There are many myths about how to increase the chances of having twins. Although there are no proven methods to increase a woman's likelihood of having a twin pregnancy, there are certain factors that increase the percentage of such pregnancies.
Some factors can increase the rates of twin births, which include:
- The woman's age;
- A family history of twins;
- Infertility treatment;
For an embryo to form during pregnancy, sperm must fertilize an egg. If there are two eggs in the uterus and they are fertilized, or if a fertilized egg splits into two separate embryos, a woman may conceive twins.
There are two types of twins:
Identical twins: this type of pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg splits into two separate embryos. These embryos are monozygotic, meaning they have exactly the same genes. Identical twins are of the same sex and look very similar to each other.
Fraternal twins: this type of pregnancy occurs when there are two eggs in the uterus at the time of conception and sperm fertilize both of them at the same time. These embryos are dizygotic, meaning they do not have the same genes and may not be of the same sex.
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What increases the likelihood of twins?
Several factors can increase the likelihood of a woman having a twin pregnancy. These include:
Family history
If there is a history of twins in the family, the probability of a woman having twins is slightly higher. A family history of twins on the mother's side increases the likelihood of a twin pregnancy more than a family history of twins on the father's side. However, this assumption can only "work" in cases where infertility treatments are not used.
Infertility treatments
The ASRM notes that the main factor increasing the chances of having twins is the use of infertility treatments. There are various types of infertility treatments, and they increase the likelihood of having twins in different ways.
Some fertility drugs stimulate a woman's ovaries, causing them to release multiple eggs. If sperm fertilizes both eggs simultaneously, twins may result. In vitro (artificial) fertilization can also increase the chances of a twin pregnancy.
Age
The American Women's Health Administration states that women aged 30 and older are more likely to have twin pregnancies. This is because women of this age release more eggs during their reproductive cycle than younger women. If sperm fertilize two separate eggs, the result may be twins.
Height and weight
According to an ASRM report, non-identical twins are more common in taller and relatively heavier women than in shorter women. The reasons for this are unclear, but it may be related to a state of good nutrition. Women with a higher body weight may have more reserves for fetal development.
Racial background
According to data, Hispanic women in the United States have lower rates of having twins than non-Hispanic white and black women.
Increasing the likelihood of having twins
There are many unproven claims about how to increase the likelihood of conceiving twins. Some people advise following special diets or using certain alternative treatments, but there is no scientific evidence to support these methods.
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