What Causes Baby Twins?

Having a child can be one of the most wonderful blessings in the world, and having twins can double that blessing. However, many myths and rumors circulate around having twins, leading people to develop misconceptions about what actually occurs when a woman has them. With a better understanding of the science behind twins, you can begin to understand what causes the phenomenon of twins to occur and how they develop.

  1. Two Types of Fertilization

    • Twins are formed in two ways, resulting in either identical twins or fraternal twins. When multiple eggs are released in a woman's uterus and each egg is fertilized by a separate sperm, fraternal (or non-identical) twins are formed. When one egg is fertilized by one sperm and then the egg splits in two during its development, identical twins are formed. Identical twins have identical embryos, and they look the same. Fraternal twins are not identical and look different.

    Genetics Cause Twins

    • A person's hereditary history can determine her likelihood of having twins. If you, your mother or your mother's mother is a fraternal twin, then your chances of having twins increases to a great degree. This is because the gene for "hyperovulation," which increases the likelihood of two eggs being fertilized at once, can be passed down. Scientists and geneticists still debate whether a father's genetic background can increase the chance of having twins. Identical twins are said to be a rare natural occurrence, but experts have not discovered a gene that increases one's chances of having identical twins.

    Other Factors

    • Aside from a genetic predisposition that can result in having twins, certain things have been found to increase one's likelihood of having twins. Nigerians, for example, have the highest twin rate in the world, which is 1 out of every 22 children. In addition, studies have found that parents who consume a lot of dairy and protein have an increased chance for having twins. If you have already given birth to twins before, then your chances of having them again are as high as 1 in 12.

    Statistics

    • With numerous myths surrounding twins, some statistics can help give you perspective on what is actually true. Twins, on average, are born 22 days premature, usually due to an increased strain on the mother's body. On average, twins are two pounds lighter than single babies when they are born. Twins can be either identical or fraternal twins, but two-thirds are fraternal. In addition, women between the ages of 35 and 39 are more likely to have twins.

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