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Can you have a twin pregnancy with different gender?

Published in Twin Pregnancies 1 min read

Yes, you absolutely can have a twin pregnancy where the twins are of different genders.

This occurs in dizygotic twins, also known as fraternal or non-identical twins. Here's a breakdown:

  • Dizygotic Twins: These twins result from two separate eggs being fertilized by two separate sperm. Because they arise from two distinct eggs and sperm, they are genetically no more alike than any other siblings. This means they can be the same sex (both boys or both girls) or different sexes (one boy and one girl).

  • Monozygotic Twins: These are identical twins. They develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two. Since they originate from the same egg and sperm, they share nearly identical DNA. Therefore, monozygotic twins will always be the same sex.

In summary, a twin pregnancy with different genders is a definitive characteristic of non-identical (dizygotic) twins.