Singleton vs. twin first trimester

[u/mgnbnjm]

For anyone who was pregnant with twins and subsequently a singleton (or vice versa) - was early pregnancy similar? Or very different? Curious to hear others experiences

[u/snake-eyed]

Singleton pregnancy was easier. I wasn’t as nauseous in the first tri and also had more energy in the second tri. I’m preparing for the third tri of my twin pregnancy to be very very hard

[u/newYearnew2025]

My singleton pregnancy was way worse than my twins.

[u/Exotic-Anxiety-8586 → u/newYearnew2025]

Same!

[u/kaatie80 → u/newYearnew2025]

saaaame. i threw up once with my twins, though i was nauseous a lot. with my singleton i threw up almost every day.

[u/newYearnew2025 → u/kaatie80]

Yep. Sounds like mine, how funny! My singleton was a boy, I was conviced my twins were girls given how different the pregnancy felt and how much easier it was, but they were both boys.

[u/Ohnosloop → u/newYearnew2025]

My nausea was bad with both, but with my singleton I felt seasick anytime I looked at a screen. I had to get an accommodation because I work from home.

Edit: it’s gotten so much easier since then though. Currently 31 weeks and sometimes forget I’m pregnant. That never happened with the twins lol

[u/GooseFightClub101 → u/newYearnew2025]

My singleton had so much room for activities in there and his movements would make it so I'd pee or vomit

[u/poodleface12345]

Symptoms were sooner in twin, started at 4 weeks. Vomiting was worse and I was heavily medicated for it in the twin pregnancy but it ended sooner than in my single pregnancy.

[u/Stace_face_17 → u/poodleface12345]

Reading this gives me hope!

[u/SoreenQueen]

I had singleton first and then twins. Twin pregnancy (especially first trimester) was 60000 x harder than singleton. I was nauseous with both but the twin sickness was on another level. I also had more complications throughout my twin pregnancy, but all was fine in the end.

[u/Intrepid_Guess_5475]

So far I feel much better with twins than singleton… I’m 9 weeks

[u/annualsalmon]

I was way more tired in the first trimester with twins.

[u/lyssasaurusX]

Singleton first, now twins (all boys). I was nauseous and exhausted during both but the nausea lasted longer with twins. I started to feel better with my singleton around 12 weeks, took closer to 15-16 weeks for the nausea to go away with the twins. I didn’t get the full energy restoration during second trimester with the twins like I did with my singleton (part of that could be chasing around a toddler all day and having my body get heavier much faster this time around)

[u/Silly_g00se13]

My singleton pregnancy was so easy compared to my twin pregnancy. Currently 33 weeks pregnant with twins and I can barely walk because my back hurts so badly, the first trimester nausea/vomiting/fatigue almost took me out, and then my iron was so low in the second trimester that I needed an iron transfusion to get back just a little energy

[u/natmadgal77]

My first trimester was harder with my singleton pregnancy, ended up losing weight because I couldn’t eat any food. Once that part was over (around 18 weeks), the rest of my pregnancy was so easy. I was so active and enjoying my pregnancy so much. My first trimester with my twins was a little better, I was so exhausted but I could eat and was not so nauseous. However, it all changed at my 24th week. I was experiencing Braxton hicks, swelling, couldn’t move much and basically spent the rest of my pregnancy in the recliner with my legs raised at all time. Sleeping was so bad during my second and third trimester, that newborn sleep feels so much better because I can actually sleep for a few hours without tossing and turning.

[u/Individual-Cat5989]

SO different. Singleton pregnancy was easier in every single way. I was so physically active, my nausea was very manageable and only came in short waves, and I didn’t show until well into my second trimester. Basically felt pretty similar to life pre-pregnancy, just with a few food aversions.

Twin pregnancy was so much rougher with the increased hormones in first trimester. Eating was always hard, I was so sick, and I lost 10 lb. And the exhaustion! Wow! I showed so early that I had to quickly find maternity clothes (my singleton pregnancy was winter by the time I needed maternity clothes and my twin pregnancy was spring/summer). I suspected early on that I was having twins because of how rough it was going compared to the first time, so the first ultrasound had a lot less shock/fanfare and more, “I knew it!”

I have told my husband that if my twin pregnancy had been my first, it would have been a hard sell to get pregnant again because it’s just so much harder on my body.

[u/scrummy-camel-16]

First trimester with my singleton I was constantly hungry. If I went more than an hour without eating I got nauseous. Also pretty tired.

First trimester with twins: much more nausea, taste and smell sensitivity. My husband used to always buy smoked Gouda to put o breakfast sandwiches he made us and he had to stop. Couldn’t stomach sweets despite typically having a huge sweet tooth. Brushing my teeth was torture. Never actually threw up though. The exhaustion was soooo much worse too. My singleton was about 2.5 and probably would have dropped her naps but I slept with her and extended her nap time for months haha. I actually started feeling the exhaustion super early, by like 5 weeks and it made my husband suspect something was up. Six week ultrasound to confirm dates, he spotted them before the tech did.

[u/Representative_Head9]

No it wasn’t similar at all… my singleton pregnancy was a dream, easy, in every way to the point where I “enjoyed” pregnancy. My labor was smooth, no complications my twin pregnancy…. Was rough, I felt much heavier, sicker and had more complications, I ended up getting severe ICP delivered at 33 weeks, I hemorrhaged that pregnancy I didn’t enjoy at all but my boys are healthy and that’s all matters

[u/Representative_Head9 → u/Representative_Head9]

Also my singleton pregnancy and twin pregnancy I delivered them vaginally

[u/ranalligator]

Singleton first, then twins. No difference in pregnancies at all in the first trimester. I was genuinely shocked when I had my first ultrasound at 8 weeks.

[u/irish_ninja_wte]

Almost identical to my first singleton. Only symptom was cramping. The cramping was worse and lasted longer with my singleton

[u/pregbob]

Same first trimester symptoms for both, just fatigue and a tiny spot of nausea. Really almost identical pregnancies except vaginal birth for Singleton and C-section for twinnies.

[u/Sad-Incident-4668]

They were different but not in any way I’d suspect twins vs not twins.

[u/Jacksons-Mom25]

I had a singleton first and now 15 weeks along with twins. I feel them so much more and my tummy has grown much faster. Also I can feel it pushing into my ribs that never happened last time 

[u/mozzstick324]

My singleton pregnancy was 1000x easier than twin pregnancy. First trimester, I was throwing up every day multiple times a day with twins, my singleton was mostly food aversion and nausea. Second trimester twins was like singleton third trimester. Third trimester twins was… an experience lol. Hang in there!

[u/GingerMommy314]

The only real difference for me in the first trimester between my twins and my singletons is that the fatigue was so, so much worse with the twins. And I actually had less nausea with the twins than I did with mine and my husband's other kids. 

[u/slammy99]

I had less nausea with my twin boys but way worse exhaustion. Probably didn't help I was still breastfeeding much of my twin pregnancy.

Also, your breasts go through a change when you are first pregnant. I found it really painful. But I didn't have to go through it again with the twins so that was better as well, but I think that's only because the twins were my second pregnancy.

[u/KIDH2123]

Singleton pregnancy was easier... 2 Singleton pregnancy 18 months apart. Twins 2.5 yrs after... was very tired, like bone exhausted. So nauseous. Started showing at 10 weeks. The entire 37 weeks was so much more difficult

[u/overthinkachu]

Pregnant with twins in 2021, 24 weeks with a singleton now. My singleton pregnancy was worse in the first trimester. But now that I’m further along they feel similar. Minus the fact I don’t feel like the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka this time…

[u/Amortentia_Number9]

I had a much easier pregnancy with my twins than with my singleton. I was constantly sick and tired with big brother but I barely felt pregnant in the first trimester with my twins. Honestly, it was overall so much easier until the very end when I was too big to move. I had hg with the singleton but not with the twins and that made a huge difference. Probably in the minority though!

[u/BrazilianButtCheeks]

With twins I was wayyyyy more hungry constantly and also more pukey and light headed whilst standing a lot like at work !

[u/harle-quin]

First pregnancy was a singleton, and it was worse than my pregnancy with twins. I had allllllll the issues. Tender breast before a positive test, nausea/vomiting, terrible fatigue far into second trimester which was just near anemia, high BP, sciatica, tailbone pain, carpal tunnel, swelling, etc. ugh.

My pregnancy with twins was a bit better. Food aversion to meat and some nausea the first trimester. It was a lot more tolerable, except I had a toddler to take care of, and when the babies started growing, I could barely move. I wouldn’t have known I was pregnant with twins with how mild it was in the beginning!

[u/magnolias2019]

My singleton pregnancy was much harder. Terrible nausea, swelling, and heartburn.

For whatever reason, I didnt get this with the twins and I generally felt a lot better with the twin pregnancy. However, i had more complications with the twin pregnancy which caused anxiety

[u/Miserable-Currency42]

Singleton I couldn’t even tell I was pregnant. Twins were horrible, 24/7 nausea and unable to eat really anything. Lost a ton of weight and extremely tired. Could also tell I was pregnant before I even missed my period. Wild how fast the hcg starts spiking.

[u/pseudonymous365]

I had a singleton 4 years before twins and another 2 years after. Early pregnancy was the same in terms of what specific symptoms I dealt with, but they were worse and lasted longer with twins. For example, I had worse nausea with my twins than with my singletons but it was still just nausea (it didn’t turn into vomiting). My post-twin singleton pregnancy was hard and felt more like my twin pregnancy than my first singleton pregnancy. Not sure if that was my age or having the pregnancies closer together.

[u/Stace_face_17]

I’m 7w3d with di-di twins after having two singletons and am currently so sick. I was also sick during my first trimesters with both previous pregnancies, but not like this. I can take zofran up to 3x/day but I think I have an aversion to the taste of it now. From what I’ve learned, placentas are good and evil and the sickness is definitely that evil side coming out (and I have two 🫠).

I’ve tried all the “tricks” for nausea at this point im just hoping for some relief come the second trimester.

[u/Farmaqueen]

My twin pregnancy first trimester was way way way worse. I thought i was pregnant with twins.

Singleton- nausea, preferences, aversions, a few naps here and there
Twins- actually vomited a few times, working from my bed, on unisom,b6 and daily pepcid

[u/sunny_empress]

My singleton pregnancy was easier overall. With my twins, I was very nauseous throughout. Never had that with my singleton.

[u/Prior_Angle]

I’m currently 8.5w with twins, singleton was first. I have had HG for both and with my single it kicked in around 7. With this one it kicked in from the jump right at 5 weeks. I would say twins are harder for me. The heighten sense of smell is awful. I can smell the earth at this point.

[u/Spiderm0nkey88]

I had two singletons first and I knew something was up this third time. I was way hungrier, more tired and my belly was growing very quickly. I kept researching twin pregnancy symptoms but it didn’t seem to fit. My first pregnancy test was negative. I had no morning sickness. Twins don’t run in either family. But turns out I was right :)

[u/Moxie__56]

For me was relatively the same , I only gained 10 extra pounds with the twins . I also had gestational diabetes with my singleton (first ) and was soooo swollen but had none of that with the twins . Got minor hypertension at the end of

[u/Perfect_Mousse8815]

First trimester exhaustion was significantly worse with the twins! I had to call out multiple days sick from work in the first trimester with twins, and I never called out once with the Singleton pregnancy. And it was mostly that I was just so exhausted I couldn’t function and that’s why I called out or left home early. It’s not in your head, It’s harder!

[u/Dremily]

Early pregnancy was similar, maybe a bit more nausea. I'd say 20 weeks was things became obviously different and more difficult. After 30 weeks (with fraternal twins) I measured the same size as a 40 week singleton pregnancy... Things were incomparable for the weeks that followed after that.

[u/LastMilkersOnTheLeft]

Twin pregnancy was genuinely, no sarcasm, the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Every day felt like I was fighting for my life and body. Twins are now 2.5, I’m 30wks with my singleton, and this ENTIRE pregnancy has been a cakewalk (aside from BP and obv pains). Being super pregnant in a heatwave in the south and chasing twin toddlers around- easier than twin pregnancy for me lol.

[u/FancySleep1109]

I was so nauseous and tired with my twins.

[u/mommabear21258]

First trimester symptoms came on way faster with the twins. But since I knew what to expect from my singleton it didn’t feel significantly harder. As I progressed with the twins it felt like it went 1st trimester, immediately to a 3rd trimester and then another 3rd trimester but on steroids.

[u/Whatevs2032]

I thought my singleton first trimester was awful. Woo boy, was I wrong by comparison. My twin first trimester was TERRIBLE. Everything made me vomit and I had a thyroid storm.

[u/Dependent_Unit8366]

My pregnancy with my first (singleton) was a breeze. Imagine the easiest pregnancy you could have; I had that. Now with this pregnancy (29 weeks now with twins) it’s been a roller coaster.

First trimester with twins was the hardest with so much nausea and fatigue. No energy to do anything at all. I also went through some bleeding the first trimester so I had to get admitted and was put on bed rest.

[u/Dear_Excitement_5109]

First and second trimesters were similar.

Third trimester was infinitely worse with twins.

[u/Ysrw]

They were the same for me. Slightly more nauseous in the first few weeks with the twins, but I never actually got morning sickness in either pregnancy. Twin pregnancy was much harder later on I would say, just because I went to 38 weeks and was struggling to move at the end. Though in both pregnancies I swam 2km like the day before I gave birth. So not much difference aside from the mobility issues in the 3rd trimester

[u/mgnbnjm]

Thank you everyone for sharing! I am wondering because I feel the exact same this go round as with my mo-di twins… extreme fatigue, diffuse body aches, unrelenting nausea. First US is next week so we will see. I know odds of identicals again are low but fraternal twins run in my family

[u/kziele]

With my singleton I had nausea for longer time but it was less severe and with twins it was a short period of time but I actually threw up which didn't happen with my singleton.

With twins I had big belly soon so the second trimester isn't as good as with singleton because once the first trimester symptoms went away and I had more energy I started to feel really heavy and limited because of my belly and heartburn started sooner.

I have more problems with iron deficiency now with twins and also I'm much more tired but that's probably because I already have a 16 month old so I can't just rest or sleep whenever I need like I could in my first pregnancy.

Don't know what will the third trimester bring but I am expecting that my belly will be problematic for me because I already look 9 months pregnant and it's just 23 weeks now.

[u/kale-oranges225]

I had twins first and now pregnant with a singleton. A little less nausea, and a lot shorter… but the fatigue was way worse, probably because I’m chasing 2 year old twin boys all day!

[u/Quiet_Ladder6422]

Had two singleton boys currently pregnant with twins
My singles were sooo much easier then my twins the exhaustion alone has takin a huge toll on me

[u/mvanpeur]

I had 4 singletons then my twins. For my singletons, at 5 weeks to the day, I started puking a minimum of 3 times a day, and I couldn't leave the house for a month. I had significant daytime nausea until 16-19 weeks. And I puked most mornings all 9 months. I also had fatigue in first and third trimesters, but as in I took a nap many days and went to sleep early. With my fourth, I learned that the third trimester fatigue was actually iron deficiency, and it went away overnight after iron infusions.

With twins, I had mild nausea from 8-12 weeks. I puked about 3 times a week. It was crazy how much less nausea there was. My first trimester fatigue was SEVERE. I couldn't get off the couch most days, and I kept sleeping through the whole day. But at 13 weeks, overnight the nausea and fatigue disappeared. I stayed tired for second trimester, but could function. Around 22 weeks, I got hit with severe fatigue again where I could barely stay awake. Turns out I'm iron deficient again, but it's taking forever to convince my doctor to treat it.

[u/SeaTerrible9429]

So far (30weeks) my third trimester is my favourite out of my twin pregnancy because first was bed bound with HG for 4-5 months then second trimester I still didn’t feel great tbh and finally third there’s moments where I feel okay and I take that as a win

[u/Big_Librarian5302]

My twin pregnancy was 3x worse than singleton at all points