Week 11 Twin Pregnancy: First Trimester with Twins
Welcome to your week 11 twin pregnancy recap, mama! In this week, we go through week 11 symptoms of twin pregnancy, twin development, twin pregnancy to do list, size of twins, common questions twin moms had, twin belly photos, and so much more.
Let’s dive in!
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Symptoms when 11 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Welcome to your 11th week of twin pregnancy! Let’s look into some symptoms that may pop up around now.
Baby Bump Emerges: You’re likely to see a teeny bump starting to grow – even bigger than your typical “food baby” after a large meal. Remember everyone shows at different times, though. Especially if it’s your first pregnancy, you may still have a relatively flat tummy – but don’t be surprised if you have trouble buttoning your pants! It’s never too early to jump into comfy maternity clothes.
Bloating & Gas: To further enhance that twin bump, you may find yourself feeling…fuller than normal. Chalk it up to pregnancy hormones. Progesterone is doing its job, relaxing smooth muscle tissues, including slowing down digestion to maximize nutrient absorption into your bloodstream to feed your kiddos. Try engaging in some trial & error to see which foods are best; many women say that several small meals throughout the day instead of large meals really help.
Sensitive breasts: Your body has been hard at work these past two months, and sensitivity here is totally normal. Some women even start trying out maternity bras around now, to accommodate their growing tatas.
Other symptoms in week 11: Frequent urination, morning sickness, food aversions, light headedness – these are all common in the first trimester. Read up on the twin pregnancy week 5 through twin pregnancy week 9 to read more about these fun symptoms! Remember: as uncomfortable as they may be, it’s your body doing what it’s supposed to do to support these two tiny lives growing inside of you. And if something doesn’t feel quite right? Chat with your doc – they’re there to partner with you.
Twin Development at 11 Weeks
At 11 weeks in a twin pregnancy, you’re nearing the end of the first trimester. What does that mean for your twins’ development?
In week 11, your twins faces have already gone through some good development! They have ears in roughly the right shape and position, facial features defined, and even hair follicles sprouting. Inside their mouths are even brand-new tongues.
If it seems like a lot has been going on within their head, it’s because there has been. In fact, at 11 weeks, your twins heads are about half of the size of their entire bodies! Talk about brain power!
All four hands and four feet have been developing too, with fingers losing their webbed-like appearance, and even developing tiny fingernail and toenail beds.
It’s been a busy week for your little ones!
To Do: 11 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
In addition to the things mentioned in previous weeks, there are a few additional things to look into in week 11:
- Prenatal exercise: As morning sickness (hopefully) starts to wane, it’s time to take a look at your exercise plans. While some things may need to change, depending on how intense your workouts have been, many women can keep up a great workout plan – even in a twin pregnancy. Sure, you may need to make some adjustments (especially in the later weeks), but now might be the time to start scouring prenatal yoga classes!
- Eat breakfast: If you haven’t yet, now is the time for hearty breakfasts. In twin pregnancies, it truly can be the most important meal of the day. Even if you were never a breakfast gal before, it’s time to load up on protein and complex carbs. Your babies have been fasting overnight, just like you have, and skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and even fainting. In fact, there’s even evidence that gaining a certain amount of weight by 20 weeks can lead to longer gestations in twins (per Dr. Barbara Luke’s book When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads). So, eat up, mama!
- Wash those hands: Did you know your immunity is lower in twin pregnancies (and all pregnancies)? It’s partially so that your body doesn’t recognize your babies as foreign invaders. That said, you need to work extra hard to keep true foreign invaders at bay. That means washing hands more than usual, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and wearing masks when appropriate. Remember that you can’t take many of your usual cough & cold remedies in twin pregnancies, so prevention is your goal here.
Size of Twins at 11 Weeks
At 11 weeks pregnant, each twin will be around the size of a strawberry (about 4 centimeters, 1.5 inches, or 7 grams).
Questions Twin Moms Had for their Doctors
- How do I know if I’m getting the right nutrition?
- Should I see the dentist while pregnant with twins?
- Are there any aesthetic activities I should avoid while pregnant?
- Is it normal to have an increased or decreased sex drive?
- When will morning sickness abate? Is there anything I can do until then?
- What kind of exercise is okay? Is there anything I should avoid?
- Is there anything I can do to reduce bloating and gas?
- Is there anything else I should know at 11 weeks pregnant with twins?
Twin Pregnancy Belly Photos: Week 11
That’s not a large lunch you’re seeing – it’s a true twin bump, though it’s still “hideable” at this stage in the first trimester (even with twins).
Tips for a Good 11th Week Pregnant with Twins
If you haven’t yet, it’s not too late to start documenting your twin bump progression. Even if you’re sure you don’t want to do it, I can (almost) promise you that there will come a day when you wish you could look back on the photos, if even privately.
If you’re sure you don’t want to document the week-by-week bump progression? Consider documenting your twin pregnancy another way, like a quick paragraph of what it felt like this week, or a short recording. You could even save them and give to your babies when they’re older – a pretty magical gift.
Pregnant with twins? Follow along @TwinWinning on social for the latest & greatest in all things twins!
Articles to Read this Week
Last Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 10
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 12
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)
Sources:
When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads, Dr. Barbara Luke
