Comments on: What are the chances of me having twins?

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:35:59 +0000

I thought it was only generic if the twins in your family are identical
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By: Ali D

Ali D — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:13:59 +0000

I know you’ve gotten alot of answers all ready but it drives me crazy to see all of the mis-information out there. I’m the mother of identical twins so I hear these types of questions alot:

1. Identical twins (monozygotic) are from one egg that splits. All pregnancies have a 1 in 250 chance of being identical twins. This is not impacted by age, ethnicity, fertility drugs, or family history.

2. Fraternal twins (dizygotic) occur when the female produces two eggs in the same cycle. Some factors include fertility drugs, higher maternal age, ethnicity (for instance more common in African Americans less common in Asians), and family history.

3. Because it is up to the female to produce two eggs at once a family history of fraternal twins is only relevant on the female’s side. So if your husband is a fraternal twin this doesn’t impact your pregnancy (he can’t make you produce two eggs) but if you have a daughter then she has an increased chance of having twins. This is also part of the reason why there is a myth about twins skipping generations.

4. If you have a set of fraternal twins on your side of the family then there is a chance that you have the "twin gene" which will increase your chance of twins. However, if the twins in your family are identical, are a result of fertility drugs or born to a woman who was 35+ when they were born this might not be as much of a factor.

It wasn’t until I read more about them from reputable sources that I learned how many myths there are out there (like skipping generations, etc).

BOTTOM LINE: You have an INCREASED CHANCE of having twins if there are fraternal twins in your family but this doesn’t mean you "will" have them.
Hope this helps
References :
Having Twins by Elizabeth Noble
http://www.twinstuff.com

By: BLONDESHELL

BLONDESHELL — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:40:59 +0000

Hiya! The chances of having twins is 1 in 70 pregnancies and yes it does skip a generation, although because your husband is a twin it is very unlikely you will have twins! I have two sets of twins on my side of family & my fiancee has one set on his side & I’m only expecting one.
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By: maze

maze — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:26:59 +0000

having twins on the mothers side means you have more of a chance to be pregnant with twins. It’s true in that it can skip a generation or even 2. speak to the gynacologist, plus they will ask all these questions about twins in the family, etc…
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By: blue eyes

blue eyes — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:13:59 +0000

they don,t have to skip a generation..i,m a twin with a younger set of twins (brother and sister ) and out of us all two of them have had twins themselves..we are all fraternal twins but one set belonging to my twin are identical and the other set are fraternal
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By: Carrie L

Carrie L — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:24:59 +0000

If twins run in the family then there is always a possibility they don’t necessarily have to skip a generation.
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By: tikeka31

tikeka31 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:13:59 +0000

Twins generally do skip generations. The gene to carry twins can be passed down from a father to their kids but really has nothing to do with you having twins. Identical twins are not hereditary, only fraternal twins. Identical twins are somewhat of a freak of nature because only 1 egg is fertilized by only 1 sperm and it splits into 2 eggs. Therefore, the twins have identical DNA. Fraternal twins are 2 eggs fertilized by 2 different sperm. These twins will have separate sacks and placenta, where the identical twins share the placenta and 1 sack. Your husband can carry the gene of twins (if fraternal) to his children, but will not have anything to do with you having 2 eggs.

Carrie, there is always a possibility of having twins whether they run in your family or not! Genetically, twins are passed down and USUALLY skip generations! Read a book or something.
References :
I have twins, and read many books!

By: emsmom

emsmom — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:06:59 +0000

Check these out:

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/twins/twin_statistics.html
http://multiples.about.com/cs/funfacts/a/oddsoftwins.htm
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/multiplepregnancy/a/oddsoftwins.htm

That last one is about increasing your chances..if this baby ISNT twins, maybe your next preg could be Good luck!!!!!
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By: Summer H

Summer H — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:33:59 +0000

Genetics. Such an amazing yet mysterious thing. For now pray and hope for one healthy one. When you see the scan you will see what genetics has whipped up this time.

I am not sure the chances. I have 2 girlfriends (identical twins) and they both have one set of twins and so does 1 of their brothers. The other sister had 4 single pregnancies. I am sure if we really got into it and got all the genetics of your family out on the table we could figure it out. But I am sure you will find out from your first scan before we even got half way through your genetic pool.

Good luck hon!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
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By: fleur_loser

fleur_loser — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:00:59 +0000

Its probably very likely. My cousin had twins for her first pregnancy. Her husband had twins on his family and she didint know she had twins on her dads side of the family so you are probably about 50% likely to have twins is my guess.
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