Just curious to see if this is true for any of you multiples moms...

Lina1030 · August 2011

I read that some people try to take supplements (folic acid, vitex, wild yams, etc.) to increase their chances of having twins. To me that did not sound normal or possible but who knows....besides genetics, or ivf how can taking supplements increase your chances? By splitting the fertilized egg or helping release/fertliize two eggs? So thought I would go to the source and ask moms of multiples...Did this occur to any of you?

cauli001 · August 2011

I don't think any of the MoM's here were "trying" to have multiples, as raising 2 babies at once is extremely difficult, and a twin pregnancy is high risk. I have never heard of what you are talking about before...

WhiteysWifey · August 2011

I've heard of the yams thing, but only that there is a certain tribe in Africa that has a high rate of multiples and it's linked to the yams, which are a substantial part of their diet....beyond that I haven't heard anything.

violaplayer · August 2011

My guys were spontaneous. I've heard all kinds of theories as to what causes twins.

Other than fertility treatments, I don't think there is anything that has been shown to really raise your chances of multiples. Other than a correlation with certain factors, such as being under 18 or over 30, being taller/heavier, having had more children, and being of African descent.

And I agree with the PP. I don't think most people will sign up for the difficulties involved in having multiples.

devinjonesrn · August 2011

I've heard of yams before and when people come on here and ask "how do I get twins!?" we generally refer them to yams, "doing it twice in one night" "do it doggy style, you'll get a litter" things of that nature! Wink

I'm not a scientist, but I'm pretty sure except for fertility medications you can't do a whole lot to "get twins."

Lina1030 · August 2011

I agree with you all....I was with a mommy play group and one of the mommy's mentioned it in conversation about how couples try for the sex (boy or girl) and others try for twins...so I googled it and started reading about this stuff.

Waiting4Fred · August 2011

I have heard the folic acid thing, too, albeit after I knew I was pregnant with twins.

Mine were totally spontaneous. I was, however, seeing an acupuncturist/herbalist who had me taking my pnv (800mg folic acid) plus an extra 800 mg folic acid supplement, and I always made sure to eat foods that had a lot of folic acid, but ONLY because I had a prior loss and was paranoid that could have been the cause. So, was I taking a sh!t ton of folic acid when I conceived twins? Yes. Do I think it caused it? Nope.

MamaCrystal · August 2011

There was a study that showed breastfeeding mothers had a higher chance of conceiving multiples (I think it was 12%), and especially identicals. Sure enough, I was bf'ing DS2 when I got pregnant with our ID girls.

Temp6313048411121614 · August 2011

Lina1030:
I agree with you all....I was with a mommy play group and one of the mommy's mentioned it in conversation about how couples try for the sex (boy or girl) and others try for twins...so I googled it and started reading about this stuff.

Just wanted to say that your little guy is absolutely adorable.

Lina1030 · August 2011

Aussie*s_Mom:
Lina1030:
I agree with you all....I was with a mommy play group and one of the mommy's mentioned it in conversation about how couples try for the sex (boy or girl) and others try for twins...so I googled it and started reading about this stuff.
Just wanted to say that your little guy is absolutely adorable.

Thank you! I just updated my siggy pics...he is now 9 months. Growing so fast!

felinity · August 2011

WhiteysWifey:
I've heard of the yams thing, but only that there is a certain tribe in Africa that has a high rate of multiples and it's linked to the yams, which are a substantial part of their diet....beyond that I haven't heard anything.

Some people with hormone imbalances that keep them from ovulating use natural progesterone cream to balance them out. The natural progesterone cream is derived from yams, apparently. So (in theory), the yams might have the same effect as something like Clomid: they could induce ovulation in an individual so effectively as to make them hyperovulate.

It seems unlikely, but I can rationalize it as scientifically possible.

Vitex is said to have some of the same hormone-balancing properties.

Fancy3Face · August 2011

Nope. ID's are a fluke or a rare result of IVF with ICSI. Unless one of those suppliments causes you to hyper-ovulate (creating fraternals), I can't understand why they'd be linked with twining.

macchiatto · August 2011

There is no way I would EVER intentionally try to increase my chances of having multiples.

Some people might try some things but frankly, they're nuts.

MamaCat21 · August 2011

I'm 21 years old (married 3 yrs, and it was a planned pregnancy fwiw). I always wanted two kids, but I wanted to space them out!!! I don't think I ever actually WANTED multiples before it actually happened and I came to terms with it.

So to answer your question, no, I never even considered trying different supplements to increase my chances of having more than one baby. Only supplements I was taking were green tea to increase cm, and pomegranate to help thicken my uterine lining while I was TTGP.

JJGilmore · August 2011

It was a complete shock to us to find out we were having twins as we were on birth control and definitely actively trying not to get preggers. I'm only about 11 weeks (already showing some) and although I've never heard the yams thing, I have been asked if twins are in my family (which seems like a normal question). Some of the ruder questions I've heard are, "So will your babies get MS from you?" (I have MS) or "Don't you think you'll be exhausted having a baby so late in life?" (I'm 37, my fiance (getting married next week) is 25.) and "How long have you been doing IVF?" (Which I find incredibly weird. I mean, does everyone assume that twins are a product of IVF? Isn't that personal between the couple?) Anyhow, my doc was concerned that I hadn't taken folic acid and that I was still on a multitude of MS medications, inclduing an infusion treatment. Even though we didn't plan for twins we are very excited for their arrival!!

Mrs. Alice · August 2011

MamaCrystal:
There was a study that showed breastfeeding mothers had a higher chance of conceiving multiples (I think it was 12%), and especially identicals. Sure enough, I was bf'ing DS2 when I got pregnant with our ID girls.

Yikes... Will be using double protection now....

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Just curious to see if this is true for any of you multiples moms...

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