How to Conceive Twins

Have you ever wondered what it would take to conceive twins, triplets or more? Many parents of multiples will tell you what a blessing and challenge it is to rear multiples. If you feel up to the challenge, here are some factors which will increase your chances of having fraternal twins! Sorry, there are no known factors which will increase your chances of having identical twins.

1. A Family History of Twins - If fraternal twins run in a female's family, her odds of conceiving twins are much greater! The gene for hyperovulation may be passed down from generation to generation. It's a myth that twins skip a generation. Often the gene will be passed down to a male member of the family, then he will in turn pass it down to one of his daughters who will then have twins.

2. Be Big, Be Tall - A study published by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology linked the rising rate of multiple births with the rise in overweight mothers. According to the article: "Women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more are significantly more likely to have dizygotic twins (fraternal twins, each formed from a separate egg and sperm) than are women with lower BMIs. The study also found a relationship between maternal height and increased odds of fraternal twins. Women in the top 25th percentile of height had a significantly increased odds ratio for fraternal-twin pregnancies, although this association was not as strong as that for BMI." (http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr02-28-05-2.cfm)

3. Wait Until You're Older - Older mothers are more likely to conceive twins than younger mothers. 17% of mothers over the age of 45 and a whopping 1 in 9 mothers over the age of 50 give birth to twins. It's theorized that ovulation is increased as your biological clock winds down. Unfortunately, pregnancy becomes more risky for mother and babies as maternal age increases. The chances of miscarriage, gestational diabetes and chromosomal abnormalities go up significantly.

4. Multiple Multiples - If you've had a previous multiple pregnancy your odds of conceiving another multiple pregnancy are 4 times higher than a mother who has never been pregnant or who has only had singleton(s).

5. Diet - No, don't break out the rice cakes and diet soda. Studies have shown that mothers who are "well nourished" are more likely to conceive twins. The Yoruba tribe in West Africa has the highest rate of twinning in the world. A study has shown that it's actually their diet that causes this since it contains a high amount of cassava (a type of yam). The peelings of this vegetable are thought to contain a chemical that causes hyperovulation. Another study showed that mothers who consumed dairy foods were 5 times more likely to have twins.

6. Medical Assistance - The multiple birth rate has increased 62% since the early 1980's in most part due to advances in reproductive technology. Drugs (such as Clomid) that stimulate hyperovulation and procedures (such as invetro fertilization) where multiple fertilized eggs are implanted are the most common types. Please discuss any need for reproductive assistance with your doctor.

7. Big Family - Women are more likely to conceive twins with each subsequent pregnancy. What this means is the more kids you have, the more likely you are to eventually have twins.

8. Getting Pregnant While Breastfeeding - It's a myth that you can't get pregnant while breastfeeding, and some research supports the theory that you may, in fact, be more likely to conceive multiples!

9. Getting Pregnant on the Pill - Birth control pills are 99.9% effective when used correctly. However, if you are one of the .01% that the pill does not cover adequately, or if you take the pill incorrectly, you may end up with multiples. This is probably due to hormone fluctuations which may stimulate hyperovulation.

10. Where You Live - The states with the highest rate of twin births are Massachusetts and Connecticut. New Jersey and Nebraska have the highest rates of triplets and more. Warmer states such as New Mexico and Hawaii have the lowest rates of multiple births.

11. Ethnicity - Africans or women of African descent are most likely to conceive multiples, while Hispanic and Asian women are least likely.

12. Time of Year - More twins are conceived in July, and the least in January. The theory is that it's due to the effect of the length of daylight on the secretion of Follicle Stimulating Hormone.

13. Luck! - No matter how young or skinny you are, no matter where you live, no matter if your family is completely twin-less - you too may hit the jackpot and get a double blessing!

Her Royal Jennyness 17:20, 27 April 2007 (CDT)