Having twins is the dream of many couples, and the good news is, there’s never been a better time to have twins. An article in the academic journal Human Reproduction, quoted in the BBC in 2021, suggested that twins account for one in every 42 live births around the world – or 1.6 million twins born each year. Most of these births – 80% or more – take place in Africa and Asia. However, twinning rates have also increased massively in Europe, North America, and Australia since the 1970s, so that twin births now account for 12 deliveries out of every 1000 births in the UK.
12/1000 is still a fairly low possibility, so is there anything that you can do to edge your chances of conceiving twins higher?
Factors That Contribute To Twin Pregnancies
Unfortunately, the main factor in your likelihood to give birth to twins lies in your genes, and outside of your direct control. Families with lots of twins are more likely to give birth to more twins, but there are other factors, too.
In particular, your chance of giving birth to twins increases the older you get, so that mothers who have babies after the age of 30 have a greater chance of having twins. This may partially account for the increase in twins in Europe and North America, as the average age of conception has increased over the last 50 years.
Mothers aged over 35 have an even greater likelihood of twinning, due to producing more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which increases the chance of releasing multiple eggs during ovulation. However, while age can boost the chance of conceiving twins, it can also become more difficult for some people to conceive over 35, and it’s important to weigh the potential health risks during pregnancy in your later 30s and 40s.
Your Age And Genes Are The Two Things In Life You Can’t Do Much About, So What Else Can You Do?
- Put on a couple of pounds. Yes, you read that correctly. Women with a slightly higher body mass index (BMI) might have an increased chance of conceiving twins. This is because a BMI of over 30 could encourage the body to release multiple eggs during ovulation. However, a high BMI can also lead to complications during your pregnancy, and carrying a bit of extra weight is certainly no guarantee of conceiving twins.
- Take a gap between pregnancies. If you already have children, taking a break between your pregnancies can increase your chance of having twins. This comes from giving your body the time to recover and reset its natural fertility hormone levels, leading to a greater chance of producing multiple eggs.
- Have more children. Having multiple pregnancies in the past can also increase your odds of conceiving twins, because your body becomes more efficient at ovulation, potentially increasing the chance of you releasing multiple eggs. It’s also a numbers game. The more children that a woman has, the greater the chance that one of her pregnancies will include twins. This slightly increased likelihood, however, has to be balanced against the fact that many mothers who already have multiple children aren’t likely to actively want twins.
- Eat sweet potatoes. Certain foods are believed by some people to support hyper-ovulation, which can lead to fraternal twins. Among these are sweet potatoes, yams, cassava, tofu, whole grains, whole wheat, and soy. All tasty and nutritious foods, no doubt. Whether or not there is anything specific about sweet potatoes that induces twin pregnancies is up for debate. What is known, however, is the role that vitamin B9, or folic acid, plays in supporting fertility and healthy pregnancy. Higher folate levels can increase your chance of conception (twin or single) and a healthy pregnancy – especially for women undergoing IVF – so it might be worth upping your intake of folate-rich foods such as asparagus, sunflower seeds, egg yolks, spinach, and broccoli before and during pregnancy. Folic acid supplements may also help, but talk to a dietician, your local pharmacy, or GP before making any big changes to your diet.
Find Out More
Our Suresign range includes a variety of efficient pregnancy tests and supporting self-test products for women looking to conceive. While there is no magic formula for conceiving twins, with balanced preparation and care, you can create the best possible chance for a healthy and life affirming pregnancy. Please click here to find out more about our products and where to purchase them.
