Day 142 of 280, second trimester
You are 20 weeks and 2 days
Twins have been sharing a home in the uterus for a while now, but how do they relate to each other?
138 days until your due date
At 21 weeks, a baby's eyes are still closed but can sense light and dark, so twins can probably make out each other changing position and are becoming more aware of each other. Because memory starts developing around now, twins may begin to bond at this stage.
Ultrasound has shown plenty of contact between twins in the uterus, especially as space runs out. They've been seen touching, kicking, and trying to grab each other, and each reacts to the other's movements.
They don't necessarily behave the same way: one may prefer sucking his thumb while the other likes clutching his cord. Nor do they share the same body clock, so they may be active at different times. Even in the uterus, twins are already individuals.
Explainer
Watching twins interact
Contact between twins increases as pregnancy goes on, and because you'll have more scans with twins, you'll have plenty of chances to see them interacting.
Ask a Doctor
Can my baby feel anything when we have sex?
He may notice some movement and a change in your heart rate, but neither will harm him. He may move a lot during or just after sex; some women find this off-putting, but it doesn't mean he's uncomfortable, and of course he doesn't understand what's happening! If you have an orgasm, your uterus will tighten and you may have Braxton Hicks contractions, but again this isn't harmful.
Your baby is well protected by the amniotic fluid, and a plug of mucus seals the cervix during pregnancy, so semen can't enter the uterus, which helps guard against infection.
Appointments and key dates around now
- 20-week screening scanBetween 18 and 21 weeks
- Whooping cough vaccineUsually around 20 weeks, best before 32 weeks
Read the full 20 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.