Fertility treatments and the fact pregnancies are happening later in life has made multiple births more common. One-third of all twins will be identical and two-thirds non-identical. Identical (monozygotic) twins happen when a single egg (zygote) is fertilised. The
egg then divides in 2, creating identical twins who share the same genes. Identical twins are always the same sex, so if your twins are identical, you'll have 2 girls or 2 boys. Non-identical (dizygotic) twins happen when 2 separate eggs are fertilised and then implant into the womb (uterus). These non-identical twins are no more alike than any other 2 siblings. Non-identical twins are more common. The babies may be of the same sex or different sexes. You might think you're carrying more than 1 baby if: It's
usually possible to find out if you're having twins through your 12-week scan. At the scan, you should be told whether the babies share a placenta (meaning they're identical) or if they have 2 separate placentas (meaning they can be identical or not). If this is not clear from the first scan, you should be offered another one. Nobody knows what causes identical (monozygotic) twins. Everyone has the same chance of having identical twins: about 1 in 250. Identical twins do not run in families. But there are some factors that make having non-identical twins more likely:
IVF can increase the chance of twins, as more than 1 embryo may be transferred. How can I tell if my twins are identical?The most accurate way to tell if twins are identical is through a DNA test. This can only be done after your babies are born. The placenta could also provide clues. If your first ultrasound scan is done before 14 weeks, it should be possible to tell accurately what kind of placenta your twins have. Otherwise, the placenta can be examined after your babies are born. For more information on this and birth options, read about giving birth to twins or more. Read more about the different types of twins on the Twins Trust website. More detailed information on DNA testing and how to find out whether twins or triplets are identical is available on the Multiple Births Foundation website. How Are Twins Conceived? If you want to improve your chances of conceiving with twin babies, firstly understand how twins happen. There exist two types of twins – identical (non-fraternal) and non-identical (fraternal) . Nearly one-third of twins are identical, also known as monozygotic twins. They are created by fluke. They develop when one egg is fertilized by one sperm and gets divided into two separate embryos. They share the same genetic composition and placenta. Identical twins can also happen in women who undergo fertility assistance methods. Non-identical, also known as dizygotic twins, develop when two eggs are fertilized by two sperms. They are unique and do not share genetic composition or placenta. As non-identical twins share only half of the same genetic makeup, they are not always of the same gender. General Odds Of Having Twins: The 21st-century statistics show that the possibility of having twins are 3%, i.e., 3 in 100 among the general population. Figures also show that there is an increase of almost 61% from the early 1980s. A much recent numbers from the US National Center for Health Statistics say that the twin birth rate is 33.9 per 1000 live births. Factors That Determine The Chances Of Having Twins: 1. Family history / Heredity: If you are a twin or twins run in your family, you are more likely to have twins. However, if your partner has a twin or twins run his family, it is not going to have any influence on your chances. It all depends on you because you produce the eggs. If you or your mother is a twin, the probability of twins is high. You will have higher chances of hyperovulation (releasing two eggs during ovulation process). A few specific genes combine with hyperovulation and thus increase the frequency of non-identical twins. 2. Ethnicity / Race: Your origin also has a strong influence on your chance of having twins. Asians and Hispanics have fewer chances of producing twins, whereas Africans are highly probable, followed by Europeans. 3. Type of body (height/weight): Yes, this is strange, but taller women are more likely than shorter ones to conceive with twins. Also, heavier women have higher chances than thinner women. Women who have a well-nourished diet are at a higher probability of producing twins than those who have a reduced and low-fat diet. A research study published by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology states that the increasing rates of multiple births are due to increased rates of obesity. It found out that women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above are more likely to produce twins. This holds true for only fraternal twins. 4. Maternal age: 5. More pregnancies: Best Ways To Get Pregnant With Twins Naturally: 1. Consume dairy products: 2. Eat wild yams: Other protein-rich foods with hyper-ovulation stimulating properties are tofu, soy isoflavones, whole wheat and whole grains. 3. Stop birth control pills: 4. Pregnancy while
breastfeeding: 5. Have your partner eat zinc rich foods: 6. Have
space between pregnancies: Best Sex Positions To Conceive Twins: 1. Side by side: 2. Standing up position: 3. Missionary position: 4. Rear entry position: Fertility Treatments To Have Twins: IVF ((In vitro Fertilization): IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): Fertility Supplements To Get Pregnant With Twins:
1. Take folic acid supplements: New study reports that women undergoing IVF treatments along with excess intake of folate have increased the likelihood of birthing twins. 2. Gonadotropin: 3. Progesterone: In most cases, these fertility pills can only produce fraternal twins but not identical as pills can increase multiple eggs to release at a time. Fertility Herbs For Twins: 1. Evening primrose oil: 2. Licorice: 3. Flaxseed oil: 4. Sweet cassava: 5. Black cohosh: 6. Vitex (chaste tree berry): What causes pregnancy to have twins?Multiple pregnancy usually happens when more than one egg is fertilized. It also can happen when one egg is fertilized and then splits into 2 or more embryos that grow into 2 or more babies. When one fertilized egg splits into 2, the babies are called identical twins.
What increases chances of conceiving twins?Factors that increase the chance of twins include: consuming high amounts of dairy foods, being over the age of 30, and conceiving while breastfeeding. Many fertility drugs including Clomid, Gonal-F, and Follistim also increase the odds of a twin pregnancy.
How can we get pregnant with twins naturally?Factors that increase your odds of having twins naturally. Genetics. You may have heard that twins “run in families.” This is partially true. ... . Age. Are you over age 35? ... . Height. Taller women seem to have a higher rate of having twins. ... . Weight. ... . Diet. ... . Previous pregnancies.. Which parent produces twins?However, for a given pregnancy, only the mother's genetics matter. Fraternal twins happen when two eggs are simultaneously fertilized instead of just one. A father's genes can't make a woman release two eggs.
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