Having twins when do you know

University of Rochester Medical Center. Symptoms and Diagnosis of Multiple Pregnancy. American Academy of Pediatrics. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: Thinkstock. Are there early signs of twins?

When will you find out you're having twins? The difference between fraternal and identical twins. Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Featured video.

What are the chances of having twins? Twins in the womb: Fetal development month by month. Are twins hereditary? Fraternal twins in the womb: 8 weeks. Fraternal twins in the womb: 4 weeks. HCG levels in pregnancy. Pregnant with no pregnancy symptoms. New to BabyCenter? Join now. Password Forgot your password? Keep me logged in. As your uterus and belly expand, you might find your center of gravity shifts and your posture changes, placing strain your back.

Talk to your provider about some safe stretches or exercises you can do to help ease the discomfort and strengthen your back muscles.

Boy or girl? Each baby's sex organs will form around this time, but you might not find out the genders until 18 to 20 weeks, when an ultrasound might reveal it. Eyes in motion. Although their eyes are still fused shut, at around 16 weeks your babies can slowly move their eyes behind the lids. Eyebrows and eyelashes have grown, too. Tiny movements. Your babies' activity may be increasing and before long you'll be able to feel it.

Difficulty sleeping. It might be increasingly hard to get a good night's sleep, thanks to your growing belly. Sleeping on your side and using pillows to support your belly and as a cushion between your knees can help. Stretch marks and itchy skin. As your skin stretches and as hormonal changes weaken the elastic tissue underneath your skin, stretch marks can appear and your skin might become itchy. Although stretch marks aren't preventable, keeping your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a gentle moisturizer can help relieve some of the itchiness.

The increased blood volume during pregnancy can prompt some changes in your circulation that leave you feeling lightheaded. Try to move slowly, and lie down on your side when dizziness strikes, if that's possible.

If you haven't already, you'll soon start to feel your babies move for the first time, which is called quickening. Every pregnancy is unique, so be patient if you haven't felt anything yet it'll come in time. If you're concerned about when your babies will start to move, chat with your healthcare provider. Once you feel kicks, your provider may ask you to count those precious movements for a few minutes each day.

Download our Fetal Movement Tracker to help you get started when the time comes. As the sucking reflex develops, your little ones might suck their thumb if a hand floats up to the mouth.

Hearing develops. By 18 weeks, your babies may begin to hear, and the ears will start to protrude at the side of the head as well. Skin is coated. Your babies may start to acquire a greasy, waxy coating called vernix, which helps protect their skin from the amniotic fluid. Fine body hair appears. Around this time, your babies will be covered with a fine, downy protective layer of hair called lanugo. This helps keep the vernix on the skin and helps protect your twins' skin from the amniotic fluid.

Hot flashes. Hot flashes during pregnancy are often the result of hormonal changes and a speedier metabolism, leading your body to generate more heat than usual. Keeping hydrated and wearing comfy clothes can help keep you cool. High blood pressure. At each of your prenatal checkups, your blood pressure will be checked. Among other things, your provider will be on the lookout for a serious blood pressure disorder called preeclampsia , which is a bit more common in twin pregnancies than in single pregnancies.

If you notice any symptoms like swelling in your hands and face, persistent headaches, changes in vision, or difficulty breathing, contact your provider right away.

Fingerprints take shape. Your babies will start to form ridges in their palms and the soles of their feet. These will become fingerprints and footprints. Your babies can respond to sound. Your babies may begin to respond to loud or familiar sounds, such as your voice, by moving. Lungs prepare for their first breath. At 26 weeks, your babies' lungs are producing surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs stay inflated.

This is an important part of your twins' development as it's necessary for breathing. Handy hands. By now, your twins may be able to make grasping motions. During the third trimester, you may be feeling more aches and pains, but the end is in sight. Hang in there and read on! Hip and pelvic pain. This pain will likely go away after your babies are born, but if you feel any numbness in your feet or legs, let your healthcare provider know right away.

Braxton Hicks contractions. You may start to feel contractions this trimester, but these do not necessarily mean you are going into labor! These tightenings could be what are known as Braxton Hicks or false labor contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions help prepare your body for the real deal but don't open the cervix. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're in any doubt about what you're feeling. Health A-Z. Multiple pregnancy: antenatal care for twin and triplet pregnancies.

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