Can you believe you are eleven weeks pregnant? You are almost through the first trimester. You may be wondering about how much weight you should be gaining or what it means if your tummy is really pooching out. A lot of moms aren't sure what to expect, and therefore start wondering if they are pregnant with twins. What are the signs of being pregnant with twins? If the morning sickness is hitting you hard or your tummy is really getting big, the thought might be crossing your mind.The eleventh week is all about understanding your early pregnancy weight gain and whether twins could be coming.
What Is Going on With Mom and Baby
Baby is the size of a fig!
Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is 3-5 centimeters - about the size of a lemon. Your baby weighs about 8 grams. Your baby is beginning to grow soft nails on her fingers and toes. If you are having a baby boy, he is beginning to produce testosterone now. Your baby’s bladder sac is formed, and intestines are forming now.
Mom: You may have gained a pound or two now, though not all moms gain weight during the first trimester. Your uterus is around the size of a grapefruit now. You may be having less morning sickness now. Most women have less morning sickness in the second trimester. You may still be having problems with headaches and fatigue. Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water will help.
This Week’s Pregnancy Checklist
- Purchase a few maternity items.
- Talk to your doctor about CVS testing. This should be done around 10-12 weeks of pregnancy.
- Make a list of items you would like for your nursery.
- Purchase or check out a book from the library on pregnancy and birthing.
- Talk to your partner about any upcoming appointments and/or ultrasounds.
- Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.
Weight Gain in Early Pregnancy
How much weight should you gain during your pregnancy? This all depends on how much you weighed before you were pregnant. If you were underweight before you became pregnant, you will need to gain more than if you were overweight. Underweight moms should aim for gaining 28-40 pounds; normal weight moms should gain 25-35 pounds; and overweight moms should try to gain 15-25 pounds during pregnancy.
How much should you gain during the first trimester? You don’t need to gain a lot of weight during your first trimester. Most women gain 3-5 pounds during the first trimester. If you are overweight, you will want to avoid gaining more than 1-2 pounds during the first trimester. You should not, however, diet during your pregnancy.
What if you have gained a lot of weight in the first trimester? This happens to a lot of newly pregnant moms, especially moms that were thin going into their pregnancies. If you have gained more weight than you planned to, try not to worry. During the second trimester, you should be gaining 1-2 pounds per week. Work on a menu plan with a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as plenty of water. You only need to be eating an extra 200 to 300 calories during your pregnancy. If you have been overeating or caving into cravings for sweets, you can try substituting some of the sweets for healthier snacks like fruit smoothies or skim milk.
Fun Facts About Having Twins
- According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2003, 31.5 out of every 1,000 births were twins.
The rate of women having twins has increased by two-thirds since 1980.
In 2003, the US had 7,663 triplets or higher order multiples. This is the highest reported number of multiple births on record.
About 67 percent of twins were conceived naturally. Only 18 percent of triplets and higher-order multiples were conceived naturally.
About 1 in 250 births are identical twins.
If your mom or maternal grandmother was a fraternal twin or had fraternal twins, this may increase your chances of having twins. Identical twins are not believed to be hereditary.
Signs of Being Pregnant With Twins
Exaggerated pregnancy symptoms
Excessive weight gain or measuring big
Fast-rising hCG levels
Abnormal alpha-fetoprotein levels
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