Twins are two individuals who have come from the same womb at the same time. Almost every kind of species on this earth can produce multiple births at the same time. Twins are quite rare, accounting for around 1.2% of all human births. In short, one in every eighty births is a twin birth. The birth of identical twins is even more rare, rating at one in every 250 births. Twin pairs may be both boys, both girls, or one boy and one girl.
Birth of twins may be different based on several factors. Some ethnic groups and people in certain places were found to have a greater number of twins. Use of fertility drugs is also supposedly one cause for the birth of twins, as these drugs lead to hyperovulation (release of multiple eggs). Thus, women undergoing fertility treatments are more likely to have multiple pregnancies.
Genetic factors are also believed to play a part in multiple pregnancies. Women who are between the ages of thirty and forty and who have an above-average body height and weight are also likely to give birth to twins. Women who had several previous pregnancies and those who have recently stopped oral contraceptives may also give birth to multiple babies.
Twins can be categorized into many kinds: fraternal twins or dizygotic twins (non-identical), identical or monozygotic twins (from one egg that splits), vanishing twins (when one fetus fails to survive), conjoined twins (monozygotic twins with bodies joined at some place), parasitic twins (one fetus depends upon the other for survival), mirror twins (mirror image of each other), and miscarried twins. Twins have a shorter gestation period of around thirty-six weeks as compared to forty weeks for a single baby.
Twins, even identical ones, have different personalities; there would be at least a slight difference in them. However, they may have identical brainwave patterns. Some people also believe that twins have their own “twin” language through which they communicate with each other.
Twin pregnancies are generally more difficult, due to greater weight as well as extra placenta and amniotic fluid. One or both of the twins may be found in an imperfect position inside the womb due to limited space. One or both of them can come out with their bottom or feet first. Twins are also smaller and weaker as compared to normal babies at the time of birth. Most twin births are problem free.
These days, there are magazines, shows, and whole websites dedicated to twins. These contain useful information, facts, and trivia about twins that are also useful for the mothers who are expecting twins.
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Identical Twins
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Twins are two people who have shared the same womb at the same time. They may also have come from the same egg. Twin births are becoming more and more common due to several factors such as increasing use of fertility treatments, child births at...
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Twin Babies
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Twins are a result of multiple births, i.e. when more than one baby shares the womb of the same woman at the same time. It is estimated that one in every eighty pregnancies is a twin pregnancy. Incidence of twin births has become very common...
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Conjoined Twins
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Twins are a kind of multiple births, i.e., when a woman gives birth to more than one baby at the same time. Twins occur when more than one egg is fertilized or when the same egg is fertilized more than once by one or two...
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Twin Birth Announcement
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The birth of a newborn brings great joy to a family. But if the parents are blessed with twins the occasions call for an even greater celebration of this unique event. Parents have the delight of doubling their affection. There are numerous ways to achieve...
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Sibling Dna Testing
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Sibling DNA testing is designed to determine sibling genetic relationships. Such tests establish the statistical probability of whether the siblings share the same two parents. A DNA sibling test can be performed to analyze the relationship of biological siblings by collecting samples from both siblings;...
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Birth Control Side Effects
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Women take birth control pills in order to restrict the size of their families and also get away from the vicious “hand to mouth” cycle of poverty. Some of the women may have side-effects from taking these pills, including nausea, headaches, bleeding between periods, breast...
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A Guide to Baby Scales
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Baby scales are used to measure breast milk and the weight of babies. When baby arrives early or has medical problems, health care providers turn to the Medela Baby Weigh Scale for measuring breast milk intake. The baby is weighed before and after breastfeeding, and...
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Bovine Colostrum
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Colostrum is the milk produced immediately after birth. In cows is it is referred to as bovine colostrum, which is beneficial to children and adults alike. Bovine colostrum contains components such as immunoglobulins, antibodies, proline-rich polepeptyde, lactoferrin and glycoproteins, which are instrumental in fighting viruses...
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Endometriosis and Pregnancy
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Endometriosis occurs when the uterus lining, called the endometrium, moves to another part of the body. During menstruation, this lining is shed from the uterus, the lining in other parts of the body have no way of being and bring pain and discomfort to the...
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Early Menopause
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Early or premature menopause is defined as menopause before the age of 40. Premature ovarian failure, surgery, and chemotherapy may all result in early menopause. About one in a hundred women may experience early menopause; some may be teenagers or in their twenties. Symptoms of...