Hooray! It’s the third trimester! At 6 months pregnant with twins, you’re about the same size as a mom with a full-term singleton pregnancy. It’s probably getting harder to move around, and you may find that you get tired quickly.
It’s time to slow down and take the time to finish some important tasks, like preparing the nursery, stocking your diaper and hospital bags, and finalizing your birth plan.
This month, you’re also probably getting better acquainted with your twin babies — their kicks, bumps, and pokes may give you a glimpse of their personalities before you even meet them for the first time.
Read more about your precious babies and your pregnancy at 6 months.
6 months pregnant with twins: What are your twins up to at 6 months?
By the sixth month, your twins are about the size of large eggplants. They measure about 15 inches from head to foot and weigh about 2.2 pounds.
They’re packing on the body fat and have doubled in size in just a month. But they’re still far from their ideal newborn weight. Believe it or not, they’ll still be tripling their current weight before they’re born.
From here on out, your twins’ head-to-foot growth will begin to slow down. But they’ll still be getting plumper and becoming more active every day.
Your babies’ skeletons are getting harder, and their skin, which was once wrinkly, is becoming smoother. Their faces are almost fully formed. Their wee little noses are already working, and they’re practicing breathing and can now pick up scents. They have eyelashes and eyebrows. Their eyes are open, and they’ll now be able to see each other for the first time.
At 6 months, your little ones’ brains are maturing quickly, their reflexes are developing, and their senses are advancing. Their reproductive organs are also growing. If you have a boy (or boys), his testicles descend toward the scrotum. If you have a girl (or girls), her clitoris will stick out. Later on, the labia will grow enough to cover it up.
At this stage of your pregnancy, your babies are starting to feel cramped. Aside from the fact that they’re growing so quickly, their amniotic sac (or sacs) now have almost a liter of amniotic fluid each. This amount will start to decrease as the babies get bigger and bigger.
At your last visit, your doctor must have recommended that you start doing kick counts to ensure that your twins’ activity level is consistent daily. This helps reassure you that the babies are doing well inside your belly.
If you’re worried that your babies haven’t been moving as much, try drinking some cold water or getting a nice belly rub from your partner to see if the two will wake up. If none of these gets them to start moving, call your doctor and have things checked out.
Twin pregnancy symptoms at 6 months
Your babies have plumped up, which means more pressure than ever on your internal organs. Ouch! Here are the other twin pregnancy symptoms you’re feeling this month:
- Trouble sleeping — You may be tossing and turning, trying to find a position you are comfortable in. You may also be suffering from pregnancy insomnia. If this is the case, avoid anything that has caffeine — including chocolate — and drink lots of water during the day.
- Try to get some exercise, even if it’s just a short walk or a 20-minute yoga session. Practice a few minutes of meditation and avoid screens at night. Keep your electronics out of the bedroom; scrolling through Instagram will not help you fall asleep faster. If you wake up in the middle of the night and have difficulty going back to sleep, read a book, or listen to calming music.
- Frequent urination — This is one more thing contributing to your lack of sleep. But remember that the solution is not to drink less water. Staying hydrated is very important throughout pregnancy. It helps you avoid preterm labor and even eases some of the other pregnancy symptoms, including headaches, swelling, and constipation. Avoid drinking lots of water near bedtime, so you don’t wake up in the middle of the night having to pee.
- Swollen ankles and feet — This is normal and can be remedied by putting your feet up and getting some light exercise. According to WebMD, it’s okay as long as it’s just some puffiness. But if you experience sudden or extreme swelling in your hands or face, see your doctor immediately.
- Back, leg, and hip pain — As your muscles and ligaments stretch to accommodate your growing babies, you will feel a little achier. Sit down, rest when you can, and get a massage or heat packs to soothe the pain.
Ultrasound of twins at 6 months
Your twins are getting bigger and growing quickly now. After this month, they need more time to develop, ready to come out to the world.
You’ll notice that your babies have become super energetic at your following scan. By 29 weeks, the twins are separated by a thin membrane, filling up most of the space available.
Six months pregnant with twins: this month’s checklist
This is the perfect time to:
- Finalize your birth plan with your doctor
- Call your health insurance company and inquire about how you’re covered to see if any adjustments have to be made for the birth.
- Hire a caregiver for when you go back to work
- Finish packing your hospital bag and leave it by the door
- Prepare for your third-trimester laboratory tests.
- Count fetal kicks
- Watch out for signs of preterm labor, which is more common in twin pregnancies than in singleton pregnancies.
- Plan your baby shower
How are you feeling, momma? At 6 months pregnant with twins, you’re more than halfway through the journey. It’s just a matter of time before you finally meet the two little humans you’ve been growing. Slow down a bit and get some extra pampering this month. You’ve earned it!
