Twin Pregnancy Week 8: First Trimester with Twins
Welcome to your twin pregnancy week 8! In our week-by-week breakdown, we walk with your through twin symptoms, sizes, development, and so much more. Let’s dive into your week 8 twin pregnancy together.
Disclaimer: Not written by a doctor; the below tips are meant to support your twin journey, but it is not inclusive and I always recommend running everything by your doctor.
Grab your free download: Ultimate Twin Pregnancy To Do List
Symptoms 8 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
- Morning Sickness: If you’re like most twin moms, you probably have some nausea during pregnancy. Many believe heightened morning sickness can even be a sign of twin pregnancy. Although it’s uncomfortable (to say the least), it’s very natural. Check out these tips to beat morning sickness to help make things a little easier.
- Exhaustion x 2: Twin pregnancy is hard work! You’re creating two new life forms, placentas, umbilical cords – all while you tackle your day. And men think they have it hard! This is likely the first time that twin parenting will force you to prioritize. If you don’t get to the mopping every week and instead focus on heading to bed early? That’s totally okay, mama.
- Bloating: As your uterus has grown from the size of a fist to bigger than a large grapefruit, it’s natural if you’re starting to feel your pants sit a little tighter. Additionally, gas and constipation are added to the mix, making bloating even more obvious (oh yay). This is just the beginning – get ready for that twin belly to grow, grow, grow!
- Food Aversions: Does glancing at your partner’s breakfast make you want to dry heave? It’s common! Learning how to steer clear of nausea triggers, while still getting adequate nutrition, is a learning process. Now is the time to build your nutrition plan to keep your nutrients high, while avoiding those foods that bring on your gagging reflex.
- Constipation: Sorry, but it’s true! Keeping water and fiber high can help keep things flowing here.
Twin Development at 8 Weeks
- Eyes & retinas begin to form (though you won’t see their beautiful eyes until their birthday).
- Babies’ reproductive parts are starting to form (though you won’t be able to tell if you’ll be welcoming baby girls or baby boys for several more weeks).
- Amniotic fluid volume increases, making your womb start to expand.
- Nose, eyelids, and lips arrive, making your babies look a lot more like babies.
Size of Twins at 8 Weeks
At 8 weeks pregnant with twins, each baby will be roughly the size of a raspberry (1.27 centimeters, less than 1 inch).
Knowing they were only the size of blueberries last week, this is an impressive growth rate! They’re growing about a millimeter a day at this point. Grow babies grow!
To Do: 8 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Start tracking weight. While watching your weight may not be your jam in regular life, during pregnancy life it’s actually helpful. Your doctor will likely do this for you at your appointments, but you may find it interesting to watch your weight increase at a steady pace. You won’t gain much in the first trimester (~4 pounds), but knowing your gain rates in the 2nd and 3rd trimester can be empowering. If you see weeks with no gains, or weeks higher above recommendations, you’ll be able to bring it up with your doctor and ensure everything is on track.
Iron? Protein? Calcuium? Time to put a nutritional plan in place! While you’ll want all the right nutrients, it may feel like you’re walking a minefield with the increasing number of food aversions! Creating a plan with your health practitioners can help you know what your goal should be and how to hit it.
Ease into exercise. Having light-to-moderate exercise will be a key part of your healthy twin pregnancy. At week 8, it’s almost like training for when you’re carrying an additional 40+ pounds in your 3rd trimester! Just be sure to avoid things like overheating, injury, and plain old overdoing it. Hot tip: squats can help you build muscles in the right places to help prepare for childbirth.
Pick up some natural sunscreen. Another potential fun “perk” of twin pregnancy? Dark spots…gasp! It’s called melasma and is caused by good ol’ pregnancy hormones, which also cause darker areolas and the linea nigra (the dark line down the center of your belly). Don’t stress – melasma is usually temporary, but stocking up on SPF 30+ and staying in the shade should help avoid dark spots in the first place.
Start a pregnancy tracker. Weekly photos, notes to your babies, quick videos? Whatever your format, I can promise you one thing – you won’t regret having a record of this special, fleeting time.
Questions Twin Moms Had for their Doctors
- Is it normal to feel stretching pains around my abdomen?
- Is it normal to feel exhausted all the time?
- How many calories are recommended at this time? Any nutrients I should increase? What if I have no appetite?
- What prenatal tests will I need?
- Is there anything I should avoid – food, activities, ingredients?
- What kind of exercise is safe? How much should I be adding in?
- Is there anything else I should know right now?
Twin Pregnancy Belly Photos: Week 8
Tips for a Good 8th Week Pregnant with Twins
Around week 8, you may find exhaustion starting to set in. If so, it’s time to prioritize rest.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean chilling on the couch for hours each day. In fact, keeping some light to moderate exercise in your routine (such as walking, swimming, etc.) can actually give you more energy.
That said, prioritizing sleep can help you get through these (exhausting) days. If you find 8 hours just isn’t enough, try setting an earlier bedtime, and/or squeezing in naps if you can. Your body will thank you. If you get any flack about it, remind those commentators: growing two babies is hard work!
Articles to Read this Week
Last Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 7
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 9
How to Thrive with Twins™ : The Program
What Not to Buy When Having Twins
Twin Pregnancy Week By Week Experience
Twin Pregnancy To Do List (free download)
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