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.
shuttle from Midway Glen Ellyn ..Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
I am sure that this list can be jogged and... Read More
For the first year or two of life outside the... Read More
Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part... Read More
Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More
At first I thought of titling this article "The Lazy... Read More
Just a couple of years ago Annie helped her parents... Read More
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
Do you feel like someone has abducted your sweet, innocent... Read More
What parent hasn't gone into a son's or daughter's room... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare North Chicago ..Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If... Read More
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More
Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More
I have always been aware of my number one weakness:... Read More
Does this sound familiar? Have your kids not listened to... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More
Looking back through my files I've come across several great... Read More
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom -... Read More
Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Most people with children want to be good parents. The... Read More
Parenting |