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Expert Q&A
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| By Randy Morris Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Chicago | ||
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I have a set of 3-year-old fraternal twins. I have heard that if you have a set of fraternal twins, the chances of you having another set are very high. In fact, I read in a book that your chances quadruple. Is this a fact or is it fiction?
The chances for having fraternal twins varies depending on a number of factors. These include: 1) Age – there is a four-fold increase from age 15 to 37 and then there is an abrupt decline; 2) Family history – the risks of twins double if your mother or sister has had fraternal twins; 3) Race – Asians have a lower incidence of twins (four per 1000 pregnancies); Caucasians are eight in 1000 and blacks have 16 in 1000. If you have had a fraternal twin, the risk appears to double for another set.
Related Expert Q&A
- Does conceiving one set of twins increase a mother's chance of having a second set of twins?
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- I recently lost a pregnancy where I was carrying twins. What are the chances that I could get pregnant with twins again?
- I'm 39 years old. I've heard that the older you get, your eggs start splitting, increasing your odds of a multiple birth (which I would be very grateful for). Is it likely that I would have a multiple birth?
More Answers by this Expert
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- I'm 39 years old. I've heard that the older you get, your eggs start splitting, increasing your odds of a multiple birth (which I would be very grateful for). Is it likely that I would have a multiple birth?