Any experts on Twins out there?

[maslex]

So both of our boys along with their wife/girlfriend told us that they were expecting in November. How exciting!!! They're only 13 days apart between both due dates.

Anyhow, our youngest son and his girlfriend are having TWINS!!! We can't wait. We don't know the gender yet but the doctor has told them that they are identical. Here's where my question is.........people have been asking if they're having twin boys/twin girls or one of each. Is it even possible to have identical twins that are of different genders? I dont have the slightest clue when it comes to twins so I did some reading up on it and they say its VERY rare but identical twins CAN be two different genders.

How??? I'm sure it has to do with actual DNA and genetics and whatnot, but to me, identical means identical (meaning they both have the same "nether regions", no?)

Can someone with more brain cells explain it more? Thanks LOL

 

[usnuzuloose]

I can't explain, But CONGRATS!! I was pregnant with twins and lost them.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Mom of twins. It is a common question!

No, boy and girl twins cannot be identical (or, at least they aren’t usually). Congratulations!

ETA: I think this explains your question pretty well, and has a good diagram.

It’s “exceedingly rare” to have “semi-identical” twins that are male and female, with only two documented cases, ever.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-47371431

 

[DisneyHardin]

How exciting. My sister is pregnant with Identical twin girls due this summer. We are so excited.

 

[Pooh2]

There are certain parts that are very unidentical on boy/girl twins!
We are parents of very identical twins. (grandparents could not tell them apart until they were college age).
Congrats and enjoy your new babies!

 

[Kitty 34]

How cool!!! Enjoy!

 

[CdnCarrie]

No it’s not possible to have identical twins with different genders..

They are from one fertilized egg.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Yes. I'm a total expert on Twins. The Twins are in last place with the worst record in baseball and if they don't get it going soon may be out of it by August, if not July.

 

[wenrob]

Boy/Girl twins here. As Pea said you’d be amazed how often it’s asked and mine don’t even look alike, lol. They’ll argue with you too.

Congrats to them! Have them practice the polite nod and moving on because every other person will stop them and want to tell you about all the twins they have every known.

 

[OhMari]

To answer your questions, there can be 4 different ways that twins are conceived. Identical can only be one gender. One egg is split into two. We were reading though, how they can have some different traits. Like Adler, is very laid back and Owen, smiles a lot, but he is the grump of the two.

My daughter had identical twins in January. They found out last July, that they could develope twin/to/twin syndrom. She had to be checked by a specialist and have an ultra sound done every 2 weeks. The boys were born in January 3 weeks early and weight 6.5 each. I saw her the day before she went into Labor and I literally did not recognize her. Anyways, I actually took Family Leave to help and I still am helping to this day. The advice is to keep them on the same feeding schedule, but, but babies can purse their little lips and turn their heads and refuse to eat. I swear Owen still wonders why he has to eat sometimes. They will be 4 months Saturday and they slept through the night for the first time last night. It truly is a luck of the draw on when babies sleep through the night.

I watch the twins on Monday, Thursdays and Friday. I swear sometimes they tag team me. As soon as I get one to sleep for a nap, the other one will wake up. There is no down time.


My advice, get a exercise bouncy ball, pacifiers are a Godsend, if they will take them. The twins mostly refuse, which makes it hard. Keep a changing table right in the living room. I swear, they will go through 3 outfits a day. We started stocking up on Costco diapers, 1 & 2's. It is amazing how many diapers 2 babies will go through.

It is funny, how many twin stories I have heard. Never knew, so many people have had a set of twins. My daughter ordered me Insomonia Cookies, which is in Oshkosh Wisconsin and the delivery guy told me, his twins are 21.

Did I mention I had 2 other grandsons, born a week before these 2 and the other 6 months. Plus I have 4 more, all born 3 years ago. I have 8 grandchildren in 3 years. My 4 kids all got married within 9 months of each other, and now they are all having babies. And yes, I do help out with the others, and work 30 hours a week. Thank goodness, I mostly do my work on my phone and lap top.

Here is the 3 month picture.

Adler and Owen. Tag team at their finest.

 

[quandrea]

Twin mom here! It’s amazing seeing the relationship as the twins grow. The closeness is like nothing else. My twins are boy/girl, almost 12. Year two was the toughest year so far. Years ago, a granddad told me there is always an evil twin (said tongue in cheek), and it’s true. I no sooner deal with an issue with one, and the other takes over. It’s very busy, but wonderful. I echo the advice on scheduling feeding and naps to be the same. And keep a schedule! Predictably is key to surviving. It’s also amazing how much trouble the pair can find and how, as toddlers, their combined strength and brain power foiled many baby proofing devices. Gates did not stand a chance.

It’s a wonderful journey. Make sure the mom gets lots of rest, fluids and protein to stave off pre term labour.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Congratulations to all expecting! precious picture, OhMari!

Big hug to you, Usnuzuloose.

 

[wenrob]

Twin mom here! It’s amazing seeing the relationship as the twins grow. The closeness is like nothing else. My twins are boy/girl, almost 12. Year two was the toughest year so far. Years ago, a granddad told me there is always an evil twin (said tongue in cheek), and it’s true. I no sooner deal with an issue with one, and the other takes over. It’s very busy, but wonderful. I echo the advice on scheduling feeding and naps to be the same. And keep a schedule! Predictably is key to surviving. It’s also amazing how much trouble the pair can find and how, as toddlers, their combined strength and brain power foiled many baby proofing devices. Gates did not stand a chance.

It’s a wonderful journey. Make sure the mom gets lots of rest, fluids and protein to stave off pre term labour.

Man, the toddler years about did me in. Mine are 15 but to this day I have my toothbrush and hair stuff in the downstairs bathroom because I could not leave them alone even for a minute. One finds trouble, the other follows. I wouldn’t trade it for the world though. They are the best kids. They’ve always been close but this last year has made them even closer. They call each other “sibling dearest.”

 

[AnnaS]

Grandma to twin 4 year old identical boys. Question has been answered.

There are also a ton of twins in my family - none in my dil's family. But she said identical twins also not tied to family - I had no idea until I researched it a bit.

Congratulations - lot's of fun coming!!

 

[mjkacmom]

My twins are #4 and #5, and #3 wasn’t even 2 when they were born. I second the changing table in the living room (we have a 3 story house). It’s not only great for diaper changes, but I had one with shelves to hold onsies, pajamas, outfits, socks... everything you’d find in the bedroom. As for binkies, I’d bring one to the hospital to get them hooked ASAP on a brand I could find in the grocery store, my mom taught me how to keep trying to get baby to take it. Fraternal twins are genetic on the mom’s side (mom dropping 2 eggs), identical twins aren’t genetic.

 

[quandrea]

Man, the toddler years about did me in. Mine are 15 but to this day I have my toothbrush and hair stuff in the downstairs bathroom because I could not leave them alone even for a minute. One finds trouble, the other follows. I wouldn’t trade it for the world though. They are the best kids. They’ve always been close but this last year has made them even closer. They call each other “sibling dearest.”

I have said that this year has been a good time to be a twin—they haven’t been lonely at all and have made their own fun. And I hear you on the toddler years!

 

[CdnCarrie]

Congrats!
Not sure you need an “expert” got a grade 6 biology question however!

 

[CdnCarrie]

Boy/Girl twins here. As Pea said you’d be amazed how often it’s asked and mine don’t even look alike, lol. They’ll argue with you too.

Congrats to them! Have them practice the polite nod and moving on because every other person will stop them and want to tell you about all the twins they have every known.

Being identical had nothing to do with looking alike. Lol.
As mother to twins you would know this but so annoying how many people think it does.
Identical multiples means they come from one egg.
Fraternal twins come from 2 eggs.

( I’m part of identical multiples)

 

[lvthemouse]

Congrats!! How exciting! My identical twin girls are 23. Yes, they look very much alike (nothing like me though - all dad). They were preemies, born 6 weeks early. When they were babies we tried to keep them on the same schedule, and that worked most of the time. Honestly they called the shots for us. The first three years were crazy. Once they hit 3, it felt as if we had made it. My girls have always been close and still are to this day. Identical twins share a bond that not everyone can understand. We always kept them together in school. I myself am an elementary teacher, so I was well aware of all the pros/cons. They were college roommates too. When they are not together, I know they talk/text each other several times a day. They will always have a best friend to help them through life.
Encourage them to accept help from others and to treasure the joy and craziness twins can bring!

 

[aggiedog]

Mom to identical girl twins, now almost 22. Tell the new mom that each 6 weeks gets better. I had my twins 6 weeks early, in residency. It was brutal but we made it thru.

I'm also a doctor. I suppose you could have identical genetically male twins, but one has androgen insensitivity syndrome (which masks the affects of testosterone.) That would be very rare.