Monozygotic Twins or Identical Twins result from the fertilization of a single egg by a single sperm, with the fertilized egg then splitting into two. Identical twins share the same genomes and are always the same sex.
Published in Chapter:
Twins, Triplets, and Multiples, Oh My!: Challenges, Risks, and Best Practices for Caring for Multiples
Copyright: © 2024
|Pages: 21
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1285-8.ch003
Abstract
The twin birth rate has declined by 4% over the years, with the research on multiple pregnancies growing smaller. The lack of resources and information makes it difficult for expecting mothers of multiples to properly prepare during and after their pregnancy. This chapter aims to address the various challenges, risks, and care requirements that may come with multiple pregnancies, as well as maternal well-being, the adjustment period of bringing the children back home, and maintaining a positive quality of life for the family. This chapter not only identifies a number of these challenges, but also offers best practices to mothers of twins and multiples via a brief study, wherein mothers report on demographics, pregnancy and delivery histories, self-reported levels of anxiety and depression, and the most shocking, positive, and negative features of being the mother of a twin or multiple. Finally, the study offers helpful recommendations for parents of how to best raise twins and multiples and how to ensure they maintain their own, unique identities.