Twin Pregnancy Week 10 to 12: What to Expect

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Let’s talk about the twin pregnancy journey from week 10 to week 12!

 A twin pregnancy brings “double the joy”—but it can also bring its own challenges and anxiety. It’s normal to wonder how your babies are developing, and worry about how your body is coping with the greater physical strain. 

Here’s what you need to know about what life will be like during week 10 of your twin pregnancy, and in the following weeks leading up to the second trimester. 

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Twin Pregnancy: Week 10

This is an exciting time for both you and your babies as you’re nearing the end of the first trimester with twins. While all women will already feel and see the changes to their body, signs and symptoms can be more pronounced for those carrying twins than carrying one baby.

Twin Pregnancy Symptoms at 10 Weeks

What is happening to your body when you’re 10 weeks pregnant with twins?

Breast Tenderness

Your breasts most likely feel more tender and uncomfortable to the touch. Don’t worry, that will hopefully be ending soon!

Morning Sickness

You are most likely also experiencing nausea and vomiting in your first trimester with twins. According to WebMD, morning sickness tends to be more severe in twin pregnancies. That’s because your levels of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) are higher, so you may find it difficult to keep food down or feel queasy all throughout the day. 

Vaginal Discharge

You may also notice increased vaginal discharge and even occasional minimal spotting—which, unfortunately, is also more common in a 10-week twin pregnancy. So when should you be worried enough to call the doctor? In his interview with WebMD, Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan (who leads the Hackensack University Medical Center’s department on maternal and fetal medicine), inform your doctor if you also feel cramps, pass clots, or if the spotting increases in amount or happens continuously.

Extreme Fatigue

One of the biggest pregnancy symptoms during the first trimester with twins is extreme fatigue. Growing two babies is hard work! Rest when you can, but resist the urge to spend the whole day in bed.

Related –> How to Finally Get a Good Night’s Sleep During Pregnancy: The amazing tips that worked for me!

Staying active can help improve blood circulation, and release endorphins that can help manage pregnancy mood swings. Just make sure that you follow your doctor’s orders about what exercise you can safely do, based on your personal medical condition.

Increased Vein Size

At 10 weeks pregnant with multiples, you may also notice blue veins appearing on your chest, hands, and feet. Don’t worry: that’s a normal part of pregnancy, and is a sign of how well your body is taking care of your babies! Your blood supply has increased by a little under 50% so it can deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your womb. The veins will return to their normal size after you give birth. 

Heartburn and Indigestion

You may also experience bouts of heartburn and constipation.  Eating small but frequent meals can help manage symptoms. While heartburn and indigestion are common symptoms in the 3rd trimester with a singleton pregnancy, they often occur during the first trimester with twins. Lucky you!

Click here for my guide to the essentials you need to manage the first trimester, including the best morning sickness remedy ever!

Twin Fetal Development at 10 Weeks

10 weeks of twin pregnancy is a milestone: in medical terms, your babies “graduate” from an embryo to a fetus. During the embryonic phase, your babies form the major organs like the heart, lungs, brain, as well as legs and arms. Now that they’ve entered the fetal phase, these organs now develop the details and connections that will allow them to function and support life outside the womb.

How Big Are Twins at 10 Weeks?

As for weight and size, your babies are about 0.25 ounces and measure about 1.60 inches from their crown to their rump. The Bump describes them as the size of a small strawberry. 

Their bones and cartilage have started forming, and the little “buds” you saw at your first ultrasound are growing into visible arms and legs. 

Twin Bump at 10 Weeks

Your uterus has expanded to the size of a grapefruit. You may look a little more full and round at the abdomen, though it’s still too early for other people to notice your baby bump. Just remember that women show pregnancy in different ways, based on the natural shape of their body and their uterus. 

My Twin Pregnancy Experience at 10 Weeks

Related –> There’s Nothing Wrong With You, Twin Pregnancy is Just Really Hard

10 Week Twin Belly

I could easily disguise my bump with a loose fitting top, but it was definitely there!

I was pretty horrible at documenting my bump during my twin pregnancy because I felt so terrible for most of it. There were days where I had unwashed hair, old sweatpants, and no makeup, so I didn’t feel like taking a picture.

Take my advice… TAKE THE PICTURES. When you look back, you won’t care what you look like!

Is a Twin Prenatal Screening Necessary?

Your doctor may ask you if you want to have first-trimester genetic testing, since twins may be at higher risk for developing chromosomal disorders (source: NIH). 

Tests include an NT (nuchal translucency) screening and NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test), which can help detect Down Syndrome and other chromosomal conditions. These are usually conducted from Week 10 to Week 13. 

These tests are optional and non-invasive, and won’t hurt your babies or increase your risk for miscarriage. 

Twin Pregnancy: Week 11 

Twin Pregnancy Symptoms at 11 Weeks

Your symptoms at 11 weeks of twin pregnancy will be pretty much the same as week 10. They might be starting to wind down as you near the second trimester.

Related –> Twin Pregnancy Essentials to Manage Your Discomfort

Twin Fetal Development at 11 Weeks

As the famous Dr. Seuss quote affirms, “A person’s a person, no matter how small!” At this 11 week twin pregnancy stage, your babies already are showing the first signs of facial features like eyes and ears, though they now appear as little indentations. Their eye lenses and eyelids have also fully formed, but they won’t open them until they’re about 27 weeks in gestation. 

Hair and fingernails have already begun to grow, and their skin layers are becoming thicker and look less opaque. Their tooth buds—which will later become their baby teeth—have also sprouted. 

 The organs like the stomach and kidney have formed, and the brain and spinal cord have started to form connections (neurons and synapses) which will control movements and bodily functions. That’s why it’s really important to get proper nutrition, especially nutrients like folic acid, to support this stage of brain development. 

Their lung tissue is almost complete, their pancreas and can already produce insulin, and their intestines and circulatory system have begun to develop. They’re also starting to have sleeping and waking cycles! (Source: Parents)

How Big Are Twins at 11 Weeks?

Your babies continue to grow at an astonishing pace. They are 1.61 inches from the crown to their rump or roughly the size of a fig or lime. They also have an average weight of about 0.25 ounces. Their key features are already taking shape, and your body is instinctively responding to their needs.

My Twin Pregnancy Experience at 11 Weeks

Related –> My Biggest Fears During My Twin Pregnancy

11 Week Twin Belly

At 11 weeks, my twin bump was pretty much the same as my 10 week twin belly. Still easy to disguise with loose fitting clothing, but definitely bloated and my pants weren’t fitting!

Sadly, this is the only *bump* picture I have at 11 weeks! We were visiting my family in Rhode Island (where we now live!!) and snapped these pictures with our then one year old, Theo.

Twin Pregnancy: Week 12

Woohoo! This is the home stretch of the first trimester and you should hopefully start to regain some energy. Your hormones are settling down, which means your morning sickness may become less severe or even disappear completely.

Your babies are also growing bigger and becoming more active. Here’s a closer look at happens when you’re 12 weeks pregnant with twins.

Twin Pregnancy Symptoms at 12 Weeks

Acne or Pregnancy Mask

Some women develop pregnancy acne, or a temporary skin discoloration called “mask of pregnancy.” These dark spots are caused by hyperpigmentation triggered by hormonal changes. To prevent or manage these problems, wear sunscreen, and consult a dermatologist about safe skincare during pregnancy.  

Dissipation of Morning Sickness and Fatigue

By week 12, the placenta should be fully formed, although it will definitely continue to grow throughout your entire pregnancy. This should hopefully mean that your energy levels begin to perk back up. Morning sickness will also ease up as your hormones settle down (a little bit).

Women all experience pregnancy differently, especially twin pregnancies. If you still aren’t feeling well as you enter your second trimester of twin pregnancy, don’t worry that something is wrong. Twin pregnancy is just very challenging, BUT do run all of your symptoms by your doctor.

My Twin Pregnancy Experience at 12 Weeks

You may also like –> 6 Surprising Difference Between a Singleton and Twin Pregnancy

12 Week Twin Belly

Sadly, I didn’t take a single picture this week. Don’t be like me! Take the picture!!!!!!!!

Twin Fetal Development at 12 Weeks

Your twins’ facial features are more defined and are in their final position, and their fingers and toes don’t look webbed anymore. They even curl their fingers and toes, and already have reflexes. During your 12-week twin pregnancy ultrasound, they will move or startle because of the slight pressure on the belly. (Source: The Bump)

Though you won’t be able to feel their movements yet, they are increasingly more active in the womb. They like to stretch their arms and kick their feet, and may even place their hands on their heart. Aside from proving their growing physical mobility, it’s a good sign that their brain can control body function and is learning how to process stimulus. 

The organ development continues: liver, kidney, intestines. Their diaphragms will also be in place —which sets the stage for independent breathing after they’re born. Your babies may even start to hiccup, which is how they “train” and strengthen the diaphragm in utero. 

How Big Are Twins at 12 Weeks?

By now, your twins have grown to about 2.1 inches from crown to rump. In many cases one twin will be slightly bigger, but as long as the difference isn’t that big and both of them get the nutrients they need, you don’t have to be worried. 

Prepared for the Twin Journey 

These are just some of the changes that you and your babies will go through in the first trimester. While being pregnant with twins isn’t easy, knowing what’s happening to your body can help you prepare, find relief, and make the right choices for yourself and your babies. 

Related Post –> Expecting Twins? How to Survive a Twin Pregnancy

Hope this helps you out as you continue your twin pregnancy journey through week 10 to week 12! Please feel free to reach out with any questions, and be sure to check out my other twin pregnancy week by week guides!

Twin Pregnancy Guides Week by Week

• Twin Pregnancy Weeks 4 and 5
• Twin Pregnancy Weeks 6 and 7
• Twin Pregnancy Weeks 8 and 9
• Twin Pregnancy Week 13
• Twin Pregnancy Week 14
• Twin Pregnancy Week 15
• Twin Pregnancy Week 16

P.S. Make sure you’re following me on social media to keep up with our family and all the twin cuteness! I am on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!