Twin Experts - help please!

[bluebonnet22]

This isn't a gender question, so I apologize if there is a better place to put this - NBP feel free to move it if it belongs elsewhere. These are my twins at 10w (although they are measuring more like 9w5d). I'm worried the line between them looks thin - does anyone have an opinion if they look like di/di or mono/di ? I was too in shock when my OB told it was twins to ask any questions and I don't go back for a real ultrasound until 15 weeks.

[nuthinbutpink]

Did they say is the placenta was fused or separate?

[nuthinbutpink]

They look di/di which would indicate fraternal twins.

[bluebonnet22]

I forgot to ask about the placenta! She didn't even mention it. I have my fingers crossed for fraternal twins.

[MatildaMai]

They look like my U/S twin pics - they were di/di - fraternal boys. The placenta's sometimes fuse during the course of the pregnancy. Mine did. Took 3 people to lift it out. It was enormous!

[maidentomother]

I think they are fraternal. Just my inexpert guess, plus an intuitive feeling. Huge congrats on the twins!!! How are you feeling about it all?

[bluebonnet22]

I think they are fraternal. Just my inexpert guess, plus an intuitive feeling. Huge congrats on the twins!!! How are you feeling about it all?

I was pretty upset when my ob told me (and shocked! I'm young, have no twins in my family and wasn't taking any clomid, etc). Since then I'm really excited about the thought of having twins, but so scared of losing one or both. I know the m/c risk is very high with twins so I'm just praying everyday that they both hang on. I have seen you mention losing b/g twins before - I'm so sorry !

[ejk741]

They are di/di. They have the lambda sign. They could still be identical though! I had di/di identical twins.

[1+2+3boys]

Congratulations on your twins, how very exciting! Although I suspected that my second pregnancy was twins it was still a shock when we found out! Are you hoping for frats because it means there are two chances that you may get a girl? I was thinking along those lines but alas, mine were identical and after having a MC 4 months before getting pregnant with them, decided not to sway. Now I have three boys and two of them match.
It can be quite difficult to figure out the number of placenta's even for a trained sonographer. The earlier the scan in the pregnancy the better because the babies are smaller so easier to see what is around them and where they implanted. I still can not understand why they waited until 16 weeks to try and figure out my situation.

My first scan was at 12 weeks which was when we found out we were having twins. The sonographer just did the normal 12 week scan x 2 so didn't figure out what kind of twin pregnancy it was then. Don't beat yourself up for not asking questions because how would you know what to ask when you have not had twins before? Plus the shock! Dp sweared alot in that 30mins. It may be all confusing now but believe me, you will be a twin pregnancy expert by the time these babies arrive. At least if you read like I did. I read like crazy because knowing stuff made me feel a bit more in control of so many scary unknowns.

My next scan was at 16 weeks to try and figure out the chorionicity. ( amount of placenta's, bad spelling sorry) My line was thin and the lady thought it was one placenta but was not 100% sure. I was treated like a 1 placenta, 2 sacs pregnancy to be on the safe side so scans were every two weeks. It was that scan that I found out they were BOTH boy's and I didn't watch the rest of thew scan due to disapointment but I would not change them now. They are so close. Twin boys are amazing. I only ever wanted one girl though and can not let go so hoping to do HT to get our last child and a daughter.

Just so you know, 1 in 9 (I have read) twin pregnancies with two placenta's turn out to be identical twins but many people are told that they are having fraternal twins because I suppose since it is almost a definite people got a bit lazy with explaining the facts. I have heard many a story of people having same sex "frats" only to have people not be able to tell them apart easily and ending up getting a DNA text which has told them that their twins have the same DNA! It happens when the egg splits really early after being fertilized.

Goodluck for your pregnancy and I hope there is a girl in there for you.

[1+2+3boys]

They look like my U/S twin pics - they were di/di - fraternal boys. The placenta's sometimes fuse during the course of the pregnancy. Mine did. Took 3 people to lift it out. It was enormous!

The line does look fatter than mine and it was confirmed in the end to be Mo/di. The placenta was huge, like another baby!22653

Here is my 12 week scan pic. You can barely see a dividing line but there was one and it was often hard to find during scans.

[bluebonnet22]

Thank you for all the helpful advice ladies! I'm very much hoping for b/g twins (moreso than g/g twins), but my gut says it's b/b! I worry with 3 boys my DS will feel left out. It seems a couple of ladies on this site have a boy then b/b twins so I will definitely be looking for support and advice if that ends up being the case.

Thank you 1+2+3 for posting your scan - I love seeing twin scans, it's so fascinating to me! As you said, that line is so thin I can't even make it out - wow! I'm really praying mine are still both doing ok when I go back for my 15 week scan - I can't wait to see what they look like and to hopefully confirm they are di/di.

[1+2+3boys]

di/di twins are at less risk during pregnancy too which is a big bonus. I always wanted 2 boys and a girl but when I knew my twins were prob identical I hoped for girls because otherwise I would get none. When I found out I was having 2 more boys my first thought was "looks like I'll have to have 4 children." DP has agreed to one more and to do HT. We can not really afford it but will make it happen because having a daughter is really important to me. To have a girl is the only reason I want another child so I think a gender garuntee is a smart choice for me. I love little boys though. I was never one of those ladies who preferred girls and I grew up as a tomboy. My boys are the best of mates. The twins look up to DS1 so much and sometimes I feel like them being boys was the best thing because they are close enough being twins and at least DS1 can relate to them more by being the same gender. I call my twins his "twinions" (minions) sometimes :)

I am happy to help in any way I can. Us twin Mums need to stick together. I really appreciated all the advise and support I got from other twin Mums with older twins than mine. No one else can truely know what it is like so it helps to hear from people who have been there and now I love to do the same for other twin Mums/Mums to be. It is such a special thing. Whether they are Id/same sex frat/BG frat, twins are a pretty unique and amazing experience.

[maidentomother]

Sounds like your initial reaction was pretty normal. ;) I have to say, from what I know of you via your posts, you seem like an ideal candidate for a twin mum. I think you will do fabulously with them and your family. Why do you prefer B/G over G/G? Also, how many kids do you want total do you think? Will you consider getting the Panorama (which can at least tell you if you're having 1-2 boys or 2 girls)? I can't wait until you find out gender. Fx they both have long, healthy gestations.

Thanks for your kind words about my twin MC. It was brutal psychologically bc I've always dreamed of having twins - never dreamed of a singleton, I wanted 6 sets of twins lol - and my first 5 pregnancies were all singletons so I was surprised despite the family history and knowing I hyper O. But I do believe things happen for a reason, maybe twins would have made my back far worse, or who knows - I trust in my fate despite how unpleasant it's been to me at times. And now I am very happy with, in fact prefer the idea of a singleton. But I'd be okay with twins, too. Just at least 1 girl in there, please!

[MatildaMai]

It is scary when you first find out - esp when you start reading about the risks. I have to say I am really pleased my twins are same sex (boys). They have always played together so well. Much less work for me compared to my singleton DD!! I think it would of been really hard work with one wanting me to play cars/traffic jams and constantly on the move and the other wanting to sit and read or play dollies and tea parties. The other thing that's really great about naturally conceived twins vs IVF is that you have a much better chance of getting them out naturally or at least with minimum intervention. My OB (who was prof of fetal medicine at a top london hospital) used to tell me that naturally conceived twins generally have less issues. So you've got that going for you!

[bluebonnet22]

1+2+3 & Matilda - thank you for sharing your experiences with raising same sex twins. You have definitely made me feel better and less scared of the prospect of raising twin boys! At this point I'm so excited about the possibility of having twins that I'm hoping that helps some with GD also. I know it will be the most difficult challenge I've ever faced, but as you both have said it is unique and special and I hope I'm blessed with the opportunity and that both of these babies make it. DH is open to the idea of a 4th if these babies make it and we survive the first 2 years without killing ourselves (J/K). We both prefer even numbers and even if it is 4 boys, I'm at peace with that. 1+2+3 - HT is very smart in your case, I definitely would pursue it if my desire for a DD was stronger.

maiden - thank you for your kind words! I had my blood drawn on Monday for maternit21 and I hope to hear next week , but I'm not sure if it will get delayed with the holidays. I feel very certain there is at least one boy and it's going to drive me nuts waiting until mid January to find out how many! I agree that things definitely happen for a reason and I hope you get your happy ending and BFP soon. I know how exhausting the diet and exercise is after so many months!

[bluebonnet22]

I forgot to post this question for anyone that has been pregnant with twins before.. When did your pregnancy feel "different" than your singleton pregnancy? I'm nearly 11 weeks, so I realize I'm very early . So far this pregnancy has been far easier than my singleton pregnancy with DS. I'm less moody, less sick, less bloated, and I'm nowhere near showing yet. I know there is plenty of time for horrific twin pregnancy symptoms to start, it just makes me nervous that I haven't experienced any yet! Do you remember when you started really showing with your twins? Was your pregnancy different in the first trimester ? Thanks!

[ejk741]

I agree with the ladies above. I obviously wanted a boy, but I would have preferred g/g twins to b/g. It's not that I don't think that they are absolutely adorable, it's that I really don't see them being as good of playmates or maintaining the bond as they age. That is just my own observations and my assumptions could definitely be wrong! Also, the only time I noticed a difference in my pregnancies was in the beginning. With my daughter I never got sick. With the twins it really depended on the day. Some days I was fine, others I didn't leave my bed. Also, I saw differences near the end. My biggest issue was that there was so much going on in there that I had to eat very tiny portions or I would get sick because there was no room.

[ejk741]

Also, are you from TX? Lol

[1+2+3boys]

I think I felt more sick with my singleton pregnancy. I was way more tired though in that first trimester with the twins. I have never felt so incredibly tired in my whole life. It was sheer exhaustion and I could barely get off the couch because my limbs felt so heavy and I could have slept al day. I have heard of other ladies saying their single pregnancies were worse for morning sickness. Maybe since they had had HCG in their body before they were a bit more used to it even though there was more than last time? So I would not be worrying. Also I had a cute little belly by 9 weeks and I had just gotten my flat stomach back so it was noticable. No belly starting to show until 13 weeks with DS1.

It is funny how people have such different perceptions of things. I thought B/G twins would be perfect after a singleton of either gender. The older sibling has a same sex sibling to be close to and the sibling who is the only one of their gender in the family will be close to their twin so no one will feel left out. I think you just have to make work what you have though and there are so many possible variations of personalities as well putting gender aside.

[bluebonnet22]

ejk741 - yes from TX :) Another thing to keep in mind if I do end up with identical or same sex twins. Selfishly I want b/g twins, but for the kids and my family dynamic perhaps the g/g or b/b is the preferred split. I can't wait to find out in a month!

1+2+3 - I have been much much more tired this pregnancy. I have blamed a very high energy 2 year old that keeps trying to drop his nap, but it definitely could be related to having twins. Everyday when DH gets home at 5:30 I pass out in my bed from 5:30-7:30 PM . I feel very lazy because I want to spend most of my days home with DS on the couch, but keeping up with him at the park and such makes me so very tired! Glad to know others weren't as sick with their twin pregnancies. I'm definitely still sick, but it was so much worse with DS.

[maidentomother]

I felt amazing (like high on drugs amazing) with my twin pregnancy. With my singletons I was exhausted & nauseated. But I've never been beyond 8w so I can't say all that much.

[bluebonnet22]

I felt amazing (like high on drugs amazing) with my twin pregnancy. With my singletons I was exhausted & nauseated. But I've never been beyond 8w so I can't say all that much.

I definitely wish I felt that good :) , but not feeling nauseated 24/7 has been so wonderful! I was so miserable and sick with my pregnancy with DS it has made me nervous that I'm not twice as sick this time and instead can function most of the time.

[atomic sagebrush]

I just did a spit take because I didn't know you were having twins!!! (go back to sleep, atomic)

They would have told you if you needed to be concerned and I suspect strongly that they are fraterna.

[atomic sagebrush]

FWIW I think sickness can oftentimes be the worst with the first because you don't know how to manage it - my first pg was the worst (I threw up every day and was totally miserable) because I didn't understand that you actually need to eat regular meals and that drinking too much liquid made it much worse for me.

[essnce629]

Oh wow Bluebonnet, just seeing this now as I've been off the boards. Congrats on your twins. Hoping there's at least one girl in there! So excited for you and I hope you have a healthy pregnancy. I'm a fan of the brewer diet from the Bradley method and for singletons they recommend 80-100g of protein a day to stay low risk and it ups to 120g for twins. Good luck!

[CattyPad]

I've been away for a bit too and just saw this, I remember you from the swaying board!
Wow twins!! Congratulations!! I hope you have a good pregnancy and you have some pink in there, keep us posted!!

[1+2+3boys]

Looking forward to hearing if there is your one daughter on board. Goodluck and I hope you get her

[bluebonnet22]

Looking forward to hearing if there is your one daughter on board. Goodluck and I hope you get her

Thank you ! If it is in fact 2 boys, I look forward to chatting more in the future about having 3 boys under 3 years old. If nothing else I guess I keep telling myself it's a very unique family ?

[bluebonnet22]

Hi ladies! Just wanted to provide an update here for the twin mommies that might not be following my due date club. We found out today at 15 weeks that we are in fact having boy/girl twins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still in shock and trying to protect my heart in case the tech was wrong. The scan was at my doctors office and she said she was 100%. I can't believe it! I'll post a picture in a few minutes to see what you guys think? I have my son's potty shot and it's not even worth posting, it's 100% a boy :) . It was hard to get a good potty shot of the girl because she was moving around like crazy.

I do have another question for twin mommies. At 10 weeks my doctor didn't tell me if they were di/di or mono/di and said I'd find out at 15 weeks. Today it looked like there was only 1 placenta which made me very certain that they must be identical, but the doctor was emphatic that it was too early for placentas to fuse and that it's "possible" for boy/girl twins to have 1 placenta?!?! Seems crazy to me. Is it possible to have boy/girl twins with 1 placenta? Do you think my placentas just fused early? No idea what to think.

[luvmyfam]

That looks like a little girl!! Congrats bluebonnet on boy/girl twins!! I am not a twin mommy, but I am a twin. My sister and I were said to be identical twins at birth due to our "one placenta", but it didn't take long that it became quite apparent that we were definitely NOT identical. Our birth cirtificate says mono-chorionic! Later on I learned from my anatomy teacher in nursing school that my sis and I had implanted so close together in the uterus that our placentas fused into one very early on. They even showed my mom the amniotic sac at our birth and told her we also only had one sac! Which somehow must have looked like one but they were stuck together. So... you most likely have two placentas that fused very early on to look like one! Your babies probably implated very close together :). Again, congrats!!

[Sarah4girl]

Huge congrats blue bonnet! Such great news x

[bunnywabbit]

Congrats on your twins. One of each, how lovely! So happy for you. How are you feeling? x

[atomic sagebrush]

They LOOK like they have one placenta but they really have two that are just hanging out next to each other and over time the vessels can sometimes grow into each other and it becomes one placenta. This is ok provided that one placenta doesn't rip the other one when the baby is born (if it detaches before Baby B is born) Whereas with ID twins, the baby actually splits into two and so you can end up with two babies attached to one placenta. Fraternal twins can't share a placenta. I think the doctor was trying to dumb it down for you unneccesarily.

With my twin pg which did not work out, it looked like I had 1 placenta that was just misshapen and weird. Then as the pg progressed, what they thought was an extra lobe grew apart from my son's placenta and it became apparent when he was born, the doctor showed me the sac, and there was one normal placenta and then this second, ratty looking placenta with no one attached to it, and this teeny small hole right between them where my son had passed through on his way out! (so so lucky I did not have to have C-section) It was amazing and i really wish I had made my husband take a picture of it!

[atomic sagebrush]

That looks like a little girl!! Congrats bluebonnet on boy/girl twins!! I am not a twin mommy, but I am a twin. My sister and I were said to be identical twins at birth due to our "one placenta", but it didn't take long that it became quite apparent that we were definitely NOT identical. Our birth cirtificate says mono-chorionic! Later on I learned from my anatomy teacher in nursing school that my sis and I had implanted so close together in the uterus that our placentas fused into one very early on. They even showed my mom the amniotic sac at our birth and told her we also only had one sac! Which somehow must have looked like one but they were stuck together. So... you most
likely have two placentas that fused very early on to look like one! Your babies probably implated very close together :). Again, congrats!!

My son and his cohort also seemed to have one sac but the speculation was that the other sac probably was absorbed when the baby passed and the second placenta grew into the sac somehow. The human body is weird and amazing.

[atomic sagebrush]

Girl, oh, girl! (looking at ultrasound!)

[mommymachine]

Oh wow! Congrats on Boy/Girl twins!!! How fun!