Fraternal twins

Normally, one egg matures in a woman in each cycle, i.e. every 28 days. This can then be fertilized and develop into a child. In some cases, however, eggs mature in both ovaries and double ovulation occurs.

Each egg is fertilised by a different sperm and two children are born. The children have different genes and are no more similar than siblings of different ages. Each child has its own amniotic sac and also its own placenta.

This makes the children less prone to certain complications. An example of this is that the supply of the children is independent of each other and therefore one child cannot take nutrients away from the other child. Even if a child is seriously ill, the sibling does not have to be affected. About two out of three twin pregnancies are fraternal twins. Whether twins are fraternal is best determined before the 16th week of pregnancy.In children with different genders, it can be said with certainty that they are fraternal twins even later in pregnancy.

These are the signs of a twin pregnancy

Especially in early pregnancy, a twin pregnancy is no different from a pregnancy with a single child. The finding is often a chance finding during one of the first preventive examinations during pregnancy. Only in late pregnancy do some differences emerge, such as a possibly larger belly.

An indication of a twin pregnancy may be that there has been an increased incidence of twin births in the family or that the pregnancy is based on artificial insemination. During a pregnancy, the mother’s body undergoes many changes. At the beginning of the pregnancy, the belly of a twin mother is not yet different from the belly of a woman who is only expecting a child.

From about the 16th week, the children have a size that stretches the uterus and the pregnancy belly becomes visible. The mother’s organs now have to be moved because the twins need space in the abdomen. This happens in twins somewhat earlier and to a greater extent than in other pregnancies.

From the 24th week of pregnancy onwards, the baby’s abdomen can no longer be hidden. This is also about four weeks earlier than in mothers who are only expecting one child. Since two children need more space than a single child, the baby belly grows stronger and faster.

This leads to more stretch marks and more pressure on the mother’s bladder. The regression after birth can also take a little longer than after a single birth because the tissue is stretched much more. Since stretch marks can occur especially in twin pregnancies, the following pages may also be of interest to you:

Prevent stretch marks
Can stretch marks be removed?