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.
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
What would it be like to have a clone? What... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More
Are you glad for the chance to put your child... Read More
Chaim Ginott was a schoolteacher whose ideas and observations helped... Read More
Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More
Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
Many of us have grown up drinking caffeinated diet sodas... Read More
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More
1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
Whether we realize it or not we teach our children... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Nanny 911 Interview with Montel WilliamsI saw an interview with... Read More
Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
Being a parent is a role that requires a large... Read More
scheduled maid service Park Ridge ..Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More
IntroductionChildren are the gifts of God to parents. That young... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
From the time the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in... Read More
What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More
When it comes to exams, or indeed any academic work,... Read More
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today's... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem... Read More
The Greatest Gifts in Life, which are always created for... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
For any of you Moms out there that are doing... Read More
Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Parenting |