How to have twins naturally
So you’ve decided that it’s time to start thinking about children. Maybe this will be your first child or another to bring into the family! Twins are a fantastic addition to the family, but what are the chances of having twins? In this blog, we’re looking into how to have twins naturally.
This article includes:
- What different types of twins are there?
- What are the chances of having twins naturally?
- Factors that can increase the chances of twins
- How to have twins naturally
- What to eat to get pregnant with twins naturally
What different types of twins are there?
There are two main types of twins that you can have, known as monozygotic and dizygotic. During an ultrasound scan, the midwife will be able to identify the type of twins that you’re having. Your pregnancy care will be altered to ensure that it meets the needs of your pregnancy type.
Getting pregnant with twins is so exciting. Your midwife will ensure that you have all of the information you need for a twin birth. Read about having a c-section with twins. Not all births will be c-sections, healthcare professionals will advise you on the most suitable options.
Monozygotic twins
Monozygotic twins are also known as identical twins, as they are formed from the same fertilised egg. In pregnancy, the egg splits to form two babies.
These babies will share the same placenta but usually have different amniotic sacs. The placenta provides the baby with oxygen and nutrients.
Dizygotic twins
Dizygotic twins are known as non-identical twins or fraternal twins. These twins are formed when two or more eggs are fertilised by separate sperm. These two separate eggs plant themselves into the womb during a multiple pregnancy.
Fraternal twins tend to have their own amniotic sac and supply from the placenta. Despite being twins, fraternal twins actually share just 50% of their genes, just like other siblings.
Monochorionic, monoamniotic twins
In rare cases, monozygotic twins can share the same amniotic sac too. These twins are known as monochorionic, monoamniotic twins.
Mirror twins
Mirror twins are a sub-type of identical twins. These twins will quite literally look as if they are looking into a mirror. They may have opposite birthmarks or hairlines, which causes this name. This is because identical twins share the same genetic makeup.
There is no way of determining whether you have mirror twins for sure, but you can look for the signs.
There are more twin types that you could look into, such as di di twins.
What are the chances of having twins naturally?
When it comes to multiple births, twins amount for 90%. This means you’re more likely to have twins than, say, triplets or more.
On average, twins are born naturally from around 1 in 250 pregnancies. This makes having twin pregnancies pretty rare.
It’s unlikely that you’ll know you’re pregnant with twin babies until you have your first ultrasound scan. However, if you’ve already had a baby, you may notice differences in your symptoms.
Find out about twin pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks. Many women report having similar symptoms but feeling them much more intensely than they did with a previous singleton pregnancy. Although you may suspect that you’re having twins, an ultrasound is the only way to know 100%. Some women experience different hCG levels with twins.
Factors that can increase the chances of twins
There is no sure way to have twins naturally. It really does depend on your reproductive system and how the babies are formed.
Some couples use fertility treatments, such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation). One reason for this may be that they are struggling to conceive naturally. It is estimated that 17% of twin births are a result of IVF treatment.
You would need to speak to a healthcare professional to identify whether IVF or other fertility treatments are suitable for you.
Here are some factors that may increase the chances of having twins.
Mother’s age: As we age, our hormones change. Women aged over 30 experience an increase in oestrogen. In some women, this can cause the ovaries to release multiple eggs at once. This would likely result in fraternal twins. This doesn’t mean that younger women can’t conceive twins.
Family history: They do say that twins run in families, and it’s true. Women who are non-identical twins, have non-identical twins or have non-identical twin siblings may have a higher chance of having twin pregnancies.
Pregnancies: Women who have been pregnant before may have a higher chance of having twins. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant with twins the first time, as many women do.
Race can also be a factor in increasing your chances of conceiving twins naturally.
How to have twins naturally
There is no scientifically backed evidence to suggest that any of the following methods will help with conceiving twins. If you want to have twins naturally, you have to leave it to chance. Your chances may be increased if you meet one of the factors listed above or if you have fertility treatments.
Some women choose to try methods like the following to potentially increase their odds of having a twin pregnancy naturally.
Waiting until later in life to have children
As we mentioned earlier, as women age, they have higher levels of oestrogen. This means they may be more likely to release multiple eggs instead of just one.
Releasing more than one egg at one time can also be a result of hyperovulation. Hyperovulation can occur for many reasons, and some women find themselves hyperovulating after coming off contraception when trying to conceive.
Calculate your BMI
Some women find that a higher BMI (body mass index) can increase the odds of having twins. However, it’s very important to have a healthy diet and maintain a good exercise routine. A healthy lifestyle should be your main focus.
Folic acid
Women who are trying to conceive are often told to take folic acid supplements. This advice continues until you reach the end of the first trimester. Folic acid can also help to reduce the risk of birth defects.
There is no scientific evidence that any of these methods actually work, so it’s up to you if you try them. It is recommended that you take folic acid for a healthy pregnancy, whether you’re trying to conceive twins or not.
What to eat to get pregnant with twins naturally
Similar to the above list, there is no guarantee that any of these things will help you conceive twins. You should also remember that it’s important to eat a balanced diet when trying to conceive and when pregnant.
Eat dairy
Some studies have found that increasing the amount of dairy you eat may increase your chances of conceiving twins. You can check how much dairy is recommended in an adult’s diet.
Dairy can help to maintain bone strength. It also contains important vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
Sweet potato
Sweet potato is delicious, so you might not find it difficult to add a little more into your diet. This food is also very good for you and contains a great amount of fibre. This helps to promote a healthy digestive system.
Sweet potato can be cooked in many ways to create a great side dish for your meal. Try it out in different ways and find which one you like the best.
So, there you have it! There are no sure ways to conceive twins naturally, but there are some factors that may increase your odds of having twins. Despite there being no studies into the methods listed above, some women choose to try them out anyway.
We hope this blog has been helpful into conceiving twins naturally. Remember to maintain a healthy diet and follow guidance from your doctor.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!