The Types of Multiples

The Magic Of Multiples

The bond between a set of multiples is unique.Beginning even before birth, It is one of the longest and most enduring interpersonal relationships that a human being can have! As the parent you'll have the chance to watch your multiples bond grow and develop from the very beginning.

Being a twin depends on Zygosity!!

Most people understand the terms of Identical or Fraternal but these 2 catagories dont represent twin type as accurately as the most scientific classifications of zygosity.The 2 basic types of multiples are:

Monozygotic- meaning Identical, multiples that are a result from a single zygote, or fertilized egg

Dizygotic- meaning Fraternal multiples are from 2 or more zygotes

Dizygotic Twins: are essentially siblings that happen to be born at the same time.They are each formed from a seperate egg and a seperate sperm.

Monozygotic Twins: form from a single zygote.A single fertilized egg sometimes splits into 2 individual zygotes; both begin the process of dividing and combining cells to form embryos, resulting in two babies

Other Zygotic Variations

Polar Body Twins: Half-Identical Twins A Polar Body is a small cell within the egg that divides off and usally degenerates and dies after fertilization.Developing from a single egg but seperate sperm, these twins share about 75% of their genotypes 50% from their mother.

Mirror Image Twins: A example of a special type of monozygotic twins.This happens about 23% of the time.

Conjoined Twins: A type of monozygotic multiple,originating from a single zygote that splits into 2.However they take their time splitting apart,with the consequence that they do not entirely seperate, and begin to develop with connected tissue or organs.