Am I pregnant with twins?

Discovering Twin Pregnancy

Finding out you’re pregnant is an exhilarating moment, filled with a mix of emotions. But what if your ultrasound at Hey Baby 4D Sutton & Croydon reveals not one, but two tiny heartbeats? Our trained sonographer can assist you in discovering your twin pregnancy long before a routine NHS scan.

Discovering you’re pregnant with twins can be both thrilling and overwhelming, but understanding what to expect can help ease any anxieties.

Types of Twins

Twins can be Identical or Non-Identical, and their type depends on how they were formed.
Non-identical twins are created when a woman releases two eggs at the same time and both are fertilised, each by a different sperm. The fertilised egg is called a zygote, and these non-identical twins are known as dizygotic or fraternal twins, because they grew from two separate eggs (zygotes). Interestingly, fraternal twins are no more alike than any other brothers or sisters and they can be both female, both male or one of each!

Identical twins occur in about one-third of multiple pregnancies. Known as monozygotic twins, a single egg is fertilised then splits into two (or, very rarely, three or more) creating identical babies with the same genes, physical features, and sex. They may or may not share a placenta. Characteristics such as size and personality depend on non-genetic factors, so may be different.

There are 3 distinct types of twin pregnancies which can be seen in an ultrasound scan, these are Monozygotic or Dizygotic, which is where there are 2 placentas and 2 separate sacs. Monozygotic with 1 placenta and 2 amniotic sacs or, more rarely, Monozygotic with 1 placenta and 1 sac.

This all depends on when the egg splits during the pregnancy, so sometimes twins that are identical are in their own sacs meaning the only way to be sure (when both babies are the same sex but been classified as fraternal) is to have a DNA test after they are born.

Early Signs and Ultrasound Revelations

At Hey Baby 4D Sutton & Croydon, our expert team understands the nuances of early pregnancy detection, especially when it comes to identifying multiple heartbeats and discovering your twin pregnancy.

From 6 weeks gestation, we utilise state-of-the-art technology to look for specific signs that suggest a twin pregnancy using ultrasound, where we’ll be looking for some specific features:

• Two distinct gestational sacs: Each baby (in dizygotic twins) will have its own gestational sac, visible as separate sacs on the ultrasound screen, a detail our skilled sonographers will expertly identify these and show you on the screen!
• One gestational sac with two embryos: In a pregnancy with Identical twins (Monozygotic twins) there may be one gestational sac, usually with a membrane separating the babies, with 2 babies visible.
• Two fetal heartbeats: The ultrasound will pick up the distinct heartbeats of each baby, confirming the presence of multiples, at this stage the sonographer will show you the little flicker of both heartbeats.
• Two yolk sacs and two embryos: In all twin pregnancies, you’ll see two yolk sacs and two embryos developing within their own amniotic sacs, details that our meticulous staff will ensure are clearly visible during your ultrasound session.

Discovering your twin pregnancy is a remarkable journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and perhaps a hint of apprehension. From the early signs that hint at a multiple pregnancy to the unique experiences throughout gestation, the journey of carrying twins is one that requires extra attention and care which is why we offer two early pregnancy scans. We offer these scans where we not only confirm a single or multiple pregnancy but also perform vital wellbeing checks and give you the first glimpse of your twin pregnancy. Importantly, there are no additional charges if we discover multiple heartbeats or twins during your scan.

From 16 weeks gestation, you can also consider returning to confirm the sex of your twins at the same price as a single pregnancy, as well as incredible images of how they’re getting on together in their little world!

Schedule your appointment today and let us guide you through this extraordinary journey with care and expertise. If you’ve already confirmed you’re having twins, you can refer to the Twin Trust – who provide twins, triplets or more – and their families – with the information needed to make informed decisions, as well as facilitating a network of community support.

Book your scan with us easily online at www.heybaby4d.co.uk/sutton

To learn more about discovering your twin pregnancy, please visit:

twinstrust.org