Mono/di mono/mono--- WHAT?

[Phantom710]

Okay so, I'm new to the whole twin thing, and I have no idea what you ladies are talking about when you say

di/di mono/di...etc.


Sorry if that sounds dumb. I googled it and I got answers---sort of, but was hoping someone could put it in better terms?

 

[jackie2012]

i know at first it all so...... WHAT? lol

mono mono is the same sac and placenta. identical twins (one egg)

mono di is the same palcenta different sacs. also identical

di di is two placentas and two sacs. if they are the same sex can be identical if the egg split early enough or can be fraternal(two eggs and is genetic twins run in the family and the woman hyperovulates).
only sure way to tell besides genetic testing if they are identical or frats is if they are different sexes or look nothing alike.

 

[Phantom710]

Ah thanks so much

 

[Babyduo]

Usually the first is the placenta so mono as the first word would mean one placenta. The second word is the amniotic sac. So the abbreviation di would mean two sacs. The highest risk is mono/mono or one placenta one sac. They can get their cords wrapped around eachother. Moderate risk is mono/di (one placenta two sacs) they are at risk for twin to twin transfusion. The lowest risk (for twins) is di/di two placentas and two sacs.

 

[Phantom710]

I see.

SO I am di/di has I have two sacs and two placentas? Right?

 

[ShelbyLC]

There are two basic types of twins:

1. Dichorionic/Diamnitoic Fraternal (non-identical) twins. These come from two eggs fertilized by two sperm. They implant seperately and have two placentas, though sometimes the placentas can "fuse" together if they are close enough to each other. Each baby has its own sac. These babies can be boy/boy, girl/girl, or boy/girl.

2. Identical twins, which come from one egg and one sperm. The fertilized egg splits (for an unknown reason) into two. This can lead to four types of identical twins:

A. Dichorionic/Diamniotic Identical twins. Sharing nothing except DNA - each baby has its own placenta and its own sac. It is impossible to tell the difference between these twins and fraternal twins, unless you end up with boy/girl twins, which are fraternal (except in VERY rare cases).

B. Monochorionic/Diamniotic Identical twins. Sharing a placenta with separate sacs.

C. Monochorionic/Monoamniotic Identical twins. These twins share both a placenta and a sac. This is extremely dangerous, as the babies' umbilical cords can become tangled during pregnancy, which can cause many problems (including death). With today's technology, most Mo/Mo twins are born healthy, but early - around 32-34 weeks. This is because the larger they grow, the riskier it is, and the more likely the cords are to become tangled or compressed.

D. Monochorionic/Monoamniotic Conjoined Identical twins. Also known as Siamese twins. These babies share one placenta, one sac, and some or most body parts.


Since you used IVF, your twins are fraternal, so yes - di/di

Congratulations, by the way! Wonderful thing you're doing

 

[Babyduo]

Yes, if you have two placentas then you are di/di. These can come from two different egss (fraternal) or from 1 egg that split very early (identical) if you have same gender twins the only way to know for sure is to have DNA testing at birth. Of course if there is one of each then you know they are fraternal. They are the lowest risk twins- and often are carried further to term than the others! Congratulations on your twins. I am almost 25 weeks with mono/di (one placenta/ two sacs) twin boys! So far few complications and other than feeling further along than I am.... I am doing great.