Something missing this month? Your period! While you might not be menstruating, there’s a lot going on in your uterus right now. Let’s dive into what you can expect when you’re five weeks pregnant with multiples!
How are the babies?
Midway through the embryo stage, your little ones are still teeny-tiny (each roughly the size of a peppercorn). But they’re developing quickly and getting bigger every day. In fact, they’ll double in size by the end of the week. With growth this fast, you might be relieved you don’t need matching sets of clothes yet.
During week five, your babies-to-be are forming neural tubes. The tail-like formation makes them look kind of like tadpoles at the moment, but they’ll grow into it once the tubes close and eventually develop into brains and spinal cords (AKA the nervous system).¹
And that’s not all! This week, your babies’ other organs and bodily systems are starting to develop, including their stomachs, intestines, kidneys, livers, blood vessels, and hearts.² While it’s most likely a little too soon for the heartbeats to show up on an ultrasound, your healthcare provider will probably be able to detect them soon.³
What’s new with you?
Having missed your period, this is the ideal time to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are more accurate after your expected period hasn’t arrived. Having said that, carrying multiples can lead to higher hCG levels earlier on, which may mean you got a positive pregnancy test even before missing your period.⁴
When you get a positive pregnancy test, go ahead and do a little celebrating. You’ll also want to start or continue taking a prenatal with folic acid to support this crucial development stage. If you haven’t already, contact your healthcare provider to get your first appointment on the calendar.
If you have a family history of twins or transferred multiple embryos during an IVF treatment, the possibility of more than one baby might be on your mind. And if you’re pregnant with multiples, there’s a chance you’ll experience more intense symptoms than if you were carrying only one baby.⁵ Some of the most common early pregnancy symptoms include mild cramping, bloating, constipation, sore breasts, increased cervical mucus, food aversions, a heightened sense of smell, and a frequent urge to pee.
One of the most anticipated early pregnancy symptoms is nausea. If you’re feeling queasy, you might try eating frequent snacks and small meals throughout the day as being hungry can make the nausea worse. It’s also very important to stay hydrated. Many people find cold and/or tart liquids to be easiest to tolerate. Similarly, eating foods or drinks with ginger can calm your tummy. And getting plenty of rest is helpful as well. If you’re unable to keep food down, be sure to let your provider know.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Fetal development: The 1st trimester. Mayo Clinic. 2020. Web. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20045302.
- MedlinePlus. Fetal development. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm.
- Horsager-Boehrer, R. MD. Patience is key: Understanding the timing of early ultrasounds. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. 2018. Web. https://utswmed.org/medblog/patience-key-understanding-timing-early-ultrasounds/.
- Singh, N. et al. Role of early serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin measurement in predicting multiple pregnancy and pregnancy wastage in an in vitro ET fertilization cycle. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences. 2013. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3853879/.
- Cleveland Clinic. Expecting Twins or Triplets. 2020. Web. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9710-expecting-twins-or-triplets.
