{"id":256659,"date":"2022-03-05T12:46:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-05T17:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/?post_type=article&p=256659"},"modified":"2025-07-29T11:46:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T15:46:37","slug":"nine-weeks-pregnant-with-multiples","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/256659\/nine-weeks-pregnant-with-multiples\/","title":{"rendered":"9 weeks pregnant with multiples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019ve known about your babies for a bit or just heard those hearts beating together for the first time, we excitedly welcome you to week 9! Let’s talk about what to expect when you’re nine weeks pregnant with multiples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an important week because your babies\u2019 body parts are now mostly formed, although they\u2019re far from being fully developed. From this point forward, your little ones will work on growing bigger and stronger in preparation for their grand entrance into the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do twins and other multiples happen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finding out you\u2019re expecting multiples can come as quite a surprise! Most multiple pregnancies aren\u2019t visible on an ultrasound until between 6 and 8 weeks of gestation, so likely, you\u2019ve only just caught wind of the news. It\u2019s normal to feel ecstatic, nervous, or just plain overwhelmed when you find out you\u2019re expecting multiples, especially if this is an unexpected surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple pregnancies happen in a few different ways. You\u2019ll get a better understanding of your babies\u2019 origin story when your provider identifies their arrangement within their sacs. Keep reading to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identical twins (triplets, and beyond) happen when a single fertilized egg (zygote) divides into two or more identical zygotes. Multiples who are identical have the same exact genetic material; this means they will be of the same physical sex, and their appearance will be, well, identical \u2014 or very close to it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of pregnancy happens simply by chance, so identical multiples do not run in families. Depending upon when in the process the zygote splits, your babies may share both layers of their sacs (amnion and chorion) and be in the same space as each other without any separating membrane. In this case, they would also share a single placenta. In other cases, they may have separate amniotic sacs (inner layers) but share the same chorion (outer layer of the sac). And in some cases, they may each have their own amnion, chorion, and placenta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fraternal multiples happen when more than one egg is released during ovulation, and each is fertilized by a different sperm cell. Because fraternal multiples come from their own eggs, they\u2019re no more similar genetically than other full siblings. Fraternal twins, triplets, and even quadruplets have their own placentas and amniotic sacs, as well as chorionic sacs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, it\u2019s possible you could be carrying a mix of identical and fraternal multiples! For example, if one egg split in half but you released multiple eggs during ovulation, you could have two identical (twins) and one fraternal triplet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your babies up to this week?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your little ones have developed identifiable limbs and lost their embryonic tails, making them clearly recognizable as babies on an ultrasound. At 9 weeks, they are just shy of an inch long and weigh approximately 0.07 ounces each \u2014 roughly the size of a cherry! Their hearts are pumping, and they\u2019ll continue to grow rapidly as the weeks progress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can I expect from a twin or multiple pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s perfectly normal to feel a wide range of emotions when you first find out you\u2019re expecting multiples. You likely envisioned one baby, and it can understandably take time to adjust to the news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twin or multiple pregnancies require a bit more monitoring, which often means more frequent appointments, typically later in pregnancy. Twins and multiples can pose a higher risk of certain complications, so it\u2019s important to keep up with your appointments and listen to your provider\u2019s recommendations for a healthy pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that women who are carrying multiples are likely to have more severe early pregnancy symptoms as compared with singleton pregnancies. This could mean increased nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue. Listen to your body and rest as needed. Fortunately, these symptoms most often recede after the first trimester. You\u2019re almost there!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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