Here’s what to expect when you are 29 weeks pregnant with twins:
Fetal Development
By 29 weeks in the twin pregnancy each of your twins is about 15″ (39 cm) long and averages the following measurements:
Head circumference: 11.25″ (286 mm)
Abdominal Circumference: 9.9″ (251 mm)
Femur Bone Length (about from the waist to knee): 2.15″ (55 mm)
Each baby is about the size of butternut squash.
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What to Expect
Typical weight gain for Mom at this point is about one pound per week (0.6kg).
(RELATED: Love podcasts? Check out the entire Dad's Guide to Twins Podcast archive for additional twin tips and interviews with twin dads.)
Pictures and Video
Here’s an ultrasound video of what you might see at 29 weeks pregnant with twins:
Belly picture at 29 weeks:
Picture by joncoxphoto.com
If Your Twins Were Born This Week
Your twins are early preterm and the odds of survival are better than weeks past. However, twins born during the 29th week still risk major medical complications. They could spend weeks, if not months, in the NICU. Twins born this week average a hospital stay of about 60 days.
Here are the experiences of a few of your fellow twin parents:
Tim J.’s twins, born at 29 weeks 4 days, weighed 3 pounds 5 oz and 3 pounds 7 oz and spent almost 7 weeks in the NICU. Their time in the NICU was spent helping with feeding, regulating their temps, gaining weight, and keeping their oxygen levels regulated. They had a few episodes where they would stop breathing and have to be stimulated to keep breathing otherwise they were breathing room air in the first couple of days.
Marie’s twins were born at 29 weeks and one stayed 7 weeks and one 8 weeks in the NICU.
(RELATED: Still looking for the right twin gear? See my Twin Baby Gear Essentials.)
Natascha S.’s twins spent 8 weeks in the NICU after being born at 29+4.
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What to Prepare This Week
When Mom is 29 weeks pregnant with twins, set aside some time to talk to your parents. Your twins’ grandparents can help with your twins. They just aren’t sure how or what you want. Talk frankly with them about what you need and what they can do when the twins are born.
Your Fellow Parents at 29 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Christina C. – “Feeling sore. Twin b/b keep kicking and punching each other.”
(RELATED: Check out the Dad's Guide to Twins Youtube channel for additional helpful twin tips and tricks videos.)
Niquil – “Mom is feeling achy and sore. Back is starting to hurt and she is complaining of struggling to sleep”
Precious P. – “Just vomiting and leg cramps”
D’Andro S. – “Can’t sleep – backache on and off”
Bethel N. – “Constant contraction and abdominal pain.”
Dad’s Thoughts
By the time Mom reaches 29 weeks pregnant with twins, you’re concerned about how to juggle the time demands of twins and other children. Balancing a suddenly larger family is difficult but you can do it. If you think through the logistics before the twins arrive, you’ll be better off when they arrive.
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Still wondering how to prepare for your twins? I cover specific things you should know and prepare for in my Dad’s Guide to Twins book. Learn more about the book here.
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Sources: When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy by Dr. Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein and Babycenter’s Average fetal length and weight chart
