The odds of twins??

[Rose2887]

Just found out I’m pregnant... on Sunday, it’s very early stages.
My dp is a twin and wondered if it’s likely or not? Would be a shock!!!

DP being a twin doesn't change the likelihood of you conceiving twins. It would only be more likely if YOU had a family history of (non IVF) twins.

@Parkrunner25 i also do have twins on my grandfathers side :)

I think you yourself have to be a twin or possibly one of your parents for the likelihood to actually increase. Doesn't mean you won't though, just that your chance isn't any higher.

Your paternal or maternal grandad?

When I was a medical student, we were told it was a 1 in 80 chance for twins and 1 in 600 for triplets, but those figures are slightly higher nowadays due to ivf pregnancies.

Only non-identical twins can run in families. Identical twins are pure chance. Fraternal twins happen when a woman releases two eggs when she ovulates instead of one, and this can run in the maternal line. The odds of twins also increase as you age because you are more likely to double-ovulate as you get older.

We have identical twins (my uncles) and they have identical twin grandchildren/great nephews- that must be very unusual then if it's just coincidence.

non-identical runs down the female line as todo with number of eggs released. Indential twins is pure mother nature

Mmm it’s very interesting!!!

Happy with the one anyway :) have a dd already so just interested to know, my partners twin is female, not identical.

@Parkrunner25 paternal so guessing likelihood is low

Xx

I am a Mum of non-IVF, non identical twins. I have met so many people who tell me twins run in their family yet they only had single pregnancies. Twins do not run in my family. I am large and conceived at over 35, some good explanations above account for why I had twins .

I used to teach English to an IVF specialist, who told me that twins run down the male line only, so the fact that my grandmother was an identical twin will have no effect of my possibly having twins.

Happy to hear from anyone who has proof otherwise!

@mamansnet so I do stand a possible chance then... I always thought gender twins etc was male based too!!

@mamansnet I have twins, there are lots in my side of the family further up the family tree. I was told by my midwife (if I remember correctly) that the reason it runs in the female side is the gene which is passed on (hyper ovulation - to release multiple eggs) can obviously only be passed on by those able to ovulate - the mothers. These sorts of twins are fraternal because they are the result of multiple eggs being fertilised.

There have been suggestions that the chances of non identical twins (from the splitting of one egg) can be increased by a gene passed through male sperm which causes a slight enzyme change in the sperm which causes the split itself though I don't think there is any evidence of this - although someone from my local multiples group is adamant this is true!

Good luck either way

I'm a non identical twin. My Mom had me when she was 17, so not double egging because of age or anything.
I've had one LO so far, I want a second but I am thinking "what if it's twins?!?".

My mums a twin and my auntie and uncle are both twins.

My sister has managed 3 single pregnancies and myself 1 with 1 on the way

Now that I think about it, it's my dad's mum who was a twin, so he probably didn't inherit any wonderful multiple-baby-creating magical powers

I love the idea of twin parents having magical powers @mamansnet must add that to my CV.

ObiJuanKenobi that is not quite right. The gene for hyperovulation is passed down on the X chromosome but can be passed from father to daughter as you also get an X chromosome from your father. I thought I wouldn't have twins as I had heard about it being down mother's side (and no twins on my mum's side) but presumably inherited it from my dad who is a twin and has lots of twins in his family. This is also why it is often said twins skips a generation as if offspring are male they can carry the hyper-ovulation gene but as you say not express it.

Oooo @Taytotots that makes a lot of sense! I vaguely remember the X and Y chromosomes from school but obviously didn't pay too much attention

I have non identical twins, my brother has identical twins and I have identical twin cousins from my dads side...that’s a lot of twins but all pure coincidence. Non identical twins can run down the maternal side - non identical twins are just luck. But from what I’ve read previously not too much research has been done on all of this so you never know.
I was told 1/80 chance of anyone having twins.

@Taytotots
Your absolutely right. I did a lot of research into it as there are fraternal twins on my mothers and fathers side.
The Father can pass the ‘twin gene’ onto his daughter who could then have twins.
Which is exactly where the idea of ‘skipping a generation’ comes from.
But no, a mans sperm has no part to play in fraternal twins.

We're ttc#2 with a 15 month old DS. I must be mad but I'm secretly rather excited to hear that I'm not totally out of the twin game yet!

That said, if the twin gene skips a generation, surely DB or I should/could have had a twin?

It's weird, I've just always had this idea that I'm going to end up with double trouble

@mamansnet me too!!!! I’ll find out in 8 weeks I guess lol.
My dp keeps saying I will as he’s a twin... I keep saying I hope he can afford a job lot of concealer for all those sleepness nights!!! Xx