Table of contents:
- What are the birth signs of identical twins?
- How accurate are the pregnancy scans?
- Are identical twins easier to determine when the baby is born?
Naturally, if a mother wants to immediately know whether the baby is carrying identical twins or not. Regardless of the mother's curiosity, the doctor will examine the uterus to adjust the treatment if it turns out that the twins are in the same placenta (monochorionic twins).
Mothers carrying identical babies are more prone to experience complications during pregnancy. Although the majority of monochorionic twins are born healthy, as many as 15% of twins from one placenta are present twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). TTT is a placental disorder in which one baby receives too much blood while the other twin receives too little blood intake.
If it is found that you are carrying monochorionic twins, you will need special supervision so that you will go back and forth to the hospital more often for examinations and scans.
What are the birth signs of identical twins?
The sonographer will perform an ultrasound scan to see the condition of the baby and placenta in the first trimester examination. This scan is done before the 14th week of gestation.
Ultrasound findings in twins can be:
Dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA)
Each baby has its own placenta, inner membrane (amnion), and outer membrane (chorion). DCDA is a feature of one-third of identical twins and all non-identical twins, so DCDA twins may or may not be identical.
Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA)
Both babies are in the same placenta and outer membrane, but have their own inner membrane. MCDA is a feature of two-thirds of identical twins, so MCDA twins are confirmed to be identical.
Monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA)
Both babies are in the same placenta, outer membrane, and inner membrane. MCDA twins are a very rare case and account for only 1% of all identical twins. The MCMA twins are definitely identical.
How accurate are the pregnancy scans?
A second scan may be performed if the initial scan results are uncertain.
An ultrasound scan is a relatively accurate method for checking the condition of twins and their placenta. However, there is no guarantee that the ultrasound results can confirm that the baby in the womb is an identical twin or not. Being in the same placenta is indeed a feature of identical twins, but the condition of the placenta observed by ultrasound does not guarantee certainty because even non-identical twin placentas can fuse into one.
When carrying the same genetic makeup, identical twins will definitely be genetically identical and always be of the same sex. Chances are you will have two daughters or two sons.
Are identical twins easier to determine when the baby is born?
If it turns out that the twins born are a boy and a girl, of course they are not identical twins.
If it turns out that twins born of the same sex and each have their own placenta, the two babies may or may not be identical.
You may be able to know the certainty of having identical twins at birth after the doctor carefully examines the placenta. Blood tests can also be done via the umbilical cord of each baby. The placenta can be sent to a laboratory to check whether the twins are identical or not. However, usually, this test is only done for medical reasons.
After the baby is born, you can check for signs of identical twins, such as:
- Blood group
- Eye color
- Hair color
- The shape of the feet, hands and ears
- Tooth pattern
If you are still curious, you can do a DNA test on the baby. DNA testing is the most accurate method of finding out whether twins are identical or not.
Through DNA testing or zygosity determination, types of multiple pregnancies - identical (monozygous) or fraternal (dizygotic) twins - can be identified. This test is done by taking a small sample of cheek cells to be sent to the laboratory. These cells are taken from the inside of the baby's mouth using cotton bud.
