Pregnancy Countdown Tool: Week 8

Hearing that you’re expecting twins, triplets or more can feel exciting, worrying or somewhere in between. However you feel right now is completely valid.

There’s a lot of information to take in, and you don’t have to do it alone. Twins Trust is here to support you throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

How are my babies developing?

Each of your babies is now called a fetus. They sit inside an amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid. This fluid cushions your babies so they can grow and move. They can also breathe in and swallow this fluid as they develop.

At eight weeks, all the main organs are in place and your babies’ unique fingerprints are starting to form.

How am I changing and what do I need to know this week?

Your booking appointment

You may already have a date for your booking appointment and dating scan with your midwife. The dating scan usually happens between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.

You and your partner may have many questions. It can help to start writing them down now so you can take them to your appointment.

Your midwife wants you to feel informed and reassured, so you don’t need to worry or hold back. No question is too small if it matters to you.

At your booking appointment, your midwife will ask about your health and medical history, your partner’s health and both of your families’ medical history. This can include inherited conditions and any mental health history.

If you can, speak with family members before your appointment to gather information. Family history can influence the care that you and your babies are offered.

Nutrition

Alongside eating a healthy, balanced diet, you’re usually advised to take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. This supports your babies’ developing nervous systems and helps reduce the risk of neural tube conditions such as spina bifida.

Vitamin D is also important in pregnancy. Most pregnant women are advised to take a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement from early pregnancy until their babies are born. If you’re unsure what to take, speak to your midwife, GP or pharmacist.

Physical changes

You may notice your tummy starting to change shape and you may feel bloated. The hormone progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle tissue throughout your body. This can lead to more wind, bloating and slower digestion.

You might find it helps to:

• Eat small meals regularly
• Wait at least an hour before lying down after a meal
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing
• Avoid foods that trigger indigestion, such as rich, spicy or fatty foods
• Sleep propped up on a couple of pillows at night

It’s also common for your breasts to feel fuller or more tender. Your nipples and the darker circles around them (areolae) may look larger and darker. These are normal changes in early pregnancy.

To relieve nausea symptoms, you could try:

• Nibbling on a dry cracker or biscuit
• Eating little and often
• Staying hydrated with ice cubes, ice lollies or small, frequent sips of drinks
• Using motion or travel sickness bands
• Trying ginger, such as ginger biscuits, ginger tea, ginger ale or grated root ginger in hot water

Emotional changes

You might feel your emotions are all over the place. One moment you may feel pleased to be pregnant with multiples and the next you may feel worried, tearful or numb. Rising levels of oestrogen and progesterone can have a big effect on mood, and these levels are often higher in a multiple pregnancy.

As your hormone levels settle, usually by the second trimester, many people notice their mood feels a bit steadier, although everyone is different.

Talking about how you feel can make a real difference. You might choose to speak with your partner, a trusted friend or family member, or call the Twins Trust Helpline which is run by parents of twins, triplets or more. You can also speak to your midwife or GP if you’re finding things hard. They can offer support and if needed, refer you for extra help.

Try not to judge yourself for having mixed emotions. A multiple pregnancy can feel intense and can bring big changes. It may take time to process everything, and needing that time is completely normal.

Your healthcare options

It’s helpful to explore the hospitals and maternity units in your area so you know what’s available. When you’re expecting multiples, a hospital birth is usually recommended so specialist care is close by if needed.

You can read about maternity services and compare hospitals on the NHS website, including feedback from the NHS Friends and Family Test.

How can Twins Trust help me?

Good-quality information can help you feel more confident and prepared. At Twins Trust, we work with healthcare professionals and parents of twins, triplets or more to create accurate, practical resources for you.

Each week, the Pregnancy Countdown Tool points you to support, information and ideas to help you get ready for life with your babies.