Always wanted to have twins? Read more to find out how to have twins and what are your possibilities of getting a twin.A baby brings immense joy in your life, and twin babies are double the pleasure and make you feel jubilated.
But not all parents agree. Many are scared of having twins or more babies at the same time, while others may desperately want to have twins! Are you and your companion in the second category? Then, you are at the right place! Here are the odds of you getting pregnant with twins, together with factors that could increase your chances.
While it’s not a myth that specific steps can be taken to assure multiple births or twin pregnancies, there are many chances that tips for conception may work. If you want to conceive twins, it is essential to understand how multiple births happen. Two types of twins exist, namely identical and non-identical or fraternal and non-fraternal twins.
Close to one-third of the twins are equal or MZ/monozygotic twins(1). They are created by chance. Twins develop when one single egg is fertilized by a single sperm and gets divided into two separate embryos. They follow the same genetic composition and emerge from the same placenta. MZ twins can also happen if women undergo fertility treatments.
Non-identical twins, also called DZ twins develop when two sperm fertilize two eggs. These twins are unique and do not share a placenta or genetic composition. As non-identical, fraternal twins share only half of the genetic makeup, they may not even be of the same gender.
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Statistics show that the chance of having twins is 3 percent or 3 in 100 among the general population. There has been an increase of 61% from the early 80s. More recent numbers from the US National Center for Health Statistics indicate twin birth rates are around 33.9% per 1000 live births. Identical twins can only take place by chance. Certain factors can impact the chances of fraternal twins:
If one has twins or twins run in the family, one is more likely to have twins. If the partner also has twins running in his family; however, it will not influence your chances for the same. It all depends on who produces the eggs. If you or your mother has been a twin, the chance of twins is high.
There are higher chances of hyper-ovulation or release two eggs during the ovulation process. Few specific genes also combine with hyper-ovulation or release of two eggs during the ovulation period. Some particular genes combine with hyper-ovulation and increase the frequency of non-identical twins.
Racial identity also has a strong influence on the chances of giving birth to twins. Hispanics and Asians have lower chances of producing twins. Africans have a higher probability, followed by Europeans.
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Taller women are more likely than shorter ones to engage in twin conception. Heavier women have more chances than thinner women. Women with a well-nourished diet are at a higher chance of producing twins than those with a reduced or low-fat diet.
Research studies published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists indicate multiple birth rates are increasing due to increased chances of obesity. Women with a BMI exceeding 30 or more can produce twins. This is true for DZ twins only.
The chance of having twins or babies increases with advancing age. Those above 35 years produce more FSH or follicle-stimulating hormone than younger women. Such a hormone permits ovaries to release eggs for ovulation. Higher hormone levels, the more eggs are released at the time of ovulation, resulting in multiple fetuses.
If there has been a clear history of multiple pregnancies or twin births, there’s a high chance of producing twins.
[ Read: Increase Chances of Getting Pregnant ]
If you seek to get pregnant with twins in a natural way, without resorting to treatments, these are the options that you should consider.
As per research and according to experts, eating dairy products is correlated with multiple pregnancies. Women who consume dairy have five times more chances to birth twins than those who did not consume such products.
Scientists believe it is not just dairy products. It also concerns growth hormones present in the milk. This includes dairy from cows treated using growth hormones. This helps a lot in conceiving twins.
[ Read: Best Pregnancy Diet ]
Wild yams hyper stimulate the ovaries, resulting in the release of an additional egg for ovulation. It increases the chances of producing twins. African American women have higher chances of conceiving twins because they consume it as a part of the diet.
Yoruba tribe in West Africa, for example, has the highest rate of twins. Different types of protein-rich foods with hyper-ovulation stimulating properties are soy isoflavones, tofu, whole grains, and whole wheat.
Birth control pills help in conceiving twins naturally. When birth control medicines are stopped, the body finds a way to follow a natural rhythm. This action causes a higher hormone flux for the body than average. If one conceives around this period, there are higher chances of having twins.
[Read: Natural Birth Comtrol]
If one is breastfeeding a toddler and gets pregnant again, the chances of having twins increase. The body produces a higher percentage of prolactin(2) during the phase of breastfeeding, raising prospects of conceiving twins.
[ Read: Increase Breast Milk Naturally ]
Foods rich in zinc, such as green leafy veggies, bread, seeds, and oysters, stimulate sperm production. These foods improve the chance of fertilizing more than a single egg.
To increase the chances of having twins, widen the gap between pregnancies. Quick pregnancies hamper the chances of twins.
Fertility treatments offer better chances for birthing twins. Doctors can suggest the best option. Experts discourage multiple pregnancies through fertility treatments.
In-vitro fertilization or IVF has a 20-40 percent chance of increasing twin births. It also depends on the number of embryos placed within the uterus. Women undergoing treatments like IVF can increase the chances of identical birthing twins.
IUI or intrauterine insemination is the procedure through which sperms are injected into the uterus through a syringe. IUI, on its own, does not raise the chances of having multiples. Women undertaking the treatment also need fertility drugs to increase the chances.
[ Read: Acupuncture for Fertility ]
Pills and supplements can also raise chances of twin pregnancies. Folic acid supplements increase the chances of producing twins. One Australians study found women who took folic acid before pregnancy has increased chances of producing twins.
Some studies have shown results that contradict this. Taking folic acid supplements and multivitamin supplements can also provide healthy children by preventing deformities in the neural tube. Fresh studies show women undergoing IVF treatments along with excess folate raise the chances of birthing twins.
Gonadotropin is another medication that raises the chances of birthing twin babies, for they enhance the overall health of eggs and their maturity. Such gonadotropins release more than one egg at a time.
Doctors can prescribe the chances of having twin babies as they enhance overall egg health and maturity. Gonadotropins stimulate the release of more than a single egg at a time. The doctor can prescribe the right hormonal treatment for you.
Progesterone strengthens the uterine lining, improving the chances of twin conception. When more than one egg is fertilized, there is a higher chance of attaching to the uterus wall and leading to healthy twin pregnancies. In many cases, fertility pills can produce fraternal but not identical twins as pills increase multiple eggs to release at a single time.
[ Read: Chinese Herbs for Fertility ]
Getting pregnant with twins requires persistence. Try these practical tips and strategies to boost your chances of multiple births. Twins can be a double delight for their parents, but getting pregnant requires a lot of effort, time, and dedication. Choose these methods to get pregnant with twins and bring home your two bundles of joy with ease.