Confused by the twin abbreviations

Which ones are identical and which ones are fraternal? We found out we were having twins at 6w 4d but they couldn't tell how many sacs or placentas there are so we go back at 11 weeks. I'm just wondering how/if I'll be able to tell if they're ID or Frat at that point or if I'll have to wait for the u/s when we find out the gender(s).

 

The acronyms can definitely be confusing...I will try to break it down for you:

Mo/Mo (Monochorionic/Monoamniotic)= 1 placenta and 1 sac= Always Identical

Mono/Di (Monochorionic/Diamniotic)= 1 placenta (could actually be 1 or 2 could have fused together, or look fused), and 2 sacs= Usually identical, but if the placenta fused or looks fused, they could also be fraternal. You will usually have to wait until after birth to know for sure. If your babies have different blood types, they are fraternal. If they have the same blood type, you will probably have to do a DNA test to know for sure if they are identical or fraternal.

Di/Di (Dichorionic/Diamniotic)=2 placentas and 2 sacs=Could be Identical's that split early on, or they could be fraternal. You will usually have to wait until birth to know for sure, unless you find out you are having boy/girl twins (then they would obviously be fraternal).

I hope that makes sense!

 

Thanks for that answer, i never knew that

 

Thanks, that's a big help.

 

So my Di/Di boys could be ID? I never knew that. I got pregnant through IVF and we had 4 embies transferred and we think 2 took, but now I'm not so sure. I just have to wait till they are born to find out for sure? How do you find out for sure?

 

QUOTE(vyckie72 @ Feb 18 2009, 02:44 PM) [snapback]1195348[/snapback]
So my Di/Di boys could be ID? I never knew that. I got pregnant through IVF and we had 4 embies transferred and we think 2 took, but now I'm not so sure. I just have to wait till they are born to find out for sure? How do you find out for sure?


Yes, you have to wait until they're born. Then, sometimes it's obvious because they look unmistakably different, sometimes their blood types are different, or if you're not sure you can get a DNA test for around $100-150 and know for certain in a matter of weeks.

 

QUOTE(vyckie72 @ Feb 18 2009, 03:44 PM) [snapback]1195348[/snapback]
So my Di/Di boys could be ID? I never knew that. I got pregnant through IVF and we had 4 embies transferred and we think 2 took, but now I'm not so sure. I just have to wait till they are born to find out for sure? How do you find out for sure?

Vickie - what day of transfer you had 3 or 5. because if It was 5 days transfer they more likely would be fraternal ( but again no 100%) because from what I read DI DI can be ID when they split on the very early stage. for us I think that stage was in the lab. but again this is only my thought.
Or if you find out that you are having b/g twins this mean fraternal for sure.

 

QUOTE(scorpion509 @ Feb 19 2009, 08:36 AM) [snapback]1196292[/snapback]
Vickie - what day of transfer you had 3 or 5. because if It was 5 days transfer they more likely would be fraternal ( but again no 100%) because from what I read DI DI can be ID when they split on the very early stage. for us I think that stage was in the lab. but again this is only my thought.
Or if you find out that you are having b/g twins this mean fraternal for sure.


I had a 3 day transfer.

 

Thanks for explaining it! :umm:

 

QUOTE(Kyrstyn @ Feb 17 2009, 01:42 AM) [snapback]1192722[/snapback]
The acronyms can definitely be confusing...I will try to break it down for you:

Mo/Mo (Monochorionic/Monoamniotic)= 1 placenta and 1 sac= Always Identical

Mono/Di (Monochorionic/Diamniotic)= 1 placenta (could actually be 1 or 2 could have fused together, or look fused), and 2 sacs= Usually identical, but if the placenta fused or looks fused, they could also be fraternal. You will usually have to wait until after birth to know for sure. If your babies have different blood types, they are fraternal. If they have the same blood type, you will probably have to do a DNA test to know for sure if they are identical or fraternal.

Di/Di (Dichorionic/Diamniotic)=2 placentas and 2 sacs=Could be Identical's that split early on, or they could be fraternal. You will usually have to wait until birth to know for sure, unless you find out you are having boy/girl twins (then they would obviously be fraternal).

I hope that makes sense!


Thanks for explaining it, I've never figured it out and have thought many times to post but felt embarassed lol, so thanks again.