Dumb question...

Nmschultz

I am currently 14w 4d w twins. This may be dumb, but how/when will I know if they are identical or fraternal? There are 2 sacs and a double membrane between the two sacs, which doc says is highly common with fraternal, but still possible to be identical.

mirnb

yes still possible...only way to know for sure in that case is DNA test after they are born or if they turn out to be boy girl

macchiatto

mirnb:

yes still possible...only way to know for sure in that case is DNA test after they are born or if they turn out to be boy girl

Yep. Or if, like mine, they look COMPLETELY different.  

Also, 1/3 of twins are identical, and 1/3 of identical twins are di/di, so if you have di/di twins the odds are 1 in 9 that they are ID.

GeauxTigers82

I had two sacs and my girls are identical. We did the DNA test at 12 mo., although everyone thought I was crazy and that they were obviously ID. You just have to wait and see (unless they're B/G, of course). Odds are in favor of frat, but you never know!

Nmschultz

Thank you! And from what I've read, two placenta don't necessarily mean fraternal? Does one placenta mean identical, or still need to do DNA test to be sure? Haha, I'm kind of clueless

Mrs. Alice

Nmschultz:

Thank you! And from what I've read, two placenta don't necessarily mean fraternal? Does one placenta mean identical, or still need to do DNA test to be sure? Haha, I'm kind of clueless

Yes one placenta = Identical.  2 placentas can still = identical if the egg split before implantation, but you will have to wait until they are born to know.  Obviously if they are boy/girl they are always fraternal.

macchiatto

Yep, one placenta means ID, unless it was two placentas that fused, but usually you'd know from early u/s. I was told at delivery that I only had one placenta--the nurse showed it to me--but my boys are clearly fraternal and I remember the tech saying at my first u/s "They have two sacs around each of them" ... i.e. di/di, so I know it had to have been two that fused.

ColleenS629

macchiatto:

Yep, one placenta means ID, unless it was two placentas that fused, but usually you'd know from early u/s. I was told at delivery that I only had one placenta--the nurse showed it to me--but my boys are clearly fraternal and I remember the tech saying at my first u/s "They have two sacs around each of them" ... i.e. di/di, so I know it had to have been two that fused.

Same. My boys had separate placentas that fused before delivery. My boys are frat.