Facts about twins

Carrot303

I posted this on my local board recently because twins came up.  I thought I would re-post it here because I always see girls talking about or wishing for twins.  There are a lot of misconceptions out there.  I'm a (fraternal) twin so therefore I'm an expert. 

First of all, it doesn't matter at all if there are twins ALLLL over your DH's side of the family.  Period.  Men have absolutely nothing at all to do with whether you will have twins.  Ever.  Twins are only genetic through the woman's side of the family.

Myth: Twins skip a generation. This is completely untrue.  The reason this myth got started is because of the following scenario...  Grandma Betty has twins: two boys: John and Dave.  Dave and John both have single babies (no twins) but they both have girls.  Both girls end up having twins (which is highly unlikely - even if it does run in the family.  I'm just doing this as an example).  Since boys don't carry the twin gene (because they don't release multiple eggs -- they don't release eggs at all!!!) then this means that Dave and John (of course) didn't have twins.  (Their sperm can't influence how many eggs their wives release.)  Their daughters DO release eggs and carry the twin gene so their chances are slightly higher (but still unlikely to have twins because it still doesn't happen all that often).

Fraternal twins are genetic. Period.  Identical twins are a fluke of nature.  Period.  If there are identical twins all over your family, it's really, really a fluke of nature.  Identical twins are one egg that splits into two.  Fraternal twins (the genetic kind) are two eggs that are released and fertilized in the same cycle.  They are siblings born on the same day.  Of course there are all kinds of fertility treatments that will up your chances - and if you're over 35 you have more of an increased chance as well.

I always hear girls that are hopeful about having twins because their DH's are twins and he has cousins that are twins.  Sorry to say that it doesn't matter.  FWIW - My grandma and mom both had twins and I just had a single boy.  I am still hoping for twins though this time around even though I still have a small chance.

Hopefully that helps clear it up .  You can still have twins even if they don't run in the women in your family.  Maybe your body will choose to release two eggs or one will split!

mrsnicolew

Thank you for posting this! My mom was a twin and has had 2 sets (1 when I was 10 and 1 when I was 15) so I consider myself an "expert" as well.

It frustrates me to no end when women on this and other boards get the facts mixed up and think that just because their DH has twins on their side they are going to have them. ugh!

However, my poor DD. She's got them on both sides.....You know about my side but DH's maternal grandfather had twin brothers, and DH's paternal grandmother was a twin.

When you wish for twins ladies just remember that twins are alot more work than just a singleton! Yes, twins are a blessing but it's also twice the crying, twice the fevers, twice the diapers, twice the late night feedings etc......And I'd be happy to tell you all about it. When my mom had her last set when I was 15 my dad was working 80+ hours a week and the only other set of hands my mom had were mine.......

bellapup

I wanted twins.  We only want two kids and I figured hey, if I have them both at once I only have to go through the horror or m/s once.  It didn't work out that way though....bummer.

Pumpkin62307

Thanks. MIL mentioned something about us having twins and said it was my husband's "generation" to have them. After we left, we decided that really didn't make much sense considering it would be up to me to relaese 2 eggs!

Thanks again for the info!

krissyh21

Not to mention all the medical complications that come along with a multiples pregnancy. Before and after birth.

epphd

Ditto Krissy.  My dad is a twin, and when we first started TTC I used to kinda daydream about it. After "knowing" a lot of twin mommas as a result of IF treatment, I see how much higher the risks are to mom and babies, and am so grateful that we ended up with one. Not to mention the cost - daycare for two infants would probably be more than my salary, and I'd like to keep working!

Anyway, thanks for the primer   Always good to clear up those misconceptions.

Soon2bMrs.NeilD

I'm assuming you're posting these facts based on medical literature you've read?

"Twins are only genetic through the woman's side of the family." Sorry but this is too a myth. Now if you speak of fraternal twins, then yes I agree men have nothing to do with two or more eggs in a woman, but identicals are different. There is actual medical research that suggests that a male's sperm can carry some genetic tendencies to split a fertilized egg, thus creating identicals.

"Fraternal twins are genetic." Not necessarily. As a woman gets older she is more likely to release multiple eggs, period.

"Identical twins are a fluke of nature." Really!?! Really?  

I'm carrying twins, unsure if they're fraternal or identical since there are both types in my family. Due to the nature of how the babies formed the doctors are unable to determine this either. Maybe it's just another "fluke of nature" or its "genetic" as you suggest.

 

Carrot303

Soon2bMrs.NeilD:

I'm assuming you're posting these facts based on medical literature you've read?

"Twins are only genetic through the woman's side of the family." Sorry but this is too a myth. Now if you speak of fraternal twins, then yes I agree men have nothing to do with two or more eggs in a woman, but identicals are different. There is actual medical research that suggests that a male's sperm can carry some genetic tendencies to split a fertilized egg, thus creating identicals.

"Fraternal twins are genetic." Not necessarily. As a woman gets older she is more likely to release multiple eggs, period.

"Identical twins are a fluke of nature." Really!?! Really?  

I'm carrying twins, unsure if they're fraternal or identical since there are both types in my family. Due to the nature of how the babies formed the doctors are unable to determine this either. Maybe it's just another "fluke of nature" or its "genetic" as you suggest.

Right.  As I said, women over the age of 35 are more likely to have fraternal twins.  For whatever reason, you're more likely to release more than one egg as you age.

I have heard that research is beginning to suggest that there might be additional causes to identical twins other than just a fluke of nature.  (A "fluke" is not a bad thing, you know!)  It's really fascinating research that I love learning about.

Yes, I was speaking of fraternal twins being genetic.  Yes, they are only genetic through the woman's side.

Umm ... I haven't exactly written a thesis on this topic so I can't point you toward "medical literature I've read" ... just trying to point out some misconceptions.

Soon2bMrs.NeilD

I overlooked the 35 and over statement, I apologize. However, as you just clearly stated that there is medical research that suggests identicals may too be genetic is what the main point of my post was.

Perhaps the tone of your initial post got me a little riled up, I am pregnant after all.

 

Carrot303

Yeah - definitely not trying to start controversy over twins!  Yikes!  I certainly didn't mean to have a tone -- I just think there are a lot of hopeful girls that think they're having twins but there isn't a single instance on their side of the family.  Nothing wrong with having your hopes up (look at me - I didn't have twins last time but plenty of women do and they weren't in line so to speak) but most people incorrectly assume that they have more of a chance because "DH is a twin" or whatever.

The research coming out about identicals and how they occur is very interesting.  I love reading about that kind of stuff.

Just to reiterate -- even if identical twins are a fluke of nature, that is in no way a bad thing.  It's not like they're less legitimate twins than fraternals.  Ha!

Soon2bMrs.NeilD

I understand. I'm blaming my pregnancy hormones right now. I'm away from home and miss my Neil and Miffy (dog) so there you have it. Plus there is this lady that is wearing sandals and has been dragging her feet past me every five freakin minutes. So you see, I'm crazy right now.

dionnemd10

so a friend of the family, who's mother is a triplet, HE and his wife had twins-so where does that put your theories??   or is triplets an entirely different bag of worms?

Carrot303

Were they natural triplets?!  Are they fraternal?  If they're identical, one egg split into three.  Not like it's not possible but geez ... I'd be playing the lotto if I were them!!!  I don't know anything about triplets but I would assume the same rules apply.  I'm telling ya though ... it's not a theory!  However, twins (and triplets) can definitely happen to couples who don't show a family history.

Soon2Be -- I completely understand.  The sandals girl has GOT to go.  What is the matter with people?  You have full permisson to be on edge!!!

Married2MrWright

YES!  Thank you for posting this!  I am also a fraternal twin and hate having to explain how it runs in families, but is determined by the females.  Some people just don't get it.  I also hate when I tell people I have a twin brother and they ask if we're identical.  HELLO?!?!

I am a candidate for twins because of being a twin, it running in my family, being older, being tall and being overweight.  We shall see.  Honestly?  I hope not.  I would really love two singletons. 

Mrs.tlcS

Married2MrWright:

  I also hate when I tell people I have a twin brother and they ask if we're identical.  HELLO?!?!

Oh, my.

LOL.