just wonder what kind of a shot i have at having twins if it doesnt run in either families! i would say its very slim! what about if theres one set of twins in his family?
2006-11-10 02:40:30 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I'm the mother of identical twins so I hear these types of questions alot:
1. Identical twins (monozygotic) are from one egg that splits. All pregnancies have a 1 in 250 chance of being identical twins. This is not impacted by age, ethnicity, fertility drugs, or family history.
2. Fraternal twins (dizygotic) occur when the female produces two eggs in the same cycle. Some factors include fertility drugs, higher maternal age, ethnicity (for instance more common in African Americans less common in Asians), and family history.
3. Because it is up to the female to produce two eggs at once a family history of fraternal twins is only relevant on the female's side.
I had no family history of twins, was "young" (25), and wasn't on fertility drugs so I was quite surprised when we learned it was twins. It wasn't until I read more about them from reputable sources that I learned how many myths there are out there (like skipping generations, etc)
2006-11-11 13:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Ali D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely you can have twins, even if it doesn't run in your family. Especially when it comes to identical twins, which don't run in families... they're simply a random event that can happen to anyone (the rate of identical twinning is about 1:250 throughout the world, regardless of where you live, who you are, etc.)
And, you can even have fraternal twins without having a family history of them. Some of the other factors that can cause you to hyperovulate (release more than one egg in a menstrual cycle, hence giving you the opportunity to conceive fraternal twins) are:
* The mother is of African descent (especially Yoruba).
* The mother is between the age of 30 and 40 years.
* The mother is of greater than average height and weight.
* The mother has had several previous pregnancies.
* The mother has undergone fertility treatments
So yes, it is altogether possible to have twins without having a family history of them... there were no twins in my family until mine came along :-)
2006-11-11 15:04:36 · answer #2 · answered by TwinMommyJen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what type of twins are in your (or your partners) family.
IDENTICAL TWINS are a freak of nature, they can happen to anyone at any time.
FRATERNAL TWINS are genetic. They tend to follow the females in the family, but not always. My Grand father (on my mother's side) had a twin sister (IE: fraternal) so I had a good chance at having twins. My 2 nd pregnancy was twins but one didn't survive the gestation period.
Another way of having a multiple birth is to use fertility drugs (reserved for those having trouble to conceive) These play a real number on the mother's hormonal balance but it causes her to release more than one egg a month, therefore increasing your chances at getting pregnant and at getting pregnant with more than one fetus! Your body is not made for multiple births but can usually handle twins or triplets - anything more and you'd be putting yourself and the children at risk.
Hope this answers your question.
2006-11-10 02:57:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a teenager I was obsessed and fascinated by multiple births and learned a ridiculous amount about twins.
Identical twins do not seem to run in families, it just happens when a fertilized egg splits in two. They don't know quite why or how this happens.
Fraternal twins do tend to run in families, but just because it isn't in your family doesn't mean it won't happen to you. Fraternal twins happen when two eggs are released in one month and get fertilized. (Two sperm cannot fertilize one egg).
2006-11-10 04:48:08 · answer #4 · answered by Jess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im pretty sure it runs in families, on my fathers side there are tons of twins, all fraternal. My grandfather is a twin, and my dad had twins. My mom is an identical twin and identical twins run on my mom's side of the family.
i think it's safe to say im in line!
2006-11-10 05:59:10 · answer #5 · answered by jasmine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fraternal (or non-identical) twins are , for lack of a better term, a freak of nature. They can happen at anytime regardless of family history.
Maternal (or identical) twins are more genetic. BUT my friend had maternal twins just over a year ago and they have no recorded history of twins on her side (which is who it runs through) and not even on his side either.
I think your chances of having twins are less than those women with a history of twins......but it is alwasy possible!!
2006-11-10 03:24:13 · answer #6 · answered by Just Me 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can have twins even if no one else has ever had twins in your family. Some times you can ovulate twice, or one egg could accept two sperms.
Genetics only help if you have a lot of women who ovulate twice in one month, since that sort of thing can be passed on.
2006-11-10 02:45:15 · answer #7 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother's girlfriend is pregnant with twins and they dont run in either family
2006-11-10 02:56:13 · answer #8 · answered by audrey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, take it from me it was a shock to every one .Belive it may happen to ya!Good Luck
2006-11-10 04:49:08 · answer #9 · answered by AMBRASIA C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋