23 Weeks Pregnant With Twins – Symptoms, Baby Growth & Ultrasound

Key Takeaways:

• At 23 weeks of pregnancy, you are in your sixth month of pregnancy – the second trimester.
• Doctors at 23 weeks can hear the heartbeat of the twins through a Doppler scan,
• Pregnant women may see a host of changes in the body, such as an increase in belly size, stretch marks, linea nigra, and darkening of the areolas.
• For some pregnant women, false contractions may start as a preparation for labour, while some may start a while later.
• Nursing pads to soak up leaking breast milk and nursing bras are some pregnancy essentials to buy.

You’ve made it to the 23rd week of your pregnancy – an important milestone, as both babies are continuing to grow, become more active, and develop the skills they will need after birth. Being 23 weeks pregnant with twins is another thrill – a thrill for not one but two babies in the womb. You are a week or so away from completing what is usually termed the honeymoon stage of the pregnancy. It is during this week that you and your babies will gain a majority of the weight and also develop stronger movements. You will soon move to the final trimester of the pregnancy. If you notice any sudden or weird symptom, bring this to your doctor’s attention soon.

The Growth of the Babies at 23 Weeks

The growth of your fraternal twins at 23 weeks in the womb will be relatively calm this week. Here are some common developments you may expect:

• Skin Development: The skin covering your 23-week twins around this time is still a bit thin and wrinkled since the fat deposits on the baby are yet to reach a quantity that can stretch the skin to a proper limit. That translucent red skin could make the babies look weird, but this will pass in the coming months.
• Heart Development: If you tried listening to the heartbeat of your little ones but had to wait for the ultrasound scans for that to happen, then you are in for a treat. Usually, around the 23rd week, the hearts of your twins or triplets will be stronger and will pump blood even more intensely. This can make it possible for you to hear the heartbeats by merely using a stethoscope. Your doctor can guide you on the same.
• Lungs Development: By this time, your twins or triplets will grow quite rapidly. One of the last organs that develop is the lungs; their lower airways will start developing (1). The lungs will start to produce a substance called surfactant, which will help their lungs to stay inflated. However, babies do tend to make attempts at breathing as they practice it inside the womb, making similar movements that they would mimic once they are out in the real world (2).
• Brain Development: With brain development reaching a significant milestone and eyes growing in strength, your babies may occasionally dream inside. This also manifests in rapid eye movement under their eyelid and random body movements.
• Twins Movement: Your twins’ daily routine would include moving the muscles in the fingers, toes, arms, and legs often, due to which you may feel more forceful movements (3). If you are thinking about 23 weeks pregnant with twins movement, remember that there is no universal number of kicks you should feel each day. Instead, pay attention to your babies’ usual pattern and discuss any concerning change with your doctor.

What Is the Size of the Babies?

Your babies will now mature from the size of a coconut to a wonderful mango. The growth would seem substantial when compared to how they were in the previous week. The length of the babies, when measured appropriately, would usually be somewhere around 28 to 36 centimetres, with weight around 500 grams (4). The size of twins or triplets would increase massively in the next couple of weeks.

Common Bodily Changes

Most women usually have a calm pregnancy in the 23rd week. Any changes that occur in the body are all a remnant of the previous weeks, carrying forward or growing in intensity.

• Heavy and Leaky Breasts: Your breasts will continue to grow in size to provide milk to the babies post-delivery. This will continue for a week or two, and then they will reach their full size. Some women might begin to secrete a yellowish-coloured leakage from their breasts, which is pretty thick which is called colostrum. Usually, it occurs early after birth so that the baby can have it right away. However, if it happens earlier, it is not a problem. The only discomfort you would experience is that your bra will be soaked.

• Hormonal Fluctuations: With your pregnancy rushing, the hormones lose control all over again and tend to fluctuate randomly. As a result, you may feel low and sad for nothing in particular, and then suddenly, you may be happy and deliriously cheerful for the rest of the day. Every day or week might seem unique in that aspect, and it is best to keep track of what you feel by journaling your thoughts.

• Preeclampsia and Swelling: Preeclampsia is a serious medical condition and can affect pregnant women at any time. One of the major signs of it is swelling that occurs rapidly. In other cases, swelling normally goes away in some time. This is termed oedema and strongly affects the legs. One of the major causes of this is reduced blood circulation since all the focus is on the uterus receiving the bulk of the supply. This kind of swelling can be handled by keeping your legs elevated and reducing the amount of sodium you consume as part of your diet.

Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy at 23 Weeks

The signs of a twin pregnancy at 23 weeks are quite evident. You will notice that some of the previous symptoms will appear again around this time.

• Blood Pressure: Your blood pressure may decrease or stay at a lower level as you are still in the second trimester. It will go back to normal in the third trimester.
• Breathlessness: Feeling short of breath is a common symptom in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. t could be due to anaemia (4).
• Braxton-Hicks Contractions: When pregnant with twins or multiples at 23 weeks, a rehearsal of labour starts at random times. You may experience false contractions that resemble labour. But there is no need to fret since these are not as intense as the actual labour contractions, but the usual Braxton Hicks ones.
• Back Pain: As if swelling of the arms and feet was not enough, your back will begin to hurt as well. And when pregnant with twins or triplets, there will be more pressure on your back. You may have back pain throughout the week, particularly in the lower region. Furthermore, the increasing weight, which makes it necessary for the vertebrae to bear the brunt of the load, may put that entire region under a stressful setting. Staying aware of it and keeping away from any activity that could increase the pressure further is your best bet to handle the situation effectively.
• Expanding Uterus: Your uterus will expand, too, shifting the internal organs and even pressing down on any nerves that are located in and around. 
• Bleeding Gums: Those earlier instances where you would spot blood in your mouth after brushing your teeth would reappear this week. With rampant growth inside your uterus, the blood circulation will increase, making the gums highly sensitive.

Twin Pregnancy – Belly at 23 Weeks

Your belly at 23 weeks pregnant will start showing the characteristics of a twin pregnancy belly. This means that in comparison to a singleton pregnancy at 23 weeks, your belly would measure a few weeks ahead of that time. But every pregnancy is different, and the belly size can be influenced by genes, by your height and weight as well. So there is no standard measure that you need to watch out for.

Weight gain at 23 weeks pregnant with twins will be around 10.4 to 15.4 kg (between 23 and 34 pounds) for a normal pre-pregnancy weight.

Twin Pregnancy at 23 Weeks – Ultrasound

On your 23 weeks pregnant with twins ultrasound, you can certainly take home the 23 weeks pregnant with twins pictures. Most scans around this stage are focused on ensuring that the fat deposits on the body and the weight gain are progressing as expected. Furthermore, you might notice the nipples making their initial appearance this week. The chances of seeing your babies respond to your voice or tummy rubs are also high.

What to Eat?

Diversity is the key in this week, making sure that the diet you intake has nearly every nutritional element you can think of in copious quantities. Iron, calcium, and numerous vitamins stay at the topmost priority as usual. Drinking water and other fluids should also be a thing to focus on.

Pregnancy Care Tips

Things might start getting a little discomforting around this week, but there’s nothing you cannot handle with a few simple tips.

Do’s

• Make use of nasal strips or humidifiers in your room to handle any instances of a stuffy nose.
• Begin investing in financing options for your children to get an early start on their future.

Don’t’s

• Avoid working for long hours without a break since it can make the swelling worse.
• Don’t refrain from grabbing some quick naps in the afternoon if you struggle to sleep calmly at night.

What You Need to Shop For?

You might already have most items in your possession by now, so you can hop out for a quick shopping of:

• Soft blankets or cuddly swaddles for the babies
• A journal to put down numerous thoughts about your pregnancy

When to Consult a Doctor?

Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following warning signs:

• Severe headache (6)
• Sudden swelling in your face or hands
• Change in your vision; blurriness
• Preterm labour symptoms, including lower backache before 37, Regular or frequent contractions, pressure on the pelvic region.
• Leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina
• Noticeable stop or decrease in the fetal movement
• High fever, chills, or pain
• Burning sensation while urinating

FAQ

1. 23 weeks pregnant with twins is how many months?

Pregnancy is often referred to in terms of trimesters, weeks, or months. When you are 23 weeks pregnant with twins, you are in the sixth month, i. e., the second trimester.

2. What should my twins’ movement feel like at 23 weeks?

The movements of your twins may feel like gentle kicks, flutters, rolls, or small jerky movements. These movements will become stronger over the coming weeks, but their frequency and pattern can vary between pregnancies.

3. Is it normal not to feel both twins moving equally at 23 weeks?

If you suddenly don’t feel any movement or there is a noticeable or persistent change in your babies’ usual movement pattern, it is advised to consult your obstetrician.

4. Can I exercise at 23 weeks pregnant with twins?

If yours is a normal pregnancy, you can continue moderate exercises at 23 weeks like walking and swimming. However, if your doctor has declared your pregnancy complicated and advised you bed rest, you may be advised to not engage in any exercise unless your obstetrician/doctor tells you to.

5. When should I worry about reduced twin movement?

Contact your obstetrician without any delay if your babies are moving less than usual, you cannot feel them moving, or their established movement pattern changes. Do not wait until the following day for advice.

As a mother-to-be, when you are 23 weeks pregnant with twins, movement of any kind inside your tummy could instantly make you feel connected with your babies. Cherish moments like these and create memories that you can recall later once your babies grow up.

Previous Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 22

Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 24

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Sources References

1. Mayo Clinic – Fetal development: The 2nd trimester

2. Pregnancy Birth and Baby – Pregnancy at week 23

3. Nemours KidaHealth – Pregnancy Calendar: Week 23

4. American Pregnancy Association – 23 Weeks Pregnant

5. Tommy’s – 23 weeks pregnant: baby’s development, feeling breathless and telling your employer

6. Cleveland Clinic – Twin Pregnancy