Understanding Parental Experiences with Twins

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions related to parenting twins, their unique experiences, and relevant concepts from the lecture.

Identical Twins

Twins that originate from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos, sharing the same genetic material.

NICU

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; a special area in a hospital for the care of premature or ill newborns.

Twin Telepathy

The popularly held belief that identical twins share a psychic connection or can communicate silently.

Adolescence

The transitional stage of development occurring between puberty and legal adulthood, typically between ages 13 and 19.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

A medical procedure where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, often used by couples facing difficulty in conceiving.

Singleton

A term used to describe a child that is born alone, without siblings born at the same time, typically in contrast to twins.

Behavior Problems

Challenges in managing behavior that can manifest in various ways such as aggression or non-compliance, often requiring special attention or intervention.

Spectrum

Used in reference to Autism Spectrum Disorder, indicating that autism presents in a wide range of characteristics and behaviors that vary from person to person.

Mirror Twins

Twins who are symmetric in physical features or traits (e.g., one left-handed and the other right-handed),

Sibling Rivalry

Competition or conflict between siblings, often arising from differences in attention and favoritism from parents.

Co-dependency

A behavioral condition where one person relies on another for emotional or psychological support to the detriment of their independence.

Kawasaki Disease

A condition that causes inflammation in the walls of blood vessels, primarily affecting young children and believed to be linked to environmental factors.

Autism

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication.

Egg Retrieval

A procedure in IVF where eggs are collected from the ovaries for fertilization.

Transfusion

The transfer of blood or blood components from one individual to another, often discussed in relation to twin pregnancies.