Dr Updates from my lastest test results...

I've been meaning to put a few facts about twins up on my blog considering the confusion that has even come from every angle including a few L&D nurses I know. I am pregnant with Monozygotic twins, which means they came from 1 egg and 1 sperm splitting in two and that makes them identical. They can only be boy/boy or girl/girl. Mine are seperated by a membrane which means they are Monozygotic/Diamnionic. This kinda of identical twins is your most common. They can also be monozygotic/monoamnionic which means they are in the same sac with no seperating membrane. Mo/mo twins are very high risk. Identical twins can also be Dizygotic/Diamnionic. Which means they have seperate sacs and placentas. This only occurs if the egg splits early enough on that they can implant in seperate locations. Identical twins share the same genetics which attributes to them looking alike. My Dad and Husband are both Dizygotic twins, which means they are fraternal. They can be boy/girl, girl/girl or boy/boy. About half of Dizygotic twins are boy/girl. They are from 2 seperate eggs being fertilized by 2 seperate sperm. They are almost always in 2 seperate sacs and have 2 seperate placentas. Very rarely do the placentas fuse causing some confusion but a Dr who has delivered multiple sets of twins can usually tell by inspecting the placenta. They are about the same as any two brothers and sisters can be. All twin gestation are considered full term at 38 weeks by most obstetricians and it is not unusual for mothers to be induced at this time. Risks of going to term with twins are: the potential for cord prolapse, intrauterine fetal death of one baby and twin to twin transfusion. Mothers too may be at higher risk of placental abruption, hemorrhage and hypertension An estimated 50% of twins are born prior to 36 weeks gestation. This is due to a lot of factors. 2 of the top ten I have issues with already. 1 being preterm labor. I don't know why my body does this but I go into labor early and dilate to soon. I am about 3 cm dilated now at 28 weeks 5 days. 2 I also have placenta problems. It has cleared away for me to hopefully have another natural delivery but their is still the chance of placental abruption because they share the same placenta. If you carry your twins past 38 weeks the environment in utero starts to deteriorate. With a singleton pregnancy you would be safe to carry to about 42 weeks before a Dr would intervene but with twins you shouldn't let them go past 39 weeks. Which is a full 3 weeks sooner. Also, for the working pregnant mom of twins, considering your work environment, you may have to go on maternity leave as early as 24 weeks. Most Dr's I've dealt with suggest no later than 28 weeks. My dr wanted me to be done at 24 weeks because of the issues that had already come up this time. Good thing I wasn't working.