Twin and Multiple Births are on the Rise

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 by: Nancy Wurtzel

Did you know
that the number of twin births have more than doubled since the early
1970s? Today, about one of every 35 births in the United States are
twins. Even more significant is the number of triplet and higher
multiple births which have increased 200 percent over the last three
decades.

Why the huge jump in the number of multiple births?

The
most obvious reason for the growing birth rates of twins and multiples
is the use of fertility drugs and treatments. These medical
interventions are most often the reason for births of four or more
multiples. Recent studies from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
show that approximately 43 percent of live births resulting from
assisted reproductive techniques were multiples.

But fertility drugs don’t tell the whole story.

Where
you live could make a difference. If you reside in Massachusetts or
Connecticut, a study by the National Center for Health Statistics found
that the rates for twin deliveries was as much as 25 percent higher
than the overall national rate. If you want to give birth to triplets,
move to Nebraska or New Jersey. Both states boast a percentage of
triplets that is twice the national average.

On the
other hand, if you reside in tropical Hawaii your chances of having a
multiple will decrease to about 30 percent below the overall U.S. rate.

The
time of year and the number of daylight hours also has an impact on
multiple births. More fraternal twins are conceived in July than in any
other month, while January has the fewest twin conceptions. Scientists
speculate that this is probably due to the longer length of daylight in
July, which allows for a higher secretion of the Follicle Stimulating
Hormone in women.

Enhanced medical care and good nutrition
may play a role in skyrocketing multiple birth rates, although experts
caution that it is difficult to directly link these influences. In
fact, if access to state-of-the-art medicine were a deciding factor,
then why does the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria have the highest twinning
incidence in the entire world? These Nigerian people attribute it to
their population’s consumption of a specific type of yam. Yams? That’s
right, scientists have discovered that these colorful vegetables that
are grown only in Africa contain a high level of a substance that is
similar to the hormone estrogen -- which could bring on multiple
ovulation.

Surprisingly, age can work in a woman’s favor
when it comes to conceiving twins. Older mothers traditionally have a
higher chance of delivering fraternal twins, with the odds increasing
to one in 27 when the mother is 35 years or older.

While
identical twins have no familial connection, it is true that fraternal
twins can run in the family. Female fraternal twins score an impressive
one in 17 chance of giving birth to their own set of fraternal twins,
probably because many carry a gene for hyperovulation, which means they
sometimes release more than one egg during ovulation. And, if a woman
has already given birth to fraternal twins, the chance of another set
increases fourfold.

Want to learn more about babies and multiples? Visit the All About Baby website at http://www.allbaby.com
for extensive child-related content, including tips on how to pick the
best name for your newborn, interesting birth statistics, a list of the
most popular given names for children and much more.

**All
statistics were taken from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the
National Center for Health Statistics and from the National
Organization of Mothers of Twins Club (NOMOTC).

About the Author

Nancy Wurtzel founded her ecommerce business, All About Baby, in 1995. All About Baby located online at http://www.allbaby.com specializes in personalized and memorable gifts for children as well as interesting and helpful child-related site content. Ms. Wurtzel consults with small businesses seeking to expand.

nancy@allbaby.com

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