Identical Twins?

My husband and his brother are identical. As children, it was hard to tell them apart and now it's easy. One is heavier than the other, one is gay and the other isnt, but they'll still have the same facial expressions sometimes and both of them drive me crazy sometimes. :-) My mom refuses to believe they are identical because she can tell them apart.

In my class growing up we had a set of identical triplets, although I could always tell them apart, you could tell they were identical.

I guess what I would wonder is what you hope to accomplish with the DNA testing. Just to say "i told you so?"

Why do you care if they are identical or not? That's just odd to me. Honestly, what difference does it make?

It would seem that based on the facts presented that they are truly not identical.

Honestly it isn't that big of a deal unless one of them commits a crime where DNA evidence comes into play.

I would probably not put so much energy behind this. If they aren't concerned, you probably let it go. Identical means just that the same not similar.

I am just wondering why is it bothering you so much? It doesn't affect you one way or the other. If it doesn't bother your husband I wouldn't push the issue.

wouldn't bother with the DNA. They are brothers, not identical, but brothers. The doc probably thought they looked alike at birth and said they were instead of using ultra sound to determine earlier. I have seen fraternals that looked identical until later in childhood, but never identicals that end up looking fraternal.
The test wont do anything but stir things up, and cause hurt feelings. Maybe they like identifying with each other that way, and prooving that they are fraternal could hurt the closeness they share. I'd just let sleeping dogs lie.

Even in the same sac, one twin can be smaller than the other which would account for the height/size difference. Just because they have the same DNA, they can still have different illnesses that can affect their growth and development. Also, most identical twins do not want to be identical so they go out of their way to make sure people can tell them apart. The same genetic makeup does not mean that they are the same people, it just means that they have exactly the same genetic makeup. Birthmarks are an individual thing, who knows what causes them but I'm sure it has nothing to do with DNA, I think its an environmental/development thing. Proving that they are identical or not seems kind of a waste of money to me. What is the motive, curiosity? It doesn't change anything and I think with most medical tests, if the outcome doesn't change anything, why do it, just to know, that is curiosity... just let it go.

I don't know if that DNA testing will tell you if they are identical twins- DNA is not the same in anyone, not even identical twins. It's like a fingerprint.
I grew up with identical twins and could tell them apart by their facial features - even finding them on Facebook 20 years later I can distingush them. We also have friends that are in their late 30s and I can tell them apart.
Just because you are 'identical' doesn't mean that EVERYTHING is the same. Diet and lifestyle will impact weight and stature. Eating the same foods...does that mean even when they were not in the house they still knew to eat the same food and proportions as their twin?
Maybe they are fraternal. Maybe not. They are still brothers! No biggie.
If the doctor said they were in the same sac, then I would think he has the more experienced knowledge in this, especially if there were ultrasounds during the pregnancy.

Identical means Identical, and from what you have said, they are not.

The doctor must have made a mistake...

I'm kind of curious as to why you care if they are identical or not. Obviously your mil isn't trying to pull one over on everyone; she relied on the doctor giving her information. I'd say it's really not your issue to push or deal with. You might just want to leave it alone and spend your time on more important things.

On a side note: I have boy/girl twins and I can't even begin to count how many people asked 'Are they identical?' Ummm don't think so.

I think you want very much to be right on this one, not necessarily answer the question. Your hubby doesn't want to prove his mom wrong---why do you? Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen aren't identical, and you'd never know it. From watching crime TV, I think DNA and fingerprints are the same in identicals. Maybe you can compare fingerprints---- it's cheaper then DNA testing.

My husband's sisters are identical twins. They are 13. One of them is about an inch taller than the other. One is slightly skinnier than the other. They have slightly different shaped faces (the way I've always been able to tell them apart, especially when they were dressed alike as young girls!). Most people who do NOT know them well say they can't tell them apart at all, but I certainly can! When a person spends a lot of time with identical twins, they just seem like 2 people who happen to look a lot alike =) But most others won't be able to tell a difference. I hope I'm explaining this so it makes sense!

I believe it can be true, I've seen twins that were supposed to be identical but I actually noticed some differences in their looks & slight difference in height so I'm actually leaning towards yes, because I've seen it. Now, granted it may've been "my imagination" but I really don't think so. I think 'identical twins' matter only in looks & DNA, not necessarily if it was one 'sac' or two. As far as the DNA testing, I think the mom won't change her mind no matter what the tests say but at least you'd get the truth as far as DNA is concerned & you'd know for yourselves. Good luck!

My understanding is that one sac meant identical. Two sacs can
either be identical or fraternal. Identicals do have the same DNA but
no one shares the same fingerprints. Have you ever noticed that
a person's nostrils are different, like Susan's in Desperate Housewives. So, I think there could be differences
that people can see in identicals. I would just be
surprised that hair color is not shared. Also, birthmarks do not have to
be shared in identicals. And one inch difference in height is not strange
to identicals.
I was told 30 years ago, when my 2 sac twins were born that genetic
testing seemed unnecessary unless they someday would have to
share their organs. I later learned that 30% of identical births are from
two sacs. They have never needed to be tested, thank God.
Do you know their blood types? When they donate blood, the blood
bank gives them an ID card with their blood type on it. If their blood
type is different, I'd think fraternal. If their blood types are the same,
it will still be a guessing game.
I understand your curiosity. Fraternal twins more often run in families.
No one knows why an egg divides and turns one baby into two babies.
It can happen to anyone. Best thing that ever happened to me.
If two identical men impregnate two identical women, their children
would be cousins, but genetically, brothers and sisters.
And, my opinion on BIL in the delivery room.....Your husband should
be more concerned about your wishes on this matter. This day should
be ALL about you and baby(ies). Congratulations, by the way.

I don't actually know...if they shared a sack I'd be pretty surprised if they were fraternal but I'm sure stranger things have happened. Like you said, they only way to find out is a DNA test, but if your husband doesn't want it I wouldn't press the issue just for your curiosity.

I have cousins who are identical twins. Although they look very much alike, one is much taller and we've always been able to tell them apart.

I think you should let it go, and tell him to stop bringing it up. Then ignore them when they do. Really who cares if they are or are not identical. If they insist they are identical then agree... who cares!

Yes it totally is as long as you are willing to accept that the will share identical DNA. The phenotypic (visual) differences are a result of what we call post translational modifications. Look up epigenetics I will post a link here for you but you are emphasizing the fact that what matters most is how and what DNA is available for use. The boys father is the same if that's what you are getting at. Aka if they were identical. But they can "seem" different which we are beginning to understand better.

I love, love, love the answer from Momma L! (Nov. 19) Especially the last part! She included so much good information and also insight into the dynamics of the family. Good luck. I think you will be dealing with this for a long time.

I have taught identical twins and they were not that far off from each other. Look at the Ryan brothers who play tennis. There are subtil differences, but what you are describing sounds like fraternal twins.

"Identical" status has nothing to do with how they look to you but how they formed in the womb. It just so happens that they are more likely to look just alike under those circumstances. I've known of twins I couldn't tell apart but were not identical.

I don't see the point of the DNA testing just to see if they are identical or not. To me that is a waste of time and money.

I thought singles had 1 sac and twins were supposed to have separate sacs. When my oldest was born I was in a yahoo Dec baby group and 1 lady who had twins was sure to inform people on misunderstanding about twins.

Hi M.-

I have DNA tested identical (99.98777% lol) 14 year old twins. One twin was born with congenital heart defects. The other twin was fine. In fact, I had the DNA testing done for the 'healthy' twin in the hope that some day a reason might be found regarding the 'cause' of defects...and may give her a heads up for HER children some time in future...

They had separate placentas...

They look nothing alike now, but shannon has had so many medical interventions, I could hardly expect them to.

The DNA test was done shortly after birth...and was a completely NON invasive 'cheek' swab.

Best of luck!
Michele/cat

I often try to ask myself this question, if I do this will my husband love me more or less? My guess is that your husband will find you more attractive and supportive if you go along with the game. It is a fun game that he and his brother share (along with the mom) as it gets funny responses from people. You might want to join in on the fun so it doesn't get so annoying. It sounds like they will enjoy the game until they die.

I agree with you on keeping the BIL out of the delivery room and appointments since he wasn't there when you conceived the baby. I have always heard that twins share a special bond, but I would draw the line when it affects something so intimate.

I do believe that fraternal can share the same sac, just like identical can have different sacs. There are fraternal that people mistake for identical (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen), but I have never heard of the other way around. I think that the only way you can prove to your husband one way or the other is through DNA.

I know a set of twins that are VERY identical, but they still didn't know for sure until they got tested. They got tested because of the ovarian/breast cancer gene, rather than just to get tested, but the result was that they were identical and went through double mastectomies and hysterectomies together.

Hmmm -the identical twins I've known well were different in the sense that one may have had a slightly larger nose or a really subtle different eye placement. I dated an identical twin whose brother was bigger than he was. They looked VERY much alike and you wouldn't say they weren't identical, but his brother was larger and his features were a bit larger. Interesting!

Nevermind, no need for a response like that, I aplogize.