Twins?!?!

[tqueensberry]

So, come to find out twins run on my mother's and father's side. I feel like I'm kinda large to only be 14 weeks. I've read that sometimes a second baby/heartbeat can be missed at early appointments. I had my first ultrasound at 8 weeks and only one baby. At 12 weeks my midwife checked the heartbeat, only one heartbeat. Is it possible there is a

Comments

[cindyanne1]

It hasn't happened to me personally, but I sure rememeber one lady it happened to! She went through all her early appointments without even suspecting twins, only to see two babies at her 20 week ultrasound, lol! She happened to be getting the ultrasound done when I was there for an appointment the same day... was it ever chaotic in the office that day! :D

[andbless_mybaby]

My midwives missed my twins until 17 weeks, when my AFP screening came back all screwy. I'd not had any ultrasounds until that point, though.

This time around, I had a dating scan at 6 weeks (also because I wanted to rule out repeat twins!), and the tech told me I could breathe a sigh of relief when they only saw one at that point. If you'd only heard the heartbeat, I'd say there could be a chance, but having the u/s and seeing just one at 8 weeks seems pretty conclusive? Don't take this to the bank, lol.

[tqueensberry]

I go back April 6th to determine gender (hopefully). I'm hoping if there are two they can tell then. Two babies terrifies me just a little. I was already really nervous about one newborn. I can't imagine two.

[thiscantbesoy]

What kind of twins are in your family?

Only fraternal twins truly "run" in families (identicals are a fluke), and only on your mother's side. Your dad's side doesn't affect you at all.

[ophelia42]

Dad's side could affect his daughter. Twins running on his side would have no influence on HIM having twins, but he could pass along the tendency to release multiple eggs per cycle to a daughter.

[thiscantbesoy]

in families where the women have a gene for hyperovulation, genetics would sufficiently explain an increased presence of fraternal twins.

However, only women ovulate. So the connection is only valid on the mother's side of the family. While men can carry the gene and pass it on to their daughters, a family history of twins doesn't make them any more likely to have twins themselves.

Fraternal twins "run in families" on the mother's side only, if she inherits the gene for hyper ovulation.Google brings up many more sources explaining this

[ophelia42]

Yes. Your second link said what I said. "While men can carry the gene and pass it on to their daughters, a family history of twins doesn't make them any more likely to have twins themselves."

"Your dad's side doesn't affect you at all" isn't true. The father of the (suspected, potential) twins doesn't affect anything. The father of the mother of the (suspected, potential) twins can.

[tqueensberry]

I'm not sure about fraternal or identical. This information has just come from family trying to scare me and making fun of my large size at 14 weeks. I'll be sure to be asking. Thanks for everyones post.

[fleckerbug]

Identical twins don't run in families.