11 Interesting Facts about Twins You May Not Know

Curious about all things twins? I learned a lot about during my twin pregnancy. Here are 11 interesting facts about twins you probably didn’t know.

Facts about TwinsShock. That was my reaction when I found out I was having twins. The feeling I still harbored as the doctor began her measurements and when I saw the two little embryos. One I carried with me all the way home, waiting for the feeling to sink in.

Then… my mind began to race. Where do I even begin?

I felt terrified. I was scared of how my body would handle two babies and all the complications I’d face, and wondered how I’d take care for twins on top of my three-year-old. And I dreaded the extreme sleep deprivation—as if one baby wasn’t tiring enough, I’d now have two to deal with.

Going through a twin pregnancy without a clue about what to do is a challenge. You may not know anyone who had twins to turn to or learn from. You scour the internet looking for bits of information but can’t seem to find one place that talks about those early weeks. And you feel overwhelmed and alone.

11 facts about twins

Despite the shock, one thing was for sure: I learned several interesting facts about twins I never would’ve known otherwise.

I discovered the different types of twins, and how we even have twins in the first place. The many differences between a twin pregnancy and a singleton one. And I never even knew what a “singleton” was until I became a twin mom.

It seems I’m not alone in discovering interesting facts about twins. After reading the article below, fellow twin parent Andrea C. wrote:

“Accurate 💯 I loved this article as I love all of your articles. I have twins too and it’s tough, but they are amazing! ❤️💙”

Whether you’re expecting twins or are curious about them, below are several interesting facts about twins you might not have known. See which ones are new to you:

twin mom

1. There are three “types” of twins

One of the first interesting facts about twins I discovered was that there are different types, depending on how they were formed in the womb. And these types affect the length and even risk of your pregnancy.

  • Di/di stands for dichorionic/diamniotic where each baby has his or her own placenta and sac. They’re completely separate and don’t touch one another in the womb. Having their own placentas mean they take in their nutrients separately. This is the lowest-risk type of twins. (This was the type of twins I had.)
  • Mo/di stands for monochorionic/diamniotic and describes twins in separate sacs but share the same placenta. They’re riskier than di/di twins, particularly for TTTTS, or “twin to twin transfusion syndrome.” This is when one twin takes more of the placenta’s nutrients than the other.
  • Mo/mo stands for monochorionic/monoamniotic and describes twins who share both a placenta and a sac. This is the highest-risk type of twins (and the rarest). They’re at risk for cord entanglement (something that mo/di twins avoid) as well as TTTTS.

Since I had di/di twins, I didn’t need to discuss certain risks with my doctor. But these are the most common complications I learned from other moms who had mo/di and mo/mo twins. There may be more complications to look out for—this is where your doctor can guide you through what those exactly are.

Because of the complications surrounding mo/mo and mo/di twins, these pregnancies deliver earlier than di/di twins. With my di/di pregnancy, the doctor said it was possible for me to deliver at 38 weeks, which is the most I was allowed to carry the babies. (I ended up delivering at 35 weeks, 6 days.)

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2. Fraternal and identical twins depend on how eggs are fertilized

I chuckle whenever someone asks me, “Are they fraternal or maternal?” For what it’s worth, there are no “maternal” twins, but there are identical ones. Here’s the breakdown between fraternal and identical:

  • Identical twins began when one sperm fertilized one egg. Then, the fertilized egg splits, which means that each twin has the same DNA as the other. Both mo/mo and mo/di twins are almost always identical. The only difference is that mo/di twin cells separate into different sacs.
  • Fraternal twins began when two sperms fertilized two eggs. Some women, whether through genetics or older age, drop more than one egg each cycle (hence the two eggs). Di/di twins tend to be fraternal and can produce same-gendered twins (like mine) as well as boy/girl combinations.

Carrying fraternal twins is like having two siblings growing in the same womb. For this reason, fraternal twins have different DNA, like non-twin siblings do. Boy/girl combinations are always fraternal.

3. A “singleton” is a non-twin

I never even knew the term “singleton” until I entered the world of twins. It’s simply a word to describe non-multiples.

For instance, my eldest is a “singleton,” while his brothers are twins. I know many singleton moms, but few twin moms. And I had a singleton pregnancy first and a twin one next.

Discover surprising differences between singleton and twin pregnancies.

Differences Between Singleton and Twin Pregnancies

4. Weight gain matters in the first 24 weeks

Twin moms are usually expected to gain more weight than they normally would with a singleton pregnancy. Personally, I was expected to gain between 37 to 51 pounds throughout the twin pregnancy (I barely scraped by at 35).

My doctor also advised me to aim for 24 pounds by 24 weeks, which can be difficult if you can’t stomach much during the first trimester. (For instance, I gained a measly two pounds those first 13 weeks).

This general rule of thumb came about because those first 24 weeks are crucial for the twins to gain that weight. It’s also more difficult to gain weight considering how small our stomachs can get after that point.

Weight recommendations vary based on specific needs and health, but in general, twin moms need to eat 600 extra calories a day. (Singleton moms tend to eat 300 extra calories.)

Signs You're in the First Trimester

5. Twins are born sooner than singletons

Because of extra risks and the simple lack of space, twins tend to be born earlier than singleton babies. In fact, over half of twin pregnancies are born prematurely (earlier than 37 weeks), and the average twin pregnancy delivers at 36 weeks.

And even if you make it past those milestones, most doctors will want to deliver no later than 38 weeks (compared to 40 weeks for singleton babies).

You can see why. My doctor told me that a twin mom at 32 weeks is already the same size as a singleton mom at 40 weeks.

6. Not all twins need to stay in the NICU

Even though my twins were born prematurely, we were able to take them home with us. They passed the tests, from weight to eating, from breathing to regulating their temperature. We went home with them after three days.

That said, because they’re smaller and shared the womb, they tend to need a bit of help after they’re born. Also, higher-risk mo/mo twins will likely spend time in the NICU, especially since their average delivery is 34 weeks.

7. Twins can be born without a C-section

Some twins can be delivered without a C-section—that’s how I delivered mine. Discuss with your doctor her particular requirements for a vaginal birth.

My doctor listed a few of hers, including both babies needing to be head down, and that the first baby had to be larger than the second. It also helped that my twins didn’t share a placenta, which would likely have needed a C-section.

Talk to you doctor, since every case is different. For instance, I know other moms who delivered vaginally even when the second baby was breech or sideways.

Regardless of how you deliver, it’s still likely that you’ll deliver in the operating room. Our hospital had this protocol in case any complications happened—there would be no need to wheel me from a private room to the operating room.

8. Lots of people will be in the delivery room

C-section or vaginal, your delivery room will likely be filled with doctors galore. With my singleton pregnancy, only four people were with me (my husband, my mom, my doctor, and a nurse).

But my twin pregnancy included much more than that. As I say in my book, Expecting Twins:

“A twin delivery involves more people, regardless of how you deliver. My doctor gave me a heads up that there would be a ton of people, and she was right. If your delivery is anything like mine, it might include your doctor, a resident doctor, nurses, multiple NICU pediatric doctors (there were four for each baby), an anesthesiologist, and your partner.

These folks will be working hard and fast to ensure a safe and healthy delivery for your twins. It’ll be a crowded room, but it’s nice to know you’re taken care of and are in good hands.”

9. Healthy food matters

There’s no formula that can guarantee against bed rest, pre-eclampsia, or other complications. Still, best practices can help you have a greater chance of a healthy pregnancy. One thing I would do all over again is my diet.

Given that I wasn’t exactly close to reaching my goal of 24 pounds by 24 weeks, I ate just about anything. I’m talking smoothies, burgers, chocolate—really unhealthy stuff. And while I gained the weight, I also brought on more complications and sluggishness.

So, my advice is to stick to healthy food. It’s not always easy eating a lot of calories, so consider buying a juicer or making smoothies. You’re able to sidestep all that chewing by blending it up and downing it one easy-to-drink meal.

Another option is to eat high-calorie, healthy food like eggs, avocados, and sweet potatoes and to add protein powder to your smoothies.

I would also advise on getting tons of rest. Now isn’t the time to push yourself or bring out those maternity exercise tapes. Exercise should be light, if you even exercise at all. Lying down also prevents the weight from bearing down on your cervix.

It’s easy to assume that resting means you’re not doing anything, but that’s far from the truth! As you rest, you’re devoting your energy to creating your babies. On the surface, you’re not breaking a sweat, but your body is just as consumed with being pregnant as if you were out and about.

10. 3% of births are twins

Twin births now account for 3 of every 100 births in the United States.

This has risen in the last few decades by 76%. More women are using fertility drugs to become pregnant, which increases the chances of carrying more than one. Women are also waiting longer to have children and are more likely to release more than one egg.

11. It’s normal to feel scared about having twins

You may be freaking out about the news of your twins because it wasn’t part of your “plans.” Rest assured, your feelings are normal and you’re not alone.

You’re part of a select group of people now. To this day, I still have an instant bond with other parents of twins (or even people who are twins). You’ll feel challenged, but you’ll also emerge so much prouder of yourself about all you can do.

From carrying twins to caring for them alone, these are the little wins that can make you stronger. So, be kind to yourself. Your situation is unique—you can’t apply the same standards you may have had of parenting a singleton.

This pregnancy is also temporary. Whatever hardships come—especially in the newborn stage—will likely end.

You won’t always shuffle your attention from one baby to the next, especially once they can entertain themselves. They won’t tandem feed forever. And you’ll someday carry one baby while the other one walks behind you.

If pep talks don’t work, one thing that can is searching through online videos for cute twins and the heartwarming things they do. Watching these cute twins can remind you that twin life has plenty of fun moments, too.

Read more about what to do if you’re having twins and scared about it.

Scared About Having Twins

Conclusion

Since becoming a twin mom, I’ve entered a world I previously could only glance at from the surface. I’ve learned a ton of facts about twins, and I’m so happy to be part of this community.

Raising twins is tough business. You learn so many nuances you never knew about, and a whole new system of managing your kids.

But in time, all the lingo will sound familiar. You’ll figure out how to bathe both at the same time in the big tub, and the art of burping two babies. All these facts about twins can become second nature.

Yes, you’ll get double the love and double the blessings, and all the other well-meaning platitudes that, in the end, are absolutely true.

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14 Comments

  1. Thank you for these honest thoughts and sharing your experience and true emotions. I’m 19 weeks pregnant with twins. I have 3 girls already and thought that we were done having kids, but God is always full of surprises! It really helps to hear about what other moms are going through and how they deal with the constant emotional roller coaster of pregnancy.

    1. Congratulations, Sandra! You’re nearly halfway there. Keep us posted.

  2. I wish I had read this 6 years ago when I was pregnant with my twins. I had my boys by c-section at 36 weeks. To this day I still do not know if they are identical or fraternal. I’m too cheap to pay for a test but my guess would be indentical.

    1. Haha Kelly I’ve heard from many twin moms the same thing. My twins are so different though that there’s no doubt they’re fraternal 😉

  3. hello Nina. Great post you have. Your article are always unique and i am sure thats from your experience. New visit to your site today and i am very excited to search many new things about twins here. Thank you Nina 🙂

    1. Glad you find them useful, Randika!

  4. Although this was posted quite a while ago, it’s cheered me up a little. I found out am having twins…my first pregnancy. My dad was a twin so the family is extremely excited and my husband is elated. Me….I’m just rather petrified! I will keep reading all your past blog posts and hopefully begin to feel more at ease! Thank you!

    1. Nina Garcia says:

      Hi Sarah, congratulations! You’re definitely not alone in feeling scared about having twins. You’ll get through it, as all of us twin moms do and have done. You’ll find that twin moms are some of the most supportive folks out there. Congrats again, and welcome to the world of twins! 🙂

  5. Helen Campbell says:

    Hi there. I came upon your pin as I was browsing and had to read it as I am also a mother of Fraternal Twin boys. Having twins now is so different to when I delivered my sons naturally 41 years ago on Christmas Day 1975. Back then there were no scans and the only way they could tell if you were having twins was if you were larger than what you should have been around the 36 week mark when they would do an xray to see if there was more than one . I fell pregnant while I was ill with a gastric upset. I was taking my birth control pill religiously but guess what… My eldest son was was about 13 months old at the time and had not been the ideal baby, having had serious colic and non sleeping issues and I had post natal depression and I had no intention of having another child until he was at least 3. Best laid plans….
    To cut a long story short. My due date which originally was mid March kept being advanced because I was bigger than I was supposed to be and that I wasn’t sure of when I fell pregnant because I was still taking the pill when I conceived. I had severe backache which the obgyn put down to a soft mattress. I thought to myself that if I was having twins I would spit in his eye. My revised due date according to him was supposed to be January 1, 1976. When I started having the odd pain on Christmas Eve I wasn’t surprised and relieved that I was only a week early this time as Mike was 4 weeks early due to pre eclampsia. Back then going into hospital to have a baby was more dramatic than it is today. You were given an enema and shaved (very embarrassing) and then laid there in your little short gown waiting for something to happen.
    I went into full labour after induction around 10.45am and as my supposedly 9 lb baby was being delivered the doctor exclaimed “hang on with the needle, there’s another one” to which I leaned up over my knees and told him to put my knees together, I’m going home. Daniel was 4lb 1/2oz at 11.26am and Robert was 4lb 1oz at 11.35 am and estimated to be at least 8 weeks premature. Surprise, Dan’s grapefruit sized head was definitely not the size of a 9 pounder.
    Life was interesting for a while. 3 children under 3 all in nappies and having bottles and the nappies were cloth ones. My diaper pail was a large plastic bin and as I was advised not to breast feed it was 16 glass bottles a day to sterilize and refill.
    People would say how lucky I was and that they would love twins. I thought to myself that I would leave them with my three for a couple of their waking hours and then see how interested they would be. I survived or rather we survived. My Mum always said that I must have wished it on myself as I always had to have two of everything. Silly me….. Your article was very interesting and I’m glad I dropped by.

    1. Nina Garcia says:

      Helen I LOVED reading your story! Wow, what a whirlwind. I hear from my mom how different it was to give birth back then. I also had a former coworker who is a twin, and his mom’s doctor determined she was having twins by listening with a stethoscope for heartbeats! And it’s interesting to hear how they advised not to breastfeed whereas now all the doctors recommend it.

      I totally know what you mean about people saying they’d love to have twins lol. I’m pretty honest with them about it, though in a laughing way. It’s not an “ideal” pregnancy because it’s just so much harder this way, but I can’t imagine not having my twins now that they’re here 🙂 And yes, I’d love to have them care for my three little ones especially in the newborn days and say that again haha!

      ~Nina

  6. Hi, it was a great thing of you to post your experiences with your twins, cause, like you already know, there is too little information about it. I am 32 weeks pregnant with DI/DI twin girls and i’m already super exausted and feeling like i can’t handle this pregnancy no More, but i know that the latter the better and reading your post and the comments of other twin moms give me strenght to keep going and be positive

    1. Nina Garcia says:

      Hi Jennifer! Hang in there, mama. 32 weeks is rough for a twin pregnancy, and I remember that stage being one of the most challenging times of my life. Know that if you hit a wall, that you’re not alone. Every day is a blessing, as it’s one more day the babies are in your womb. Definitely stay positive, Jennifer! It’ll be well worth it, I promise 🙂

  7. I stumbled upon this article and had to read it. Yes I have that mother of twins bond even though my twins are 26!! I’ll stop mothers of twins on the street. ( It drives me kids nuts)
    Someone gave me advice and I’m passing it on. GET HELP. Don’t eat don’t buy clothes but get help. It’s very important to be able to get out and get a a break from the day to day life. A few times a week!! It will recharge your battery!
    During the pregnancy I took it easy and rested, it paid off my babies were each over 6 lbs!!! All in all its lots of fun. Enjoy every stage. They are very close still even though they have families of there own.
    Good luck to everyone.

    1. Nina Garcia says:

      I love that, Sharon! Thanks for sharing your experiences and your encouraging words. My twins are younger than yours, but not babies any longer, and I agree, I still get delighted when I meet other twin moms and can instantly relate 🙂