Time flies when you’re growing more than one! Can you believe you’re almost at the end of the first trimester?
Your babies have already begun developing some of their more intricate details — like fingernails on those little hands you can’t wait to hold. Their bodies have taken on the shape of identifiable babies, and you’ll likely be surprised the next time you see them on an ultrasound.
For information about how twins and multiples happen, tap here.
What’s new with your babies?
Your little ones have a big job to do before their birthday, and they’re developing rapidly as the weeks progress.
At 11 weeks, your babies are just shy of an inch long and weigh approximately 0.25 ounces each—roughly the size of a lime! Although you can’t feel their movements just yet, you’ll be excited to hear they’re busy practicing all sorts of new skills in the womb.
If you have an ultrasound coming up, you might even get to see your babies stretching, hiccuping, and kicking!
What can you expect this week?
Pregnancy hormones may be getting the best of you, which is perfectly normal. Your body is growing multiple humans, so it’s expected you will feel considerable exhaustion during the process. Try to get as much rest as you can, even if your brain is in overdrive thinking about your to-do list.
Mood swings are common during this week as your body adjusts to the new hormones circulating through your system. Give yourself grace if you find you’re feeling a bit snippier than usual, but be sure to bring up any more severe symptoms to your healthcare provider.
Although the first trimester is wrapping up, you may still have some bothersome symptoms hanging around, such as morning sickness. Forgoing large, rich meals in favor of eating lighter fare more often can help keep nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms at bay. Rest assured, most pregnant people begin to feel much better once they hit the second trimester, which is just around the corner!
First trimester testing
As the first trimester comes to a close, your healthcare provider will suggest performing testing to monitor your pregnancy. The first trimester screening is typically performed between weeks 11 and 14 of pregnancy. This chromosomal test screens for certain genetic conditions, like Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and trisomy 18. These screenings are performed through blood draw and ultrasound.
You will also be given the option to have chorionic villus sampling, or CVS, which is offered between weeks 10 and 13 of pregnancy. This test can reveal whether a baby has certain chromosomal or genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. It is ultimately your decision whether you want this testing performed. If you have certain risk factors or if you’d like a more in-depth explanation, a genetic counselor can help you interpret the results.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Multifetal gestation: Twin, triplet, and higher order multifetal pregnancies.” National Guideline Clearinghouse. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, May 2014. Retrieved May 15 2021.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Twin pregnancy: What multiples mean for mom.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, December 13 2014. Retrieved May 15 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/twin-pregnancy/art-20048161.
- “FAQ: Multiple pregnancy.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, July 2015. Retrieved May 15 2021.
