12 Facts About Twins And Multiples You Didn’t Know

Did you know that twins are not just twice as cute, but also have fascinating facts surrounding them? Discover the intriguing and sometimes surprising Facts About Twins that will make you appreciate these dynamic duos even more.

Did you realize that multiple births are more common today than in the past? This is likely due to the increasing prevalence of two factors that raise the likelihood of having multiples: fertility treatments and getting pregnant after the age of 30. How often are multiple births, and what can you anticipate over the nine-month gestation period? Continue reading for additional information about twins, triplets, and higher-order multiples.

1. The most common type of multiple pregnancies is twins.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 31.1% of live births involve twins. 79.6 out of every 100,000 live births result in the birth of triplets or higher-order multiples. According to research published by the CDC, the number of multiple births is beginning to fall, probably because it is becoming less frequent to undergo reproductive treatments that include the transfer of several embryos.

2. Identical twins and fraternal twins do not share the same genetic material.

Fraternal (dizygotic) twins are formed when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm and implant simultaneously in the uterus. They share an identical quantity of genetic material with other complete siblings.

In contrast, identical (monozygotic) twins are uncommon and emerge from a single fertilized egg. They may share the same DNA and placenta or amniotic sac. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, identical twins do not appear identically identical due to environmental factors such as their position in the womb (AAP).

3. There are names in medicine for multiple births.

Most individuals know that “twins” refers to two babies and “triplets” refers to three newborns. But what if you have higher expectations? This is the correct terminology.

Multiples Terminology and baby count:

• Twins: 2
• Triplets: 3
• Quadruples: 4
• Quintuplets: 5
• Sextuplets: 6
• Septuplets: 7
• Octuplets: 8
• Nonuplets: 9
• Decuplets: 10

4. Multiples have a variety of underlying causes.

Maternal age more than 30 (hormonal changes may trigger the release of more than one egg at ovulation), a family history of multiples, and a previous pregnancy with multiples all raise the likelihood of a pregnancy with multiples. As a result of stimulating the production of many eggs and embryos, fertility drugs and assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) improve the odds of success.

5. Historically, most multiple births occurred in the Northeast.

Historically, the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia had the highest prevalence of twins. This may be because parents in these areas tend to have children later in life and were more prone to utilize fertility treatments. Yet, these figures have changed over the decades. According to a statistical study, the incidence of twins in Michigan, Alabama, and Iowa is comparable to that in Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

6. In 2021, the largest number of multiple births occurred.

In May 2021, it was reported that a 25-year-old Malian woman had given birth to nine infants (nonuplets) while being pregnant with just seven. She ultimately broke the record for numerous births. In 2009, Octomom, an American woman named Nadya Suleman, who had given birth to eight children, held the record for the most children who survived at once.

7. Multiple pregnancies are frequently regarded as “high risk.”

Repeated pregnancies raise the risk of preterm labor, uneven growth, high blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia, and other “high-risk” pregnancy problems. But, if you are pregnant with multiples, your doctor will closely monitor your pregnancy and will frequently urge regular ultrasounds and checkups.

8. Multiple births typically occur at 37 weeks or earlier.

Why? An earlier due date reduces the chance of stillbirth and other difficulties in pregnancies involving multiples. And you need not worry about a protracted delivery: According to research, the typical birth interval between twins is approximately 15 minutes.

9. With multiples, you are more likely to have a C-section.

Most multiple pregnancies result in C-section births, particularly when there are triplets or more. Nonetheless, you may be a candidate for a vaginal delivery if both of your twins are positioned with their heads down. Your doctor may also think about a natural birth if Baby A is head down and Baby B is breech, as long as they are both about the same size. Occasionally, one twin is delivered vaginally while the other is delivered through C-section, especially when Baby B displays signs of distress.

10. In the womb, multiples socialize with one another.

A charming fact regarding multiples is as follows: Five sets of twins were the subject of a groundbreaking study published in PLOS one. Using ultrasound equipment, specialists established that the twins were physically contacting one another. “We believe that movements intended at the co-twin are not unintentional: twin fetuses execute movements aimed at the co-twin as early as the 14th week of gestation,” said the study.

11. Parents of twins are more likely to be tall and consume dairy products.

In the Journal of Reproductive Medicine study, researchers determined that the average height of birthing parents carrying multiples (in this case, twins or triplets) was 5 feet, 5 inches “. In contrast, the average height of American women is 5′ 3.75 “.

A further study by the same research group, also published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, found that birthing parents who consume animal products (particularly dairy) are five times more likely to give birth to multiples than vegan birthing parents.

12. Multiples may be absorbed during gestation.

20–30% of multifetal births are affected by “vanishing twin syndrome,” which may seem macabre. As one baby ceases to develop, it is typically absorbed back into the uterus. Most circumstances occur before the clinician hears the baby’s heartbeat.

Meaningful articles you might like: The Best Age to Get Pregnant, This Study Explains Why Pregnant Women Need Mental Health Support, Should Pregnant Women Get The Covid-19 Booster Shot?