Becoming parents to one child is a miracle in itself, but even more so when couples become parents to twins. People have always been fascinated with them, whether in stories or in real life. In today’s times, many twins have been able to make a name for themselves and create their own legacy. In this article, let’s take a look at the ten most famous twins in history, both in fiction and real life.

Jacob and Esau: The First Most Famous Twins in History

While not very famous, they are the first twins to have been born. The story of these brothers have been tumultuous from the start as it’s said they struggled together in their mother’s womb, a possible foreshadowing of their relationship.

Esau was born with great strength and Jacob was born with great intelligence, their personalities a great contrast to each other. Esau was depicted as a profane or godless man while Jacob was a man on integrity. After Jacob tricked his brother into giving up his birthright over some soup, he and his mother then tricked his sick father to give his blessing to Jacob instead of Esau.

Chang and Eng Bunker: Siamese Twins

Born on May 11, 1811, Chang and Eng Bunker were born connected by a piece of cartilage in the sternum. Since they were born in Siam, Thailand, they were given the name “Siamese twins.” During that time, medical technology wasn’t developed enough yet for doctors to be able to perform surgery on the twins.

However, their condition propelled them to be celebrities in their own right, travelling with P.T. Barnum’s circus for many years after being discovered by Robert Hunter. Soon after, they left the circus and became U.S. citizens with both twins settling down and starting their own families.

Jenna and Barbara Bush

Dubbed as “The First Twins,” Jenna and Barbara Bush are the daughters of former U.S. president George W. Bush, who was elected back in 2000. They were born on November 25, 1981, with Barbara one minute older than her fraternal sister Jenna. They were the first twins to ever be in the White House.

During their father’s candidacy, the sisters took on multiple activities like writing books and attending presidential events, most of which were concerned with learning and education. Their latest public activity was a book tour for their joint memoir Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life.

Apollo and Artemis

The son and daughter of Leto and Zeus are two prominent and important figures in Greek mythology. Apollo is known as the god of light and truth, while also being a musician and is always seen with his golden lyre. He teaches medicine and healing, a contrast to his sister, Artemis, the goddess of wild things and hunting, and a vengeful warrior.

Artemis was declared the goddess of childbirth when she acted as the midwife to her mother and helped bring Apollo into this world. As they are polar opposites, Artemis was considered to be the goddess of the moon while Apollo was declared the god of the sun.

Robin and Maurice Gibb: The Bee Gees

British musicians Robin and Maurice Gibb made quite the name for themselves when they formed The Bee Gees. Finding their start in Australia, The Bee Gees went on to be one of the most successful music groups of all time, going on to win nine Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, a World Music Award, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

These accomplishments made the twins, who were born only 35 minutes apart, two of the most influential people in the world. Both twins have settled down and started families after the band’s disbandment and passed away 9 years apart from each other.

Dylan and Cole Sprouse

Teens and young adults are very familiar with Dylan and Cole Sprouse, who practically grew up in front of the nation’s eyes. The two boys got their start in a 1993 series Grace Under Fire until 1998. In 2005, they landed their biggest gig yet in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody on Disney Channel as troublesome twins who live in a hotel.

The series ran for three years, with its spin-off The Suite Life on Deck running until 2011. After the end of the series, the two boys went on to pursue separate careers in acting, with Cole taking on the role of Jughead in the Netflix series Riverdaleand Dylan starring in small films.

Cersei and Jamie Lannister

They may be fictional, but their impact is as real as it gets. The fraternal twins have caused quite the controversy with their relationship on the show Game of Thrones. In the show, the twins always Have each other’s backs and will do anything to retain their power, no matter how questionable their methods may be.

What happens to the twins in the end has yet to come as the show is still ongoing but their dynamic, for the lack of a better term, relationship always keeps viewers on their feet.

Scarlett & Hunter Johansson

Another famous set of twins is Scarlett Johansson and her fraternal brother, Hunter. While Scarlett developed a career in acting, her brother focused more on a career in politics.

Hunter did dip in acting a little bit, appearing in the 1996 film Manny & Lo with his sister, but then shifted the focus of his career to politics, which involved working with Obama.

Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen

Probably the most famous set of twins as of this day and age is Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen. Their careers started when they were just six months, being casted as Michelle in the ABC sitcom Full House until 1995. After the show ended, the twins kept their lives private ever since and have chosen to stay out of the spotlight while pursuing a career in fashion.

In modern times, twins are more and more becoming a norm. Some say there’s more power in two and these famous twins in history prove that to be true.

Twins and their inborn connection are endlessly fascinating to those of us who were born singletons. While they often have entirely different personalities, twins seem to have an almost telepathic bond that allows them to finish each other’s sentences and know what the other is thinking.

This innate sameness is so strong that even identical twins seperated at birth end up reuniting later in life to find that their lives are strangely similar to each other.

Can you imagine what it would be like to grow to middle age and discover that there is another person on this planet who has your genes and your physical features but is living a completely different life? Yes, there are dozens of cases of people growing up not knowing that they have a twin and finding each other as adults.

Some of these twins were separated by tragedy or given up for adoption. Others, sadly, were purposefully separated in the name of science.  

Here are some of the most shocking cases of identical twins who were separated at birth:

Identical Twins Seperated At Birth

Jim Springer and Jim Lewis

Jim Lewis and Jim Springer didn’t know about each other until they were 39 years old, but they were so similar in so many ways that they amazed and baffled researchers.

Lewis and Springer grew up about 40 miles away from each other in Ohio. Amazingly, both of their adoptive families named them James. Aside from that, there were so many other eerie similarities that the two were practically living the same life.

The “Jim twins” shared these traits:

• Was 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds
• Had a childhood dog named Toy
• Was a fingernail biter
• Prone to migraine headaches
• Married a woman named Linda
• Had gotten divorced
• Married again, this time to a woman named Betty
• Would leave love letters for his wife all over the house
• One twin had a son named James Alan while another had a son named James Allan
• Worked part-time as a sheriff
• Smoked Salem cigarettes
• Preferred Miller Lite beer
• Drove a light blue Chevrolet to the Pas Grille beach in Florida on vacations

Not everything about Springer and Lewis was the same. Still, there were so many coincidental similarities in their lives that it inspired a psychologist to begin the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart or MISTRA, a 20-year research project into the influences of genetics and environment on the development of psychological traits.

Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein

Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein didn’t know they were twins — and didn’t lay eyes on each other — until 2004 when they were 35 years old. The two were born in New York City to a mother who was mentally ill and gave them up for adoption. Both of the women were adopted as babies and grew up with loving families.

According to NPR, it was only after Elyse got in touch with the adoption agency to learn more about her birth mother that she discovered she had a twin. In a shocking twist, she and Paula later learned that they had been part of a secret study in the 1960s that involved identical twins being separated at birth or in infancy.

The purpose of the research project was to determine what makes us who we are: our genes or our environment.

The “nature vs. nurture” study was conducted by a respected child psychiatrist who had been working with adoption agencies to make sure that twins were sent away with different families.

Later on, when New York began preventing adoption agencies from separating twins, the psychologist decided not to publish the results of the study and made sure the data would be sealed at Yale University until 2066.

Paula and Elyse wrote a memoir titled Identical Strangers. They wanted to speak with the man who led the study, and when he eventually consented, he didn’t offer an apology for separating them as infants.

Katey Bennett and Amanda Dunford

Amanda and Katey were born in Korea, were separated at birth, grew up separately in the United States, and were reunited after 33 years — thanks to a popular genetic testing company.

According to the Daily Mail, the twins both had rough starts. Amanda was reportedly found attached to a pole in a street vendor’s home while Katey was placed in a basket and left on the steps of an orphanage. The two were eventually adopted by different families but coincidentally ended up in the United States.

When Amanda’s family, who lived in Arizona, came for her, they were informed that she had a twin but that the twin had already been taken by her own adoptive family.

In 2013, knowing that she had a sister somewhere out there, Amanda decided to take a DNA test from the personal genomics company 23andMe. Through the service, she discovered a distant cousin, but no twin sister.

Incredibly, Katey, who grew up in California and had no idea that she has a twin sister, decided to take the same genetic test in 2017. She was shocked when the results showed a 100% DNA match with Amanda, who the service identified as her identical twin sister.

Ann Hunt and Elizabeth Hammel

Ann and Elizabeth almost went their entire lives without ever laying eyes on each other. It wasn’t until 2014, when they were 78 years old, that Hunt and Hammel, who had been separated at birth, met for the first time.

The twins were born in 1936 in Aldershot, the United Kingdom to Alice Lamb. She had reportedly planned on giving up both of her daughters for adoption. But because Elizabeth was born with a curvature of the spine, it was thought that it would be hard to find a family who would adopt her.

Elizabeth grew up with her birth mother and had always known that she had a twin and had attempted to search for Ann for many years. Meanwhile, Ann, who had grown up with her adoptive family, was unaware that she was a twin. She only found out in 2013, after her daughter, Samantha, who was interested in family trees, became intent on learning more about her mum’s blood relatives.

When Ann and Elizabeth finally met, they discovered that they had a lot of things in common. The sisters:

• Married men named Jim
• Were widowed
• Had grandchildren
• Were religious
• Liked being in front of cameras
• Had many similar mannerisms

When Elizabeth and Ann met in person for the first time, they set a Guinness World Record for the longest separated twins.

It can be interesting to know that fate sometimes intervenes and can make it so that identical twins seperated at birth find each other again in the future. Sometimes it’s a sad reunion, but most times, it is a happy day for both twins and their families.

Gestational diabetes with twins is a complication in pregnancy. Although in most cases, this is a temporary form of diabetes caused by the body not producing enough insulin that regulates sugar in a pregnancy, it is still important to know how it can affect you and your babies.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes happens when the body changes in how it responds to insulin. Insulin ushers out glucose from the blood and into the cells, so it gets used as energy. When a woman is pregnant, the cells in her body become a bit resistant to insulin which leads to the increase in sugar levels in her blood. This happens so that the babies have more nutrients available. But if the glucose level is extremely high, problems can happen.

What are the signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes?

The American Pregnancy Organization states that the symptoms of gestational diabetes include sugar in the urine, unusual thirst, urinating frequently, nausea, fatigue, blurred vision and frequent vaginal, bladder, and skin infections.

About two to five percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. This number increases to about seven to nine percent in women who are likely to have risk factors. This is why it is good to be tested usually between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. It is at this time when the placenta produces high levels of hormones that contribute to insulin resistance.

How will gestational diabetes affect me and my babies?

Mothers who develop gestational diabetes with twins are at great risk for a number of conditions. These include preeclampsia, preterm birth, cesarean delivery, stillbirth, and shoulder dystocia. When it comes to the babies, they may have low glucose levels, breathing problems, jaundice, obesity in childhood, and the risk of developing diabetes when they are older.

Can I breastfeed if I have gestational diabetes?

Yes, as a matter of fact, breastfeeding is recommended for women with gestational diabetes. It proved the best nutrition for your babies and can help you go back to your pre-pregnancy weight.

Once a woman gives birth, gestational diabetes commonly disappears. An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is usually performed six weeks after a woman has delivered her baby. However, women who developed gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Because of these, women should be tested at least every two to three years, and especially before planning another pregnancy. It is also necessary to have glucose levels checked whenever a woman feels under the weather.

Who is at risk of gestational diabetes?

Women who are at risk of developing gestational diabetes have a family history of type 2 diabetes or has a first-degree relative (a mother or a sister) who has had gestational diabetes. Women who are 40 years or over, or who are above the healthy weight range, or have experienced elevated blood sugar levels in the past may develop GD. Aside from that, women who are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, as well as those who are from a Melanesian, Chinese, Polynesian, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, or Indian backgrounds can likewise develop gestational diabetes.

Others at risk include those who have had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies, have had polycystic ovary syndrome, have given birth to a large baby that weighs more than 4.5 kg, are taking steroid or anti-psychotic medications, and those who have gained weight too fast in the first half of pregnancy.

How is gestational diabetes with twins managed?

Managing gestational diabetes with twins involves managing blood glucose levels, making sure to adhere to a healthy dietary plan, and engaging in physical activity regularly. Others may need insulin injections throughout the pregnancy. But once the babies are born, insulin will no longer be needed because gestational diabetes usually disappears at this time. If gestational diabetes is managed effectively, this will surely reduce the risks of complications during pregnancy as well as giving birth to your babies.

How is self-blood glucose monitoring done?

To do this on your own, you would need to procure a blood glucose meter, a lancet device with lancets, and test strips. These usually come in kits. This test begins with pricking your finger with the lancet. After that, a drop of blood is placed onto the testing strip which then gets inserted into the meter and reads our blood glucose level.

Your healthcare provider will be giving specific instructions as to when and how often you would need to do this test. But usually, doctors recommend that the tests be taken either before breakfast (after fasting), before lunch, before dinner, two hours after a meal, before bed, before exercising, and when you are not feeling well. Keeping a record of your blood glucose levels is certainly ideal.

What is the ideal dietary eating plan if I have gestational diabetes?

Being sure of maintaining a healthy eating plan will help manage and keep the blood glucose levels within the target range. Another positive result of this is that it will provide the right nutrition for the pregnant mom and the growing babies. And of course, if eating well will help mothers achieve the proper weight gain throughout the pregnancy.

• With this, women with gestational diabetes are advised to:
• Have small frequent feedings
• Be sure to include carbohydrates in every meal and snack
• Choose foods that are a delight to eat but are rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, folic acid, and food with low saturated fat.
• Prefer food with high fibre and avoid sugary food and drinks
• Choose basmati or doongara rice which has a lower glycemic index and leaves the stomach feeling fuller for longer periods of time
• Consider alternative sweeteners

Although gestational diabetes with twins is a potential problem, managing this effectively will significantly reduce the risks that go along with it. It is important to keep consulting a health professional regarding this condition all throughout the pregnancy until giving birth.

Finding out you’re going to have twins is a wonderful miracle in itself. Then, when they’re born, and you see that you have twins with different skin color, that is absolutely amazing!

After all the excitement has kinda toned down a bit, we may find ourselves asking, “How did this happen?” Well, decoding life isn’t as simple as some people may think.

What do You Call Twins With Different Skin Color?

Twins of different color are called “mixed twins” or “biracial twins.” Mixed twins are actually fraternal twins (dizygotic) who are born to a multiracial family. These particular families have different skin color and other racial features.

It is a fact that specific genes dictate the color of a person’s skin. Since mixed twins are born from biracial parents, these twins have inherited different gene variants code for that influences the differences of the melanin in their skin. Parents of biracial twins have a beautiful combination of gene variants for light or dark skin in their genome.

How Likely is it to Give Birth to Biracial Twins?

Geneticist Jim Wilson said that there is about one in 500 chance for mixed-race parents wanting to have twins that their babies will be born with different skin colors. The case of Whitney Meyer and Tomas Dean from Quincy, Illinois is a perfect example of this.

Whitney and Tomas are the parents of fraternal mixed twins Kalani and Jarani Dean. Kalani got her mother’s fair skin, while Jarani got her dad’s brown skin. The twins are dizygotic or fraternal twins, which means that they developed as a separate fertilized egg.

Each embryo then receives a different combination of genes from their mom and dad. Since the parents are of different racial backgrounds, the twin inherited genes for skin color differently.

Another mixed twin sensation is “Little Strong Girls” Isabella and Gabriella Shipley who are fraternal twins of Clementine Shipley. Ever since she posted a picture of her twins in her Instagram account, she has received a lot of love from people all over the world.

So, How Can You Explain Twins of Different Color?

The Daily Mail reports that Amelia and Jasmine are the first black and white identical twins born in the UK. The twins are monozygotic twins (identical twins), which basically means that they grew out of the same zygote, which then split and developed two embryos.

Amelia and Jasmin are born to Libby Appleby (37), who is Caucasian; and Tafadzwa Madzimbamuto (40), who is black.

Monozygotic twins have always been the same gender, share the exact same genetic makeup and still look alike. But in the case of Amelia and Jasmine, this is a scientific breakthrough. They are identical twins that don’t look anything alike. Amelia has dark skin, brown eyes, and black hair. Jasmine, on the other hand, has fair skin, blue eyes, and curly hair.

Dr. Claire Steves from the Department of Twin Research explains that there various genes control skin color. Even if identical twins share these genes completely, this is still not a guarantee. He says that the twins’ differences may be attributed to the change in how each of them developed in their mom’s womb.

This condition is called somatic mutation. She specifies that sometimes markers in the DNA that affect the degree to which the DNA is expressed can be different in each of the twins. Things like skin color are thus subject to what she calls as “epigenetic” control.

Another reason why this happened maybe because of the environment in which the twins were exposed to. If one had more exposure to the sun or developed a condition related to skin pigmentation, then the color of the twins’ skin is affected.

In the end, Dr. Stevens said that the case of Amelia and Jasmine being identical twins yet having a different color of skin is unusual indeed. Amelia and Jasmine were born at University Durham Hospital in the year 2014.

What Are The Expected Challenges of Mixed Twins?

There have been reported challenges for biracial or mixed twins. One example is that the twin who may not share the same skin color as a parent may feel left out or different. This may result in having other kids in school ask them the why-don’t-you-look-like-your-mom-or-dad question endlessly.

Another issue that can arise is the struggle with the feeling of having a “hidden” identity that the society finds difficult to accept. Take for example a biracial twin with fair skin but come from African heritage.

Going through an identity crisis isn’t at all easy to go through. Since twins will come to a point when they have to find their sense of self.

The process of finding one’s self involves searching for a certain religious, ethnic, occupational, or another identity to determine who they are. So, people around them will play a significant role in doing this successfully.

There may also be some challenges when it comes to the health of biracial twins. A study conducted in Scandinavia reveals that there are greater adverse pregnancy outcomes with births from mixed race parents compared to births from parents of the same race.

Twins with Different Skin Color? More You Need to Know

With these issues at hand, it is important to help families and children who are experiencing these challenges. Simply talking to them and showing care and concern are significant sources of encouragement.

Letting them know that we understand their situation and providing tips as to how they can cope in school and in the community is can make a huge difference.

Now that we know that having twins with different skin color is a possibility especially with more mixed race couples having twins, this goes to show that life is to be celebrated beyond the color of our skin.

When a woman is 35 years old or older, problems with fertility are a given. But then in today’s modern time, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine says that about one in five women have their first child after they’re 35. If this is the case, perhaps the chances of having twins after 35 are higher today than ever before.

What happens to a woman’s fertility after 35 years of age?

As women become older, the number of eggs decreases. Once they reach their 30’s, women’s fertility declines. Ovulation also tends to be slower than usual and happen less frequently. This happens to naturally prepare for menopause. Finally, women over 35 have more issues with their health that gets in the way of pregnancy.

This includes cysts, endometriosis, fibroids and more. But even amidst these complications, healthy women from age 35 to 40 give birth to healthy babies.

What are the Chances of Having Twins after 35?

The ironic thing about women who are trying to have a baby after age 35 is it is also in this time that the chances of conceiving twins or multiples are higher. In the year 2006 alone, 5% of births among women who were 35 and older were actually twins. For women over 45, this number increased to 20%. Why is this so?

Women over 35 have a higher chance of having fraternal twins or multiples because they have more FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) compared to younger women. FSH is responsible for causing an egg to mature for ovulation every month.

Since older women have extra FSH, it is possible that more than one egg will be released in a cycle.

How to increase the chances of having twins after 35

The basic thing to understand is getting the best prenatal care is the priority for women who would like to conceive twins, especially if they are 35 years of age or more. This not only provides extra protection, but it allows the health professional to be on top of things related to health and potential concerns.

For older moms-to-be, it is suggested to take optional prenatal tests. These special prenatal tests are applicable and are recommended for older moms. It is these kinds of tests that find out the risk of having twins or multiples with birth defects.

Just be sure to ask your health care professional about these tests as to the risks and benefits.

Another thing to do to increase the odds of having twins is to take prenatal vitamins. Taking a daily prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid goes a long way.

Folic acid helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, especially when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also folic acid that allows a higher level of protection for older women with higher risk pregnancies.

What are common complications when conceiving twins after 35?

There are certain health issues that may cause complications when a woman conceives at an older age. These concerns may happen before and during pregnancy.

Birth defects that include heart defects, cleft lip, spina bifida, and cleft palate are some of the common defects in a late pregnancy. Down syndrome is also part of that list.

Preexisting diabetes and Gestational diabetes

Preexisting diabetes is when a woman has diabetes even before getting pregnant. If there is too much sugar in the blood, it can damage the organs in her body as well as nerves, eyes, blood vessels and kidneys. Gestational diabetes, on the other hand, happens to some women during pregnancy.

Preeclampsia happens usually after the 20th week of pregnancy or right after. It is the most severe form of hypertension. This condition happens when a woman has high blood pressure that may affect organ function in her kidneys and liver. Some symptoms of preeclampsia are protein in the urine, severe headaches, and vision changes.

Premature birth can happen in women who are older. If babies are born before the 37th week of pregnancy, this is considered premature. These babies may have more health problems later in life.

The risk of babies having a low birthweight is also possible. A baby born less than five pounds and eight ounces is considered low birthweight.

Women who get pregnant at a later age would also most likely need a c-section in giving birth. A c-section comes with risks like infection and certain reactions to anesthesia.

Getting a miscarriage is also a known risk for women over 35. This is because they have more eggs with chromosomal abnormalities. A miscarriage usually happens before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Stillbirth, as well, is commonly faced in older women who conceive. This occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy when a baby dies in the womb.

Placenta previa can be developed by women over 35. This is when the placenta covers all or part of the cervix that leads to severe bleeding. This endangers both the mother and the babies.

How to lower the risks of pregnancy problems

As older soon-to-be mothers age, they would need the same level as TLC as their babies. Taking proper care of one’s self makes it a lot easier to manage health issues and prevents a lot more complications from happening.

Here are some important things to keep in mind and do.

Be sure to keep up with doctor appointments. In other words, try not to miss even one.
Maintain a balanced and healthy diet. Prefer fruits and vegetables, beans, lean meats, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.

Keep within the recommended weight and weight gain. Check with your health professional about the proper weight you ought to gain. Gaining the appropriate amount of weight lessens preterm birth and the slow growth of babies. This also lessons high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.

Exercise regularly. Don’t drink alcohol and don’t smoke. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of mental retardation and birth defects in babies. Smoking contributes to premature births and low birth weights in babies. Always consult your doctor about medications.

It is always important to be on the safe side and be particular with every single detail when it comes to your health. This increases the chances of having twins after 35 and more importantly, assures a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.

The question as to what makes twins identical is nothing short of intriguing! Once they’re born, everyone anticipates the many ways these twins will look alike. This includes how they talk, how they smile, how they dress, and how they do things together.

It is interesting to be part of their adventure as they grow up to know what makes them so alike.

What are identical twins in the first place?

Contrary to popular belief, the term “identical twins” describes how the twins form, and really what they look like. Identical twins are medically known as monozygotic twins who share physical characteristics and are of the same gender. This means that the twins develop from one (mono) fertilized egg, otherwise known as a zygote.

Once this zygote splits into two after conception, this results in the growth of two individual embryos. Now, because these embryos developed from one egg and one sperm, they have the same DNA or genetic makeup. This is the primary reason why identical twins are identical.

When and how are identical twins formed?

Identical twins may be formed either on the second day of the two-cell stage, the fourth day of the early blastocyst stage or on the sixth day of the late blastocyst stage. The stage at which the egg splits determines if the babies will have their own placenta or amniotic membranes, or if they will end up sharing.

Yale School of Medicine also explains that the timing as to when identical twinning stage happens is crucial to how these twins develop. The first is the embryo divides at a two cell stage, making the twins most identical. The second stage is in five days, which results in a mirror image of identical twins. The third phase is on the ninth day where identical twins are a mirror image but no share only one sac. Finally, if the division happens after the tenth day, the twins become conjoined.

Generally, if the egg splits earlier, the more independent each twin will be so they will each be having their own placenta, chorion (the outermost fetal membrane), and amnion that later on gets filled with amniotic fluid.

Early splitting would mean that the twins may be less identical than those who separate at the latter part of the blastocyst stage.

What causes Identical Twins to occur?

We know for a fact that monozygotic twins or identical twins form due to the environment in which a single zygote splits into two embryos after fertilization. But the answer as to why this split occurs is not fully known.

Research on IVF may have a more precise explanation as to how identical twins occur. IVF can increase the chance of twins, especially as more than one embryo is transferred. These embryos are more likely to split into identical twins than naturally-conceived embryos.

Is it possible that identical twins may not necessarily be 100% identical?

Although identical twins grow from the same fertilized egg and have the same set of genomes, these twins may not be as genetically similar to each other. A study was reported on at the 2012 American Society of Human Genetics gathering and it suggests that identical twins may not be as genetically similar to each other.

At a certain point in cell division, before the 14th day after conception, the identical twin embryos share all of their DNA. However, during the early stages of fetal development, the twins go through more than three hundred genetic mutations which are also considered “copy errors.”

As the cells divide trillions of times in a certain lifespan, some genetic mutations could lead to various genetic differences in the DNA of identical twins over the years. This explains why identical twins could have differences when it comes to inheriting diseases, personality, intelligence, and even to differences in preferences.

This is where the influences of nature-and-nurture come into play when it comes to identical twins.   

How will I know if my twins are identical?

One way to find out if your twins are identical is through a Twin Zygosity DNA Test. This test involves DNA analysis and is done after the babies are born. The test is done by taking a cheek swab from each twin.

These are then shipped to a highly specialized lab where the DNA is extracted, analyzed and compared. The DNA analysis is done twice to ensure a hundred percent accuracy.

Furthermore, the zygosity test compares each of the twin’s DNA profiles to see if they match. If an exact match is found, then the twins are surely identical. This test is helpful in finding out potential health risks for the twins.  

These potential risks include certain structural abnormalities that lead to heart defects, or a slow birth rate or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) that is more likely in identical twins who share one placenta (monochorionic).

What are the odds of having identical twins?

One-third of all twins will be identical. All women who are pregnant have the same chance of conceiving identical twins. To be exact, that tendency is 1 in 250. But one thing is for sure though, identical twins do not run in families. Identical twins are also not dependent on what race, country or ethnic affiliation.

Increasing the odds of having identical twins is therefore not possible. Luck, coincidence, and chance are the only things that can make this possible. It has nothing to do with genetics. In conclusion, identical twins happen at random.

When it comes to the idea of what makes twins identical, being curious is inevitable. Ultimately, in finding out more about this twin phenomenon, the sense of excitement and expectancy should not cease.

Instead, it should all the more leave us fascinated at how such a random thing can bring about remarkable additions to a growing family.

Families with siblings that have different fathers are pretty common. But how about fraternal twins with different fathers? Is this a possible phenomenon or simply a question that can never be answered?

As impossible as it may sound, it is actually possible; however, very rare. The hows can also be pretty perplexing but once you know about a woman’s cycle, it is plausible to have two men impregnate a woman at the same time.

This is what happened to one woman in Vietnam.

So, how do fraternal twins with different fathers happen?

A set of toddler twins in Vietnam broke the internet and the science community in 2016 when they turned out to have different fathers.

From their physical appearance, it was quite clear that the two didn’t look alike. According to the Washington Post, one of the babies had thin, straight hair while the other has thick, wavy hair.

After their family members have been very vocal about the twins’ great difference in appearance, a Vietnamese couple brought their twins to a specialist.

Their DNA was tested at the Center for Genetic Analysis and Technology. They found out that the twins were a pair of bi-paternal twins – fathered by two completely different men.

This was pretty rare not only in their country but also in the world.

Another case of twins fathered by different fathers were Marcus and Lucas, twins of mom Charlotte Hilbrandt. After having sex with both his ex-husband and new lover, Charlotte got pregnant and later on gave birth to the boys.

How can this happen?

So, can twins have separate fathers? Studies have actually shown that it is indeed possible for a woman to get pregnant with two different fathers at the same time. This phenomenon is known as superfecundation.

Simply put, superfecundation is when two eggs from the same woman is fertilized by two different men during the same ovulation period.

A normal ovulation cycle actually just lasts 24 hours. If it doesn’t get fertilized by a sperm, the egg and the uterine lining will shed – which then leads to menstruation.

To make it a lot easier to comprehend imagine this: if a woman has sex with two men within 24-hours, these men have a great chance of getting her pregnant at the same time with twins.

Still, this is a one in a billion chance. There are only very few reported cases of superfecundation twins.

How rare is heteroparental superfecundation?

Heteroparental superfecundation is actually quite common among animals. It has been reported in cows, dogs, cats, and rodents.

But what about for us humans?

The chance for one sperm to fertilize an egg is small in normal conception. This is because the journey that a sperm takes to reach the egg is arduous – with a long journey through a harsh reproductive system where white blood cells see sperm cells as invaders.

Therefore, the chances of two sperms, especially from two different men, are rather rare.

However, according to a study, they estimated that two different men can father a pair of twins in one out of 400 or 0.25% of twin births in the USA. There has also been another study that reported that there is a frequency of 2.4% among non-identical twins whose parents were involved in a paternal suit.

The only reason why there is only an estimate is that superfecundation cases only happens or arises whenever a family member is suspicious of a twins’ paternity. There might be other cases still left undiscovered due to lack of DNA testing.

Superfetation

Apart from superfecundation, another rare phenomenon surrounding twins with different fathers is known as superfetation. This is when a woman gets pregnant while she was impregnated. This happens when another, completely different ovum gets fertilized during an ongoing pregnancy.

Usually, this takes place weeks after the first egg is fertilized. Fertilization can happen from a sperm of the same father or a different person.

For this to successfully happen, these scenarios must happen:

1. The release of an ovum during pregnancy – This is nearly impossible since ovulation ceases once a woman is pregnant.
2. The second ovum is fertilized by a sperm cell – If another egg is indeed ovulated, a sperm should be able to fertilize it. Then again, this is more or less unlikely to happen as the pregnant body creates a mucus that stops sperms from entering.

Most known cases of superfetation in humans happens when the women got fertility treatments.

During in vitro fertilization, fertilized embryos are transferred to your uterus. Superfetation can happen if you ovulate and the egg is fertilized after the embryo has been transferred to your womb. Heteroparental superfetation can happen if the sperms that fertilized the eggs were from different men.

Suffice to say, the embryos that are now in your womb are twins seeing as they shared the same body during a pregnancy. However, one of them is more developed than the other and this can cause some complications during their birth.

Are all twins that do not look alike bi-paternal?

Just because a pair off fraternal twins do not look alike doesn’t mean they are bi-paternal. There are actually many cases of twins that look nothing alike – with some even looking like they are from different races.

This is because fraternal twins are basically siblings who shared the same womb. Unlike identical twins where an egg split into two, fraternal twins came from two different eggs. With even the same parents, they only get 50% same DNA.

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It is amazing to see news about fraternal twins with different fathers, simply because it is something that shouldn’t have happened.

The body can do wonders and even in an advanced age as today it is still hard to comprehend how some things around or within us work. But thanks to these cases, we can slowly unravel the mysteries of the human body.

Before the era of ultrasounds, it was a time of hunches, gut-feels, and pretty much relying much on feelings when a woman is pregnant. In context, there are old wives tales about twins that may or may not necessarily be accurate when compared to science.

Knowing about such thousand-year-old myths is actually quite amusing and interesting, but when you talk about finding out if there’s truth in them, well, that becomes fascinating!

Old Wives Tales About Twins

There are theories about conceiving twins that may actually be scientifically proven. These beliefs have something to do with yams, quitting the pill, twins running in families, and a lot more.

1. There’s something about yams and conceiving twins. It is believed that yams have a fertility-inducing property, releasing hormones that promote ovulation. An ethnic group known as the Yoruba in some parts of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana have been known to have the highest twin birth rate worldwide.

This is said to be caused by their intake of yams. So, old-timers say that if you want to have twins, eat more yams. This type of yam is almost white or light yellow.

2. It is a common belief that once a woman goes cold turkey on the oral contraceptives, it is more than possible to have twins. This twin effect is caused by the superovulation of the woman’s ovaries right after she stops taking the pill. A lot of moms say that this is true to what they experienced.

3. Another thing we usually hear is that twinning runs in the families. If anyone in the family, either on the mother’s or father’s side, has had twins, then it is only a matter of time that twins will be born somewhere along the generational timeline. Added to this theory is saying that twins skip a generation.

4. Something passed on to generations is that drinking bourbon before pregnancy will increase the chances of conceiving twins. Bourbon is on the list of food and beverages with high levels of phytoestrogen, which increases fertility.

5. Consuming super ovulation foods such as soybeans, tofu, soy beverages, tempeh, flax or linseed, sesame seeds, oats, berries, wheat, barley, lentils, rice, dried beans, mung beans, alfalfa, carrots, pomegranates, apples, wheat germ, rice bran, ginseng, soy linseed bread, and anise have also been known to increase the odds of having twins.

6. Another interesting and somewhat amusing tale is feeding oysters to your partner may lead to twins. Why? It is because that oysters have a high level of zinc which helps with the production of sperm. If they swim faster, then they will be more able to fertilize not just one, but two or more eggs. Zinc-rich foods include green leafy vegetables, seeds, wheat germ, cereals, and bread.

7. Another commonly held myth is that women who breastfeed are more likely to conceive twins if they do get pregnant while breastfeeding. This is said to be possible because of the rich amount of prolactin. Even if breastfeeding can actually put the menstrual cycle to a stop for some time, well, life can be really surprising!

8. Living or procreating in a warmer climate increases a mother’s chance of having twins. Although there is no hard evidence to prove this yet, a hotter climate has something to do with heightened FSH levels or Follicle-Stimulating hormones.

Myths about Twins

With all the myths about twins, we can get confused as to which ones are actually true. Here are some of those tales that have been studied but remain fun facts to know.

1. Identical twins can communicate by ESP (Extrasensory Perception)
A lot of people think that identical twins can read each other’s minds. No scientific evidence proves this. What would adequately explain the twins’ closeness is that they have common genes that make their communication skills very similar.

2. Twins are born either on the same day, month or year.
Some assume that twins are born just before midnight, or just after. Others even go as far as saying that they are born on the last and first day of a specific month. It is also believed that twins are born on either the first day or the last day of consecutive years.

3. Identical twins have the exact same fingerprints.
The stereotype of twins is that they look alike, dress alike, like the same things, and do everything almost always. With this, some would say that they also have the same fingerprints.

Now, just because identical twins are in fact “identical,” this does not mean that they have similar fingerprints. They surely do not have the same prints. Fingerprints develop somewhere between the 10th and 25th gestational week and are affected by different factors like temperature, amniotic fluid density, and intrauterine position.

4. Mothers are told not to breastfeed twins.
Family members would sometimes tell mothers not to breastfeed their twins because they say it is impossible to do so. They believe that the body won’t have enough milk to keep the twins healthy. This is, of course, not true at all. A mother’s body can give her babies what they need, especially when it comes to milk supply.

5. Old wives tales believe that one twin is born good while the other is born bad
The theory of Yin and Yang comes into play with this theory. Some say that one twin will always act like an angel, while the other will forever be more devilish. What mother would actually believe this to be true?

As twins, they are separate individual human beings with specific character traits and personalities. But it does not mean that one is always good, and the other is always bad. This belief may have been inspired by the tales of mythology throughout the world.

For sure, there are a lot more old wives tales about twins out there and believing in them is a personal choice. But, it is always good to do some research to balance things out.