Parents-to-be wait with bated breath to hear their babies are full term, and rightfully so! It’s a highly significant milestone, and you’re just about there. While 37 weeks is the point at which babies are considered full term, there are still advantages to staying pregnant longer if it’s safe and advisable in your specific circumstance.
There are many reasons why birth happens around 37 weeks, and in many cases, sooner is the safer option for multiples. Every pregnancy is unique and the timing of birth is a decision best made after thorough discussion with your provider. So do ask questions and play an active role in the decision making around your plan for these babies’ arrivals.
Let’s explore what you can expect this week and make sure you have your ducks in a row before bringing your babies home. After all, it’s just around the corner!
How are the babies?
Multiples are undergoing the same developmental changes as singletons during this period of gestation.
Your babies have most likely reached their full height by now, though they continue to gain about an ounce each day. They have lost most of their lanugo, the fine hair that previously covered their bodies. They’ve also shed most of the vernix caseosa, which is a waxy substance that has been protecting their skin during pregnancy.
They’re practicing using their respiratory systems by using their diaphragms as if they were breathing. Their lungs are preparing to absorb and expel the fluid they’ve been in to make way for the air they will depend upon after birth. And their nervous systems have kicked into full gear — they’ve now developed all the reflexes they’ll have when they’re born.
Your babies weigh close to 6 lbs now and are about as long as a head of romaine lettuce!
How are you doing?
Chances are, you’re thinking a lot about birth these days. You may also be growing weary of frequent appointments. You’re almost done with them! If you haven’t already, now is the time to discuss the babies’ birth route: will you labor and birth vaginally? Or will you have a scheduled Cesarean section (C-section)? Common considerations when determining this include your babies’ positions, how their placentas are arranged, if either has any specific health concerns, and your personal preference. It is a lot to put together, and you may have a lot of questions. It’s your right to ask all of them and fully understand the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family. So don’t be afraid to ask!
While the frequent appointments can be tiring, this is the point in pregnancy when complications arise more commonly. The extra monitoring is to keep you and your babies safe! Contact your doctor right away if you notice any changes between appointments that you feel need to be addressed.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Multifetal gestation: Twin, triplet, and higher order multifetal pregnancies.” National Guideline Clearinghouse. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, May 2014. Retrieved May 15 2021.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Twin pregnancy: What multiples mean for mom.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, December 13 2014. Retrieved May 15 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/twin-pregnancy/art-20048161.
- “FAQ: Multiple pregnancy.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, July 2015. Retrieved May 15 2021.
