital abnormality in boys.

How common is undescended testicles?

Undescended testicles affect about 3-4 percent of baby boys born at term. If your twins are born preterm, there’s a greater risk that one or both of the testicles haven’t descended. Often, the undescended testicles will descend on their own within the first sixth month after birth. If not, they can be helped in place with a minor operation. The operation is important as the condition can affect fertility later or lead to other medical problems.

Previous week – 30 weeks pregnant with twins

Next week – 32 weeks pregnant with twins