Many of the characteristics that raise your chances of having twins, such as your family history and height, are beyond your control. If you're hoping for multiples, there are a few other things you can do to boost your chances. Consuming a lot of dairy foods, being over 30, and conceiving while breastfeeding are all factors that enhance your chances of having twins. Clomid, Gonal-F, and Follistim are just a few of the fertility medicines that can boost the chances of a twin pregnancy.
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Can you purposely have twins?
There are no guarantees when it comes to conceiving twins. However, there are some genetic variables and medical procedures that may make it more likely.
What are the two ways to have twins?
Identical (monozygotic) and fraternal twins are the two types of twins (dizygotic). One fertilized egg (ovum) separates into two newborns with identical genetic material, resulting in identical twins.
How will I know if I'll have twins?
Severe morning sickness, rapid weight growth, and increased breast soreness are all early indicators of a twin pregnancy. You can also experience an increase in hunger or acute exhaustion. Additionally, twin pregnancies may begin to appear sooner. An ultrasound at your doctor's office, usually during the first trimester, is the only way to confirm a twin pregnancy. Your doctor may be able to tell you whether you're having fraternal or identical twins, but only a DNA test can be certain.
How can I conceive twins naturally?
What can I do to increase my chances of having twins?
- Use in vitro fertilization or fertility medicines if you need help conceiving.
Who carries a twin gene?
The tendency to release more than one egg during ovulation, known as hyperovulation, enhances the chances of having dizygotic (or fraternal) twins. As a result, genetics might adequately explain a higher presence of fraternal twins in families where the women have a tendency toward hyperovulation.
The link is only valid on the mother's side of the family because only women ovulate. While men can have the gene and pass it on to their daughters, they are not more likely to have twins themselves if they have a family history of twins.
What are the chances of having twins at 35?
In IVF with fresh embryos, the rate of twin pregnancies is 12.1 percent for women under 35 and 9.1 percent for women 35 to 37. The chances of having twins decline with age (unlike natural twin conception), with just 5.3 percent of women in their 38th and 40th years having twins.
What should I eat to have twins?
- Fresh, frozen, canned, dry, or juiced fruits and vegetables. Aim for at least five servings per day.
- Potatoes and, ideally, wholegrain rice, pasta, and bread are examples of starchy foods.
- Protein-rich foods include lean, well-cooked meat, fish, eggs, and lentils. At least two servings of fish each week, including oily fish, should be consumed.
Can a twin have twins?
Identical twins (monozygotic or MZ) were originally thought to occur at random. MZ twins may run in families, according to new data, but this is extremely rare. Fraternal (dizygotic or DZ) twins are the most common type of twin in families. It's thought that hereditary variables play a role in hyperovulation, or the release of many eggs at the same time during ovulation. When two eggs are produced during the same menstrual cycle and fertilized by two different sperm cells, DZ twins result. Hyperovulation may be caused by genetic variables that have yet to be discovered. They do not have access to genetic testing.
In some families, twins appear to “skip a generation.” Because genetic variables that can induce hyperovulation and DZ twins can only be observed in women, this is the case. Men, on the other hand, may inherit these genetic characteristics and pass them down to their daughters. Their daughters would have a higher risk of conceiving DZ twins as a result.
If you are a female DZ twin and your family includes other DZ twins, you may have a higher probability of having DZ twins. If you're a male DZ twin with other DZ twins in your family, your chances of producing DZ twin offspring aren't improved. However, if you have daughters, your chances of getting DZ twin grandchildren may be higher!
The explanation above does not apply to DZ twins conceived through reproductive procedures.
What causes twin pregnancy?
When more than one egg is fertilized, multiple pregnancy is common. It can also occur when a single egg is fertilized and subsequently splits into two or more embryos, each of which develops into two or more newborns.
Identical twins are born when one fertilized egg divides into two. They have nearly identical appearances and share the same genes. Fraternal twins are born when two different eggs are fertilized by two different sperm. They don't have the same genes and aren't any more alike than siblings born to the same parents from different pregnancies.
Singletons, or pregnancies with only one child, are the most common. However, than in the past, more people are becoming pregnant with multiples. This is primarily due to the fact that more people are having children later in life, and multiples are more common among parents over the age of 30. In addition, more people are turning to fertility treatments to help them conceive. People who use fertility medication are also more likely to have multiples.
How do you know if you're pregnant with multiples?
- You're suffering from severe morning sickness. Morning sickness is a combination of nausea (a terrible sensation in your stomach) and vomiting that occurs during the first few months of pregnancy.
- Your doctor detects many heartbeats or notices that your uterus is larger than usual.
- In your blood, you have high levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (commonly known as hCG) or the protein alpha-fetoprotein. HCG is a hormone produced by the human body during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a growing infant produces the protein alpha-fetoprotein.
If you're pregnant with multiples, your provider can use ultrasound to confirm it. To show a picture of a baby, ultrasound employs sound waves and a computer screen.
What kind of prenatal care do you need if you're pregnant with multiples?
If you're expecting multiples, you may require more medical attention during your pregnancy, labor, and delivery. You may need to attend additional prenatal care appointments so that your physician can keep an eye on you and your baby for any complications. During your pregnancy, you may require more prenatal testing (such as ultrasounds) to monitor your growing infants.
Your provider may send you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist if you've had previous pregnancy issues or if you have a health condition that puts you at risk for pregnancy complications. A high-risk pregnancy specialist is a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. When you're considered high-risk, it means you're more likely than the average pregnant woman to experience complications with your pregnancy. It's not a guarantee that you'll have troubles during your pregnancy if you're referred to this type of doctor. It simply means that they will be able to examine you and your children more thoroughly in order to assist prevent or treat any potential illnesses.
How can a multiple pregnancy affect your health?
People who are pregnant with multiples are more likely to experience the following complications:
- Preterm labor is when a baby is born prematurely. This is labor that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature birth is a risk of preterm labor (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy).
- Anemia. When you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to the rest of your body, you have anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is common in several pregnancies and can raise your chances of giving birth prematurely. To ensure that you obtain enough iron, your doctor may prescribe an iron supplement.
- Diabetes during pregnancy. Only pregnant women are susceptible to this type of diabetes. It can create major health complications for you and your baby if left untreated. Diabetes is a condition in which your blood contains too much sugar (also known as blood sugar or glucose).
- Preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. Only pregnant women are susceptible to these sorts of elevated blood pressure. When the force of blood on the walls of your blood vessels is too great, you have high blood pressure. It has the potential to cause complications during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a condition that can strike during or after the 20th week of pregnancy. It occurs when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and evidence that one or more of her organs, such as the kidneys or liver, is malfunctioning.
- Pregnancy-related intrahepatic cholestasis (also called ICP). ICP is a liver disorder in which the normal flow of bile is slowed, causing bile to accumulate in the liver. Bile is a fluid that aids in the breakdown of lipids and the removal of toxins from the liver (poisonous substances). This buildup can cause bile acids to leak into your bloodstream and tissues, causing intense irritation.
- Polyhydramnios. When there is too much amniotic fluid, this occurs. The fluid that surrounds the fetus in the uterus is called amniotic fluid.
- Stillbirth or miscarriage. When a baby dies before the 20th week of pregnancy, it is called a miscarriage. When a baby dies after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is called a stillbirth. The disorder known as vanishing twin syndrome affects certain people who are pregnant with multiples. When one or more babies die during the pregnancy and only one baby survives, this is known as a miscarriage.
- Depression after childbirth (also called PPD). This is a type of depression that some parents experience after giving birth to a child. PPD is characterized by intense melancholy that lasts for a long time. These emotions may make it difficult for you to care for your child.
- Hemorrhage after childbirth. After giving delivery, there is a lot of bleeding. It's a dangerous yet uncommon ailment.
How can being pregnant with multiples affect your babies' health?
If you're carrying multiples, your infants are more prone to develop health problems, such as:
- Premature birth is when a baby is born too soon. Premature babies (those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) are more likely to suffer health issues and spend more time in the hospital than babies born closer to their due date. Some newborns may be admitted to a hospital's neonatal critical care unit (also called NICU). Premature newborns are more likely to develop health problems later in life. More than half of twins are born prematurely, as are nearly all triplets and other higher-order multiples.
- Defects in the womb. Birth defects are medical disorders that exist at the time of birth. They alter the appearance or function of one or more physical parts. Birth defects can affect one's overall health, as well as how the body develops and functions. Birth disorders, such as neural tube defects (such as spina bifida), cerebral palsy, congenital heart malformations, and birth defects affecting the digestive system, are nearly twice as common in multiples as they are in singletons.
- There are issues with growth. Singleton newborns are frequently smaller than multiples. During prenatal care visits, your physician can utilize ultrasound to assess your babies' growth. Discordant twins are when one twin is much smaller than the other. Health complications are more prevalent in discordant twins throughout pregnancy and after birth.
- Birth weight is low. This occurs when your baby weighs less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth. Babies born at a lower weight than they should be are more prone to have certain health problems, such as retinopathy of prematurity, than babies delivered at a normal weight. They're also more prone to develop health issues later in life, such as hypertension. At birth, more than half of twins and nearly all higher order multiples are underweight.
- Transfusion syndrome between twins. When identical twins share a placenta, one newborn receives too much blood flow while the other receives insufficient blood flow. The placenta develops in the uterus and provides nourishment and oxygen to your baby via the umbilical cord. Laser surgery to seal the connection between the babies' blood arteries and amniocentesis to drain excess fluid can be used to treat twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
- Death in the womb. When a newborn dies within the first 28 days of life, this is known as neonatal death. The most common cause of newborn death is preterm delivery.
What makes you more likely to get pregnant with multiples?
- You're undergoing fertility treatment. It's critical to try to conceive with just one baby if you're undergoing fertility therapy. For example, if you have in vitro fertilization (commonly known as IVF), you can only have one embryo implanted in your uterus. The procedure is known as single embryo transfer. IVF involves combining an egg and sperm in a lab to make an embryo (fertilized egg), which is then implanted in the uterus. If you're undergoing any type of reproductive treatment, talk to your doctor about strategies to reduce your chances of having multiples.
- You're in your thirties, preferably your late thirties. You're more likely than younger people to release more than one egg during a menstrual cycle if you're 30 or older.
- You have relatives who have given birth to several children. You may be more likely to have twins if you or other members of your family have had fraternal twins. If you've been pregnant before, especially with multiples, you're more likely to have multiples this time.
- You're an overweight person. If your BMI (body mass index) is 30 or more, you are overweight. Visit cdc.gov/bmi to calculate your BMI.
- You're either a Black or a White person. Black folks are more likely than other parents to conceive twins. Higher-order multiples are more common in white persons, especially those over 35 years old.
How are multiples born?
The majority of kids are born via vaginal birth. The uterus contracts during vaginal birth to assist in pushing the baby out.
If you're expecting multiples, you're more likely to have a cesarean birth (commonly known as a c-section) than if you're expecting just one child. The doctor creates a cut in the belly and uterus to remove the baby during a c-section. C-sections are used to deliver most triplets and higher-order multiples.
If neither baby is in the head-down position or if you have additional issues while pregnant with twins, you may need a c-section. If you meet the following criteria, you may be able to have a vaginal birth:
Do you need to eat special foods if you're pregnant with multiples?
No. However, certain nutrients, like as folic acid, protein, iron, and calcium, are required in higher amounts. Eat a nutritious diet and take your prenatal vitamin every day to acquire the correct amount of essential nutrients. Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins designed specifically for pregnant women. They have more of some nutrients that you need during pregnancy than a standard multivitamin. At your initial prenatal care appointment, your provider may prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you. You only need to take one prenatal vitamin every day even if you're expecting multiples.
How much weight should you gain if you're pregnant with multiples?
If you're expecting multiples, you'll need to gain more weight than if you're expecting a single child. The amount of weight you gain is determined by your pre-pregnancy weight and the number of babies you have. Consult your doctor about how much weight you should gain.
- You should gain 37 to 54 pounds throughout pregnancy if you were at a healthy weight before getting pregnant.
- If you were overweight prior to becoming pregnant, you should gain 31 to 50 pounds during your pregnancy.
- If you were overweight prior to pregnancy, you should gain 25 to 42 pounds during your pregnancy.
Do you need to limit physical activity if you're pregnant with multiples?
Consult your healthcare practitioner to determine which activities are appropriate for you. You may need to avoid any high-impact activities that require you to jump or put stress on your joints, such as aerobics or jogging. Some activities, such as swimming, prenatal yoga, or walking, may be possible for you.
Physical activity, including travel and work, may need to be limited later in pregnancy. Many women who are pregnant with multiples are advised to stay in bed. While you're pregnant, bed rest means limiting your activities. Bed rest can range from remaining in bed all day to only resting a few times each day.
What are the rarest type of twins?
The placenta (the organ that joins the mother and the infant), amniotic sac (the inner membrane), and chorion (the outer membrane) are sometimes shared by twins, while other times they are separate. Your healthcare practitioner can tell you which of these are relevant to your pregnancy and what they mean for you and your infants.
Monoamniotic-monochorionic Twins
A chorion, placenta, and amniotic sac are all shared by these sorts of twins. This is the rarest sort of twin, and it entails a riskier pregnancy since the babies' umbilical cords can tangle. Your healthcare practitioner will constantly monitor your pregnancy if you have monoamniotic-monochorionic twins.
Can you see twins at 6 weeks?
Many parents want to know if they're expecting twins. It is possible to see twins as early as 6 weeks. The exact time it takes to identify twins is determined by the type of twins, such as whether they are identical (from the same egg) or not.
Two yolk sacs can be detected at this stage, and independent heartbeats can be identified. Twins will appear as two dark dots in the uterus on an ultrasound.




