Latest news with #identicaltwins
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Couple expecting identical twin girls face heartbreaking dilemma that could see them save one baby to lose the other
When Jack Alexander and his partner went for their early 16-week baby scan, they were delighted to discover they were expecting identical twin girls. But their happiness quickly turned to 'devastation' as they were told their babies were suffering from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) - a rare condition which sees one fetus starved of blood and fluid. The couple were soon faced with a heartbreaking dilemma: let one twin die to save the other - or undertake risky laser surgery for a chance at saving both. Determined to fight for both girls, the couple were referred to St George's Hospital in London for specialist treatment - a six-hour round trip from their home in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, which they could be required to make every week. Jack, who has been forced to launch a GoFundMe, told the Daily Mail: 'It's devastating knowing that it could be 50/50. I'm just trying to be positive for my partner as she is very lost at the moment. 'They said obviously if we don't have it done, there is a risk that we could lose one. 'But obviously it does carry risks to it as well.' Jack, a chef, explained 'Twin One' is currently one week behind 'Twin Two' in their development, with midwives unable to see her bladder. 'It was a big shocker for us. We went for our 12-week scan and we didn't know we were having twins, and [the midwife] said we've got identical twins in there,' he said. 'This made us emotional anyway, knowing this was a happy thing. We went for a private scan two days before our 16-week one, just for an early gender reveal, and she said Twin Two has got more fluid in their sack than Twin One. 'She said this could be a problem. 'We hung around, and two days later we went for our 16-week scan at Bournemouth hospital, and they said that they can't see the bladder of Twin One.' The couple, who have three children between them from previous relationships, said they are willing to take the risks that come with laser treatment for a fighting chance of saving both girls. However, this means leaving behind their children - aged six, 10 and 13, for weekly visits to London that will be costly due to travel and hotel stays. 'We have to travel up to London by car. Without traffic it's just over three hours. I think we'll have to do this every week near enough. They've classed her as high risk, so they're doing weekly checks all the time as well,' Jack said. 'We have to travel all the way up, and if she does have this laser treatment, she's going to have to stay up there for a few days, recover, and see how she is.' He added: 'You've got to be positive through this, otherwise you're going to put yourself down. It is heartbreaking, but I need to be strong for my Mrs as well.' The couple have launched a GoFundMe in a desperate bid to raise the funds they will need to travel to London. TTTS is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 per cent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins) This year, former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson revealed she had been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, meaning one or both babies could have died. She had to undergo an emergency procedure in March after suffering complications, and was advised to remain in hospital until she was at least 32 weeks into her pregnancy. In May, she confirmed both girls were safe and well - three days after giving birth prematurely. Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at St George's Hospital, University of London, recommended that families facing a similar situation to Jesy and her partner contact the charity, Twins Trust, for resources and support. She said: 'TTTS is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 per cent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins). 'If left untreated, you can lose one or both babies in up to 80% of the cases. Laser surgery is the recommended treatment. In 85 per cent of these pregnancies, at least one baby survives and in up to 70 per cent of cases both babies survive. 'The laser surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia and it usually lasts for less than 30 minutes. A fetoscope (thin camera) is inserted into the womb via a small incision. Abnormal vascular connections in the placenta are sealed using the laser. 'The laser surgery is not a risk-free procedure. It can trigger early birth or a miscarriage. The pregnancy still needs close monitoring. 'Parents could lose one or both babies. As this is a very stressful time for the family, the parents often need emotional support.' If you would like to help Jack and his partner, visit their GoFundMe. WHAT IS TWIN-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME? Twin-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can occur in identical pregnancies when twins share a placenta. Abnormal blood vessel connections form in the placenta and prevent blood from flowing evenly between the babies. One twin then becomes dehydrated, which affects its growth. The other develops high blood pressure and produces too much urine. This leads to an enlarged bladder and excessive amounts of amniotic fluid, which can put a strain on the twin's heart, leading to heart failure. Without treatment, TTTS can be fatal for both twins. The condition occurs in about around 15 per cent of identical twins who share a placenta, according to the charity Twins Trust. Around 300 twins die from the condition every year in the UK, while 6,000 babies are affected annually in the US. Draining excess amniotic fluid can help to improve blood flow. If this is not enough, laser surgery is used to seal shut abnormal blood vessels and permanently disconnect them. The surgeon then drains excess fluid. Even when treated successfully, most TTTS babies are born premature. However, the majority go on to have long, healthy lives.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
I'm a twin raising 2 sets of twins. I know I need to encourage their individuality.
Kim Perell has a fraternal twin sister with whom she always felt competitive. Now, Perell has boy/girl twins who are 11, and identical boys who are 6. She encourages each to find their own interests, and says a schedule is critical. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kim Perell, author of "Mistakes That Made Me A Millionaire." It has been edited for length and clarity. My family is knee-deep in twins. My twin sister and I look just alike, but we're not identical. I'm raising two sets of twins: boy/girl fraternal twins who are 11, and identical boys who are 6. My sister also has identical twin girls, who are 18. It's not just this generation: my grandpa was a twin, and my husband has twins in his family too. When we're together, it's a bit chaotic since everyone looks and sounds alike, but I love it. People often say, "I can't believe you have to deal with that," but I don't see twin life as a chore. I see it as a blessing, even though there are some downsides. Growing up as a twin was tough My sister was always smarter, faster, and stronger than me. When you have someone who shares your exact experiences and most of your DNA, you're going to compare. For me, comparing with her was a losing battle. She was so smart that she was bused to a gifted and talented program, while I went to regular school. When I was young, my mom shared the saying, "Comparison is the thief of joy." She encouraged me to find my own areas to shine rather than competing with my sister. I started doing individual sports like tennis or swimming, while my sister stood out in team sports. It taught me early on that it's okay to be different. I encourage individuality in my kids My 11-year-old son is very into sports, while my daughter loves the arts and reading. I like that they have different interests, even though it makes my life more hectic. We have four kids in four different activities, which is a logistical nightmare. At the same time, I accept that there's always going to be some competition between siblings, especially twins. Whether it's on the soccer field or in the classroom, they'll compare each other. We're realistic about that, but try to balance it out with activities that everyone loves and excels at, like surfing and wakeboarding. A schedule is critical My home runs like a well-oiled machine. Each night, we sit down for family dinner at 6 p.m.. By 7 p.m., we're usually doing family activities outside. Then, by 8 p.m., everyone is in bed and there's not a sound to be heard. Scheduling is just as important now as it was when the kids were babies. It keeps them focused and helps everyone know what to expect. I chose to have twins, but also got a surprise My husband and I went through a long IVF journey. During that time, I wanted to have twins, so we implanted two embryos when I got pregnant with my older kids. I was thrilled when an ultrasound confirmed there were two. But no one is crazy enough to opt for twins twice. It took me a while to convince my husband to have any more children, and when he agreed, we transferred only one embryo. By some miracle, it split, giving us our double twins. If we had looked at that as overwhelming, it would have been. Instead, we chose to see it as an efficient way to build our family. We couldn't even attempt to do it alone, so we relied on our village of family, friends, and hired help. Even though the kids are all in school today, our after-school nanny is critical. The bond that twins have is amazing. I have it with my sister, and I'm so glad that my nieces and my children get to experience it too. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Parents of Identical Twins Reveal the Clever Way They Tell Their 2-Year-Olds Apart (Exclusive)
Madison Musick and Kelly Laine are parents to twin boys Telling them apart can get pretty difficult, especially when they are wearing similar clothing However, these parents found a quick trick to telling their children apartMadison Musick and Kelly Laine have been together for four years and recently got engaged, marking a new chapter in their life as partners and parents. The couple from Gonzales, Texas, is raising identical twin toddlers, which means double the joy, but also double the chaos. Like many twin parents, they sometimes struggle to tell their lookalike children apart, especially in the middle of busy, messy days. But Musick, 28, and Laine, 34, have come up with one surprisingly simple trick that never fails to help them figure out who's who — their ears. 'The transition to being twin parents was scary and rough at first, a lot of sleepless nights,' Musick tells PEOPLE exclusively. 'For me, as a first-time mom, I had no idea what I was doing, but the more I did it, the more I figured it out, and we kept on rolling.' Their sons, Liam and Kevin, were born in January 2023, and while it's Musick's first time being a parent, her fiancé also has a 5-year-old daughter, Najoni, from a previous relationship. Nevertheless, even this dad has moments where he can't tell his children apart. In a viral video, Laine is seen calling out for Kevin and then checking Liam's head to confirm if he was right. 'When people don't know who is who, they can just look at the twins' ears, which is what a lot of people asked in the video,' Musick explains. 'My son Liam has a little fold on his right ear, and Kevin doesn't have one, so that's how people will tell," she adds. As for Musick, she can instantly tell her twins apart by sound alone – whether they're chatting in another room or crying. 'I was so scared having twins that I wouldn't know, but I say it's like a mom sense because I definitely know,' she says. 'I only feel like the toughest part is having to do everything twice.' Finding balance as twin parents has been challenging for the couple, as both work full-time and Musick also picks up extra evening shifts at a local bar and grill. However, the mother-of-two says Laine is a huge supporter. 'I'd say my fiancé is a really big help with the kids, and he always has been,' she shares. 'He's a wonderful dad.' Although it can be exhausting at times, she and Laine push through. The most rewarding moments come when, despite the fatigue, the twins say or do something that reminds her she's doing a great job as a parent. 'I take the gentle parent approach, and when I hear my babies saying some of the sweet things I say to them, I know I'm doing right by them, because their little ears and eyes are always listening and watching,' Musick shares. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Her advice to fellow twin parents is to get out and experience things with their kids, even if it feels intimidating. 'Don't be afraid, let them be independent and be there for them when they need you.' Although it might be exhausting in the early years, it does get easier, and the rewards are more than worth it. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
My sister and I are identical twins. We did everything together until college, when we set out to find our own identities.
I was known for being an identical twin, and that shaped my identity. We lived in a small town in Iowa, and no one could tell us apart. My husband's best friend is a triplet, so he understood that my sister and I were not the same person. Being an identical twin shaped my identity in childhood. From the very beginning, it was what I was known for. I can't recall one picture of me without Rebekah. The story I heard most often was of our birth. I grew up in a tiny town in Iowa with dismal healthcare, which meant that even in 1980, my mom didn't have an ultrasound. After delivering me, the doctor shouted, "There's another one in there!" and my dad almost fainted. They say one of the perks of living in a small town is that everyone knows your name. Well, I guess that only applies to non-twins. Which one was I again? Rebekah or Rachel, they'd ask. My parents encouraged this by dressing us identically and giving us the same hairstyle. They thought it was best for us to be together, and we were supposed to ensure the other twin was safe. I thought we would grow up to live next door to each other. This constant togetherness was all I ever knew and was such a large part of my identity that when I talk about my childhood, I accidentally start using the plural "we" to tell a story about myself. The only time we were apart was during the short school day. The elementary school wouldn't let us be in the same class together, but we made sure to play together at recess and sit together at lunch. I hated being away from Rebekah. It felt like half of me was missing. She was my best friend and the person I was the most myself with. Being a twin was the most interesting thing about me. It was something that people were always curious about. Do we have telepathic powers? If Rebekah gets hurt, do I feel it? Don't get me wrong, I liked the attention, but no one ever asked about me specifically or wondered who I was without Rebekah. People wondered if we played tricks, like we were some characters in a Disney film. No, we didn't, and by high school, it was no longer funny finding out a boy meant to ask you to homecoming but got it wrong. In return, I often wondered what it was like not to be a twin. Was it terribly lonely? Regardless of whether other people knew the difference between Rebekah and me, we did. Having an identical twin was an easy yardstick against which to measure myself. Her successes felt like my failures. By high school, our twinness was a competition of who did it better while also knowing each other so well that a sideways glance could cut like a knife. While we had similar interests (and still do), we started to find our own paths. I baked cookies and made a scrapbook while Rebekah wrote in her journal and joined the soccer team. But the most profound difference was that she knew what she wanted to do after high school, and I did not. She was going to a four-year college and was going to get an English degree. I could've gone and done the same, but by that point, I was starting to see that I needed to be a whole person and not just the other half of a whole. It was the first time in my life that Rebekah wasn't right by my side. We stayed in touch, but we were both finding out what it was like to be seen as our own person and not the other sister's doppelgänger. I wasn't used to going places by myself or having to make all my own decisions without my twin's input. After a year, I ended up across the country at a small college. I met my husband and found out that his best friend was a triplet, which is decidedly cooler than a twin. He knew firsthand how incredibly different identicals can be. For the first time, being a twin didn't seem all that interesting. I didn't have to try to explain what it was like or answer silly questions. He truly wanted to know me as me. I was finally known and loved for who I was and not seen as part of a box set. Sometimes I think about how sad 10-year-old me would be that Rebekah and I don't live next door to each other. But once she got over the shock of it, she'd be proud of the life I created all on my own. Read the original article on Business Insider
The Sun
09-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
We're identical twins and we're BOTH called Marie – people say it shouldn't be legal but we love confusing people
BEING an identical twin can be confusing - but imagine how it feels when you also share the same name. This is the case for twin sisters Marie and Marie, who have been confusing internet users with their posts. 2 On their @doublemaries account, the German sisters shared snaps of them together, and said: 'Told him I have a twin. 'We are named the same.' The blonde sisters document their travels and life together online, where they call themselves 'twin explorers' and 'double the fun, double the adventure.' Many people were baffled at their claim they were given the same name by their mum. One wrote: 'Is it allowed to be called the same? Like being twins.' Another added: 'God really said copy and paste.' In a video they joked that being a twin with the same name has some benefits, including the option of taking exams for one another. They are also able to prank people - including dates - who have no idea that they are twins. However, there are a number of drawbacks. Marie explained: "The problem is we have the same picture, name, date of birth and address. 'You don't even wanna know how many problems come up.' Not only have they had issues with post arriving for one another, but also in school, where teachers had to call them 'Marie 1' and 'Marie 2' to differentiate them. 2 One person asked if they had ever shared their frustration with their mum for giving them the same name. Marie said: 'Nope, we're actually thankful for the name.' They added that their mum also has no regrets about the name choice, but they said that it can be hard to feel like they have their own identities. One person replied: 'This would be the worst thing ever if one of you ever committed a crime.' The twins said in response: 'No it wasn't me.. it was Marie!!' Another pointed out: 'So you can take each other's driving test??' to which the girls joked: 'Maybe.' What are the different types of twins? TWINS are when two children are produced in the same pregnancy. They can be identical or different, and two boys, two girls, or a girl and a boy. Twins are quite rare, but are usually born completely healthy What are the different types of twins? Monozygotic – identical twins ('one cell' twins) Dizygotic – also known as 'fraternal', non identical twins. Babies are no more alike than siblings born at separate times, and they can be the same or different sexes Conjoined twins – identical twins that are joined together. They are extremely rare, and it's estimated they range from one in 49,000 to 189,000 births, although around half are stillborn, and one third die within 24 hours. Can identical twins be two different sexes? Identical twins are always of the same sex because they form from the same fertilised egg that contains either female or male chromosomes. The single egg is divided into two separate embryos, and they occur in about three in every 1000 deliveries worldwide. Therefore, boy/girl twins are always fraternal (or dizygotic), as their chromosomes are either XY (male) or XX (female). What are Di Di twins? Di Di stands for Dichronic Diamniotic, and they are the common type of twins. They have their own amniotic sacs and placenta, so are just sharing the womb of the mother, and are therefore not identical. There are few complications with Di Di twins, so have a good chance of being born completely healthy without intervention from your doctor. Di di twins are more likely to be non-identical than identical.
