TWINS question??

[carisa]

How do you tell if you are having fraternal or identical twins? My gestational carrier (surrogate) just found out last week at 6 1/2 weeks that she is having twins. We are so excited. I want to know if they are identical or fraternal. Anyone know how to tell? Thanks

[carisa]

Thanks ladies. I'm assuming they are fraternal since I did do IVF/ICSI. I have heard of a few cases of identical after IVF so I was just wondering. I'm sure it's too early to tell right now. At her ultrasound next week she will be 8weeks2days. I'm hoping they are fraternal so I can avoid any scary scenarios. I just want two healthy babies in the end!!

[martikadragoon]

I thought I'd make a note: There are 3 different ways that identical twins can develop and be carried:

With the first case there is only one placenta that feeds the babies, but there can be two amniotic sacs (as in the diagram at the side).  When there is 1 placenta and 2 amniotic sacs then the pregnancy is referred to as having a "mono-chorial" placenta and is "bi-amniotic".  

In the second scenario, there is only one amniotic sac.  In the case of 1 placenta and 1 amniotic sac then the pregnancy is referred to as having a "mono-chorial" placenta and is "mono-amniotic". SIDE NOTE: MOMO TWINS HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CORD ACCIDENT (50%) WHERE THE CORDS WRAP AND KNOT AND RESULTS IN DEATH AND MUST BE MONITORED CLOSELY. THEY CAN TELL THIS BY U/S

The third scenario is where there are two placentae and each embryo has its own amniotic pocket. When there are two placentas and two amniotic pockets like this, then one speaks of a "bi-chorial" pregnancy that is "bi-amniotic". (This last case is an identical situation to fraternal twins as shown below).

This isn't to scare you but to show the types of Identical twins possible. :)

[JoyRenee]

Well identical twins can have separate placentas as well. If they are in the same sac, but with two placentas, they're still identical. Some identical twins will also share the same sac.

Fraternal twins will always have their own sac.

[tarrah87]

yes i was pregnant with twins and the only way to tell if they are identical or fraternal is by the same placenta or two seperate placentas only an ultra sound can tell u for sure

[BUTTERFLYCOTTON]

I'm pretty sure the only way to tell is to see if the babies are sharing the same placenta ((would mean their identical) and fraternal, they would have two separate placentas. They should be able to show you in your next ultrasound. It might be too hard to see this early.