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Development Times Two
From Womb to Delivery Room with Twins
By Renee Roberson
Dr. Schapiro says that sometimes identical twins form in the same sac, but that can prove to be risky for the fetuses, as the blood supply from the placenta may travel more to one baby over another. If twins share the same sac it could also lead to the umbilical cords getting tangled as well.
During this important time of development, moms are encouraged to take in an extra 600 calories each day from healthy foods with plenty of calcium, protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Only one prenatal vitamin is needed daily, as too much vitamin A could lead to heart defects in the babies.
About seven weeks into the pregnancy with twins, the babies' genitalia begin to form, and about a week after that, the eyes, ears, mouth, lips, tongue, arms, fingers, knees and toes have formed as well, Dr. Schapiro says. At around 11 weeks, the twin scan be called fetuses, and each are about 4 inches long at this point.
The babies will begin coordinated movement around 14 weeks, and the placentas (or placenta) have finished forming and are fully functional, with simple sugars, protein, fat, water, vitamins and minerals passing through them.
Not surprisingly, a woman carrying twins is going to measure larger than a woman carrying a singleton throughout the pregnancy. Around 20 weeks, the babies will begin to develop hair on their head, eyebrows, fingernails and toenails. In a healthy pregnancy, they will continue to gain weight and length at this point.