I'm pregnant with identical twins, and I'm worried I won't be able to tell them apart?

Question

What if my babies are born, and I can't tell them apart? Won't that make me a bad mum? How will I know who's who? Help!

Answer 1

first to the person that asked how she knew they were identical.. umm that is not hard to tell in an u/s! and for another thing PATERNAL has nothing to do with twins.. its FRATERNAL! Sorry that really bugs me

Okay now to the question.. some people mentioned painting a toe nail.. or bracelets.. Sounds good right? I knew someone who pained a toenail on one baby, but because babies nails are so soft nail polish does not stay on long at all. It wore off in a sock and because she relied on the polish to tell her who was who she got confused the only way she was able to tell them apart was by looking at pictures because one had a vein going in one direction on her head and the other had on in the other direction on her head... the problem with a bracelet is that they can be dangerous to the baby something on the ankle is safer.

Okay im a mother of twins and i worried my booty off thinking about this, i have identical twin girls, born 6lbs 6ozs and 6lbs 10ozs, they looked nothing alike to me!.. because the 4oz difference one looked a lot bigger.. that helped.. but after a week they looked so different and still do although many people can not tell them apart and now if i look back at pictures of them when they were babies i can not tell them apart either, but when i was in that time frame i had no problem... you will be able to tell them apart, there will be something different.. dont worry mommies can do it easy.. in my case daddy was right 50% of tnhe time lol.. where i would tell who was who in the other room crying..

Edit: i wanted to add because another person asked how she knew they are identical.. with twins that have 2 placentas and 2 sacs, they can not tell if they are identical of fraternal until birth.. but if they are in the same sac that is a sure indication they are identical, fraternal twins can not share the same sac.. so that is why some people can tell they have identical twins before birth

Answer 2

You can put them a bracelet and as they grow they will each have their own personality and way of doing things.

Answer 3

It won't make you a bad mom!  Besides, you will most likely be able to tell them apart.  When I had my identicals, the nurse told me that there was one case (just one!) where a mom had to bring her babies in for a footprinting because she couldn't tell them apart.  However, just because they are identical, doesn't mean they will look dead on alike.  In some cases yes, but most, there are slight differences. Mine are REALLY easy to tell apart...at least for me.  So don't worry, you should do fine, and even if you can't tell them apart, you won't be the first mom in history!  

Answer 4

mothers instinct

Answer 5

give them each a specific color, and stick with the one color until they develop their own distinguishable features. and when you have them, you will definitely know which is which. i understand being nervous before hand, but you will know very easily, right away.  

Answer 6

Dont be afraid. You will be able to tell them apart by different things such as their personality. It may take some time but you will get the hang of it!

Answer 7

For the first little while, dress them separately so you know who is who.  After a while, you'll be able to tell them apart.  Every twin, no matter how identical, has their own mannerisms, facial expressions, personality, etc. so you will be able to tell them apart in no time.  Interesting question, though!~

And how did you get pregnant with twins?  Was it just nature?

Answer 8

They put a bracelet on them don't fear! Mothers instinct!!!

Answer mine plz:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 9

well their your kids and you will be able to  be the one to tell them apart for 1 you will realize throught their actions ,and just how they act !!!!!

Answer 10

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... ouch!

Answer 11

You will know, all mother do, if they are born and you really Can't tell them apart buy identical pieces of jewelry with a different stone until they are a bit older and you are able to tell them apart from their personality, after all the only thing identical twins are identical on is the exterior, inside they are very different people.

Answer 12

Most parents buy bracelets for the babies. A different one for each baby and until they get the hang of it that is how they tell them apart!

Answer 13

How do you know they are identical twins?  I have fraternal twins and according to the doctors there is no way to tell until they are born and tests are run.  But anyway....................I was prepared by taking light pink nail polish.  I was going to paint a toe nail of one of them in case they looked alike.  Or you can get a braclet, but some hospitals won't allow them so you might want to check that before buying them.

Good luck with your twins..........they are a blast!

Answer 14

write an initial of each child on the bottom of their foot.. my sound bad but a friend of mine had to do it with her identical girls..just so she never switched them

Answer 15

You could get a bracelet for them. That is what most people do.

Another idea, that some people find unsafe, (but it is harmless), is to paint one of their toenails. Just on one baby. (If they are girls).

But, I would only recommend doing that until they find their feet, because if they start putting their feet in their mouth, that's not safe! (:

And also.. don't worry about it. It is very hard to tell identical twins apart when they are first born. All new parents go through it!

Good Luck & Congratulations! (:

Answer 16

How do you know they're identical already? They may be paternal... just a thought. My friend painted the toenails a different color on each, but she had girls. Otherwise dress them in specific colors (1 in blue, 1 in green, or pink and purple for girls)

Answer 17

my friend has twins that she couldnt tell apart at first so they painted one of one of the babys toe with pink nail polish..it didnt take long for them to see the differences. No it wont make you a bad mom you will soon learn them like all us new parents have to. good luck and congrats

Answer 18

get a braclet

Answer 19

Don't dress them in matching clothes. When they're older they might have different voices. One's hair may be slightly darker/lighter. Don't worry. There's alot of ways to tell the differance. And if ANYONE can tell them apart it's their own mother. Also most likely when they're older they'll have different interests and hobbies. I hoped I helped!! And congrats on the twins!! [= [=

Answer 20

You'll be able to tell them apart from their personalities.  Also, never mix and match their clothes until you're sure you can tell them apart.  I think you'll be fine though.

Answer 21

Lol, I know what you mean. My aunt has twins and at first had trouble telling them apart. However, as they grew older the difference in their personalities were apparent and she was able to tell them apart.

Answer 22

my aunt had triplets all girls all identical. she would put nail polish on like a finger to tell them apart, or diffrent socks, i even heard that some people get them a braclet or necklace, with there name on it...

Answer 23

You'll notice differences between them whether immediate or eventual. Until then just have them wear something that will help you identify who's who. Some people color code all their clothing and possessions early on to make it easier on themselves. You never know, some identicals don't look identical.

Answer 24

they put a bracelet around there arm with there names on it

Answer 25

I'm not a mother of twins, or rather-not a mother at all...but I think I can still help, as I have friends who are identical twins, and I can tell them apart easily.

When they are born, give each of them a piece of distinguishing jewerly, or paint a nail on each of their hands a different color. When they are older, personality traits will help a lot, as will a number of other factors-and don't forget, there is always mother's instincts.

Also, if you DO get mixed up-there is a 50% chance you will be right...

:)

Don't worry about it though-I am sure mother's instict will kick and if not-well, my mom mixes my sister and I up all the time, and we are 3 years apart...and she is the best, just a bit frazzeled :)

Most importantly though-CONGRATS!!! I hope you do well with your kids, and I wish you health and happiness/  

Answer 26

theres bound to be something different on each baby like a birthmark and stuff dont worry about it youll be able to tell them apart trust me i knows!

Answer 27

Well, chances are they won't weigh exactly the same and they'll have bracelets on at the hospital which will help you to identify them.

As you get to know their personalities in the hospital you may notice that one has a different sounding cry and other subtle differences.

If you can't tell them apart I don't think that makes you a bad mom at all.

If I had identical twins then I'd use a magic marker and put a small dot on the soles of one of their feet so that I'd know who was whom.

Luckily my twins were fraternal and I never had that issue.