Video appears to show twins fighting for space in womb

What really goes on when twins share a womb? If this video is any indication, it could be a similar to what happens once they're young children -- they fight.

The amazing images of twins in utero come from a study aimed at using MRI machines to diagnose a potentially deadly condition called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, Reuters reports.

The rare condition occurs only in identical twins, when blood from one twin moves into the other. That can significantly reduce the supply in the twin that loses the blood, causing him or her to be born smaller than their sibling, and with paleness, anemia and dehydration. The twin that receives the blood may be born larger than the other twin with increased blood pressure that may lead to heart failure.

The video was made at London's Center for Fetal Care, according to Reuters, and the so-called cinematic-MRI the hospital used was able to pick up the pictures of what appears to be unborn twins fighting for space in mom's womb.

"We use MRI in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, not so much for diagnosing it, which can effectively be done on ultrasound but more for looking at the consequences of it," Dr. Marisa Taylor-Clarke of the Robert Steiner MR Unit at Imperial College London, told Reuters. "So one of the problems with the imbalances of blood flow is that if you get a sudden shift of blood from one twin to the other, that can cause brain injury, so it can cause stroke or hemorrhage in one or both of the twins' brains. MRI can pick up signs of brain injury much earlier and in much greater detail than ultrasound can at the moment," she explained.

In June, NewScientist first reported on the video and Taylor-Clarke's research.

7 Photos

Moment of Birth Captured on MRI

"A lot of the so-called videos in the womb are very processed, so they do a lot of reconstructing and computer work afterwards," Taylor-Clarke told NewScientist at the time. "These are the raw images that are acquired immediately."

Are these two twins duking it out in the womb for extra leg room? Watch the video above and see for yourself.

To see another visually-impressive use of cinematic-MRI machines, see a video that captured a live birth.

[rwsmith29456]

Even if one baby wasn't there the other one could be making the same motions and someone would attach significance to it.

[avnnddmmm]

As the father of twin girls who had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, I can speak to the severity of the condition. Often, one or both babies die before birth because of the imbalance it causes. I was blessed that both of my girls were born and are doing fine at 9 years of age. However, one was born almost a pound heavier and 'vigorous;' the other was born blue. Even now, one is substantially taller and heavier and even has thicker hair. Both girls are very bright and hopefully have no lasting effects from this condition, but only time will tell. I would suggest doing some research on the prognosis and treatment of this horrible thing. Oh, and the first time we saw the twins on ultrasound (at about 12 weeks), one was kicking the other. Seriously.

[mygoodness229]

True, true..Amazing it is to watch it. Just about every night within my 7th month to birth. My fraternal twins (one was larger then the other at birth ) would get a tap or two to stop them from kicking each other. Which was very painful to me.

[carolinajessamine]

Fetuses move a lot in utero, and one of these fetuses is moving its legs in an animated way. I don't see anything to suggest that they are "fighting". The way this story is framed is stupid.

But it's a cool video. Is the other one swallowing amniotic fluid?

I hope these babies turn out ok, since it does look like one is substantially larger than the other.

[Sarah1965]

Esaau and Jacob read your Bible and that space my my they look uncomfortable

[Army1LT]

As an identical twin I am pretty sure my sister picked on me before we were born. I situation that has lasted over 39 years....

[Zozothedarkone]

It is illogical to say that they can't be aware since their brains aren't developed completely- the human brain doesn't finish developing until age 25, but kids and teens are obviously self-aware. But it is also illogical to assume they're fighting- as far as scientists can tell, they will deliberately avoid poking each other in the eyes when interacting with each other. So it's reasonable to assume they like each other.

[Zozothedarkone]

It is illogical to say that they can't be aware since their brains aren't developed completely- the human brain doesn't finish developing until age 25, but kids and teens are obviously self-aware. But it is also illogical to assume they're fighting- as far as scientists can tell, they will deliberately avoid poking each other in the eyes when interacting with each other. So it's reasonable to assume they like each other.

[fredisalive]

womb does not look comfortable!

[RudolphsOwner]

In other words, they are fighting for more womb (room). As Elmer Fudd would say.