It seems like over the past two weeks, I’ve been having the same conversation over and over again (Which I’m totally fine with). The majority of people I run into seem to ask similar questions. After reading a book I was loaned from another mom of twins, Twinspiration and many articles on the internet, I’ve learned quite a bit about twins.
First, here is the difference between identical and fraternal twins.
Identical twins: occur when a single egg, fertilized by a single sperm, splits into two identical halves within the first week of fertilization. Two separate babies with identical DNA are formed. Identical twins are always the same sex and blood type.
Fraternal twins: 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.
The first question I often get, “You’re having fraternal twins right?”
Not necessarily. Yes, the babies are in their own separate sacs, and each have their own placenta, but that doesn’t mean they are fraternal twins. If they are identical, it means the egg split between day 1-3. But fraternal twins are more common.
“Do twins run in either of your families?”
Nope! But I learned twins actually run through the mother’s side. A common misconception about identical twins is that the trait for having them runs in families. Everything I read said there is no explanation to why the egg separates after being fertilized, it happens by chance. But fraternal twins do run in families, because the mother often produces two eggs during ovulation. This is something that can be passed from mother to daughter, so therefore it has nothing to do with the father's side.
“You’ll have an automatic C-section right?”
Dr. M and I didn’t really talk into depth about anything, because I was in shock. But he did mention if the bottom baby is head first, I can deliver without a c-section.
“How are you going to have 3 kids in one bedroom?”
Poor Ledger won’t know what hit him :) But many other moms say their twins slept best co-sleeping, or sleeping right next to each other in the same crib until they start rolling all over each other. We’ll have two cribs, one for Ledger, which will probably be converted to a toddler bed by then, and one for the twins. Our goal is to be graduated and have extra room by the time the twins need both cribs.
We are so so grateful for such kind and generous people who have reached out to us. Within two weeks, we have been offered many of the larger baby items we will need! A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders and lets us focus on saving for a car. (Pat’s in school and working part-time, it will be tight!)
Crazy fact: In the first 90 days, parents with twins will use anywhere from 960-1440 diapers. That doesn’t include Ledger’s :)