Can you have twins vaginally?

Yes, you can often have twins vaginally, as it's common and safe for many twin pregnancies, especially if the first twin is head-down; however, it depends on the babies' positions, your overall health, the type of twins, and your provider's expertise, with about half of all twins being born vaginally.

What is the safest delivery method for twins?

Mo-Mo twins should always be delivered by cesarean section to avoid umbilical cord complications for the non-presenting twin at the time of the first twin's delivery. A woman carrying Di-Di or Mo-Di twins is a good candidate for a vaginal birth if: The presenting twin is in a vertex position.

Do twins have to be delivered via c-section?

No, twins do not have to be delivered via C-section, though C-sections are more common for twin pregnancies, with rates around 60-75% in the US, but vaginal delivery is often a safe option, especially if the first twin is head-down. The decision depends on factors like fetal positions (ideally both head-down), gestational age, and maternal/fetal health, with studies showing comparable safety for planned vaginal versus C-sections in carefully selected cases. 

Which parent carries the twin trait?

For fraternal (dizygotic) twins, the genetic tendency for hyperovulation (releasing more than one egg) is often passed through the mother's side, meaning the pregnant parent's genes are key, but the father can carry and pass this trait to his daughters, increasing their future chances. For identical (monozygotic) twins, genetics play a minor role, as they usually occur randomly when one fertilized egg splits, though some rare genetic factors might influence the split.
 

Do conjoined twins feel the same pleasure, Abby and Brittany?

Yes, for conjoined twins like Abby and Brittany, sensations, including pleasure, often overlap due to shared anatomy and circulatory systems, meaning one twin can feel what the other feels in shared areas, leading to potentially simultaneous experiences, though individual control and perception still vary. They share reproductive organs from the waist down, leading to shared physical responses like orgasm, and hormonal responses from touch or kissing can transfer, but perception differs as they are distinct individuals.
 

Can I have a vaginal birth with twins? | Midwife Online

Is it possible to carry twins full term?

Yes, it's possible to carry twins to full term (around 37-38 weeks), and some mothers even go past 40 weeks, but it's rare, as most twin pregnancies end prematurely (before 37 weeks) due to higher risks like preeclampsia and preterm labor. Doctors usually recommend earlier delivery (37-38 weeks for fraternal/dichorionic, 34-37 weeks for identical/monochorionic) to avoid complications, but individual cases vary, and delivery timing depends on the twins' type and maternal health, with personalized care from an MFM specialist being crucial. 

What is the riskiest type of twin pregnancy?

Monochorionic-monoamniotic twins are identical twins that share both a placenta and an amniotic sac. This is the rarest and highest risk form of twin pregnancies.

Is twin birth more painful?

Giving birth to twins can be more challenging and potentially more painful due to increased pressure, higher risk of complications, and more interventions, often leading to a strong recommendation for epidurals; however, the second twin often delivers quickly and easily after the first, and while pregnancy discomforts are often worse, actual labor pain intensity isn't necessarily double, but recovery is usually tougher.
 

What triggers twins?

Twins are caused by either one fertilized egg splitting (identical twins, same DNA) or two separate eggs being fertilized by two different sperm (fraternal twins, unique DNA), with fraternal twinning often linked to genetics (hyperovulation), maternal age (over 35), family history, and assisted reproduction, while identical twins are random but can be increased by ART.
 

What's the best age to conceive twins?

Age: If you're over the age of 35, you're more likely to release multiple eggs during ovulation. Family history: If your mother's side has a history of fraternal twins, there is a chance you could conceive twins naturally.

What is the first indicator of twins?

Early signs of twins often mimic a typical pregnancy but are more intense: severe fatigue, extreme morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), rapid weight gain, intense breast tenderness, earlier and stronger fetal movements, frequent urination, and an earlier, larger baby bump. Higher hCG levels and increased AFP in blood tests can also hint at multiples, but a prenatal ultrasound is the only definitive way to confirm twins.
 

Why can't twins go past 38 weeks?

So the question of going past 38 weeks on day six of that week (6/7) doesn't come up that often! But for those who do get there, the best data available suggests that at 38 to 39 weeks, the risk of stillbirth for twins seems to be higher than the risk of neonatal death after delivery.

What increases the chances of releasing two eggs?

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (Follistim/Gonal-F, Bravelle)

FSH medications are used to stimulate the recruitment and development of multiple eggs in women during an ovulation induction cycle. FSH products may be used alone or in combination with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) to induce superovulation.

At which month is it risky for a twin pregnancy?

There is a well recognized risk of complications for both women and infants of a twin pregnancy, increasing beyond 37 weeks gestation. Preterm birth prior to 37 weeks gestation is a recognized complication of a twin pregnancy, however, up to 50% of twins will be born after this time.

What parent passes down the twin gene?

For fraternal (dizygotic) twins, the genetic tendency for hyperovulation (releasing more than one egg) is often passed through the mother's side, meaning the pregnant parent's genes are key, but the father can carry and pass this trait to his daughters, increasing their future chances. For identical (monozygotic) twins, genetics play a minor role, as they usually occur randomly when one fertilized egg splits, though some rare genetic factors might influence the split.
 

Who is most likely to conceive twins?

People assigned female at birth who are older (especially over 30), have a family history of twins, have had previous pregnancies (especially multiples), are of African-American descent, are taller/larger, or use fertility treatments are more likely to have twins, particularly fraternal twins, because these factors increase the chance of releasing multiple eggs during ovulation.
 

Can you abort one twin and keep the other?

Yes, it's medically possible to selectively terminate one twin while continuing the pregnancy with the other, a procedure called selective reduction or multifetal pregnancy reduction, often done due to health risks for the mother or severe abnormalities in one fetus, typically using ultrasound guidance and injections to stop the target twin's heart. This procedure reduces the risks associated with twin pregnancies (like preterm birth) but carries risks, including potential loss of the remaining twin, and is a complex medical and emotional decision. 

What week do twins usually come?

Twins usually arrive earlier than single babies, with the average delivery around 36 weeks, but it's common for them to be born between 32 and 38 weeks, as over half of twin pregnancies end prematurely (before 37 weeks). While 39 weeks is full-term for single babies, 37 weeks is often considered full-term for twins, as their lungs are usually mature enough by then for a shorter hospital stay. 

What is the average birth weight of twins?

The average birth weight for twins is around 5 to 5.5 pounds (2.3 to 2.5 kg) each, significantly less than singletons (over 7 lbs) because they're usually born earlier, around 35-37 weeks. About half of all twins weigh over 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams) at birth, with weights varying greatly depending on gestational age, sharing a placenta (monochorionic), and other factors. 

Is it harder being pregnant with twins?

Yes, twin pregnancies are generally harder and considered higher risk, involving more intense symptoms (fatigue, nausea, swelling), increased physical strain, more frequent checkups, and higher risks for complications like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, anemia, and preterm labor for the mother. Your body works harder to support two babies, leading to more significant physical changes and medical monitoring. 

Did Ganga and Jamuna survive?

Although both survived the surgery, believed to be only the second of its kind, they had varying degrees of impairment, with Ganga having brain damage and Jamuna being unable to walk. Ganga subsequently died in 2008 of pneumonia and meningitis. In 2016, a book was published in Singapore about their lives.

Can one conjoined twin sleep while the other is awake?

Yes, conjoined twins can have different sleep and wake cycles, with studies showing significant independence in their sleep patterns, meaning one can be awake while the other sleeps, though synchronization varies depending on the type of conjoining and age, with some cases showing near-independent brain activity. The level of fusion, shared organs, and neurological connections heavily influences how much control each twin has over their own body, but independent states of consciousness, like sleeping or being awake, are possible. 

Who controls the legs of Abby and Brittany?

Abby controls their right arm and leg, Brittany controls the left. Their parents decided against separation surgery when they were born, deeming it too risky.