Taylor Greenhagen, a dental hygienist from Kansas City, Missouri, shares the unique story of her children who were conceived at the same time but born three years apart. She resides with her husband, Justin, a pharmacist, and their two kids: Owen, age 3, and Dylan, 7 months.
The resemblance between Owen and Dylan is striking. Despite their ages, Greenhagen notes that they are already closely bonded. “Owen has been the most caring big brother from the beginning,” she shared with Newsweek. “Dylan absolutely adores him, lighting up whenever she watches him. They are little, but I believe they are already best friends.”
Greenhagen turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) after struggling with infertility due to anovulatory PCOS. “After several medicated cycles and a few unsuccessful IUIs, we decided IVF was our best chance to expand our family,” she explained.
Though positive about the support from her fertility clinic and husband, Greenhagen found the IVF journey challenging. “It’s demanding physically, emotionally, and mentally,” she said. Nevertheless, the process led her to become a proud mom of what she refers to as “fraternal twins” due to the timing of their conception.
Greenhagen explains, “After egg retrieval during IVF, eggs are fertilized and observed for five to six days to identify those developing into embryos. We were lucky to have eight embryos that grew together in the lab.” The term ‘fraternal twins’ within IVF circles refers to children from the same embryo cohort, conceived together and transferred at different times.
She believes these circumstances have given Owen and Dylan a unique bond. “Ever since Dylan came home, Owen has had a special connection with her. It seems like they knew each other before meeting. This might be a mom’s view, but seeing their relationship grow is special,” she expressed.
Greenhagen acknowledges every couple’s fertility journey varies. For those considering IVF, she offers advice: “Be kind to yourself, give yourself grace, and surround yourself with a strong support system. Advocate for yourself throughout. Remember, IVF is an act of hope, demonstrating the depth of love for the family you aim to build. There are tough days, but immense hope too.”