How to have Twins Babies – MediUpdates article – Do you want to double the newborn cuteness but believe it’s impossible to achieve? In actuality, having twins may not be as far-fetched as it appears. (Just keep in mind that there will be twice as many diaper changes.)
But before you go out and buy matching costumes and names for your twins, it’s crucial to understand how twins are created and the additional circumstances that come into play.
There are various situations that may increase your chances of having twins, whether they develop spontaneously or as a result of reproductive treatments.
Having Twins are a natural phenomenon
Twins are born naturally in one out of every 250 pregnancies, and there are two methods to conceive them.
A single egg is fertilized by a single sperm in the first scenario. Isn’t this Reproduction 101? The fertilized egg, however, split into two along the process, resulting in identical twins.
How to have Twins Babies – Having identical twins is an uncommon occurrence, with just 3 or 4 in every 1,000 births. While it may seem apparent, identical twins are always the same sex at birth, whether they are both boys or both girls. What is the reason behind this? They don’t simply have the same appearance; they also have the same DNA.
Identical twins
Fraternal twins, on the other hand, are created when two eggs are fertilized by two different sperm cells. Both fertilized eggs implant in the uterus and two infants are born 9 months later.
Two males, two females, or a boy and a girl can be fraternal twins. They may or may not resemble each other. This is due to the fact that, unlike identical twins, they do not have the same DNA. Aside from their age, they’re no more alike than siblings and sisters who were born years apart.
Factors that improve your chances of naturally producing twins
Genetics
It’s possible you’ve heard that twins “run in families.” This is just partially correct. If you’re a fraternal twin yourself or if fraternal twins run in your family, your chances of having fraternal twins are likely to be higher.
One cause for this might be hyperovulation, which occurs when the body produces two or more eggs at the same time during ovulation – essentially a need for fraternal twins.
Hyperovulation can be inherited from your mother’s genes or, more interestingly, from your father’s. (It can also happen once in a while in women who don’t release more than one egg on a regular basis or who have twins in their family.)
Age
Are you above 35 years old? If you’re in your high 30s or 40s and want to have twins, you could just strike the lottery.
According to the Mayo Clinic, women of “advanced maternal age” (we apologize for using the term, but it is widely used in medical contexts to refer to women over the age of 35) had a greater likelihood of having twins.
As you approach menopause, hormonal changes may push your body to release more than one egg during ovulation. If two or more are fertilized and both implant, your nursery may only require two cribs.
Height
Twins are more likely to be born to taller mothers. This may sound unusual, but researchers believe that a certain insulin-like growth factor is to blame.
Weight
Women who are overweight or obese have an increased likelihood of naturally having twins. According to a 2005 study trusted Source that looked at data from over 51,000 newborns in the United States, the risks are higher if your body mass index (BMI) is over 30.
A word of caution: don’t gain weight in order to boost your chances of having twins. A BMI of 30 or more may put you in the high-risk group for pregnancy.
Diet
Women who are vegans (those who do not consume dairy products) have twins at a rate of 1/5 that of women who do consume dairy.
This might be because dairy-eating women consume more insulin growth factors. Cows secrete this hormone into their milk, which may have an effect on human reproduction if ingested.
Please keep in mind that this is only one examination of the medical data of the woman who gave birth. Since then, little (if any) study on the effects of dairy consumption on twin birth rates has been conducted.
Previous Pregnancies
Do you have a youngster that wants to be a big brother or sister already? It’s possible that he or she is the reason you’re having twins. That’s correct! Previous pregnancies, especially repeated pregnancies, may enhance your chances of producing twins.
According to the women aged 35 to 40 who have four or more children are three times more likely to conceive twins than women under the age of 20 who have never had children.
The reason for this is unclear, although it might simply be that you get older with each pregnancy.
Having twins with fertility treatments
If you’ve had artificial reproductive technology (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or other fertility treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), you’re probably aware that twins are a possibility.
IUI
While IUI does not improve your odds of conceiving twins, some medicines used in conjunction with it may. Ovulation-stimulating drugs include clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara).
Both of these medicines are commonly used in IUI cycles and may aid in the production of numerous eggs that can be released at the same time. Twins are possible if two (or more) eggs are fertilized and implanted.
The incidence of twins with Clomid was 7.4% in one 2014 research. Femara, on the other hand, had a lower rate of only 3.4 percent. Those figures may not appear to be great, yet they are still significantly greater than the likelihood of spontaneously producing twins.
There’s even more. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and other gonadotropins stimulate the development of egg follicles. These injectable drugs are also commonly used in IUI and other reproductive procedures, with a 30 percent chance of twins while taking them.
IVF
IVF also includes the use of drugs. However, the number of embryos you choose to transfer is one of the key elements that improve your chances of having twins using this reproductive method.
Some couples decide to transfer only one of their children. While it’s possible that the single embryo will split and produce identical twins, this is unlikely.
In the case of fraternal twins, the more likely situation is. Twins (or more!) are on the way if you transfer two (or more) embryos and they both implant and develop well.
During IVF, some couples choose to transfer two embryos. Let’s pretend one of those embryos breaks and all three of them implant in the uterus. Triplets – two identical twins and one fraternal sibling — would be the result.
How to increase your Chances
First and foremost, remember that twin pregnancies aren’t always fun and (baby shower) games before you start adding lovely twin nurseries on your Pinterest page.
Being pregnant with multiples might result in difficulties, and your doctor or midwife will immediately classify you as “high risk.” Women who are expecting twins are more likely to develop preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
That isn’t to suggest that you can’t have a good pregnancy with two children. It just implies that you may need to be watched more attentively.
A majority of the variables that raise your chances of having twins are out of your control, aside from the dangers.
You can increase your dairy and yam intake, but you can’t modify your height, race, or family history of multiple births. Gaining weight for the sole purpose of becoming pregnant isn’t always a smart choice.
If you plan on having children later in life in order to maximize your chances of having twins, keep in mind that as you get older, your fertility decreases, and your risks of chromosomal abnormalities arise.
Ovulation-inducing medicines, whether taken alone or in conjunction with IUI, require a prescription and may come with some significant side effects, such as an increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation or ectopic pregnancy.
Infertility drugs and treatments, such as IVF, are very expensive and are usually reserved for couples who have been diagnosed with infertility. Infertility refers to a woman under the age of 35 not becoming pregnant after a year of scheduled intercourse. This duration is reduced to 6 months for women over 35.
We’re not attempting to be pessimistic. Consult your doctor about twins, especially if you’re undergoing fertility treatments with a reproductive endocrinologist.
They can advise you about any hazards that are specific to you and whether or not a multiple-embryo transfer with IVF is a viable choice.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic medication that will ensure you’ll be dragging a double stroller around your neighborhood like a boss in no time. (However, we still think you’re a boss.)
This isn’t to say you can’t have some fun attempting to improve your chances by eating extra cheese and roast yams or crossing your fingers for your next IUI.
With twins, there are both hazards and benefits. But, before you get too carried away with your fantasies, consider looking forward to seeing double… on your pregnancy test lines. We’re sending you some baby powder!
