With twins around the house, everyone will surely get a double dose of pretty much everything. Although it is normal to feel a mix of emotions, the benefits of having twins in the family will surely be unparalleled as long as everyone focuses on the positives.

The Benefits of Having Twins for Parents

The expectations of being  parents to twins can be overwhelming but the perks that come along with makes it a lot easier and more fun to go through. First of all, know that ever since your twins were born, you have become instant celebrities. You may even be seen as superheroes!

Having twins is definitely not as common as having singletons so a lot of people you know and meet will surely want to to talk with you about how you’re doing. They can even ask endless questions about how you’re raising your twins.

With this, expect to be given the royal treatment every now and then. You’ll have people opening doors for you, letting you cut in front of them in line, and of course, you’ll always catch someone smiling at you. Because having two babies is tough, it would be nice to appreciate such treatment.

Another benefit is, as a mom and dad, you will soon realize that you can handle anything life may throw at you. You become a master at multitasking.

You’ll be able to manage your time better and be more strategic with every decision you make. What you used to perceive as something intimidating or considered too much to handle becomes rather run-in-the-mill.

As parents, you will surely be fascinated at watching your twins grow together. Seeing them begin to crawl, walk, speak and grow accustomed to the world around them is priceless. Witnessing their milestones and seeing them develop and grow into little children is surely going to be fulfilling.

As each day goes by, you will manage to successfully raise two individuals at the same time and that is not to be taken lightly. Plus, with the physicalities of raising twins, you’ll definitely get meet your workout goals without even trying.

Of course, lest we forget, having twins means double the hugs and kisses – basically, double the bliss! In addition, with the rich experience you have in raising your twins, you become instant experts on babies. Your insights will surely inspire and help other parents who may need encouragement.

The Benefits for the Twins as Siblings

For one, twins will definitely have no need whatsoever to join a playgroup because they become instant playmates. They’ll always have a friend to play with, tell stories with, laugh together, and go to interesting places together. They will learn to share naturally and get used to it early on.

Second, if siblings have a really strong bond, twins have something even more special. The bond between twins is not like any other.

They grow up very close which can be compared to being more than siblings. They become the best of friends and each one’s alter-ego all the way from childhood to adulthood. They will surely be inseparable.

Twins will never have to worry about growing up being lonely. They will always have each other’s back. This is extremely comforting for parents. Also, since they practically are together every waking hour of the day while growing up, twins become social individuals.

Being social makes them able to form good relationships as they grow up. Social skills are lacking at these days, but since twins are used to having the company of each other, this will not be a problem.

The Benefits for the Family

With twins, you already have the average size of an American family. You become an automatic family! Having two kids at once will surely be entertaining and will have a positive effect on the whole family dynamic. Everyone in the family and your dearest friends will not stop coming over to visit you.

People will come around and try to see you with your twins and be able to learn from your family’s point of view. If your family loves having your twins around, all the more will your extended family and friends. You’ll have the support you need, a lot of helping hands and your babies will get a lot of attention.

What are “extra” benefits available if I’m expecting twins?

When we talk about “extra” benefits in having twins or multiple children, we are being particular with certain provisions governments or states have for such family situations as well as discounts and freebies that are made accessible for families with twins or multiples.

The Department of Human Services in Australia, for example, provides benefits for parents to twins or multiples. First, they will be able to receive what is called the Newborn Upfront Payment and the Newborn Supplement for each child. Further, they are also eligible to avail of Parental Leave Pay.

In other countries, like the UK, having twins will entitle parents to child benefits, maternity leave, statutory maternity pay, and tax credits. A maternity leave usually runs for 52 weeks in this part of the world and depending on certain circumstances, it is possible to take a Shared Parental Leave.

These benefits vary depending on where you are residing. It is recommended to inquire about the benefits available to you and your family.

Aside from government provisions, there are a number of companies who provide special discounts and freebies to families with twins or multiples. There are coupons for diapers and wipes and discounts on baby products for parents of twins upon request.

These discounts apply to products like strollers, play yards, car seats, swings, gates, walkers, backpacks, carriers, and others. In addition, there are discounts available on formula and baby food as well as discounts on portrait photography.

Having two healthy babies that make your home come to life and make life more meaningful are already a few of the many benefits of having twins. Raising them and watching them grow will surely be an adventure.

It also allows you to learn so much about yourself as a mom or dad that you wouldn’t learn from any other circumstance in life.

Although the terms “identical twins” and “fraternal twins” are more familiar when it comes to the twin world, there are a number of people may find “maternal twins” something unheard of.

So, to satisfy our curiosity as to the question, “What are maternal twins?” it is helpful to know its other terms synonymous to it.

What are maternal twins anyway?

Maternal twins develop from one fertilized egg, making them alike in genetic characteristics which include gender and appearance.

Since these twins develop by sharing the same placenta and due to the split of the fertilized egg, maternal twins are also known as monozygotic twins and are likewise called and known as identical twins.

Are there different types of maternal twins?

Maternal twins or what you can call monozygotic twins develop from a single egg that is fertilized by a single sperm, which then forms one zygote (monozygotic). This zygote splits into two individual embryos that develop into fetuses and grow in the same womb.

The zygote, when splitting, goes through different stages that influence the type of maternal twins that develop. Zygotes that twin at the earliest stages will result in diamniotic and dichorionic twins.

Twinning between four to eight days after fertilization results in monochorionic-diamniotic twins, while zygotes that twin between eight to twelve days after fertilization results in monochorionic-monoamniotic twins.

If twinning happens 12 days after fertilization, conjoined twins occur. The guiding principle is, if twinning occurs in the later stages of pregnancy, more structures will be shared.

What should I know about the types of maternal twins?

To grasp the nature of the types of maternal twins, we would need to understand the terms “amnion” and “chorion”. The amnion is a membrane that covers an embryo when it is first formed. It gets filled with the amniotic fluid causing the amnion to expand into the amniotic sac – the protective environment of the fetus.

The “chorion,” on the other hand, is also a membrane the surrounds the fetus while it is being developed. The chorion protects the embryo be producing chorionic fluid that protects the embryo by absorbing shock from forces surrounding the embryo. The chorion also nurtures the embryo by growing chorionic villi, which connect with the mother’s blood vessels for nourishment.

Maternal twins may share one amnion, making them “monoamniotic;” and they can also share one placenta, which makes them “monochorionic.” Moving on, the following can tell you the type of maternal twins.

1. Dichorionic/Diamniotic (Di-Di) twins happen when each twin is attached to his or her individual placenta, amniotic sac, and chorion.
2. Monochorionic/Diamniotic (Mono-Di) twins are when they share a chorionic sac and placenta, but have their own amniotic sac.
3. Monoamniotic/Monochorionic (Mo-Mo) twins share a chorionic sac, amniotic sac, and placenta.

How would I know if I am having maternal twins?

It is possible to know if you are having maternal twins or identical twins by going through a Twin Zygosity DNA test. This procedure is done after the twins are delivered and it compares the DNA profile of the twins to confirm a match. If a match is proven, then the twins are considered identical or maternal.

Considering a twin zygosity DNA test is also recommended for a number of reasons. The first is in cases where the birth experience is health-threatening, the twins’ placentas may have been damaged before finding out twin zygosity. The DNA test will help you know for sure.

Another reason is that as twins grow, they begin to develop different physical characteristics which can make you doubt their original zygosity. Third, you can take the twin zygosity DNA test to satisfy your own curiosity.

The test is painless. A buccal (cheek) swab is collected from each twin which is then shipped to the DNA Diagnostics Center. Here, the samples go through extraction, analysis, and comparisons. To assure a hundred percent accuracy, each sample is analyzed twice.

If there are “maternal twins” are there “paternal twins,” too?

The answer to this is yes. Paternal twins are twins that develop from two different fertilized eggs as well as develop in separate placentas. They are called such because two or more sperms from the father formed these twins.

There are a number of similarities between maternal and paternal twins. Regardless of whether or not twins are paternal or maternal, you can expect a 50% chance of them sharing similar traits like facial features, hair color, height, just to name a few. The most significant

So, what are maternal twins? In a nutshell, maternal twins can also be known as identical or monozygotic twins. They share the exact same genetic traits and look alike.

What is folic acid twin pregnancy, you ask? To put it simply it is the concept of increasing the chances of having twins with a doctor-recommended dosage so you can conceive twins.

It is interesting to note that there have been studies done on the matter that shed some significant light when it comes to twinning. Researchers in Sweden have found that pregnant women who are taking the recommended dosage of folic acid have a higher chance of conceiving twins.

The Link Between Folic Acid and Twins Conception

A study led by Bengt Källén of Tornbland Institute looked into birth records from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. This registry has been gathering data on pregnant women’s use of medicines since 1994.

That study revealed that in 2,569 women who have been taking folic acid supplements, the rate of twin births was 2.8 percent. It is to be noted that among the Swedish population, 1.5 percent of births in the late 90’s were twins.

Further, Källén’s team continued studying cases of older mothers and those who use IVF. They have concluded that it is possible that folic acid increases the chances of multiple ovulation or implantation of more than one egg.

Research shows that moms-to-be who take folic acid supplements are more likely to conceive twins. These studies have found that the rate of twinning increased up to 40% with the intake of such supplements as well as consuming enriched cereal grains that were fortified with folic acid.

The Benefits of Folic Acid Twin Pregnancy

The Office on Women’s Health states that Folic Acid is a B vitamin (folate) that is important for women who would like to get pregnant or are currently pregnant. Folic acid intake prevents a miscarriage and it protects the growing baby from birth defects by up to 70%.

These defects usually happen early on (the first few weeks) during pregnancy, even before the woman finds out she is pregnant.

As a matter of fact, since pregnancies are usually unplanned, health professionals recommend all women to take folic acid even if they are not trying to get pregnant. Folic acid and folate also help the body produce healthy red blood cells. These red blood cells carry oxygen to the body. The lack thereof of healthy RBC in the body can cause anemia.

Taking Folic Acid Before Pregnancy

It is important to start taking folic acid supplements at least two to three months before you conceive until the 12th week of pregnancy. The reason behind this is because birth defects usually happen within the first three to four weeks of pregnancy.

So, it is of extreme importance to have folate early on while the babies’ brain and spinal cord are in the development stage.

Taking folic acid two months before you stop contraception can also get you pregnant faster. In addition, a study even showed that women who took folic acid for a year before they got pregnant cut their chances of early delivery by 50% or more.

Moving on, when it comes to folic acid supplementation before pregnancy and the possibility of conceiving twins, research was conducted to see if there was a significant connection. The said research showed that out of the 38,151 who were pregnant, 395 gave birth to twins.

According to the stats, twin births made up 0.78% in the group that was not supplemented, while the chances of twin pregnancies with preconception supplements were 1.52%. This shows that taking folic acid supplements before pregnancy caused a slight increase in the incidence of a twin pregnancy.

How much folic acid should I take?

In general, women should be taking in 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. For women who want to get pregnant, they should be taking between 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid either from the food you eat, from a vitamin or folic acid supplement, or from food fortified with the folic acid like breakfast cereal.

Other women may be needing even more folic acid every day. If, for example, a woman has had a baby with a neural tube defect like spina bifida and would like to get pregnant again, the recommended amount of folic acid intake daily is 4,000 micrograms.

If mothers-to-be would like to increase the odds of having twins, the amount of folic acid intake should be within 400 to 1,000 micrograms every day either through supplements or through food rich in Vitamin B9.

Natural food sources rich in folic acid or Vitamin B9 include dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, peas, dairy products, nuts, beans, eggs, grains, cornmeal, white rice, flours, pasta, breakfast cereals, seafood, and eggs. Other sources are spinach, yeast, liver, Brussels sprouts, fish, avocado, Dungeness crab, and asparagus.

Are there risks in babies if I take too much folic acid?

A study revealed that having an excessive amount of vitamin B9 (folate) as well as vitamin B12 within a mother’s body may increase the risk of developing autism. Researcher Daniele Fallin, from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said that this new study brings about questions as to understanding the optimal dose of folic acid.

Mothers who were found to have extremely high levels of folate during delivery doubled the chances of having a baby with autism compared to moms with regular or normal folate levels. The risk is over 17 times higher among women who had excessive levels of folic acid and B12 compared to mothers with normal amounts in their system.

However, the researchers stressed that expecting mothers should not stop taking folic acid supplements. Daniele Fallin said that supplementation is indeed important and that they would not want anyone to interpret the study in a way that mothers should stop taking vitamin supplements if they want to get pregnant or if they are already pregnant.

The information available regarding what happens in a folic acid twin pregnancy gives valuable insight as to the aspect of vitamin supplementation during pregnancy.

We are further assured that anything in moderation and taken in the right and recommended dosage brings about good results, especially for mothers who are planning to get pregnant.

In about 1 out of every 5 twin or multiple pregnancies, one of the twins is lost very early on and simply “disappears.” This is called Vanishing Twin Syndrome, and while it usually occurs in the early weeks of twin pregnancies. As a pregnancy loss, it is no less devastating than a twin miscarriage further down the line.

What is Vanishing Twin Syndrome and is there any way to avoid it?

Let’s take a look.

What is Vanishing Twin Syndrome and what causes it?

The phenomenon known as Vanishing Twin Syndrome wasn’t recognized by doctors until 1945 when it became more common to use ultrasonography to check on pregnancies in their early weeks.

Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs when one fetus in a twin or multiple pregnancies die in the womb and the fetal tissue is absorbed by the mum’s body, the other twin, or the placenta.

This makes it look like the baby has literally “vanished.”

Back when ultrasound wasn’t used in prenatal care, doctors could only determine that a twin or multiple was lost during pregnancy by checking the placenta after delivery. But now that early ultrasounds are available to most mums, doctors can see very early on if a mother is expecting twins or multiples.

It also makes it easier to detect when one of the twins or multiples has disappeared.

When do Vanishing Twin Syndrome Occurs?

This is how a Vanishing Twin Syndrome diagnosis is usually made: an expectant mum may be told at 6 or 7 weeks that she is having twins. But when she returns for her next scan (usually the 12th-week ultrasound), she may be told that only one heartbeat can now be detected or only one fetus can be seen.

Sometimes, a mum goes in for an early scan and is told that one of the twins is much smaller than the other and that the pregnancy may end in Vanishing Twin Syndrome.

Vanishing Twin Syndrome normally occurs during the first trimester. There are rarely any serious medical risks to the mum or the surviving twin when it happens this early in the pregnancy.

Doctors aren’t 100% sure why Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs. Some possible explanations for the phenomenon include:

• A genetic or chromosomal abnormality that made the fetus nonviable
• Improper cord implantation

Vanishing Twin Syndrome is not caused by external factors and cannot be the result of something the mum or her partner did. There’s also nothing that the mum and her partner can do to prevent it from happening.

Vanishing Twin Syndrome Statistics

Unfortunately, Twin Syndrome is very common in twin and multiple pregnancies. According to the American Pregnancy Association, it occurs in about 21 to 30% of all twin and multiple pregnancies.

Cases of Vanishing Twin Syndrome have been diagnosed more and more since doctors started using high-quality ultrasounds. Ultrasound technology is now so advanced that a pregnancy can be detected almost as early as the moment of implantation.

However, many pregnant mums don’t have access to early ultrasounds, which means that they would have no idea if they were carrying twins in the early weeks of their pregnancy. This suggests that the real rate of Vanishing Twin Syndrome is probably higher than 1 in 5 or 1 in 6.

If you’re pregnant with twins, reading these statistics can be quiet nerve-racking. Just remember that once you’re out of the first trimester, the risk of Vanishing Twin Syndrome decreases significantly. After you’ve gone past 20 weeks, there’s only a 3% chance of losing a twin.

Vanishing Twin Syndrome symptoms and treatment

About 80% of all cases of Vanishing Twin Syndrome occur very early on, even before your doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat. If it happens during the first trimester, there are usually no outward signs that it has occurred. The mother will still have high levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG and will simply continue feeling pregnant.

However, there are rare instances when there are signs that the mum is experiencing a vanishing twin. These signs include:

• Bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Uterine cramps
• A temporary decrease in nausea and other pregnancy symptoms

There’s a big chance that the symptoms aren’t related to Vanishing Twin Syndrome, but you should still consult your doctor if you experience any of the above in the first trimester.

Statistics show that Vanishing Twin Syndrome is more common in mums over the age of 30. Apart from that, there doesn’t seem to be any specific risk factors for it. If you’re already taking care of yourself by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you’re already doing a good job at protecting your unborn babies.

If Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy, no specific medical treatment is necessary for either the mother or the remaining fetus.

But if it happens in the second trimester or third trimester, the pregnancy will have to be closely monitored and considered high risk. If the mother has experienced repeated miscarriages, she may be advised to undergo genetic counseling.

What are the vanishing twin syndrome surviving twin symptoms?

If the loss occurs in the first trimester, the surviving twin will usually be born without further complications. However, if it happens in the later stages of pregnancy, the remaining twin could be at increased risk of cerebral palsy.

Vanishing Twin Syndrome can also lead to significant obstetric difficulties. The mum will have to be closely watched for signs of bleeding, infection, preterm labor, and other complications. Some studies suggest that there is also a greater risk for low birth weight and health issues later in life for the surviving twin.

Many parents struggle to cope after a Vanishing Twin Syndrome diagnosis. If you’re one of these parents, know that it’s perfectly okay to feel confused, angry, and sad over the loss while also feeling joy and excitement over the coming birth of the surviving twin.

The rollercoaster ride of emotions can be quite overwhelming, but remember that you’re not alone in this. If you want to learn more about what Vanishing Twin Syndrome is and how other mums coped in its aftermath, check out our forums and Facebook page.

What’s the difference between fraternal vs maternal twins? Basically, fraternal twins develop from two eggs that have been fertilized from two separate sperm. They are otherwise known as dizygotic or non-identical twins.

Maternal twins, on the other hand, are twins that develop from one fertilized egg that then splits into two forming two embryos. They are also called identical or monozygotic twins.

Knowing the difference between the two can bring about important insights as to the twins’ overall health as well as how to facilitate their growth and development.

What are the similarities between maternal vs fraternal twins?

Both maternal and fraternal twins are two types of twins that develop in one and the same pregnancy. These twins also share a similarity when it comes to their genetic traits or genome. On a side note, each of the twins will surely have different fingerprints and will develop different personalities.

What are other similar terms for twins?

To avoid confusion with the terms related to twinning here is a quick and easy reference.

Paternal vs Fraternal Twins

Paternal twins are twins that grow from separate fertilized eggs and non-identical when it comes to overall appearance and gender. They are called this way because they are formed from two or several sperms from the father. Thus, the term “paternal” is specified.

In reality, paternal twins also refer back to fraternal twins. As stated earlier they are also known as dizygotic twins. But as “fraternal” twins, they develop from two separate events of fertilization. They share 50% of similar genetic traits as siblings.

Generally, both paternal or fraternal twins have separate placentas. They are dichorionic-diamniotic. This means the twins grow from separate chorions and separate amniotic sacs.

Mono-Mono Twins, Di-Di Twins, and Mono-Di Twins

These types of twins develop depending on which stage the fertilized egg (zygote) divides or splits.

Di-Di Twins (Dichorionic/Diamniotic) develop during the earliest stages of twining or splitting after fertilization. Each twin will have his or her own placenta, chorion, and amniotic sac. Most fraternal twins are Di-Di twins.

Mono-Di Twins (Monochorionic/Diamniotic) form in a split that happens between four to eight days after fertilization. The twins will share the same placenta and chorionic sac, but each twin will have their own amniotic sac.

Mono-Mono Twins (Monoamniotic/Monochorionic) are twins that share the same placenta, amniotic sac, and chorion. Usually, Mono-Mono twins are the result of splitting between eight to twelve days after fertilization.

Twinning that happens after twelve days after fertilization generally results to conjoined twins.

What are the significant differences I need to know between maternal vs fraternal twins?

To establish the right perspective, be reminded that fraternal twins are dizygotic. Meaning, they develop from two separate fertilized eggs that later on develop into two separate amniotic sacs, placentas, and supporting mechanisms.

If these twins have different genders, they are clearly fraternal and do not share the same DNA. A boy has the XY chromosomes while the girl will have the XX chromosomes. This happens when one X egg gets fertilized by an X sperm. Accordingly, a Y sperm fertilizes the X egg.

Here we understand that fraternal twins are called that way because the result of the twinning process has a lot to do with the circumstances as to how the sperm fertilizes the egg.

Contrary to fraternal twins, maternal twins have the same DNA which is why they are also known as identical twins. Maternal twins will always have the same gender, either both boys (XY chromosomes) or both girls (XX chromosomes) because that one egg is fertilized by one and the same sperm.

But even with the same genome, these twins may not be exactly identical because of the factors surrounding the environment during development.

Other significant differences to know about fraternal and maternal twins are the following.

• The blood type of fraternal twins may be different, while for maternal twins they will always be the same.
• The causes of fraternal twins include heredity, fertility drugs or IVF. The cause of maternal twins is not fully known until today.
• The risk for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is lower in fraternal twins but is a higher risk in maternal twins.

Knowing about these differences gives proper guidance as to how to properly care for twins and makes us aware of their potential health risks and tendencies whether they are fraternal or maternal twins.

Can you induce maternal twinning?

First of all, the likelihood of having maternal twins is just 1 in 350 to 400 and one-third of twins are maternal. This is a lot lower compared in fraternal twinning because conceiving maternal twins is completely up to chance.

Maternal twins happen because one fertilized egg splits into two and the causes of such splitting that leads to maternal or identical twins are not yet known to this day. Because of this, inducing maternal twins may not be possible.

Can you induce fraternal twinning?

Fraternal twinning can be attributed to certain factors like genetics, maternal age, fertility treatments including IVF, race, nutrition, a woman’s height and the number of pregnancies a woman has had. Of all these factors, the aspect of genetics is what is most significant in fraternal twinning.

There are genetic factors that cause hyperovulation in a woman. Hyperovulation is when a woman releases more than one egg during ovulation which results to fraternal twinning. These factors have not been fully identified, nor is there genetic testing available to find out as of now.

Finding out the differences between fraternal vs maternal twins is important for future parents of twins because this helps get them prepared for the arrival of their babies as well as give them optimal care as to their health and overall development as the twins grow. It also weeds out worrisome thoughts and brings a sense of confidence in what is to come.

Of all the enigmatic things in twinning, it is perhaps the occurrence of parasitic twins that is the most asked about. Questions like “Are parasitic twins alive?” or  “Can parasitic twins think?” seem to leave almost anyone baffled.

Although parasitic twins is a possibility, find comfort in knowing that this is an extremely rare circumstance.

What is a Parasitic Twin?

Parasitic twins, otherwise known as Heteropagus twins, are asymmetric conjoined twins. These twins may either be identical or monozygotic in which the roughly defective twin, which is also called the parasite, heavily depends on the cardiovascular system of the intact twin (autosite) to survive.

A parasitic twin or unequal conjoined twin is also the result of processes that cause vanishing twins and conjoined twins. Parasitic twins only happen when the undeveloped or underdeveloped twin gets attached to the body parts of the other twin that develops well.

It is to be noted that the occurrence of the parasitic twin syndrome is only one per one million live births.

How do Parasitic Twins happen?

Parasitic twins happen during an identical twin pregnancy where one of the fetuses gets absorbed by the other in the early stages of the pregnancy. More specifically, this phenomenon involves having a twin embryo that develops in utero (in the womb or uterus) but does not fully separate.

One embryo is dominant in its development at the expense of its twin. The tissues of the parasitic twin depend on the “host” twin for its survival. The parasitic twin ceases to develop during gestation and becomes vestigial to the fully formed autositic twin (the dominant twin).

Mostly, the makeup of parasitic twins is likened to a normal functioning human being with extra organs or appendages. This leads to asking whether or not these additional limbs and organs are in fact another person or just a mere mutation of the individual’s body.

Further, an event known as incomplete twinning gives an explanation as to how parasitic twins happen. Incomplete twinning happens when one egg will not fully separate. This is contrary to the known splitting event in identical twins where one egg separates into two eggs which then develop into two fetuses.

Parasitic twinning may also be caused by an excess of a protein called Sonic Hedgehog (SHH). Researchers have found out that SHH plays an important role in the midline of the body during development.

Having a deficiency of SHH during development leads to a restricted midline development resulting in a number of disorders like fused eyes, a brain lacking in hemispherical separation, and joining of the legs and feet. Meanwhile, an increase in SHH during development leads to an exaggerated expression of midline features.

This over-expression is seen in chick embryo experiments where they would have larger spacing between their eyes and duplication of beaks (craniofacial duplication). This duplication is associated with parasitic twinning. So, parasitic twins may be caused by an excess of SHH.

Are Parasitic Twins Alive?

A study on embryologic etiology of parasitic conjoined twins that was published by Dr. Rowena Spencer in 2001 states that because of the reported chromosomal abnormality in a parasitic twin, it is considered a genetically imperfect embryo and that it develops into a defective fetus.

It is also close to impossible that a fully-functional heart or a capable brain is found in these abnormal fetuses. This suggests that the cause of such condition is primarily due to a cardiac malformation. Secondary to this is a disruption in the brain development. In other words, parasitic twins may not be considered alive.

The anomalous fetuses specified in the said study that are variations of abnormal parasitic conjoined twinning include fetuses in fetu, acardiacs, and teratomas. It is to be noted that these anomalies are attributed to chance and are extremely rare in occurrence.

Fetus in fetu is a condition where a malformed and parasitic fetus is found in the body of its twin. An Acardiac, on the other hand, is a parasitic twin that does not develop a heart as well as the upper structures of the body. It receives blood supply from the host twin through a cord-like structure.

Finally, teratomas are types of tumors that have all three of the major cell types that are typically found in an early-stage embryo.

Are there known cases of Parasitic Twins?

Although very rare, there have been isolated cases on parasitic twinning. One noted case is that of a “fetus in fetu” in a baby boy in India. The doctors noticed a mass inside the fetus during an ultrasound examination.

When the baby was born, the doctors ran another scan and found what seemed to be a part of a fetus behind the baby’s stomach. Surgery was thus done to remove this parasitic twin. The mother and the baby are doing well.

Another rare case documented is that of a newborn girl with a mass of a parasitic twin attached to its back. It was located in the midline over the lumbosacral region. There were rudimentary digits attached to the mass. This mass was removed via surgery.

One reported case happened in the year 2008 when an embryonic parasitic twin was removed from a nine-year-old girl’s stomach. The young girl was complaining of stomach pains and the doctors concluded that it was because there was a tumor growing on the right side of her belly.  

But when they took a closer look, they realized that it was an undeveloped embryo about six centimeters long. This growth was the removed surgically.

Now that you have come to know of significant details as to this phenomenon, what do you think about parasitic twinning? Should such occurrence be a cause of alarm?

The information presented as a result of probing into the question, “Are parasitic twins alive?” has definitely given a better understanding of the mysteries of parasitic twinning. It is to be reiterated, however, that parasitic twins are an extremely rare occurrence and have relatively few numbers of isolated cases.

It’s one of the issues parents of twins don’t really give much thought to beforehand: how to tell twins apart. But it’s an issue nonetheless. Twin mix-ups happen all the time, at home and in school, and especially when you first bring them home as newborn twins.

Telling identical twins apart is trickiest in the early days when they still look remarkably similar. The twin you’ve been calling Emma may actually be Olivia, and vice versa.

The good news is that as your twins get older, it gets easier. You become more and more familiar with their features and behaviors. They eventually develop their individual personalities.

In the meantime, try these simple strategies:

How to Tell Twins Apart: Newborn Twins

Keeping track of just one newborn’s feeding and sleeping routines is hard enough for a sleep-deprived parent. Now imagine you have to do this with two babies. If you have identical twins, you may not even be able to identify one precious baby from the other during the first few weeks.

And yet you still have to make sure that each baby gets enough milk, sleep, and nappy changes. That means you’ll have to devise a system to tell them apart. Here are some tricks to help you do that.

1. Physical clues —Identical twins may look uncannily similar at the beginning, but even then there will at least be a few traits that are unique to each. For example, one twin may have chubbier arms, poutier lips, or darker hair than the other.

Look for the physical differences that set the babies apart. One may be longer. The other may have freckles on her nose or a birthmark on her knee.

Use these to figure out who is who. Write down your observations or take photos to help you remember.

2. Temperament — Even when they’re just a few weeks old, you can already see that your twins have different personalities. One of the twins may be crankier at night than the other or one of them may be friendly while the other tends to cry when he sees unfamiliar faces. These differences will help you tell the twins apart.

3. Nail polish — Here’s an easy one for you. Dab the tiniest bit of child-friendly nail polish on one of your twin’s toenails. It helps you figure out which baby is which if their personalities aren’t that pronounced yet or if they’re asleep and you don’t want to move them around to look for a specific mole or birthmark.

4. Clothing — Colour code their outfits! One twin gets the blues and purples while the other wears only the pinks and yellows. When they’re this young, they can’t argue with you and by the time they’re old enough to choose their own colors, you would have already figured out how to tell them apart.

5. Stickers — This is another easy one that will help you recognize your twins even if they’re asleep or fussy or when you’re too tired and sleep deprived to attempt to guess. Grab a pack of stickers and assign a color or style to each twin. For example, Sam gets the blue stickers on his onesie while Max gets the red ones on his.

This is a convenient temporary solution that will help you identify your identical twins while they’re still too little to tell apart.

How to Tell Identical Twins Apart at Home

Even when they’re adults, identical twins can be hard to tell apart, as evidenced by this article in the Daily Mail. But generally, as identical twins get older, telling which twin is which usually gets easier.

But you may still hear parents saying “I can’t tell my twins apart” even when their children are school aged. Why? Because as they get older, your twins will discover how much fun it is trying to trick you into mixing things up!

Follow these tips to avoid falling for their antics.

1. Get to know their quirks — The older your twins get, the more you’ll notice the differences in their physical characteristics, facial expressions, personalities, mannerisms, movements, and preferences. One may like Disney songs while the other prefers show tunes. One may enjoy rough and tumble play while the other opts to curl up on the couch and watch cartoons.

One twin may be sociable while the other is reserved. One may tug at her ear when she’s nervous or be unable to keep a straight face when she tells a lie. As their different personalities start to emerge, pay attention and you’ll be harder to fool.

2. Color assignment — This boils down to personal preference, but some families find it easier to tell their twins apart by simply color coding their clothes and other belongings. You’ll have to get your twins to cooperate with you on this. It’ll help if you let them choose the colors they want.

How to Tell Twins Apart at School

When your twins start going to school, you have to do what you can to help others figure out which twin is which. Mistakes can be stressful for the teacher and embarrassing for your children.

1. Different shoes — Aside from color coding your twins’ clothes, assigning different shoe styles makes it easier for their teachers to tell them apart. This also works because it’s not embarrassingly obvious and your twins will still be able to choose the clothes they want. Just make sure to clue the teachers in on which one is wearing sneakers and which one is wearing ballet flats.

2. Name tags — Unfortunately, this will only work when your kids are really young and don’t have a say in the matter. A pin with their name on it, a bracelet, or an ID card on a lanyard will help their teachers and class aides figure out who is who.

4. Label their clothes — Instead of assigning specific colors or styles of clothing, you can also try having your twins’ names or initials embroidered on their clothes.
5. Anticipate mistakes — This is more of a coping mechanism than a technique for telling twins apart. No matter what you do, there will inevitably be times when those at school mistake one twin for the other. Reassure your children that it’s normal for people to make mistakes and teach them how to politely correct others when they switch things up.

Do you have other tips on how to tell twins apart? Share them with us in the forums or in our Facebook group.