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Being 6 weeks pregnant with twins seems like you’re unlocking a new milestone of sorts. The journey has officially begun, although a few women might just be discovering and confirming their pregnancy around this time. This could also be one of those key moments where you find out that there isn’t just one, but two, or even more babies in your womb! The news can make you ecstatic and also worry you about taking care of all of them together. It is important to be calm about it and tell yourself that you will figure things out on the way without any worries.
The Growth of Babies at 6 Weeks
The 6-week mark holds great importance in the entire journey of pregnancy. This is primarily due to the fact that the bodies of the babies are progressing towards looking more human-like. The formation of facial features – ears, noses, and a slight semblance of lips – happens during this time. The lungs are pretty much one of the last organs to form in the growth of a foetus, but their initial tissues do coalesce at this point itself. Intestines begin to form in the baby, and tiny projections start appearing, which will ultimately grow into the arms and legs. The 6th week of pregnancy with twins or multiples also marks the growth of the pituitary gland along with the rest of the brain, combined with the supporting bone structure and muscles. This rapid development also makes the babies’ heart to start beating at almost double the speed of the mother’s.
What Is the Size of the Babies?
Even with all these major developments taking place in the babies, they are no larger than a pea – around half a centimetre in length.
Common Bodily Changes
As the babies inside you start developing and growing at a decent pace, the body begins to realise this and responds accordingly to their growth.
- A variety of hormonal fluctuations will not only causemoods swings but will also result in a bunch of changes that will manifest physically. Fatigue, nausea, bloating, cramping, and a lot of discomforts may be present.
- A few mothers tend to spot even at this stage. Most of the times this is normal, but sometimes it can indicate a pregnancy that hasn’t occurred properly in the uterus. If the spotting persists or worsens, it could mean an incoming miscarriage.
- You will have more severe morning sickness because of your twin pregnancy. This is because morning sickness is associated with the high levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and this level is much higher in women pregnant with two or multiple babies.
- You will gain more weight – after all, you’re eating for more than two! This is normal because your body requires more nutrients to nurture life growing in you.
Symptoms of a Twin Pregnancy at 6 Weeks
While most women experience the signs of twins at 6 weeks strongly, there’s no need to fret if you don’t experience them with as much intensity. Here are some of them:
- Nausea tends to worsen around this time. Morning sickness will be present throughout the day, given the rapid changes taking place inside your body.
- Bloating and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen is also a symptom experienced by women pregnant with multiple babies.
- The increased circulation of blood will make the breasts tense up a bit, which will make you feel sore. Wearing improper or tight clothes could get them irritated as well.
- The hormone hCG begins to increase substantially within the body, which ultimately results in increased pressure on your bladder and feeling the need to pee often. Constipation could be a possible condition faced by women who don’t have a proper intake of water and fibrous food during this stage.
- All of these changes combined with a load of multiple growing babies simultaneously can leave you exhausted even after performing the simplest of activities.
- At 6 weeks with twins, you may experience a high level of water retention when you are having twins. So, more swelling in the ankles and joints is expected. If it gets too uncomfortable, then consult your doctor about it.
- A twin pregnancy will make your uterus grow larger and faster than that of a woman who has a single child because it needs to make more room faster to accommodate two little ones inside.
Twin Pregnancy at 6 Weeks – The Belly
At 6 weeks of pregnancy, your baby bump may not be extremely visible. It’s still too early for the belly to be popping out – after all, your baby is the size of a pea!
Twin Pregnancy at 6 Weeks – Ultrasound
For mothers who haven’t yet been able to confirm whether they are pregnant with multiple babies or not, the 6-week mark tends to be quite fruitful in providing a conclusive answer. Although the presence of multiple sacs in gestation can be established at around 4 weeks, most women can get a good look at it once they complete 6 weeks. This also helps in deriving more information about the babies, like their growth and dimensions, and so on. The heartbeat of the babies is usually around 90-110 beats per minute, even though many babies might not have their hearts fully formed at this stage. The scans at this stage can show the babies as two large spots in your womb, but that first sight itself can be joyous for an expecting mother.
What to Eat
One of the biggest surprises for women who are pregnant with twins and multiples is the sudden change in appetite and the intense hunger pangs that result from it. The amount of nutrition that the babies draw from the mother to support their intensive developmental cycles can cause the mother-to-be to feel hungry throughout the day. Supporting your diet withhealthy foodsand consuming them in good quantities is essential, but it is important to ensure you don’t overeat.
Furthermore, the expansion of the uterus with the babies growing and making space for themselves can affect the stomach as well, leading to increased instances of heartburn and acidity. Combined with constipation, this can be absolutely irritating for a pregnant lady. Keeping an optimum fluid intake throughout the day and including fibrous fruits and food items can keep this in check.
Pregnancy Care Tips
Taking care of your body as it goes through a bunch of changes should be your main priority once you are pregnant. Keeping a few tips in mind that can be helpful for you in the long run.
Dos
- Go for your firstprenatal checkup if you haven’t already. This stage is the perfect time for the doctor to conduct numerous tests, ensuring that your pregnancy won’t hit any roadblocks and counter any complications.
- Stick to a light exercise regimen that helps you maintain your physical movement capacity to a good level. Try to do this after having a meal, since it will reduce the chances of heartburn and even stimulate the digestion process.
- Have smaller meals instead of the usual 3 large meals. The increased frequency of meals can keep your hunger in check, and the small quantities can reduce the chances of you feeling bloated or acidic.
Dont’s
- Stress and anxiety are the enemies of the little ones growing inside you. It is natural and biological for you to feel like that since your hormone levels are all over the place as a result of these changes. Take any measures, be it meditation, exercise, listening to music, and so on, in an effort to keep yourself calm and relaxed.
- Delaying the consumption of any nutritional supplements orprenatal vitaminscan be disastrous for the growth and development of the babies. Various elements such as folic acid andvitamins are essential and highly needed, especially around this time when the neural development of the babies is at its peak. Any lack of nutrients at this stage could lead to a child being born with developmental disorders or even seriousbirth defects.
What You Need to Shop for
The increasing size of your body and belly can make it necessary to purchase large and comfortable clothes that can be used for events or functions. Maintaining a balance between fashion and comfort is easily possible with a large variety of maternity clothes that are available in the market.
Your breasts will begin to increase in size and get fuller and more tender than before. Therefore, investing in a good bra that can support your breasts is a good idea. When going for walks, use shoesthat provide a proper grip and have soft soles to avoid unnecessary sharp jerks.
FAQs
1. Is It Normal to Have Cramping at 6 Weeks Pregnant With Twins?
Cramping can be described as a pulling sensation, as if stretching and growing are going on in your uterus. Many moms have reported cramping at six weeks of pregnancy with twins. Sometimes the cramping can be a lot more painful, and you may also spot some bleeding. Spotting may be a sign that something is off. Consult your doctor if it happens.
But it’s normal if you are a mom-to-be who doesn’t feel a thing. It doesn’t mean anything bad is happening!
2. Is It Possible to Detect Twins at 6 Week Pregnant?
Yes. An ultrasound at six weeks or later can help detect twin pregnancy. Higher than normal hCG levels can also be a sign of a twin pregnancy. But an ultrasound is required to confirm that it’s actually twins.
Observing twins at 6 weeks on the ultrasound scan is what makes most couples feel like parents for the first time. Those tiny pea pods that are barely a centimetre in size will grow to be full-formed babies within no time. Their development and safety can be ensured by everyone, once the mother finds herself in a calm and safe place, supported by a healthy diet and the love from her family.
Resources and References: WebMD
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