Identical Twins
Identical twins (monozygotic) occur when a single egg, fertilized by a single sperm, splits into two identical halves. Two separate babies with identical DNA are formed. Identical twins are always the same sex and blood type. They almost always share the same placenta but may also have two separate placentas. Depending on when the egg splits usually determines if identical twins will share the same placenta, and/or chorions and amnions. Twins are always identical when they share the same amnion and chorion.
Identical twins can be strikingly similar in their appearance, but this is not always true due to environmental factors and not genetics alone. Many identical twins are relatively easy to tell apart. Although, plenty of parents of twins will have to resort to twin DNA testing to know for sure. Also known as a twin zygosity test, this will determine if your twins are identical or fraternal with staggering accuracy. This DNA testing for twin zygosity is easily done by taking swabs from the mouths of each twin and then sending to a lab for analysis. There are many "at home" tests available for purchase on the web.
Another curiosity are identical twin fingerprints. Identical twin fingerprints will never be exactly the same. Even though identicals share the same DNA, you must keep in mind all of the environmental factors in the womb during development (blood pressure, growth rate, etc.). Fingerprints of identical twins will have similar patterns for sure, but there will nevertheless be differences.
An additional question on the topic of identical twins will typically be, "Why identicals?". Currently, the scientific community does not have a definitive answer to why one egg splits, but they do consider identical twinning to be non-hereditary. Meaning, having twins in your family will make no difference in the possibility of conceiving identical twins. Identical twins seem to occur randomly throughout the population without rhyme or reason.
Fun Fact: From a scientific point of view, the children of identical twins are the genetic equivalent of half-siblings rather than cousins. So, if identical twins marry another set of identical twins, then the resulting children would be the genetic equivalent of full siblings!
Fraternal Twins
Fraternal twins (dizygotic) occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Two separate babies with no more in common than siblings born at different times are formed. Fraternal twins can be the same sex and/or blood type. They always have separate placentas, but their placentas may fuse together during the course of pregnancy and appear as one at birth. Fraternal twins will never share the same amnion and chorion. Twins that are male and female and/or have different blood types can easily be determined as fraternal. Lastly, fraternal twins may be due to hereditary influences.
Fraternal twins can share many similarities in appearance just like any brother or sister of the same family. Though, I have known fraternal twins that were, in fact, difficult to tell apart. A great example of this are the famous Olsen twins (a.k.a. Mary Kate and Ashley), who claim to be fraternal twins. Generally though, fraternals are distinct enough to recognize who is who with ease. And it's a no brainer when they are of different sexes.
Now, on to the "why" factor. Fraternal twins are actually the most common type of twinning. While identical twins happen for no apparent reason, fraternal twins come about due to a number of factors. Because the ovary's malfunction of releasing two or more eggs at one time (hyper-ovulation) may be inherited, it is common to have a several sets of fraternal twins throughout many generations in one family. These fraternal twins are generally considered hereditary.
It's a common misconception that twins only come down through the mother's side. This only holds true when the father is the one with twins in the family or is a twin himself and he is also the one trying to conceive twins. To put it a bit more simply, the male only provides the sperm, whereas, the female is the one who either ovulates two eggs (fraternal twins) or one egg that splits (identical twins). That's why a woman can still inherit the hyper-ovulation gene from a grandmother, aunt, etc. on her father's side. But her father would not have had any hereditary chance of having twins himself when he had his child/children. In this situation, any possibility of hereditary fraternal twins would have to come from the mother's side.
An added reason for having fraternal twins is the age of the mother at conception. The chance of fraternal twins is more prevalent in women 35 years of age and older. And yet another growing cause of fraternal twins is the use of fertility treatments. If you are undergoing these treatments, your doctor will have already informed you of the possibility of a multiple birth.
Fun Fact: There are basically five common variations of twinning. The most common type of twinning is fraternal, male-female twins. This particular combination makes up approximately 40 percent of all twins born, followed by fraternal girls, then fraternal boys. After that, there's identical girls, then identical boys. The latter being the least common type of twinning of the five mentioned here.
It should also be noted that there are more twin pregnancies documented in women of African decent and less in women of Asian decent.
By Kellie Asaro: Mom-treprenuer, Author, Designer of Twin Clothing & Gifts
Kellie is the proud mother of identical twin boys and a daughter. She is the founder and author of [http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com]http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com, a wonderful resource for parents and families who have or are expecting twins. She also owns Trends In Twos - [http://www.trendsintwos.com]http://www.trendsintwos.com, a chic boutique specializing in clothing and gifts for twins and their families.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kellie_Asaro http://EzineArticles.com/?Identical-Or-Fraternal-Twins?&id=1181871
By Kellie Asaro
P.S. : Are they identical twins or fraternal twins and what is the difference? This is certainly one of the most asked questions by parents of twins and the general public in regard to twins.
Breastfeeding Twins Can Be Made Into An Enjoyable Task!
Having twins is double celebration! However, breastfeeding twins is double hard work! Twins means double tantrums. But, if you know how to handle two tiny tots simultaneously, they give you some of the most wonderful moments of life!
One of the challenges of having two babies is overcoming breastfeeding problems. Will they get hungry together? Will you have to feed them one by one? There are lots of breastfeeding questions lingering in the minds of new moms. Here are some ways to help you handle the task of breastfeeding twin babies.
Making A Breastfeeding Chart
Prepare a visual chart of breastfeeding. This will help you know the time to feed your baby, by just looking at her. In case of twins, you need to prepare two charts. You should talk to your doctor regarding chart preparation. In addition to this, you need to discuss about baby food and baby formula that is right for your baby. It is best to give your milk, instead of giving baby formula for the initial months.
Your chart consists of columns like feeing time, meals fed, amount fed, and other such important details. This way, you will get an idea of the frequency of meals and the time your babies are hungry.
Remember; as your baby reaches 7-12 months of age, she will develop her own taste in food. You have twins does not mean, both of them will develop the same taste. There are common cases where twin have contrasting tastes and behavior. One of them may suck more milk than the other, or have different meal timings. The chart will help you keep a track on your twins' feeding.
Handling Twins' Call Of Hunger
A smart mom will always prepare her baby food in advance. This way, your babies get food instantly when they call for hunger and need not wait and wail loudly. It's a good idea to prepare baby food at home. It's fresh and hygienic, plus loaded with nutrients. Besides this, the food is free of preservatives and is of good quality. If you don't want to create a hubbub in the house by two screaming babies, prepare baby food in advance!
Take the help of your doctor or midwife regarding positions for breastfeeding. You can buy breastfeeding tops as well as breastfeeding cover to ease in this task. Read articles and books on breastfeeding twins and enjoy the task! [http://www.pregnancy-period.com/feedingtwins.html]Breastfeeding twins is no problem, once you master the art of handling them. In fact, you will enjoy the task and have no [http://www.pregnancy-period.com/breastfeeding_problems.html]breastfeeding problems. For more information visit [http://www.pregnancy-period.com]pregnancy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Apurva_Shree [http://ezinearticles.com/?Breastfeeding-Twins-Can-Be-Made-Into-An-Enjoyable-Task!&id=1026471 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Breastfeeding-Twins-Can-Be-Made-Into-An-Enjoyable-Task!&id=1026471
By Apurva Shree
P.S.: Having twins is double celebration! However, breastfeeding twins is double hard work! Twins means double tantrums. But, if you know how to handle two tiny tots simultaneously, they give you some of the most wonderful moments of life!
One of the challenges of having two babies is overcoming breastfeeding problems. Will they get hungry together? Will you have to feed them one by one? There are lots of breastfeeding questions lingering in the minds of new moms. Here are some ways to help you handle the task of breastfeeding twin babies.
Making A Breastfeeding Chart
Prepare a visual chart of breastfeeding. This will help you know the time to feed your baby, by just looking at her. In case of twins, you need to prepare two charts. You should talk to your doctor regarding chart preparation. In addition to this, you need to discuss about baby food and baby formula that is right for your baby. It is best to give your milk, instead of giving baby formula for the initial months.
Your chart consists of columns like feeing time, meals fed, amount fed, and other such important details. This way, you will get an idea of the frequency of meals and the time your babies are hungry.
Remember; as your baby reaches 7-12 months of age, she will develop her own taste in food. You have twins does not mean, both of them will develop the same taste. There are common cases where twin have contrasting tastes and behavior. One of them may suck more milk than the other, or have different meal timings. The chart will help you keep a track on your twins' feeding.
Handling Twins' Call Of Hunger
A smart mom will always prepare her baby food in advance. This way, your babies get food instantly when they call for hunger and need not wait and wail loudly. It's a good idea to prepare baby food at home. It's fresh and hygienic, plus loaded with nutrients. Besides this, the food is free of preservatives and is of good quality. If you don't want to create a hubbub in the house by two screaming babies, prepare baby food in advance!
Take the help of your doctor or midwife regarding positions for breastfeeding. You can buy breastfeeding tops as well as breastfeeding cover to ease in this task. Read articles and books on breastfeeding twins and enjoy the task! [http://www.pregnancy-period.com/feedingtwins.html]Breastfeeding twins is no problem, once you master the art of handling them. In fact, you will enjoy the task and have no [http://www.pregnancy-period.com/breastfeeding_problems.html]breastfeeding problems. For more information visit [http://www.pregnancy-period.com]pregnancy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Apurva_Shree [http://ezinearticles.com/?Breastfeeding-Twins-Can-Be-Made-Into-An-Enjoyable-Task!&id=1026471 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Breastfeeding-Twins-Can-Be-Made-Into-An-Enjoyable-Task!&id=1026471
By Apurva Shree
P.S.: Having twins is double celebration! However, breastfeeding twins is double hard work! Twins means double tantrums. But, if you know how to handle two tiny tots simultaneously, they give you some of the most wonderful moments of life!
Conjoined Twins
Twins are a kind of multiple births, i.e., when a woman gives birth to more than one baby at the same time. Twins occur when more than one egg is fertilized or when the same egg is fertilized more than once by one or two sperm, leading to formation of more than one fetus.
Conjoined twins are identical twins who are joined together somewhere in the body. Conjoined twins are monozygotic twins, in the sense that they share the same zygote. Sometimes, they also share some vital internal organs. Formation of conjoined twins is believed to be the result of late twinning. When the twinning occurs more than twelve days after fertilization of the egg, it may lead to formation of conjoined twins because the embryo may not split completely. This may be due to genetic or environmental factors.
Conjoined twins are also known as Siamese twins, named after the famous conjoined twins, Eng and Chang Bunker from Siam. Conjoined twin births are very rare, amounting to around one birth in every 1,00,000 births. Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, famously referred to as the biddenden maids, are one of the earliest known set of conjoined twins. The ratio of male and female sets of conjoined twins was found to be three to one, and they are found more in certain countries like India or Africa.
Conjoined twins rarely survive because of the complexity of the bodies. Most of them are stillborn or die within twenty-four hours after birth. Conjoined twins can be separated surgically if none of the vital organs are involved. There are different kinds of conjoined twins, depending on the part of the body where they are joined. These are cephalopagus, craniopagus, craniothoracopagus, dicephalus, iscopagus, omphalopagus, parapagus, pygopagus and thoracopagus. There are also some rare kinds of conjoined twins, such as parasitic twins (where one twin is not completely formed and depends on the other twin to sustain life), and fetus in fetu (where one twin’s fetus is present inside the body of the other twin).
Some people consider separation of conjoined twins as unethical if it involves death or disability of one of the twins. Conjoined twins, if they survive, can lead healthy lives. There are instances where conjoined twins have even married and become parents. The famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, fathered twenty-one children in thirty-one years. [http://www.WetPluto.com/Conjoined-Twins.html]Twins provides detailed information on Twins, Identical Twins, Twin Babies, Conjoined Twins and more. Twins is affiliated with [http://www.e-MaternityClothes.com]Maternity Clothing Store.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson http://EzineArticles.com/?Conjoined-Twins&id=210062
By Peter Emerson
P.S. : Twins are a kind of multiple births, i.e., when a woman gives birth to more than one baby at the same time. Twins occur when more than one egg is fertilized or when the same egg is fertilized more than once by one or two sperm, leading to formation of more than one fetus.
Conjoined twins are identical twins who are joined together somewhere in the body. Conjoined twins are monozygotic twins, in the sense that they share the same zygote. Sometimes, they also share some vital internal organs. Formation of conjoined twins is believed to be the result of late twinning. When the twinning occurs more than twelve days after fertilization of the egg, it may lead to formation of conjoined twins because the embryo may not split completely. This may be due to genetic or environmental factors.
Conjoined twins are also known as Siamese twins, named after the famous conjoined twins, Eng and Chang Bunker from Siam. Conjoined twin births are very rare, amounting to around one birth in every 1,00,000 births. Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, famously referred to as the biddenden maids, are one of the earliest known set of conjoined twins. The ratio of male and female sets of conjoined twins was found to be three to one, and they are found more in certain countries like India or Africa.
Conjoined twins rarely survive because of the complexity of the bodies. Most of them are stillborn or die within twenty-four hours after birth. Conjoined twins can be separated surgically if none of the vital organs are involved. There are different kinds of conjoined twins, depending on the part of the body where they are joined. These are cephalopagus, craniopagus, craniothoracopagus, dicephalus, iscopagus, omphalopagus, parapagus, pygopagus and thoracopagus. There are also some rare kinds of conjoined twins, such as parasitic twins (where one twin is not completely formed and depends on the other twin to sustain life), and fetus in fetu (where one twin’s fetus is present inside the body of the other twin).
Some people consider separation of conjoined twins as unethical if it involves death or disability of one of the twins. Conjoined twins, if they survive, can lead healthy lives. There are instances where conjoined twins have even married and become parents. The famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, fathered twenty-one children in thirty-one years. [http://www.WetPluto.com/Conjoined-Twins.html]Twins provides detailed information on Twins, Identical Twins, Twin Babies, Conjoined Twins and more. Twins is affiliated with [http://www.e-MaternityClothes.com]Maternity Clothing Store.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson http://EzineArticles.com/?Conjoined-Twins&id=210062
By Peter Emerson
P.S. : Twins are a kind of multiple births, i.e., when a woman gives birth to more than one baby at the same time. Twins occur when more than one egg is fertilized or when the same egg is fertilized more than once by one or two sperm, leading to formation of more than one fetus.
Having a Successful Twin Pregnancy
Are you pregnant with twins or know someone who is? What a pleasant surprise it is to find out you're pregnant, and an even bigger surprise to find out you're pregnant with twins. You ask yourself, "So what do I do now?" Being pregnant with twins myself, I know it can be a very daunting task, but let me tell you a few things that helped me.
Adjusting to the Idea of Twins
You just were told the greatest news that you're bringing two beautiful little angels into the world. How exciting! This will be a big adjustment for you and your partner. Start doing your research. I can not stress this enough. You will need all the information you can get on twin pregnancy and childcare for this is very different than just your normal pregnancy. Prepare yourself and your partner (or the person that will be helping you out) with the daily stresses of money, worries and fears of having twins. To help you in this area you will definitely want to build a support system. This can include family and friends of course, as well as neighbors, parents of a Twin Parent Organization, teenagers willing to baby sit, or a nanny.
You get the idea. You will need all the help you can get with daily activities such as bathing or errand running. Mothers of many twins including myself will suggest to you to do as much organizing and planning as you can before you new babies arrive. That takes you back to all that research I told you to do in the beginning by getting on the internet where you can find lots and lots of information to help you along the way. Don't forget to also get one on one feedback from your doctors and other mothers of twins who can teach you from their experience. Also, start those parenting classes early because your babies might come a little early.
The Risk of Prematurity
Along with the miracle of twins comes a price. I'm not going to run you down with a bunch of statistics but the risk of prematurity is a lot higher in twin and multiple births than with singletons as we call them. The bigger the babies get, the less room there is inside which will force them to want to come out. The most important aspect to keep those babies healthy and get them fully developed before this happens is good nutrition. Start good nutrition early on. Double the intake of your proteins, carbs, and fats. What you need in a normal pregnancy, double or triple (if pregnant with triplets). To ensure the longest time in your womb, it is highly recommended to reduce your activities after 20 weeks. Drink water, water and drink more water. This can keep your uterus from contracting and going into early labor. Stay hydrated. Your goal is to keep your babies in the womb as long as you can.
Having twins is a once in a lifetime miracle so don't take it for granted. God has blessed you twice over and it is your job to be a great mother and father to your two little angels. To ensure the best possible pregnancy get the proper education, planning and await their arrival. You will learn so much along the way as well. It is a stressful job being parents of twins or multiples but it is very rewarding.
Robyn Painter has recently started her new career as an online freelance writer. As a mother of twins, she is very knowledgeable in the field of pregnancy and childcare. If you would like to learn more on the author and other written material on childcare click here: http://robynpainter.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robyn_Painter http://EzineArticles.com/?Having-a-Successful-Twin-Pregnancy&id=2653111
By Robyn Painter
P.S. : Are you pregnant with twins or know someone who is? What a pleasant surprise it is to find out you're pregnant, and an even bigger surprise to find out you're pregnant with twins. You ask yourself, "So what do I do now?" Being pregnant with twins myself, I know it can be a very daunting task, but let me tell you a few things that helped me.
Adjusting to the Idea of Twins
You just were told the greatest news that you're bringing two beautiful little angels into the world. How exciting! This will be a big adjustment for you and your partner. Start doing your research. I can not stress this enough. You will need all the information you can get on twin pregnancy and childcare for this is very different than just your normal pregnancy. Prepare yourself and your partner (or the person that will be helping you out) with the daily stresses of money, worries and fears of having twins. To help you in this area you will definitely want to build a support system. This can include family and friends of course, as well as neighbors, parents of a Twin Parent Organization, teenagers willing to baby sit, or a nanny.
You get the idea. You will need all the help you can get with daily activities such as bathing or errand running. Mothers of many twins including myself will suggest to you to do as much organizing and planning as you can before you new babies arrive. That takes you back to all that research I told you to do in the beginning by getting on the internet where you can find lots and lots of information to help you along the way. Don't forget to also get one on one feedback from your doctors and other mothers of twins who can teach you from their experience. Also, start those parenting classes early because your babies might come a little early.
The Risk of Prematurity
Along with the miracle of twins comes a price. I'm not going to run you down with a bunch of statistics but the risk of prematurity is a lot higher in twin and multiple births than with singletons as we call them. The bigger the babies get, the less room there is inside which will force them to want to come out. The most important aspect to keep those babies healthy and get them fully developed before this happens is good nutrition. Start good nutrition early on. Double the intake of your proteins, carbs, and fats. What you need in a normal pregnancy, double or triple (if pregnant with triplets). To ensure the longest time in your womb, it is highly recommended to reduce your activities after 20 weeks. Drink water, water and drink more water. This can keep your uterus from contracting and going into early labor. Stay hydrated. Your goal is to keep your babies in the womb as long as you can.
Having twins is a once in a lifetime miracle so don't take it for granted. God has blessed you twice over and it is your job to be a great mother and father to your two little angels. To ensure the best possible pregnancy get the proper education, planning and await their arrival. You will learn so much along the way as well. It is a stressful job being parents of twins or multiples but it is very rewarding.
Robyn Painter has recently started her new career as an online freelance writer. As a mother of twins, she is very knowledgeable in the field of pregnancy and childcare. If you would like to learn more on the author and other written material on childcare click here: http://robynpainter.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robyn_Painter http://EzineArticles.com/?Having-a-Successful-Twin-Pregnancy&id=2653111
By Robyn Painter
P.S. : Are you pregnant with twins or know someone who is? What a pleasant surprise it is to find out you're pregnant, and an even bigger surprise to find out you're pregnant with twins. You ask yourself, "So what do I do now?" Being pregnant with twins myself, I know it can be a very daunting task, but let me tell you a few things that helped me.
Twin Pregnancy Symptoms
A "Very Positive" Or Early Home Pregnancy Result
What do I mean by "very positive"? Well, it's when you take a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period and you get a distinctive, dark, second line or plus sign. Most women experience a faint line when testing this early. Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is believed that a woman carrying twins would have higher levels of this hormone and therefore a stronger positive or earlier result. In my own experience, I decided to get some of those expensive home pregnancy tests that claim to show a positive result (if you are indeed pregnant) slightly before your missed period. Now that I have my twins, I think it kind of funny that I never got a positive result until the day of my missed period (I took several tests during the week before my period was to arrive...All negative!). And although I did get the distinctive second line on the day of my missed period, you would have thought me the perfect candidate for an early result. Keep in mind, a blood test at your doctor's office will yield a more accurate result.
Early Weight Gain
Due to increased blood volume and a growing uterus, twin mothers usually experience a slightly higher weight gain than mothers of singletons. Approximately five pounds, give or take, more than a singleton mother by their second trimester. But this can still vary greatly due to many other factors including the mother's pre-pregnancy weight. So think of it as a general guideline.
Measuring Large For Gestational Age
Even though measuring large for gestational age may be a sign of a twin pregnancy, it can also happen during subsequent pregnancies of singletons. It is widely accepted that a second pregnancy shows sooner than a first pregnancy. So, it does not always indicate twins. If this is a first pregnancy it may be harder to determine by yourself without prior experience or your doctor's advice. Also, your pre-pregnancy size will be a factor. A smaller framed, slim woman will almost always start showing any pregnancy sooner than a larger or heavier woman as a general rule. Coupling a large gestational age measurement with some of the other factors mentioned here would be a stronger indication of a twin pregnancy.
Severe Morning Sickness And/Or Fatigue
As if feeling sick and tired isn't bad enough, many mothers of twins can experience this twofold. But don't get discouraged just yet. I do know at least a few moms of twins that had neither the fatigue or morning sickness. Both morning sickness and fatigue have to be among the most common complaints of any pregnancy. Some women experience one, both, or none. The best way to gauge if your symptoms are due to twins would most likely be your experience with a prior pregnancy. But not all of us will have twins our second time around. For many, a twin pregnancy is the first pregnancy. Now what? Well, if this is in fact your first pregnancy and you are also experiencing one or more of the other twin pregnancy symptoms and/or signs mentioned, you may have a better indication. Also, keep in mind that some of the worst fatigue will come towards the end of your twin pregnancy.
Feeling Fetal Movement Early In Pregnancy
Most pregnant women don't feel fetal movement until about 18 to 22 weeks. It is arguable that you would feel movement earlier than this if you are pregnant with twins. Although many women expecting twins claim to, there are a few factors to consider here. If this is a first pregnancy it may be difficult to determine if what you are feeling is indeed fetal movement. Also, a single fetus may be more active than usual causing stronger sensations in the womb. If this is a subsequent pregnancy you might have a sneaking suspicion or strong indication that that something is different with what you are feeling. I know one mother who, in her first pregnancy, did not feel her twin babies move at all until the 23rd week!
Confirmation Via Ultrasound
There is no better tried and true method of determining a twin pregnancy than having an ultrasound (also called a sonogram). On the ultrasound monitor your doctor or other professional can usually distinguish two fetuses and/or two heartbeats with ease. Indeed, many obstetricians perform an ultrasound as a definite confirmation of pregnancy at your first appointment.
By Kellie Asaro: Mom-treprenuer, Author, Designer of Twin Clothing & Gifts
Kellie is the proud mother of identical twin boys and a daughter. She is the founder and author of [http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com]http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com, a wonderful resource for parents and families who have or are expecting twins. She also owns Trends In Twos - [http://www.trendsintwos.com]http://www.trendsintwos.com, a chic boutique specializing in clothing and gifts for twins and their families.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kellie_Asaro http://EzineArticles.com/?Twin-Pregnancy-Symptoms&id=1173217
By Kellie Asaro
P.S. : Do you have an inkling that you might be carrying more than one baby? Many mothers claim to have known that they were carrying twins early in pregnancy because of various symptoms and signs. There are quite a few common indications.
What do I mean by "very positive"? Well, it's when you take a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period and you get a distinctive, dark, second line or plus sign. Most women experience a faint line when testing this early. Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is believed that a woman carrying twins would have higher levels of this hormone and therefore a stronger positive or earlier result. In my own experience, I decided to get some of those expensive home pregnancy tests that claim to show a positive result (if you are indeed pregnant) slightly before your missed period. Now that I have my twins, I think it kind of funny that I never got a positive result until the day of my missed period (I took several tests during the week before my period was to arrive...All negative!). And although I did get the distinctive second line on the day of my missed period, you would have thought me the perfect candidate for an early result. Keep in mind, a blood test at your doctor's office will yield a more accurate result.
Early Weight Gain
Due to increased blood volume and a growing uterus, twin mothers usually experience a slightly higher weight gain than mothers of singletons. Approximately five pounds, give or take, more than a singleton mother by their second trimester. But this can still vary greatly due to many other factors including the mother's pre-pregnancy weight. So think of it as a general guideline.
Measuring Large For Gestational Age
Even though measuring large for gestational age may be a sign of a twin pregnancy, it can also happen during subsequent pregnancies of singletons. It is widely accepted that a second pregnancy shows sooner than a first pregnancy. So, it does not always indicate twins. If this is a first pregnancy it may be harder to determine by yourself without prior experience or your doctor's advice. Also, your pre-pregnancy size will be a factor. A smaller framed, slim woman will almost always start showing any pregnancy sooner than a larger or heavier woman as a general rule. Coupling a large gestational age measurement with some of the other factors mentioned here would be a stronger indication of a twin pregnancy.
Severe Morning Sickness And/Or Fatigue
As if feeling sick and tired isn't bad enough, many mothers of twins can experience this twofold. But don't get discouraged just yet. I do know at least a few moms of twins that had neither the fatigue or morning sickness. Both morning sickness and fatigue have to be among the most common complaints of any pregnancy. Some women experience one, both, or none. The best way to gauge if your symptoms are due to twins would most likely be your experience with a prior pregnancy. But not all of us will have twins our second time around. For many, a twin pregnancy is the first pregnancy. Now what? Well, if this is in fact your first pregnancy and you are also experiencing one or more of the other twin pregnancy symptoms and/or signs mentioned, you may have a better indication. Also, keep in mind that some of the worst fatigue will come towards the end of your twin pregnancy.
Feeling Fetal Movement Early In Pregnancy
Most pregnant women don't feel fetal movement until about 18 to 22 weeks. It is arguable that you would feel movement earlier than this if you are pregnant with twins. Although many women expecting twins claim to, there are a few factors to consider here. If this is a first pregnancy it may be difficult to determine if what you are feeling is indeed fetal movement. Also, a single fetus may be more active than usual causing stronger sensations in the womb. If this is a subsequent pregnancy you might have a sneaking suspicion or strong indication that that something is different with what you are feeling. I know one mother who, in her first pregnancy, did not feel her twin babies move at all until the 23rd week!
Confirmation Via Ultrasound
There is no better tried and true method of determining a twin pregnancy than having an ultrasound (also called a sonogram). On the ultrasound monitor your doctor or other professional can usually distinguish two fetuses and/or two heartbeats with ease. Indeed, many obstetricians perform an ultrasound as a definite confirmation of pregnancy at your first appointment.
By Kellie Asaro: Mom-treprenuer, Author, Designer of Twin Clothing & Gifts
Kellie is the proud mother of identical twin boys and a daughter. She is the founder and author of [http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com]http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com, a wonderful resource for parents and families who have or are expecting twins. She also owns Trends In Twos - [http://www.trendsintwos.com]http://www.trendsintwos.com, a chic boutique specializing in clothing and gifts for twins and their families.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kellie_Asaro http://EzineArticles.com/?Twin-Pregnancy-Symptoms&id=1173217
By Kellie Asaro
P.S. : Do you have an inkling that you might be carrying more than one baby? Many mothers claim to have known that they were carrying twins early in pregnancy because of various symptoms and signs. There are quite a few common indications.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To Twin Babies World
Posts
All Comments