Cool Facts About Twins

These are some cool facts about the type of twins Ava and Emma are:

Incidence
Monozygotic twinning occurs in birthing at a rate of about three in every 1000 deliveries worldwide,[13]

The likelihood of a single fertilization resulting in MZ twins is uniformly distributed in all populations around the world.[11] This is in marked contrast to DZ twinning, which ranges from about six per thousand births in Japan (almost similar to the rate of MZ twins, which is around 4–5) to 15 and more per thousand in some parts of India[15] and up to 24 in the US, which might mainly be due to IVF (in vitro fertilisation). The exact cause for the splitting of a zygote or embryo is unknown.

In-vitro fertilization techniques are more likely to create twins. Only about three pairs of twins per 1,000 deliveries occur as a result of natural conception, while for IVF deliveries, there are nearly 21 pairs of twins for every 1,000.[16]

Genetic and epigenetic similarity
Monozygotic twins are genetically identical (unless there has been a mutation during development) and they are almost always the same sex. On rare occasions, monozygotic twins may express different phenotypes (normally due to an environmental factor or the deactivation of different X chromosomes in monozygotic female twins), and in some extremely rare cases, due to aneuploidy, twins may express different sexual phenotypes, normally due to an XXY Klinefelter's syndrome zygote splitting unevenly.[17][18]

Monozygotic twins have nearly identical DNA, but differing environmental influences throughout their lives affect which genes are switched on or off. This is called epigenetic modification. A study of 80 pairs of human twins ranging in age from three to 74 showed that the youngest twins have relatively few epigenetic differences. The number of epigenetic differences between MZ twins increases with age. Fifty-year-old twins had over three times the epigenetic difference of three-year-old twins. Twins who had spent their lives apart (such as those adopted by two different sets of parents at birth) had the greatest difference.[19] However, certain characteristics become more alike as twins age, such as IQ and personality.[20][21] This phenomenon illustrates the influence of genetics in many aspects of human characteristics and behaviour.

Phenotype similarity
Monozygotic twins are almost always the same sex and their traits and physical appearances are very similar but not exactly the same.[22]

Monozygotic twins look alike, although they do not have the same fingerprints (which are environmental as well as genetic). As they mature, MZ twins often become less alike because of lifestyle choices or external influences. The children of MZ twins would test genetically as half-siblings rather than first cousins.

Monochorionic-Diamniotic
Monochorionic twins share the same placenta.
Monochorionic twins generally have two amniotic sacs (called Monochorionic-Diamniotic "MoDi"), which occurs in 60–70% of the pregnancies with monozygotic twins.[25] Monochorionic-Diamniotic twins are almost always monozygotic, with a few exceptions where the blastocysts have fused.[23]
Egg Spilts: Days 4-8

I thought it was an interesting bit of facts. Just so everyone know as well we didn't have any help having twins. It just sorta happened lol.

35 Weeks

Well we are at 35 Weeks and still holding strong. Girls a very active but my rash is still with me. It's not as itchy anymore but still there and red as all hell. I keep getting nice little pains in my lower stomache which is either early signs or braxton hicks. It's probley braxton hicks. I think the only way these ladies will come early is if the doctor says he has to get them out because theirs no room left.
In the mean time my energy is spent and I spend most of the day laying down cause it feels good and because I can lol. I miss work and will go back probley before the year is up just because that's who I am. I love to work and it being almost a month now with no work is killing me.
We go to see DeFrance on Monday for a appointment. This is the last of our 2 week appointments after this it will be once a week until the girls come. It kinda makes me feel a little better knowing that he'll see them once a week so if any problems happen to arise he'll know about it. Although parking is crazy and very very costly.
Well here's to another couple of weeks. Stay healthy girls we love you.

34 Weeks

Well, here we are at 34 weeks and 5 days and still holding on. I know it's not my due date but I do wish they would come. I feel like crap. That's putting it nicely. I have what they call PUPPS, which is a really really annoying rash that covers my whole body. They tell me the only cure is delivery. Nice eh? Creams don't even work to relieve the itchiness. I have to admit it's better then it was. My stomache is no longer covered so now it's just my arms, legs, and hands. Hopefully the girls come soon so I can get some releif.
Everything is set, my bags are packed for the hospital and so are the babies. I really can't wait to hold them in my hands. It's hard to remember that I made them. My body produced two wonderful human beings.
So here's the next few weeks. Stay healthy in there girls. Mommy and Daddy can't wait to see you.