Welcoming twins into your family is undoubtedly a thrilling experience. However, amidst the joy of coordinating matching outfits and pushing around double strollers, lies a considerable amount of hard work and concern. The first year of raising twins can often feel like navigating through a vast unknown, even for seasoned parents. Although each baby and set of twins is special in their own way, there are certain common experiences that parents of infant twins can anticipate during the initial twelve months.
When Twins are Born
The birth of twins is often filled with unpredictability. Late pregnancy can come with unexpected complications, from twin to twin transfusion syndrome to premature labor. It is not uncommon for twins to be born prematurely. In cases where the twins are in separate amniotic sacs, one sac may rupture before the other, resulting in a time gap between the births of the twins. Although it may be concerning, as long as the parents are regularly consulting with their doctor and receiving reassuring updates, there is no need to panic. When preparing the birth plan, it is advisable to keep some flexibility to accommodate any surprises that may arise.
How to Determine if Twins are Identical or Fraternal
When it comes to identifying whether twins are identical or fraternal, there are a few common indicators that people often rely on. It is generally believed that identical twins share a placenta, whereas fraternal twins usually have separate amniotic sacs. Additionally, people often examine the babies for similar physical features, assuming that identical twins will look alike. However, despite these observations, none of them can definitively determine the type of twins.
Surprisingly, some identical twins may have different placentas or exhibit slight physical differences due to minor changes that occurred during the pregnancy. On the other hand, fraternal twins can sometimes appear identical, especially during their first year of life. Ultimately, the only foolproof method to determine whether twins are identical or fraternal is through a DNA test.