Babies’ Growth.
During this month, your babies grow very rapidly, each gaining about three and a half ounces for a total weight of about 4.25 ounces. The body length of each twin can triple to be about six and a half inches by the end of the sixteenth week. Your babies’ kidneys will have formed and begin to function, excreting urine into the amniotic fluid. The twins’ heartbeats can also be heard during this month. Your babies move around actively within the uterus, stretching their arms and kicking their legs, but these movements may still be too faint for you to feel.
Mother’s Changes.
Between the third and forth months, your uterus also grows rapidly, rising out of the pelvis. It can be felt halfway between the umbilicus and the pubis by the sixteenth week. For this reason, many women find that they can no longer wear their normal skirts and slacks, and looser clothing becomes a practical necessity at this time. You may feel the urge to urinate more often because of the pressure of the growing uterus on your bladder. If your doctor has recommended an amniocentesis, it is usually performed between the fourteenth and sixteenth weeks. As with a singleton pregnancy, there are certain foods to avoid, such as large fish that contain mercury, sushi, soft cheeses, and deli meats. It can be a confusing time as you ponder whether getting your hair highlighted will also affect the babies. (To answer most of your concerns, read: Pregnancy’s Limitations: What Can You Do?) As you begin to prepare for the future, now is a good time to ask your physician for a referral to a lactation consultant. You may want to visit with her again as delivery nears for a refresher course.
Multiple Facts.
- The biggest disadvantage multiples (as compared to singletons) have is their growth pattern. Whereas an unborn singleton’s weight climbs until forty weeks’ gestation before slowing down, in multiples, this slowing down of the growth rate occurs much earlier—typically after thirty-four weeks for twins.
- Women age thirty or older are significantly more likely to carry their twins for at least thirty-five weeks than are younger women.
Diet and Weight Gain.
Week thirteen marks the beginning of the second trimester—defined as the fourth, fifth, and sixth months of pregnancy. Your twins have now “graduated” from embryo to fetus status. The main difference between the embryonic and fetal periods is that no new organs are being formed. Your babies’ growth is mainly an increase in size. An adequate intake of iron is very important during this middle trimester, as is fiber. Also, take the supplement with food and juice—orange juice, high in vitamin C, helps with iron absorption. Foods rich in iron and the highest source of iron usually come from animals, for example, liver, kidneys, and red meats have the highest levels. If you need to take iron supplements, make sure they contain ferrous sulfate, but remember to drink lots of water and eat raw fruits and veggies for fiber as the supplements often cause constipation. Other sources of iron-rich food include:
- Fortified dry cereals (Total and Product 19 have 18 mg)
- Cream of Wheat (8 mg)
- Beans: red kidney, pinto, black-eyed peas, lentil (between 3 and 5 mg)
- Apricots (.5 mg per two apricots)
- Prune juice (4.5 mg)
- Figs (3 mg per five figs)
- Raisins (2.5 mg per half cup)
- Fortified whole wheat breads (.5 mg per slice)
- Spinach (2 mg iron per serving)
- Watermelon (3 mg per small slice)
- Peanut butter (2 mg per four tablespoons)
- Eggs (2 mg for two eggs)
Eating for Three.
Here is a recipe particularly rich in iron and fiber.
Fajita Steak Salad
- 1/2 pound beef flank steak (or other lean cut of beef)
For fajita marinade and dressing:
- 1 cup mild taco sauce
- 1/2 cup canola or flaxseed oil
