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Twin pregnancy types

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Twin pregnancy types

Twin pregnancy types.

Identical twins come from a single egg that has been fertilized by one sperm. For unknown reasons, the fertilized egg splits into two embryos during the first stage of development. In the uterus, most identical twins share the same placenta. (They get oxygen and nutrients and get rid of wastes through the placenta.) But they usually grow within separate amniotic sacs. In rare cases, identical twins share one amniotic sac.

Fraternal twins develop when two eggs are fertilized by two separate sperms. The fetuses have separate placentas and amniotic sacs.

Current as of: February 23, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
William Gilbert MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Kara L. Cadwallader MD - Family Medicine

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