extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

Will my babies need special care?

The main thing your babies need to focus on at this gestation is growing and gaining weight. They may need to stay a few days or weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), but not necessarily.

It may also occur that one baby goes straight to the maternity ward with you and the other one is left in special care. Twins born at 34 weeks will probably need help to learn to regulate temperature and master eating, and some will have breathing issues.

What happens to me if I go into preterm labor?

If you go into preterm labor steroid injections should be given before birth, maturing the lungs of your babies. The WHO also recommends that the mother is given antibiotics when her water breaks before the onset of labor, and magnesium sulfate to prevent future neurological impairment of the children.

You need to give birth at a medical facility equipped to deal with preterm babies.

Can I do something to help my babies?

Studies show that babies subjected to kangaroo care – frequent skin-to-skin contact – are more likely to maintain healthy body temperature, and show increased cardio-respiratory stability.

If you give birth to twins at 34 weeks, you and your partner will most likely be able to begin kangaroo care right after birth. Read about the importance of early involvement of fathers when it comes to the health and care of premature babies.

These fraternal twin girls were born at 33+0 weeks. They were born with fused placentas. Baby a was 4lbs, 6oz (1984 grams) & baby b was 3lbs, 5oz (1502 grams).

The first picture shows baby a in the incubator with oxygen, feeding tube taped to her chin and heart monitors on. Baby a was in the NICU for 24 days, baby b was in for 42 days.

Baby b’s breathing rate would drop, so she came home with an apnea monitor for 6 weeks. At 8.5 years, the only lasting complication is that both girls have low muscle tone, so they are behind in physical development.

Both receive occupational and physical therapy and have made lots of progress at this point.

These mo-di twin girls were born at 33+1 weeks. They were 4.9lbs (2222 grams) and 4.1lbs (1859 grams) at birth. A week prior to their delivery, the doctors felt that the placenta was breaking down, and their mothers blood pressure was starting to rise.

She already had pre-existing controlled high blood pressure. They admitted her to the hospital for 24-hour observation and gave her two steroid shots to help develop the baby’s lungs.

Both babies were both born rather healthy for their gestation. The only issues were maintaining body temperature, and the smaller twin – baby b – had to be on oxygen for a few weeks longer than her sister. Both had apnea spells.

They also needed to master how to eat and breathe at the same time. The doctors were surprised that the mother got so far considering her age (45), the pre-existing controlled high blood pressure and being extremely overweight. 

These boy/girl twins were born at 33+1 weeks in 2011. They weighed 4lbs (1814 grams) and 4lbs, 1oz (1842 grams) at birth. They were in the hospital for 3 weeks.

These identical twin boys were born at 33+1 weeks in 2005. They were 4lb, 1oz (1842 grams) and 4lb, 6oz (1984 grams) at birth. They had 3 weeks in special care. They have no health problems from being born prematurely.

These mo-di twin girls were born vaginally at 33+2 weeks in 1998. They were 4lbs, 2oz (1871 grams) 17 in (43 centimeters) and 4lbs, 11 oz (2126 grams) 17.5 in (44.5 centimeters) at birth.

Their mother was admitted at 32+4 weeks with SROM (spontaneous rupture of membranes). She was placed on IV antibiotics and magnesium sulfate, terbutaline injections and double treatment of betamethasone (steroid shot).

The twins were breathing on their own and spent 10 days in the NICU for weight gain, temperature maintenance, monitoring and bili lights (a type of light therapy used to treat newborn jaundice). They came home on apnea monitors but no other interventions.

There were no developmental delays. 

They’re no longer considered born very preterm. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), who subcategories preterm birth based on gestational age.

extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

What happens to twins born at 35 weeks?

Twins born at 35 weeks may not need any medical treatment. They may be able to go straight to the maternity ward with you. In most cases, they’re now able to breathe by themselves.

The main thing they need to do at this point is to grow and gain weight. They may need help with feeding, but not necessarily. The staff at the hospital should guide you and help you with breastfeeding when the time is right.

If you’re not able to breastfeed right away, it’s important that you start pumping. For the first few days, before your milk comes in, hand expression is often the most effective way to express colostrum.

Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce during pregnancy.  It’s much thicker than the milk that is produced when your milk comes in. It’s a yellowish or clear fluid and full of antibodies and immunoglobulins.

When your milk supply increases, it changes from colostrum to breast milk.

How big will my twins be?

Your babies measure approximately 46 centimeters (18.11 inches), when you’re 35 weeks pregnant with twins. The median weight for dichorionic twins in this week is 2486 grams (5lbs, 7oz).

For monochorionic twins, it’s 2386 grams (5lbs, 4oz). Have a look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how dichorionic and monochorionic twins grow in the second half of pregnancy.

Can I do something to help my babies?

Frequent skin-to-skin contact is good for both you and your babies. It comforts your babies and helps them adjust to the “new” world they’ve been born into.

Skin-to-skin contact is – among other things – also associated with a decreased likelihood of infection.

These identical twin boys were born at 34+1 weeks in 2017. They shared a placenta but had an unequal share, so one was 3lbs (1360 grams) at birth and the other 4lb, 3oz (1899 grams). They both went into Special Care straight after they were born.

The bigger twin just to help him regulate his temperature. He was back with his mom within a few hours after birth. The smaller twin was there just to gain weight, he had to be 4lbs (1814 grams) before he could come home.

The doctors were pleased with how healthy they both were. The smaller twin came home from special care after two and a half weeks. 

These fraternal boy-boy twins were born at 34+2 weeks. They were born via planned c-section due to growth issues with twin a. They weighed 3lb, 14oz (1757 grams) & 4lb, 6oz (1984 grams) at birth. 

They stayed in the NICU for 2 weeks to wean into bottles and grow. Twin 2 had slight jaundice, he was under a light for 2 days. Other than that, there were no complications, and the boys have no long term health issues from being born premature.

These mo-di twin boys were born at 34+0 weeks. One twin weighed 4lb, 12oz (2154 grams), the other twin weighed 3lbs, 6oz (1530 grams). Baby a was 5 days in the NICU,  and baby b was 14 days in the NICU.

They didn’t have any major issues, they just needed to grow and gain weight which they did really fast. Their mother had betamethasone shots before delivery, maturing the lungs of the babies. They didn’t have any breathing issues.

extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

Will my babies survive?

The majority of twins born at 29 weeks survive in high-income countries. Proper medical care is essential. The median weight for dichorionic twins at 29 weeks is 1367 grams (3lbs). For monochorionic twins the median weight is 1293 grams (2lbs, 13oz). Look at estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. Please be aware that monochorionic twins are consistently smaller than dichorionic twins.

What happens to me if I go into preterm labour?

If you go into preterm labour steroid injections should be given before birth, maturing the lungs of your babies. The WHO also recommends that the mother is given antibiotics when her water breaks before the onset of labour, and magnesium sulfate to prevent future neurological impairment of the children. You need to give birth at a medical facility equipped to deal with very preterm babies.

How will my babies be doing?

If your twins are born at 29 weeks, they’ll need to spend a few weeks or months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Twins born at 29 weeks require treatment with oxygen, surfactant, and mechanical assistance to help them breathe. They’ll need help eating. Some will be able to fed through a tube and others will be fed intravenously. The NICU staff will guide you regarding how and when to start breastfeeding, pumping and / or bottle feeding.

Read stories about different mothers who’ve given birth prematurely and at term.

extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

Are my babies ready to be born?

They’ve come quite far, but they still need to grow and gain weight. If your twins are born at 33 weeks, they’ll need to spend a few weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They have probably already begun practicing nursing inside your womb by sucking on their fingers and toes. Due to this some babies are born with red marks or blisters on their hands. However, they’ll need help eating in the beginning. The staff in the NICU will guide you on how to start breast- or bottle-feeding once your babies have fully developed sucking reflexes. The far majority of babies born at 33 weeks, will need help breathing.

What happens if I go into preterm labour?

If you go into preterm labour, steroid injections should be given before birth maturing the lungs of your babies. The WHO also recommends that the mother is given antibiotics when her water breaks before the onset of labour, and magnesium sulfate to prevent future neurological impairment of the children. You need to give birth at a medical facility equipped to deal with preterm babies.

How big will my babies be?

It’s hard to say how big your babies will be, as genetics and growth conditions in the womb play a significant role. The median weight for dichorionic twins born at 33 weeks is 2110 grams (4lbs, 10oz). For monochorionic twins it’s 2014 grams (4lbs, 7oz). Look at our estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how twins grow in the second half of pregnancy.

extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

What happens to twins born at 31 weeks?

Twins born at 31 weeks will need help breathing and eating. It’s very important that they gain weight and grow. Look at estimated twin fetal weight charts to learn more about what dichorionic and monochorionic twins weigh at this gestation. They’ll need to spend a few weeks or months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to receive the proper monitoring and care. The NICU staff should be able to guide you on how to start breast- or bottle feeding once your babies have developed sucking reflexes.

What happens if I go into preterm labour?

If you go into preterm labour, steroid injections should be given before birth maturing the lungs of your babies. The WHO also recommends that the mother is given antibiotics when her water breaks before the onset of labour, and magnesium sulfate to prevent future neurological impairment of the children. You need to give birth at a medical facility equipped to deal with very preterm twins born at 31 weeks.

Can I do something to help my babies?

Twins born at 31 weeks can recognize their mother’s voice as well as other familiar sounds. It’ll help your children if you spend as much time with them as possible, talking to them, and giving them frequent skin-to-skin contact. Be aware though that your children need to be in stable conditions before you’re able to hold them. You’ll probably be allowed to touch them, before you can hold them.

Read stories about different mothers who’ve given birth prematurely and at term.

This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO), who subcategories preterm birth based on gestational age.

extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

Will my babies survive?

The vast majority of twins born at 30 weeks survive in high-income countries. In low-income countries about half of the babies born at or below 32 weeks die.

Twins born at 30 weeks need to be born in a medical facility equipped to deal with preterm babies. Proper medical care is essential.

Your babies will need to spend a few weeks or months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They will need help breathing as well as eating.

The NICU staff will guide you on how to start breast- or bottle feeding once your babies have developed their sucking reflexes. They’ll also let you know when you’re able to hold your children.

They need to be in stable conditions first. It’s very likely that you’ll be able to touch them, before being allowed to hold them.

What happens to me if I go into preterm labor?

If you go into preterm labor steroid injections should be given before birth, maturing the lungs of your babies.

The WHO also recommends that the mother is given antibiotics when her water breaks before the onset of labor, and magnesium sulfate to prevent future neurological impairment of the children. 

Can I do something to help my babies?

Frequent skin-to-skin contact is good for your babies. This is also called kangaroo care.

Studies show that babies subjected to frequent skin-to-skin contact are more likely to maintain healthy body temperature, and show increased cardio-respiratory stability. Frequent skin-to-skin contact has also been associated with a decreased likelihood of infection and severe illness.

extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

How will my babies be doing?

Most babies have mature lungs by now. This means that your babies won’t need special help breathing, if they’re born at 36 weeks. However, since babies develop at different rates, there are exceptions to this. Many twins born at 36 weeks will be able to leave the hospital with their parents without having to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It depends on how they’re doing physically and whether they’re big enough. They also need to be able to eat on their own – either breastfeeding or bottle feeding.  Look at estimated fetal weight charts to learn more about how dichorionic and monochorionic twins grow in the second half of pregnancy. Dichorionic twins have their own placentas.  Monochorionic twins share a placenta.

When will I be able to breastfeed my babies?

You might be able to breastfeed straightaway. The staff at the hospital should be able to guide you. If you don’t breastfeed in the beginning, it’s important that you start pumping. For the first few days, before your milk comes in, hand expression is often the most effective way to express colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce during pregnancy.  If it’s difficult to breastfeed or pump, you might benefit from speaking with a lactation consultant. Ask if there’s a consultant employed at the hospital.

These di-di twin boys were born at 35+0 weeks in 2007. They were 5.5lb (2494 grams) & 5.3lb (2404 grams) at birth. They spent 2 weeks in the NICU – they needed help with temperature and feeding tubes. They have no long term issues due to being premature. 

These fraternal boy/girl twins were born at 35+4 weeks. The twin boy was 5lb, 10oz (2551 grams) at birth, and the twin girl was 4lb, 13oz (2182 grams). The girl didn’t go to the NICU, but the boy had to for 15 days. He was born with fluid in his lungs and also needed to maintain a certain temperature before he was able to be released.