Transcript: Fascinating Facts About Twins

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The Twin Talks
Fascinating Facts About Twins

[00:00:00]

Please be advised, this transcription was performed from a company independent of New Mommy Media, LLC. As such, translation was required which may alter the accuracy of the transcription.

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Parents to twins know that they joined a special group when their twins are born. But, did you know that how special and unique your twins actually are? While we tend to think that: “Identical twins are completely – well, identical.” This is not always the case.

Joining us today is our panel of twin parents who are here to talk about: “Fascinating facts about twins.” This is Twin Talks Episode Number 24.

[Theme Music/Intro]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Well, welcome to Twin Talks broadcasting from the Birth Education Centre of San Diego. Twin Talks is your weekly online on-the-go support group for expecting and new parents to twins. I’m your host Christine Stewart-Fitzgerald.

Have you heard about The Twin Talks Club? Our members get bonus content after each new show plus special giveaways and discounts. You can subscribe to our monthly Twin Talks Newsletter and learn about the latest episodes available.

Another way for you to stay connected is by downloading our free Twin Talks App. It’s available in the Android and iTunes Marketplace. So before we get started, let’s go around and introduce our panel.

BRANDI WALLACE: Good day. My name is Brandi Wallace. I refuse to give my age. In fact, they remain permanently. I just had a rather large birthday. It ends in a zero that’s all I’ll say. I am an attorney by profession. I’m not practicing at the moment.

I’m on hiatus because I’m raising our two sets of spontaneous twins. The first set are: “Four year old identical boys.” The second set are: “A boy-girl fraternals that are 19 months.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: You got a busy household.

BRANDI WALLACE: It’s not quiet. I’ll tell you that.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Brenda?

BRENDA RUHL: My name is Brenda. I am coming up on a birthday with a zero and about a bit it’s not the same one because I’m 49 barely hanging on to that. I’m accountant by trade. I’m very actively working, have been since shortly after my kids were born.

I didn’t really take any time off in the maternity leave. I have three boys. My oldest is 13 and my twins are identical twins. They are 11.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Okay, let’s see. We’ve got Shelly over here.

SHELLY STEELY: Hi. I’m Shelly Steely. I’m 30. It ends in a zero but I’m still comfortable with my age. I’m a high school history teacher and I’m also the producer here at Twin Talks. I have identical twin boys who are going to be two on July. I’m actually expecting my third just one this time and it’s a girl so we are excited.

Before we get started though, I just wanted to remind you guys about our Virtual Panellists Program. So, if you’re at home and you want to follow along, you can find our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter. You can use the hash tag #TwinTalksVP to stay part of the conversation.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: All right. I’m your host Christine Stewart-Fitzgerald. I’ve got identical girls who are 4 ½ about the same age as Brandi here. I have another thing in common with Brandi. So, we were both pregnant within I think like a month of each other. I did not have a second set.

So, I got a singleton. My singleton is 18 months. But I do remember when Brandi announced that she was pregnant again with twins and my jaw dropped and I’m like: “Please God. Don’t let that happen to me.”

BRANDI WALLACE: We’re you already pregnant when I made the announcement? It must have been because I was more than four weeks.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think because I was pregnant at the same time.

BRANDI WALLACE: It was too early to see what was in there.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes.

[Theme Music]

SHELLY STEELY: So here at Twin Talks we’d like to keep up with twins in the news. Today’s twin news is a little bit gossipy. But, we recently found out that Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis – his girlfriend is pregnant with twin girls.

Now, Joe Francis and his long time love are expecting twin daughters. She says: “She’s really excited about it.” They both wanted girls who are healthy and free of diseases so they chose to do IVF.

Mr. Francis says: “He believes that now people will finally understand his love, respect and admiration for women.” He says: “I just love girls.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I love girls. So, what is this? Is he going to start videotaping them while their young?

SHELLY STEELY: What do you think?

BRANDI WALLACE: I almost have no words.

BRENDA RUHL: I have nothing nice to say.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I don’t know. It’s kind of like: “Hugh Heffner – he has a daughter and brings her into business.” What is he just bring her in like: “Yes, this is normal. Here Girls Gone Wild.”

SHELLY STEELY: I think it’s interesting though I mean with the way technology is now that somebody who is young and healthy can choose gender selection and opt for fertility treatments and just to be on the safe side I guess. Do you guys think we’ll be seeing more of this?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think I have to say: “I think gender selection in itself, there’s a lot of ethical dilemmas in that. Maybe not so much here in the United States but then when you look at more developing countries, so I think when we do use that here we’re setting a precedent internationally.” That bothers me at some level.

It’s great that they are saying: “Hey. We want to have girls.” But other parts of the country, it’s the other way around.

BRANDI WALLACE: Did they actually do gender selection?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes.

BRANDI WALLACE: Were they just hoping for girls?

SHELLY STEELY: It specifically says: “We chose to have girls.” Quoted by Joe Francis.

BRENDA RUHL: He’s got the finances to do that?

SHELLY STEELY: Yes. His partner says: “We both wanted girls.” Yes, they chose them.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: It almost sounds like they are trying to be intentionally unconventional as they go like: “We’re not going to get married. We’re going to IVF.”

BRENDA RUHL: We’re going to have a designer children.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: We’re going to design our children free of disease. They’re going to look like this.

BRENDA RUHL: Did you guys see the Gattaca? They’re going to be little monsters.

BRANDI WALLACE: You can’t design personality.

SHELLY STEELY: So, the overall feeling is: “We don’t think this absolves him.” Nobody thinks

BRENDA RUHL: Not to defend Hugh Heffner as a great defender of women. But, I think there’s a huge difference between the two of them. Because those were much older women who are think are making a much more educated choice – not that I would personally make the same choice. But, I think there’s a lot more self-will involved with that.

Whereas what Joe Francis does, I think he’s such a predator and preys on younger girls who the spur of the moment, they probably out drinking. They’re hanging with their girlfriends. It’s a very spur of the moment thing and it’s not as much of a lot of thought that goes into it.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s true.

SHELLY STEELY: Maybe let’s just help just actually does give him a respect and love for women.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s true.

SHELLY STEELY: That we can see some better business practices in the future.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: So maybe, maybe in the next few years we’ll see a change of heart.

SHELLY STEELY: Girls gone only a little bit.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Maybe the next thing will be: “Girls Gone Wild and we’ll see videos of the house completely torn up”

BRENDA RUHL: Toddlers with diapers on their heads.

SUNNY GAULT: Now, they’ll do the Girls Gone Wild but the twins’ version of it.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes. I can subscribe to that. We do subscribe to that.

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Well, today’s topic is: “Fascinating facts about twins” and today we’re chatting with our expert twin parent panellist about some fun and quirky facts about twins. So, thanks for joining us today.

So, I think we all know that there are more twins born today than ever before. Some of the statistics says that: “Since 1980, twinning has increased in a whopping 76%.” So, in 2009, one in every 30 babies was a twin compared to 1980 where it was just one in every 53.

So, some of the factors are:

• Age
• Women are waiting a little bit longer until they’re 30’s
• Of course fertility treatments.

So, that’s a really big one. But, I thought that there was interesting. There were some other factors that I haven’t heard about. One of them was: “Tall women are more likely to have twins.” Have you guys heard about that?

BRANDI WALLACE: I actually did. When I found out I was pregnant with the first set of twins, we went online and did some research as everybody probably turns into the internet. I read that.

I don’t know what the source was but I remember reading that: “If you were taller than average height, slightly heavier than average weight – I call it fluffy and at least 35 or over. I ticked all of those boxes. Those were the three that I remembered reading.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Interesting.

BRANDI WALLACE: I’m 5’9”.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: You’re a little above average. I think what does a woman like 5’4” something like that? Yes, apparently according to this study through the Long Island Jewish Medical Centre.

They said that: “There is a protein that is released from the liver and response to a growth hormone that stimulates growth in the shaft of larger bones. So, having higher levels of IGF results in increased sensitivity of the ovaries; thus, increasing a woman’s chance of ovulating.”

BRANDI WALLACE: But, that doesn’t bear on our identity.

BRENDA RUHL: What about the fraternal twins. I think the size as well because you just got more room; probably less likely to be able to carry two.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s a good point too. So, maybe the women who all have let’s just say: “Larger abdomen, right? Are able to carry it into you see less of the diminishing twin?”

SHELLY STEELY: I just can’t be is because I’m only 5 feet tall. So, it doesn’t really seem fair over here. I mean I don’t have any room.

BRENDA RUHL: I’m only 5 feet tall or something. But I think again, this is all applicable to fraternal twins with multiple ovulations. There are a lot of things that drive that heredity is the driver of that as well.

SHELLY STEELY: So, I have heard that the same thing: “Tall woman.” I figured: “I was safe there.” I was little bit over weight but fluffy but not too much. But I’ve also heard that if you go right off birth control – pregnant right after birth control is going to increase your odds. Also, I heard over 30.

So, here I was thinking: “I’ll go after birth control months in advance and I’m only 28 and I’m not very tall.” I should be fine, right? Apparently, that’s not the case. Short women, beware as well.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: There’s another thing. Another contributing factor and I’ve never heard of this either. It says: “Women who eat a lot of dairy are more to prone to conceiving twins.” That kind of blew me away. I’ve heard about sweet potatoes that there was something about the women in Africa.” Yes, exactly. Okay, I eat some.

I like yams but dairy – according to this one: “It’s kind of the similar thing where they compared twin rates from vegan mothers and non vegan mothers.” So, the ones who consume dairy were five times more likely to have twins.

This is because cows like humans; they also produce this IGF in response to growth hormone. They release it in their blood. So, maybe dairy or vegan – I don’t know. Is anyone vegan here?

BRANDI WALLACE: No.

BRENDA RUHL: No.

BRANDI WALLACE: Dairy is important part of my life.

SHELLY STEELY: Clearly.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Ice cream. Come on.

BRENDA RUHL: Cheese for me.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Cheese, yes. Here’s another little factor that’s speaking of the mother. So, according to this study: “Mothers of twins actually may live longer. I think this is contrary to like what we would think.”

BRANDI WALLACE: I mean how we feel in this moment.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes. I know and I’ve gotten a lot more gray hairs since having twins.

BRANDI WALLACE: If you can survive having twins, you can survive anything.

SHELLY STEELY: We’re just 30 year folk really.

BRANDI WALLACE: I think you have to be. You really do.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: What’s the saying? If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.

BRENDA RUHL: Exactly.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Kind of the genetic side again. We always think identical twins are identical. We’ve been told that: “It’s an egg splitting. They have the exact same DNA.” But now, they are some studies that are saying that: “Identicals are really actually aren’t identical.”

Now for example, we do know that identical have different belly buttons and finger prints. So, when they see a belly button is essentially they’re clipping the umbilical cord. It’s a scar, a unique scar. So, that’s kind of a man made but fingerprints. So, how does that formed?

SHELLY STEELY: I looked this up because I have identical twins and I thought it was fascinating. So, they have the same original fingerprint; the one that they would have been born with. But, what happens is the fluid moving around inside the amniotic sac can kind of move and affect the whirls on your fingerprint.

So, because each baby is in a unique place in your amniotic sac as the fluid moves and pushes, they end up with slightly different fingerprints. So, very interesting scientifically and also good for all of you to tell your children that: “No, you cannot commit a crime and blame it on your brother.”

BRANDI WALLACE: The DNA samples would come back strikingly similar though.

SHELLY STEELY: Yes, but their fingerprints are different and dental records are actually different too. My boys got their teeth in a totally different order at a totally different time.

BRENDA RUHL: I might have mentioned this last time but my kids lose teeth on the same day.

SHELLY STEELY: I’ve heard that.

BRENDA RUHL: They’re that close. I bet mine have more different fingerprints because I have twin-to-twin transfusion. So, one of them flip the amniotic fluid the moment was significantly lower than the other ones. So, if that’s one of the influence and factors; they might even be more different off to check that some day.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s actually a really good point because there’s definitely in the prenatal environment within the amniotic sac; they found that different syndromes like the twin-to-twin transfusion and taps.

I forget what the official name of that is. But, we’ve seen births were we have identical twins and if they’re sharing the same amniotic sac or if there’s a very thin sac maybe one’s getting more blood from the placenta and the other one is you have a significant birth weights.

BRENDA RUHL: Well, we had a twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and then also the one that was the recipient who was the smaller one. He also had a Velamentous Cord Insertion which we didn’t discover until after delivery. Thank goodness I have a C Section.

That was another reason that he was always a little smaller because he just wasn’t getting as much. He’s to this day, considerably thinner has always been thinner than his brother although he had his growth spurt first. So, he’s an inch and a half taller now.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s pretty significant.

BRENDA RUHL: If you look at their pictures all the way through them, his face is smaller. His features are slightly smaller. The other ones just got more just larger and everything. So, it definitely had a contributing factor which leads and goes to the all of the intruder and influences can they develop differently. They just cook different.

SHELLY STEELY: The womb is an environment. So, the study is showing: “Environmental factors can affect twins.” Obviously, if one is more active and eats healthier over time, you’ll have a thinner twin in general. If one smokes and one doesn’t, their faces will reflect that. But the womb is that first environment.

So, if you have a different placenta, different cord insertion, issues that are going on. So, we have Velamentous Cord Insertion the size differences marginal but Sawyer is just a little bit smaller. He’s always been just a touch.

It’s almost like: “Even when they weigh almost the same you can still see. He just looks a little bit.”

BRANDI WALLACE: More fine.

SHELLY STEELY: Just more fine; I think that will be a good way to describe it. Yes.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Another thing I think I was interested too was since we’re talking about: “identical” is mirror image identical. Have you guys heard about that?

SHELLY STEELY: Yes, actually we look to see if my boys could be a mirror imaged twins because the whirl on the back of their hand is opposite. Sawyer will pretty much use his right hand all of the time but Greyson kind of goes back and forth. I’m pretty sure by now, that he’s right handed.

But, we looked it up and it turns out that: “For them to be a mirror imaged twins, that egg had a split very late.” So, it’s late that they were almost not conjoint but in the same ones; so if the egg splits very late and then they can end up being mirror imaged twins.

Now, mine because they were di-amniotic, di-chorionic; split very early. So, there’s no way that they could be mirror imaged twins. So, if you had two separate sacs, two separate placentas then they’re definitely not going to be. But, if the egg split late and they shared one with that membrane then I see Brandi nodding over here.

BRANDI WALLACE: We were di-mo twins. So, di-amniotic, monochorionic sacs – one placenta with the identical boys and they’re 4 ½. Have still not yet determined which hand will be their dominant head yet.

One tends to lean to a left-handed and the other tends to lean to right-handed. So, there are no birth marks on them. There are no freckles. There’s nothing on them where we can look at them and see if they would be mirror or not. We’re just going to have to wait and see.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Here’s another fact: “So, foetuses that share a womb and a birthday aren’t necessarily twins.” Okay, I read this and I’m thinking: “How is this actually possible?”

A woman can ovulate and if her hormones are off, she might actually ovulate more than once within a cycle. So, she could ovulate and that egg is fertilized and maybe 2 weeks or 3 weeks later within a certain period of time, she can ovulate again even though technically she is pregnant. She gets pregnant a second time.

BRENDA RUHL: That could be with different dad.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes, It could be.

SHELLY STEELY: Yes, I’ve heard about that when they do because when the ultrasound technology the way it is – they can do those early ultrasounds and when the conditions have an effected it so far. In that situation what you would see in ultrasound is: “You would see with a gestational age 2 to 3 weeks apart.”

We all know before 12 weeks, those are fairly accurate. Size different just haven’t been accounted for. It’s not very common. I don’t think anybody should be too concerned about it. It’s funny that the things that the body can do basically it doesn’t realize it’s pregnant yet and ovulates and creates another twin.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I guess what happens in that case is that: “I think in most cases, they are born at the same time. But I guess, they have been cases where one is born and somehow the uterus closes up again. The other one was born later.”

I’m like: “Can you imagine going into late – you’ve got two babies inside which to me by definition, I think two babies as twins but okay. Then, you go into labour and you give birth. Then, everything closes back up. Okay, we’re going to do this next month.

SHELLY STEELY: On the one side, it might have been kind of nice to have just one baby for that first month.

BRENDA RUHL: But, you’re still nine months pregnant. So, that’s the break down.

SHELLY STEELY: That would be the other side, yes. That the body isn’t it?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: So, then this thing where you’re going to have the two babies – it’s called: “Superfecundation.” I’m totally butchering it. I realize that. What Shelly had mentioned that: “You can have twins with different fathers and that’s called Heteropaternal Superfecundation.”

There are known cases and the only reason that they find out is because: “When the twins came out, well one was black and one was white.” How is this possible? I think earlier this year

SHELLY STEELY: There have been a couple of cases lately.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think in that case, so a woman I think she had ovulated at the same time. So, there were multiple eggs.

BRENDA RUHL: Multiple partners?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes.

SHELLY STEELY: But remember, sperm can live for up to five days. It’s not as unlikely; it’s not like it had to be the same minutes. You got almost a week there.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Right.

SHELLY STEELY: It’s a lifestyle choice.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: It’s a lifestyle choice, yes. So, she ended up; so there were two different fathers. You’ve got to wonder: “What are the child visitation and paternal face here?”

BRANDI WALLACE: I don’t even know that kind of custody would work out too. That’s challenge.

SHELLY STEELY: I think instead of saving for college, they been for therapy.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes. Well, we’re going to take a break. When we come back, we’re going to talk about: “How twins, how they interact with each other in the womb to get a head-start on socialization.”

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Well, welcome back. Today, we’re talking with our expert panellists about: “Some truly unusual facts about twins.” We’ve been talking about some unusual, some genetic variations that we don’t expect. But, what about sort of the social interaction, when you got two babies in the womb, they’re actually interacting with each other. What effect does that have on them later on?

It’s interesting. There was a study in Italy and the researchers – they looked at some 3d ultrasound videos. They found that: “When the babies were just 14 weeks old, they notice that the pairs they were reaching out for each other. They were touching. They were head-to-head and arm-to-head.”

At 18 weeks, they were stroking each other more often and they were in physical contact about 30% of the time. That seems really amazing to me that they have this awareness and what we might think fondness for each other. I don’t know. Are they saying: “Hey, move out of the way.”

BRANDI WALLACE: I actually have a story about the inside of the womb interaction around the 20th week mark. We had the growth check ultrasound. It’s an hour per baby where they mention every part portion of their bodies.

At the end of the ultrasound, I ask and this is my first of twins – the identical boys. I asked the sonographer: “If she would just please hold the device still on my belly so that we could just watch them.”

As they’re moving the device around, you’d think the baby is moving but really it’s the fluid moving and they’re coming in and out of focus. So, I said: “I just want to look. I just want to hold it still for a moment.” I’m so glad I did because we actually got to see them. They were facing each other and in exact unison at the exact same time, they begin punching each other.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Oh my gosh!

BRANDI WALLACE: It looked like a game of Rock’em Sock’em Robots from the 80’s with a little game. As one’s right hand went forward, the twins’ brother’s left hand went backwards. So, they weren’t actually punching each other but it was like this little choreographed dance they were doing.

If they weren’t other people in the room, I would have swore that I made it up and it didn’t actually happen. But, it really did happen.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think that closeness does create this sort of just mental consciousness I guess of twins. I mean if being together and I see my girls interacting and when you hear about: “Do they understand each other? Do they read each other’s mind?” I actually had a lady asked me: “Did they read each other’s mind?” I’m like: “Why don’t you ask them?”

I think they do have a sort of anticipatory attitude where they can sense what the other one wants. Maybe it is from that close proximity.

SHELLY STEELY: I think that touches on that this one’s having their own secret language or tend twins being kind of language delayed. They are so in tune with each other. They are kind of able to know and anticipate. There’s not really a huge motivation for them to talk to other people when they already know what the other person wants if you will.

I wouldn’t call it mind reading but I think just like you and your best friend can finish each other’s sentences. Imagine that just magnified. Their awareness of each other is so high.

BRENDA RUHL: Almost an intuition.

SHELLY STEELY: Yes.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Exactly. Speaking of language, we have heard about twin language and according to studies that: “40% of twins invent their own language.”

SHELLY STEELY: Mine’s certainly have. They talk to each other but I’m not really sure what they are saying.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Apparently, it’s very common where they’re mirroring each other and they’re just using sort of this own symbols or their own expressions. They understand that and like: “40%?”

BRANDI WALLACE: That seems little high.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes and it says that: “The researchers suspect the twin babies use each other as models in developing language when adult model language is frequently absent. It consists of invented inverted words – onomatopoeic.”

SHELLY STEELY: Onomatopoeic.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: There are teachers in the room. They got expressions. So, they form when two very close babies are learning how to speak a real language alongside each other. They play. It says that: “Language is often disappear soon after childhood once they learn a real language.” So, I was curious now. How about you guys?

BRENDA RUHL: Mine were speech-delayed. So, I think they just never had the opportunity to develop their own language because it took them so long to develop any language that it just went in to regular speaking.

BRANDI WALLACE: I haven’t seen it with either set of ours.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Maybe that’s a good thing.

SHELLY STEELY: I promise I’m talking to them funny. No, it sounds like words but I have no idea what it is that they’re asking for. But, they seem to understand each other. Another thing is that: “They both think they have the same name.”

So, they’re both name is Sawyer and they will call each other Sawyer. It sounds different kind of like they are very certain when they’re talking about themselves versus their brother. But, it’s very confusing let me tell you.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Sawyer. So, they both raised their hands?

SHELLY STEELY: Yes.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I know you do have a separate name.

SHELLY STEELY: Greyson will sit there and say: “Mama’s milk. Dada’s juice. Sawyer’s milk, Sawyer’s milk.” To himself and his brother like: “As though it was totally normal that we name them the same thing.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Thanks so much to everyone for joining us today. For more information about: “Fantastic facts about twins” or for more information about any of our speakers and panellists, you can visit our episode page on our website. This conversation continues for members of our Twin Talks Club.

After the show, our panellists are going to talk about: “How twins can be born in separate years.” So, for more information about The Twin Talks Club, visit our website – www.TwinTalks.com

[Theme Music]

SUNNY GAULT: Hey everyone. This is Sunny. I’m one of the producers here in Twin Talks. We have a funny Twin Oops to share with you guys. This is a segment that we’d like to do where our listeners send in funny comments parenting situations they’ve been in with their twins and funny things that have happened. So, this one comes from Lindsay.

Lindsay says:

We have three boys age four and under. When our twin boys were about two years old and our older son was 3 1/2, we were bathing them all together just as we’ve been doing for the past year.

One night, I turned around to pick up a bath toy and when I turned back around, I found out that one of my sons had notice his brother’s private parts. So, in an effort to exert a strong statement about privacy in our own bodies; I uttered a statement I never thought I’d say. Keep your hands to your own penis.

My husband and mom both within ear shot erupted in laughter and they never let me live this one down.

-Lindsay

Lindsay, the things we say when we are a parent right? Well, thank you so much for sending this in. If you guys have a comment about your twins, a funny parenting twin story you want to share – a twin oops as we like to call it; you can call our voice mail which is 619-866-4775. You can also send us an e-mail or even just post a comment on our Facebook Page.

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: So, that wraps up our show for today. We appreciate you listening to Twin Talks.

Don’t forget to check our sister show:

• Preggie Pals, it’s for expecting parents
• Our show The Boob Group for moms who breastfeed their babies and
• Parent Savers, your parenting resource on-the-go.

Next week, we’ll be talking about: “Inside the NICU, bonding with your babies.” This is Twin Talks, parenting times two.

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This has been a New Mommy Media production. Information and material contained in this episode are presented for educational purposes only. Statements and opinions expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of New Mommy Media and should not be considered facts. Though information in which areas are related to be accurate, it is not intended to replace or substitute for professional, Medical or advisor care and should not be used for diagnosing or treating health care problem or disease or prescribing any medications. If you have questions or concerns regarding your physical or mental health or the health of your baby, please seek assistance from a qualified health care provider.

SUNNY GAULT: New Mommy Media is expanding our line up of shows for new and expecting parents. If you have an idea for a new series or if you’re a business or organization interested in joining our network of shows through a co-branded podcast, visit www.NewMommyMedia.com .

[00:30:13]
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Episode Transcript

The Twin Talks
Fascinating Facts About Twins

[00:00:00]

Please be advised, this transcription was performed from a company independent of New Mommy Media, LLC. As such, translation was required which may alter the accuracy of the transcription.

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Parents to twins know that they joined a special group when their twins are born. But, did you know that how special and unique your twins actually are? While we tend to think that: “Identical twins are completely – well, identical.” This is not always the case.

Joining us today is our panel of twin parents who are here to talk about: “Fascinating facts about twins.” This is Twin Talks Episode Number 24.

[Theme Music/Intro]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Well, welcome to Twin Talks broadcasting from the Birth Education Centre of San Diego. Twin Talks is your weekly online on-the-go support group for expecting and new parents to twins. I’m your host Christine Stewart-Fitzgerald.

Have you heard about The Twin Talks Club? Our members get bonus content after each new show plus special giveaways and discounts. You can subscribe to our monthly Twin Talks Newsletter and learn about the latest episodes available.

Another way for you to stay connected is by downloading our free Twin Talks App. It’s available in the Android and iTunes Marketplace. So before we get started, let’s go around and introduce our panel.

BRANDI WALLACE: Good day. My name is Brandi Wallace. I refuse to give my age. In fact, they remain permanently. I just had a rather large birthday. It ends in a zero that’s all I’ll say. I am an attorney by profession. I’m not practicing at the moment.

I’m on hiatus because I’m raising our two sets of spontaneous twins. The first set are: “Four year old identical boys.” The second set are: “A boy-girl fraternals that are 19 months.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: You got a busy household.

BRANDI WALLACE: It’s not quiet. I’ll tell you that.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Brenda?

BRENDA RUHL: My name is Brenda. I am coming up on a birthday with a zero and about a bit it’s not the same one because I’m 49 barely hanging on to that. I’m accountant by trade. I’m very actively working, have been since shortly after my kids were born.

I didn’t really take any time off in the maternity leave. I have three boys. My oldest is 13 and my twins are identical twins. They are 11.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Okay, let’s see. We’ve got Shelly over here.

SHELLY STEELY: Hi. I’m Shelly Steely. I’m 30. It ends in a zero but I’m still comfortable with my age. I’m a high school history teacher and I’m also the producer here at Twin Talks. I have identical twin boys who are going to be two on July. I’m actually expecting my third just one this time and it’s a girl so we are excited.

Before we get started though, I just wanted to remind you guys about our Virtual Panellists Program. So, if you’re at home and you want to follow along, you can find our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter. You can use the hash tag #TwinTalksVP to stay part of the conversation.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: All right. I’m your host Christine Stewart-Fitzgerald. I’ve got identical girls who are 4 ½ about the same age as Brandi here. I have another thing in common with Brandi. So, we were both pregnant within I think like a month of each other. I did not have a second set.

So, I got a singleton. My singleton is 18 months. But I do remember when Brandi announced that she was pregnant again with twins and my jaw dropped and I’m like: “Please God. Don’t let that happen to me.”

BRANDI WALLACE: We’re you already pregnant when I made the announcement? It must have been because I was more than four weeks.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think because I was pregnant at the same time.

BRANDI WALLACE: It was too early to see what was in there.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes.

[Theme Music]

SHELLY STEELY: So here at Twin Talks we’d like to keep up with twins in the news. Today’s twin news is a little bit gossipy. But, we recently found out that Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis – his girlfriend is pregnant with twin girls.

Now, Joe Francis and his long time love are expecting twin daughters. She says: “She’s really excited about it.” They both wanted girls who are healthy and free of diseases so they chose to do IVF.

Mr. Francis says: “He believes that now people will finally understand his love, respect and admiration for women.” He says: “I just love girls.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I love girls. So, what is this? Is he going to start videotaping them while their young?

SHELLY STEELY: What do you think?

BRANDI WALLACE: I almost have no words.

BRENDA RUHL: I have nothing nice to say.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I don’t know. It’s kind of like: “Hugh Heffner – he has a daughter and brings her into business.” What is he just bring her in like: “Yes, this is normal. Here Girls Gone Wild.”

SHELLY STEELY: I think it’s interesting though I mean with the way technology is now that somebody who is young and healthy can choose gender selection and opt for fertility treatments and just to be on the safe side I guess. Do you guys think we’ll be seeing more of this?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think I have to say: “I think gender selection in itself, there’s a lot of ethical dilemmas in that. Maybe not so much here in the United States but then when you look at more developing countries, so I think when we do use that here we’re setting a precedent internationally.” That bothers me at some level.

It’s great that they are saying: “Hey. We want to have girls.” But other parts of the country, it’s the other way around.

BRANDI WALLACE: Did they actually do gender selection?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes.

BRANDI WALLACE: Were they just hoping for girls?

SHELLY STEELY: It specifically says: “We chose to have girls.” Quoted by Joe Francis.

BRENDA RUHL: He’s got the finances to do that?

SHELLY STEELY: Yes. His partner says: “We both wanted girls.” Yes, they chose them.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: It almost sounds like they are trying to be intentionally unconventional as they go like: “We’re not going to get married. We’re going to IVF.”

BRENDA RUHL: We’re going to have a designer children.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: We’re going to design our children free of disease. They’re going to look like this.

BRENDA RUHL: Did you guys see the Gattaca? They’re going to be little monsters.

BRANDI WALLACE: You can’t design personality.

SHELLY STEELY: So, the overall feeling is: “We don’t think this absolves him.” Nobody thinks

BRENDA RUHL: Not to defend Hugh Heffner as a great defender of women. But, I think there’s a huge difference between the two of them. Because those were much older women who are think are making a much more educated choice – not that I would personally make the same choice. But, I think there’s a lot more self-will involved with that.

Whereas what Joe Francis does, I think he’s such a predator and preys on younger girls who the spur of the moment, they probably out drinking. They’re hanging with their girlfriends. It’s a very spur of the moment thing and it’s not as much of a lot of thought that goes into it.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s true.

SHELLY STEELY: Maybe let’s just help just actually does give him a respect and love for women.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s true.

SHELLY STEELY: That we can see some better business practices in the future.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: So maybe, maybe in the next few years we’ll see a change of heart.

SHELLY STEELY: Girls gone only a little bit.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Maybe the next thing will be: “Girls Gone Wild and we’ll see videos of the house completely torn up”

BRENDA RUHL: Toddlers with diapers on their heads.

SUNNY GAULT: Now, they’ll do the Girls Gone Wild but the twins’ version of it.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes. I can subscribe to that. We do subscribe to that.

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Well, today’s topic is: “Fascinating facts about twins” and today we’re chatting with our expert twin parent panellist about some fun and quirky facts about twins. So, thanks for joining us today.

So, I think we all know that there are more twins born today than ever before. Some of the statistics says that: “Since 1980, twinning has increased in a whopping 76%.” So, in 2009, one in every 30 babies was a twin compared to 1980 where it was just one in every 53.

So, some of the factors are:

• Age
• Women are waiting a little bit longer until they’re 30’s
• Of course fertility treatments.

So, that’s a really big one. But, I thought that there was interesting. There were some other factors that I haven’t heard about. One of them was: “Tall women are more likely to have twins.” Have you guys heard about that?

BRANDI WALLACE: I actually did. When I found out I was pregnant with the first set of twins, we went online and did some research as everybody probably turns into the internet. I read that.

I don’t know what the source was but I remember reading that: “If you were taller than average height, slightly heavier than average weight – I call it fluffy and at least 35 or over. I ticked all of those boxes. Those were the three that I remembered reading.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Interesting.

BRANDI WALLACE: I’m 5’9”.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: You’re a little above average. I think what does a woman like 5’4” something like that? Yes, apparently according to this study through the Long Island Jewish Medical Centre.

They said that: “There is a protein that is released from the liver and response to a growth hormone that stimulates growth in the shaft of larger bones. So, having higher levels of IGF results in increased sensitivity of the ovaries; thus, increasing a woman’s chance of ovulating.”

BRANDI WALLACE: But, that doesn’t bear on our identity.

BRENDA RUHL: What about the fraternal twins. I think the size as well because you just got more room; probably less likely to be able to carry two.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s a good point too. So, maybe the women who all have let’s just say: “Larger abdomen, right? Are able to carry it into you see less of the diminishing twin?”

SHELLY STEELY: I just can’t be is because I’m only 5 feet tall. So, it doesn’t really seem fair over here. I mean I don’t have any room.

BRENDA RUHL: I’m only 5 feet tall or something. But I think again, this is all applicable to fraternal twins with multiple ovulations. There are a lot of things that drive that heredity is the driver of that as well.

SHELLY STEELY: So, I have heard that the same thing: “Tall woman.” I figured: “I was safe there.” I was little bit over weight but fluffy but not too much. But I’ve also heard that if you go right off birth control – pregnant right after birth control is going to increase your odds. Also, I heard over 30.

So, here I was thinking: “I’ll go after birth control months in advance and I’m only 28 and I’m not very tall.” I should be fine, right? Apparently, that’s not the case. Short women, beware as well.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: There’s another thing. Another contributing factor and I’ve never heard of this either. It says: “Women who eat a lot of dairy are more to prone to conceiving twins.” That kind of blew me away. I’ve heard about sweet potatoes that there was something about the women in Africa.” Yes, exactly. Okay, I eat some.

I like yams but dairy – according to this one: “It’s kind of the similar thing where they compared twin rates from vegan mothers and non vegan mothers.” So, the ones who consume dairy were five times more likely to have twins.

This is because cows like humans; they also produce this IGF in response to growth hormone. They release it in their blood. So, maybe dairy or vegan – I don’t know. Is anyone vegan here?

BRANDI WALLACE: No.

BRENDA RUHL: No.

BRANDI WALLACE: Dairy is important part of my life.

SHELLY STEELY: Clearly.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Ice cream. Come on.

BRENDA RUHL: Cheese for me.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Cheese, yes. Here’s another little factor that’s speaking of the mother. So, according to this study: “Mothers of twins actually may live longer. I think this is contrary to like what we would think.”

BRANDI WALLACE: I mean how we feel in this moment.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes. I know and I’ve gotten a lot more gray hairs since having twins.

BRANDI WALLACE: If you can survive having twins, you can survive anything.

SHELLY STEELY: We’re just 30 year folk really.

BRANDI WALLACE: I think you have to be. You really do.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: What’s the saying? If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.

BRENDA RUHL: Exactly.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Kind of the genetic side again. We always think identical twins are identical. We’ve been told that: “It’s an egg splitting. They have the exact same DNA.” But now, they are some studies that are saying that: “Identicals are really actually aren’t identical.”

Now for example, we do know that identical have different belly buttons and finger prints. So, when they see a belly button is essentially they’re clipping the umbilical cord. It’s a scar, a unique scar. So, that’s kind of a man made but fingerprints. So, how does that formed?

SHELLY STEELY: I looked this up because I have identical twins and I thought it was fascinating. So, they have the same original fingerprint; the one that they would have been born with. But, what happens is the fluid moving around inside the amniotic sac can kind of move and affect the whirls on your fingerprint.

So, because each baby is in a unique place in your amniotic sac as the fluid moves and pushes, they end up with slightly different fingerprints. So, very interesting scientifically and also good for all of you to tell your children that: “No, you cannot commit a crime and blame it on your brother.”

BRANDI WALLACE: The DNA samples would come back strikingly similar though.

SHELLY STEELY: Yes, but their fingerprints are different and dental records are actually different too. My boys got their teeth in a totally different order at a totally different time.

BRENDA RUHL: I might have mentioned this last time but my kids lose teeth on the same day.

SHELLY STEELY: I’ve heard that.

BRENDA RUHL: They’re that close. I bet mine have more different fingerprints because I have twin-to-twin transfusion. So, one of them flip the amniotic fluid the moment was significantly lower than the other ones. So, if that’s one of the influence and factors; they might even be more different off to check that some day.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s actually a really good point because there’s definitely in the prenatal environment within the amniotic sac; they found that different syndromes like the twin-to-twin transfusion and taps.

I forget what the official name of that is. But, we’ve seen births were we have identical twins and if they’re sharing the same amniotic sac or if there’s a very thin sac maybe one’s getting more blood from the placenta and the other one is you have a significant birth weights.

BRENDA RUHL: Well, we had a twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and then also the one that was the recipient who was the smaller one. He also had a Velamentous Cord Insertion which we didn’t discover until after delivery. Thank goodness I have a C Section.

That was another reason that he was always a little smaller because he just wasn’t getting as much. He’s to this day, considerably thinner has always been thinner than his brother although he had his growth spurt first. So, he’s an inch and a half taller now.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: That’s pretty significant.

BRENDA RUHL: If you look at their pictures all the way through them, his face is smaller. His features are slightly smaller. The other ones just got more just larger and everything. So, it definitely had a contributing factor which leads and goes to the all of the intruder and influences can they develop differently. They just cook different.

SHELLY STEELY: The womb is an environment. So, the study is showing: “Environmental factors can affect twins.” Obviously, if one is more active and eats healthier over time, you’ll have a thinner twin in general. If one smokes and one doesn’t, their faces will reflect that. But the womb is that first environment.

So, if you have a different placenta, different cord insertion, issues that are going on. So, we have Velamentous Cord Insertion the size differences marginal but Sawyer is just a little bit smaller. He’s always been just a touch.

It’s almost like: “Even when they weigh almost the same you can still see. He just looks a little bit.”

BRANDI WALLACE: More fine.

SHELLY STEELY: Just more fine; I think that will be a good way to describe it. Yes.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Another thing I think I was interested too was since we’re talking about: “identical” is mirror image identical. Have you guys heard about that?

SHELLY STEELY: Yes, actually we look to see if my boys could be a mirror imaged twins because the whirl on the back of their hand is opposite. Sawyer will pretty much use his right hand all of the time but Greyson kind of goes back and forth. I’m pretty sure by now, that he’s right handed.

But, we looked it up and it turns out that: “For them to be a mirror imaged twins, that egg had a split very late.” So, it’s late that they were almost not conjoint but in the same ones; so if the egg splits very late and then they can end up being mirror imaged twins.

Now, mine because they were di-amniotic, di-chorionic; split very early. So, there’s no way that they could be mirror imaged twins. So, if you had two separate sacs, two separate placentas then they’re definitely not going to be. But, if the egg split late and they shared one with that membrane then I see Brandi nodding over here.

BRANDI WALLACE: We were di-mo twins. So, di-amniotic, monochorionic sacs – one placenta with the identical boys and they’re 4 ½. Have still not yet determined which hand will be their dominant head yet.

One tends to lean to a left-handed and the other tends to lean to right-handed. So, there are no birth marks on them. There are no freckles. There’s nothing on them where we can look at them and see if they would be mirror or not. We’re just going to have to wait and see.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Here’s another fact: “So, foetuses that share a womb and a birthday aren’t necessarily twins.” Okay, I read this and I’m thinking: “How is this actually possible?”

A woman can ovulate and if her hormones are off, she might actually ovulate more than once within a cycle. So, she could ovulate and that egg is fertilized and maybe 2 weeks or 3 weeks later within a certain period of time, she can ovulate again even though technically she is pregnant. She gets pregnant a second time.

BRENDA RUHL: That could be with different dad.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes, It could be.

SHELLY STEELY: Yes, I’ve heard about that when they do because when the ultrasound technology the way it is – they can do those early ultrasounds and when the conditions have an effected it so far. In that situation what you would see in ultrasound is: “You would see with a gestational age 2 to 3 weeks apart.”

We all know before 12 weeks, those are fairly accurate. Size different just haven’t been accounted for. It’s not very common. I don’t think anybody should be too concerned about it. It’s funny that the things that the body can do basically it doesn’t realize it’s pregnant yet and ovulates and creates another twin.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I guess what happens in that case is that: “I think in most cases, they are born at the same time. But I guess, they have been cases where one is born and somehow the uterus closes up again. The other one was born later.”

I’m like: “Can you imagine going into late – you’ve got two babies inside which to me by definition, I think two babies as twins but okay. Then, you go into labour and you give birth. Then, everything closes back up. Okay, we’re going to do this next month.

SHELLY STEELY: On the one side, it might have been kind of nice to have just one baby for that first month.

BRENDA RUHL: But, you’re still nine months pregnant. So, that’s the break down.

SHELLY STEELY: That would be the other side, yes. That the body isn’t it?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: So, then this thing where you’re going to have the two babies – it’s called: “Superfecundation.” I’m totally butchering it. I realize that. What Shelly had mentioned that: “You can have twins with different fathers and that’s called Heteropaternal Superfecundation.”

There are known cases and the only reason that they find out is because: “When the twins came out, well one was black and one was white.” How is this possible? I think earlier this year

SHELLY STEELY: There have been a couple of cases lately.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think in that case, so a woman I think she had ovulated at the same time. So, there were multiple eggs.

BRENDA RUHL: Multiple partners?

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes.

SHELLY STEELY: But remember, sperm can live for up to five days. It’s not as unlikely; it’s not like it had to be the same minutes. You got almost a week there.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Right.

SHELLY STEELY: It’s a lifestyle choice.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: It’s a lifestyle choice, yes. So, she ended up; so there were two different fathers. You’ve got to wonder: “What are the child visitation and paternal face here?”

BRANDI WALLACE: I don’t even know that kind of custody would work out too. That’s challenge.

SHELLY STEELY: I think instead of saving for college, they been for therapy.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes. Well, we’re going to take a break. When we come back, we’re going to talk about: “How twins, how they interact with each other in the womb to get a head-start on socialization.”

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Well, welcome back. Today, we’re talking with our expert panellists about: “Some truly unusual facts about twins.” We’ve been talking about some unusual, some genetic variations that we don’t expect. But, what about sort of the social interaction, when you got two babies in the womb, they’re actually interacting with each other. What effect does that have on them later on?

It’s interesting. There was a study in Italy and the researchers – they looked at some 3d ultrasound videos. They found that: “When the babies were just 14 weeks old, they notice that the pairs they were reaching out for each other. They were touching. They were head-to-head and arm-to-head.”

At 18 weeks, they were stroking each other more often and they were in physical contact about 30% of the time. That seems really amazing to me that they have this awareness and what we might think fondness for each other. I don’t know. Are they saying: “Hey, move out of the way.”

BRANDI WALLACE: I actually have a story about the inside of the womb interaction around the 20th week mark. We had the growth check ultrasound. It’s an hour per baby where they mention every part portion of their bodies.

At the end of the ultrasound, I ask and this is my first of twins – the identical boys. I asked the sonographer: “If she would just please hold the device still on my belly so that we could just watch them.”

As they’re moving the device around, you’d think the baby is moving but really it’s the fluid moving and they’re coming in and out of focus. So, I said: “I just want to look. I just want to hold it still for a moment.” I’m so glad I did because we actually got to see them. They were facing each other and in exact unison at the exact same time, they begin punching each other.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Oh my gosh!

BRANDI WALLACE: It looked like a game of Rock’em Sock’em Robots from the 80’s with a little game. As one’s right hand went forward, the twins’ brother’s left hand went backwards. So, they weren’t actually punching each other but it was like this little choreographed dance they were doing.

If they weren’t other people in the room, I would have swore that I made it up and it didn’t actually happen. But, it really did happen.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I think that closeness does create this sort of just mental consciousness I guess of twins. I mean if being together and I see my girls interacting and when you hear about: “Do they understand each other? Do they read each other’s mind?” I actually had a lady asked me: “Did they read each other’s mind?” I’m like: “Why don’t you ask them?”

I think they do have a sort of anticipatory attitude where they can sense what the other one wants. Maybe it is from that close proximity.

SHELLY STEELY: I think that touches on that this one’s having their own secret language or tend twins being kind of language delayed. They are so in tune with each other. They are kind of able to know and anticipate. There’s not really a huge motivation for them to talk to other people when they already know what the other person wants if you will.

I wouldn’t call it mind reading but I think just like you and your best friend can finish each other’s sentences. Imagine that just magnified. Their awareness of each other is so high.

BRENDA RUHL: Almost an intuition.

SHELLY STEELY: Yes.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Exactly. Speaking of language, we have heard about twin language and according to studies that: “40% of twins invent their own language.”

SHELLY STEELY: Mine’s certainly have. They talk to each other but I’m not really sure what they are saying.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Apparently, it’s very common where they’re mirroring each other and they’re just using sort of this own symbols or their own expressions. They understand that and like: “40%?”

BRANDI WALLACE: That seems little high.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Yes and it says that: “The researchers suspect the twin babies use each other as models in developing language when adult model language is frequently absent. It consists of invented inverted words – onomatopoeic.”

SHELLY STEELY: Onomatopoeic.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: There are teachers in the room. They got expressions. So, they form when two very close babies are learning how to speak a real language alongside each other. They play. It says that: “Language is often disappear soon after childhood once they learn a real language.” So, I was curious now. How about you guys?

BRENDA RUHL: Mine were speech-delayed. So, I think they just never had the opportunity to develop their own language because it took them so long to develop any language that it just went in to regular speaking.

BRANDI WALLACE: I haven’t seen it with either set of ours.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Maybe that’s a good thing.

SHELLY STEELY: I promise I’m talking to them funny. No, it sounds like words but I have no idea what it is that they’re asking for. But, they seem to understand each other. Another thing is that: “They both think they have the same name.”

So, they’re both name is Sawyer and they will call each other Sawyer. It sounds different kind of like they are very certain when they’re talking about themselves versus their brother. But, it’s very confusing let me tell you.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Sawyer. So, they both raised their hands?

SHELLY STEELY: Yes.

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: I know you do have a separate name.

SHELLY STEELY: Greyson will sit there and say: “Mama’s milk. Dada’s juice. Sawyer’s milk, Sawyer’s milk.” To himself and his brother like: “As though it was totally normal that we name them the same thing.”

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: Thanks so much to everyone for joining us today. For more information about: “Fantastic facts about twins” or for more information about any of our speakers and panellists, you can visit our episode page on our website. This conversation continues for members of our Twin Talks Club.

After the show, our panellists are going to talk about: “How twins can be born in separate years.” So, for more information about The Twin Talks Club, visit our website – www.TwinTalks.com

[Theme Music]

SUNNY GAULT: Hey everyone. This is Sunny. I’m one of the producers here in Twin Talks. We have a funny Twin Oops to share with you guys. This is a segment that we’d like to do where our listeners send in funny comments parenting situations they’ve been in with their twins and funny things that have happened. So, this one comes from Lindsay.

Lindsay says:

We have three boys age four and under. When our twin boys were about two years old and our older son was 3 1/2, we were bathing them all together just as we’ve been doing for the past year.

One night, I turned around to pick up a bath toy and when I turned back around, I found out that one of my sons had notice his brother’s private parts. So, in an effort to exert a strong statement about privacy in our own bodies; I uttered a statement I never thought I’d say. Keep your hands to your own penis.

My husband and mom both within ear shot erupted in laughter and they never let me live this one down.

-Lindsay

Lindsay, the things we say when we are a parent right? Well, thank you so much for sending this in. If you guys have a comment about your twins, a funny parenting twin story you want to share – a twin oops as we like to call it; you can call our voice mail which is 619-866-4775. You can also send us an e-mail or even just post a comment on our Facebook Page.

[Theme Music]

CHRISTINE STEWART-FITZGERALD: So, that wraps up our show for today. We appreciate you listening to Twin Talks.

Don’t forget to check our sister show:

• Preggie Pals, it’s for expecting parents
• Our show The Boob Group for moms who breastfeed their babies and
• Parent Savers, your parenting resource on-the-go.

Next week, we’ll be talking about: “Inside the NICU, bonding with your babies.” This is Twin Talks, parenting times two.

[Disclaimer]
This has been a New Mommy Media production. Information and material contained in this episode are presented for educational purposes only. Statements and opinions expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of New Mommy Media and should not be considered facts. Though information in which areas are related to be accurate, it is not intended to replace or substitute for professional, Medical or advisor care and should not be used for diagnosing or treating health care problem or disease or prescribing any medications. If you have questions or concerns regarding your physical or mental health or the health of your baby, please seek assistance from a qualified health care provider.

SUNNY GAULT: New Mommy Media is expanding our line up of shows for new and expecting parents. If you have an idea for a new series or if you’re a business or organization interested in joining our network of shows through a co-branded podcast, visit www.NewMommyMedia.com .

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