Twins

Two, three (or more) fetuses developing in the mother’s body at the same time. In humans, twins are born quite often, mainly twins (1 in 85 births), rarely triplets (1 in 6000-8000 births); more than three twins are a rare exception.

Hereditary predisposition undoubtedly plays a role in the occurrence of multiple pregnancies. Twins can come from one fertilized egg (identical) or from two (or more) eggs (fraternal, etc.).

Identical twins are formed either as a result of fertilization by a sperm of one binucleate egg, or by fertilization of a normal egg by a binucleate sperm. An egg can contain three, four (or more) nuclei, then identical triplets, quadruplets, etc. develop. Identical twins share a common place of origin - the placenta; they are always of the same sex and are so similar to each other that even their close relatives have difficulty distinguishing them.

Dizygotic twins are formed as a result of fertilization of two or three, four, etc. eggs, while the fetuses develop completely independently and have separate placentas and other elements of the fertilized egg. Fraternal twins can be of the same or opposite sex. The resemblance between them is no more than usual between brothers and sisters.

Determination of multiple pregnancy with a routine obstetric examination is possible only in the second half of the term. Multiple pregnancy places increased demands on a woman’s body; toxicosis, complications and premature birth are more common.

In a full-term multiple pregnancy, childbirth proceeds safely, but with some peculiarities. Twins, especially premature ones, require careful care. Proper feeding is of great importance - alternately with each breast, followed by supplementary feeding. Mothers of twins enjoy additional benefits and receive assistance from the state.