Here are some answers to some common questions people have been asking us lately.
Q: Are you fraternal or identical twins?
A. We are monozygotic (identical). And although we will have the same DNA, we will have different fingerprints! Did you know that identical twins only make up 1 out of every 333 births and that most twins are fraternal? We sure are special!!Q: Are you fraternal or identical twins?
Q: Do your parents have twins in their families?
A: Mom's grandmother was a twin and Mom's cousin had twin boys. But apparently identical twins don't run in families, only fraternal twins do. The birth rate for identical twins seems to hold across all families, races, and ethnicities. And while the rate of fraternal twins has increased over the years, the rate of identical twins hasn't.
Q: Are you both girls or both boys?
A: Not telling. HA! Feel free to post your vote on our blog, though.Q: Do you have 2 placentas or just 1?
A. We are Monochorionic-Diamniotic Twins, which means that we share one outer (chorionic) sac but have separate inner (amniotic) sacs. The fact that we have one chorion is the evidence that we are identical (fraternal twins always have two chorions). Think of this as a two-bedroom apartment. We each have our own bedroom, but we are sharing a kitchen (a single placenta) and therefore, sharing food. Although 60-70% of identical twins were in a living situation like this, the doctors want to watch us closely during the pregnancy to make sure that we are both getting enough food. That means lots of ultrasounds - and lots of pictures for you to enjoy! Please do pray that we both develop healthy and strong and learn to be good sharers of food and space!
Q: When did "the split" occur?
A: Identical twins are formed when the single fertilized egg splits early in development. And although no one really knows what causes the egg to split, whether identical twins are Dichorionic-Diamniotic, Monochorionic-Diamniotic (like us!), or Monochorionic-Monoamniotic depends on what day the fertilized egg splits. If the split happens really early (from day 1-day 3), the twins will be Di-Di. If the split happens from day 4-day 8, the twins will be Mo-Di. And if the split happens from day 9 to day 13, the twins will be Mo-Mo. So, it looks like somewhere around Halloween, Mom sneezed and "the one became two".
A. We are Monochorionic-Diamniotic Twins, which means that we share one outer (chorionic) sac but have separate inner (amniotic) sacs. The fact that we have one chorion is the evidence that we are identical (fraternal twins always have two chorions). Think of this as a two-bedroom apartment. We each have our own bedroom, but we are sharing a kitchen (a single placenta) and therefore, sharing food. Although 60-70% of identical twins were in a living situation like this, the doctors want to watch us closely during the pregnancy to make sure that we are both getting enough food. That means lots of ultrasounds - and lots of pictures for you to enjoy! Please do pray that we both develop healthy and strong and learn to be good sharers of food and space!
Q: When did "the split" occur?
A: Identical twins are formed when the single fertilized egg splits early in development. And although no one really knows what causes the egg to split, whether identical twins are Dichorionic-Diamniotic, Monochorionic-Diamniotic (like us!), or Monochorionic-Monoamniotic depends on what day the fertilized egg splits. If the split happens really early (from day 1-day 3), the twins will be Di-Di. If the split happens from day 4-day 8, the twins will be Mo-Di. And if the split happens from day 9 to day 13, the twins will be Mo-Mo. So, it looks like somewhere around Halloween, Mom sneezed and "the one became two".
you are too funny becca. - jamison
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