amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

mama24 · 05-12-2008, 09:07 AM

Just had a ? for anybody that might have an answer. (Suppose I could do my own research-but I'm to lazy)

I am a twin (fraternal-I have a twin brother). I also have a set of fraternal twin brothers. I had a set of fraternal twin girls-as well as 2 singletons. We're on the fence about trying again for another. I suppose there's a good chance of having another set of twins-which might change my mind.

Anybody else have lots of twins run in the family? Just wondering my chances and statistics for more multiples. Thanks

Mysticmama · 05-12-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama24

Just had a ? for anybody that might have an answer. (Suppose I could do my own research-but I'm to lazy)

I am a twin (fraternal-I have a twin brother). I also have a set of fraternal twin brothers. I had a set of fraternal twin girls-as well as 2 singletons. We're on the fence about trying again for another. I suppose there's a good chance of having another set of twins-which might change my mind.

Anybody else have lots of twins run in the family? Just wondering my chances and statistics for more multiples. Thanks

I don't have statistics but fraternal twins can run in the family by having a history of double ovulating. It sounds like you might have a higher chance of having fraternal twins than the average person, but then you might not. I wouldn't mind having twins again. Would you really not want twins again?

Amphitrite · 05-12-2008, 11:00 AM

Here's my only experience with it:

Dad has a fraternal twin sister. Mom has a fraternal twin brother. She also has fraternal twin sisters, the pg before Mom and Kevin (11 kids total, 9 pgs for Grandma). My bro and I - as well as all of my cousins - are singletons. So far, we've all also had only singletons. One of our children will likely have twins. (I think I have around 50 cousins, at last count.... gigantic extended family

)

Before my parents, my maternal side had twins appear in every other generation. My paternal side had twins every third generation. Based on that, we're all "betting"

on who of our children will have the twins when they're all old enough.

Short answer, I think it does run in families, but you have to go back at least to your own grandparents' families and look at all the generations to see if there's a pattern. Still no guarantee, but more like a 'preparation' for the what-if.

tikva18 · 05-12-2008, 10:55 PM

Twins can run in the family. They run through the woman's side - so if your dh's family has twins that doesn't necessarily have an impact on what will be in your family. However, there has been some research that suggests that it is possible that twins could come from the man's side. Fraternal twins are the ones that are genetically linked.
I'm not sure if I answered your questions, but wanted to respond.

Oh statistically you are more likely to have another set of twins once you've already had a set. Over at mothering - they have a decent twin forum with a lot of info.

SmartyMama · 05-13-2008, 08:40 AM

my mom and both of my sisters had twins, but not me! go figure...

tikva18 · 05-13-2008, 09:52 AM

Ah Robin, you've just got to keep on trying

Mamatoabunch · 05-13-2008, 01:47 PM

Yes, fraternals can run in families on the women's side, increased chances of double ovulating in a month. Interestingly we thought ours were identical, but at 8 found out they are fraternal. There is no twins that I am aware of in my family. I'd love twins again

mama24 · 05-13-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mysticmama

I don't have statistics but fraternal twins can run in the family by having a history of double ovulating. It sounds like you might have a higher chance of having fraternal twins than the average person, but then you might not. I wouldn't mind having twins again. Would you really not want twins again?

I loved having twins! Just not sure I'm ready to do it all over again just yet.

Mysticmama · 05-14-2008, 01:21 PM

WOW, I thought your DD's were identical. Did you get a DNA test? How did you find out? Mine don't look a lot a like but then are still very similar but they have different colored eyes so mine are fraternal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mamatoabunch

Yes, fraternals can run in families on the women's side, increased chances of double ovulating in a month. Interestingly we thought ours were identical, but at 8 found out they are fraternal. There is no twins that I am aware of in my family. I'd love twins again

MommyTo4 · 06-03-2008, 01:22 AM

Twinning is really interesting stuff. When I was pregnant with mine (fraternal and almost 14 now) I got my hands on some of the twin research studies done by the U of Minnesota. Fraternal twinning has a genetic component. The likelihood to release more than one egg at a time is passed down from mother to daughter. Thus, my daughter has an increased chance of having twins but not my sons. My grandmother and my mother both had sets of fraternal twins.

Your chance of conceiving twins also varies depending upon your race, age, whether you've had multiples before, and even months of the year (according to the U of M twin studies, the month with the greatest chance of conceiving twins is February I believe). You are also more likely to conceive twins if you have a high amount of squash in your diet (I thought this one was funny).

LatteLover · 06-03-2008, 08:46 AM

We have friend with fraternal twins... which is interesting because she is married to a fraternal twin! So, obviously genetically, that had nothing to do with it, but I asked my friend if her dh was surprised and she said, oh no, he is a twin so it seemed normal to him!