twininfo.co.uk

Babies

This is the month that the babies development becomes different to that of a singleton pregnancy.  Your twins are approaching five pounds each and measure about 46cm in length.   Due to the cramped conditons in the uterus their weight gain will be slower than that of a single baby.  The babies lungs are beginning to produce surfactant, which will help their lungs to expand for their first breath.  The placenta is still functioning well and nourishing the developing babies to allow them to gain the important final layer of fat.  The positions that the babies are in at this point are not likely to change before delivery.  If your babies were born now, they may need to spend a little bit of time in the intensive care unit.

Mum

There may be an increase in Braxton-Hicks contractions and you should be aware of the signs of premature labour by now as many women will naturally go into labour by week 36 of a twin pregnancy.  You are probably finding it really difficult to rest or sleep comfortably.  Heartburn, frequent urination and breathlessness may also become worse as your uterus continues to grow.  Your hips may feel like they are spreading and the diameter of your pelvis has probably increased a little by this time.  Your extremities may swell more  now and some women notice a thin, watery substance coming from their breasts.   This known as colostrum and, if you decide to breastfeed your babies, it will be the first nourishment they get until your milk comes in.  Your appetite may decrease due to the limited space your stomach now has in your body.