Monochorionic Twins

Most people think there are only two types of twins, fraternal or identical. Its actually not quite so simple. If 2 eggs are released the twins will be dichorionic diamniotic fraternal twins. These types of twins make up 75% of all twin pregnancies. If 1 egg is released and splits early the twins will be identical dichorionic diamniotic twins but will resemble a fraternal twin pregnancy and a chromosomal test needs to be ran to determine if the twins are identical or fraternal. I will stress ALL BOY/GIRL TWINS ARE FRATERNAL!!! A penis does not resemble a vagina. You would not believe how many boy/girl twin moms get asked if their twins are identical. In fact today I saw one boy/girl twin mom online asking if she needs chromosomal testing to determine identical twins. NO! NO! NO!

Second type of twins is what I have. Monochorionic diamniotic. It occurs when 1 egg splits later and the babies share 1 placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This type makes up about .3% of all pregnancies. (Lucky me). Although this isn't the most dangerous form of twins, it still has many risks. If twins share a placenta, there share a central blood supply. A fatal condition called twin to twin transfusion (or TTTS) happens in 20% of all monochorionic twins. This is when one twin donates all its blood to the other twin. If it is caught early enough, surgery can be used to correct this condition. It is the one thing all identical twin moms fear and the reason that most pregnant identical twin moms aren't jumping for joy over the fact that they will have two look a likes running around in a few months. The best part of being pregnant with identical twins, LOTS of ultrasounds. I get to see the twins every 2 weeks.

Here are all the different forms of twins. Monoamniotic occurs in 1% of all twin pregnancies and has a 50% mortality rate. Conjoined twins are so rare that most conjoined twins get their own TV show on TLC.

Its so easy to fear the unknown. I've been freaking out lately over what could happen. Every little ache and pain I worry that the twins are in danger. I am afraid to get too attached to the twins, I have thought about not finding out the gender until birth because knowing who I'm growing inside of me will make it that much harder if I lose them. But I am their mother and they are my children and the fact is I am completely out of control with this one. All I can do is love them and trust that God will take care of their needs. One night as I was reading about TTTS and freaking out about everything that could go wrong with my babies I had the thought "I know the plans I have for you" come into my heart very forcefully. That's when I realized that I should not doubt God. In reality these twins should be dead right now, I've had so much bleeding and most people that bleed as much as I have would be bleeding because their baby died. Instead God has protected my babies. Why should I assume that God would stop taking care of my babies later on? Am I scared? YES! Will my worry help save my babies? No. So I guess this will just be a big test of faith cause there is really nothing I can do to control our situation.