I'm a mum of twins. Ask me anything!

[MakeMineATwin2]

Thought I'd join in too

Could you tell them apart straight away? I realise this is probably a stupid question BTW but have often wondered if any twins started off as the 'other' twin?

Iwasjustabouttosaythat - How amazing is that! Sorry if I'm being dense, but does that mean you conceived naturally the same time as the IVF embryo was implanted?

I think it means the embryo split and they are identical? But two sacs! I’m confused also (and I have twins)

It is a bit confusing! According to our obstetrician we’ll never know how it happened. Our fertility Dr said to keep trying the old fashioned way at the same time as getting the embryo transferred and we did, so maybe I got pregnant naturally, though we were told it was a 1 in 100 chance. They are not identical but apparently they may have still come from the same embryo (which I didn’t realise is a thing but apparently it is).

Here’s what the internet says:

“Because fraternal, or dizygotic, twins are 2 separate fertilized eggs, they usually develop 2 separate amniotic sacs, placentas, and supporting structures. Identical, or monozygotic, twins may or may not share the same amniotic sac, depending on how early the single fertilized egg divides into 2.”

There's one way to find out - a DNA test. Even though they had separate sacs, if they were originally from the same embryo, they will be genetically identical. I think that's right anyway...

Did you colour code them when they were babies so you could tell them apart?

My younger sisters are identical twins, I could tell them apart immediately. Aside from my Mum and Step Dad, I was the only one that could. They’re 22 now and my Gran still can’t

To me they looked, and still look, totally different.

Do you have to leave them crying more than you'd like to (as a necessity when you can't comfort both at once)? How on earth do you get sleep at night? Have you been able to breastfeed them (if you wanted to)?

My ID twins had separate sacs and placentas. We only found out they were identical from DNA mouth swabs. Oh and the fact they look the same ! But they didn't at birth as were different sizes....

Ms, that’s true. I don’t think we will do it but they may want to one day.

We found out it was twins at the first routine scan. I still remember how shocked I was I was to shocked to cry or laugh or anything. I remember staring at the image on the screen thinking ' how are we going to cope'. For the first time in dp life he was speechless too!

For the first month or two I couldn't tell them apart. I made sure twin 1 had blue on at all times and twin 2 white. I was so scared I would get them muddled up! Now they are older I easily see who is who and their personalities are opposites too. Anyone we meet still say ' but how can you tell them apart' ?

I am still breastfeeding them and feel very fortunate that it's gone so well. The first few days neither would latch on and one night the nurse said if by tomorrow they're still struggling we can look into bottle feeding some expressed milk. Funny enough that night I spent almost the whole night with two babies happily nursing. It was the best feeling but also exhausting having two babies feed together. 2 years on and they still have a night feed and maybe a bit in the day for comfort. I must admit I'm this weather breastfeeding two toddlers is not very enjoyable

I have always wondered with a twin vaginal birth does it go baby, placenta, baby, placenta or baby, baby, placenta, placenta?

Yes, baby, baby, placenta, placenta. You feel like it's never going to end.

Are there more mums of twins on this thread than not?

Mine are 4mos old and fine so far but waiting for toddlerdom to hit. I think I have a false sense of security as DD1 was an easy toddler who didn't climb and followed instructions. I keep just keep picturing two of her and thinking ah, can't be that bad.....

Well done OP for bf the two of them for so long - serious respect!

I'm a mum of twins too

Do they get on well or argue lots?

When you find a mom of twins its like finding one of your own!

When mine were born (prem) i couldnt tell them apart...we hung those little car number plates for the crazy coupe cars with their names on on their moses baskets and always made sure the right baby went back in the right one!

I always wondered if we may have ever mixed them up but one had problems during pregnancy and birth so i know shes the right one!

DD1 was an easy toddler who didn't climb and followed instructions. I keep just keep picturing two of her and thinking ah, can't be that bad

I could have said the same about DS! DT2 is a playground daredevil. She will climb anything, desperate to go exploring by herself, though the best time is obviously when DT1 is dangling precariously off the side of some fort. That girl gives me the stress. She is incredibly lovely at the same time of course.

Mine are 19 now. I found it got easier after 18 months, in comparison to friends I'd made at antenatal and then mother and baby groups, who were starting to have their second babies and suddenly had a demanding toddler at the same time as a newborn. Whereas mine would play with each other (fairly) nicely and also sleep at the same time and (usually) all night through.

YY you get asked the same questions over and over, including 'Are they identical?' when one is obviously brunette with brown eyes and the other blonde with blue eyes.

My stock answer to 'What's it like to have twins?' is 'This is normal for me. What's it like to only have one baby at a time?'

They show a lot of affection towards each other but also fight over anything and everything which is exhausting!

We're just moving this over to AMA.