Did you know that the “twins” gene is passed down from parent to child in the same way as any other gene? Fraternal twins (the kind that may not look exactly alike) do run in families, but there is nothing keeping a woman with twins anywhere in her family (or even her husband's family) from having twins.
Studies have also shown that identical twins (the kind that look like they could be the same person) happen randomly and don’t necessarily run in families. So even if you don't have mirror-image people in your family, you could one day.
In multiple pregnancies (when a woman is carrying two or more fetuses), twins are the most common type, as opposed to triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, or more. Multiple pregnancies are more likely when using fertility treatments to aid in conception.
The risk of complications is higher in multiple pregnancies, such as preterm labor, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, breech, or twin twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). So it is important to seek prenatal care early and regularly to closely monitor your pregnancy, and follow general pregnancy nutrition advice.
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Resource:
Common Pregnancy Myths
EmpowHER: Multiple Pregnancies
Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.