Statistics of the birth of twins in the world. twin statistics. How often twins are born among representatives of different countries and peoples

Many couples try. Some want the child to grow up with a brother or sister of the same age. And others simply want to start a big family right away. Despite the fact that twins are born quite rarely, there are certain factors due to which you can significantly increase the likelihood of two babies being born at the same time.

What determines the birth of twins? Factors such as lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and even the ethnicity of partners come to the fore here. If a married couple is determined to have twins, the following information may be quite useful.

What are twins?

The birth of twins is determined by the type of fertilization of the mother's egg. The most common are dizygotic and In the first case, the embryos appear from two different eggs with simultaneous fertilization. Children conceived in this way usually have both external and sexual differences.

As for monozygotic twins, their conception occurs as a result of the splitting of one fertilized egg into two equal parts. The development of a monozygotic fetus is always characterized by the birth of children of the same sex with an identical set of genetic traits, one blood group and almost one hundred percent external similarity.

Reasons for the birth of twins

The main reason for the development of two embryos at once with a natural method of conception is the abundance of healthy, highly active spermatozoa in a man and the presence of an egg ready for fertilization. The effect is enhanced by unquestioning adherence to the recommendations of a specialist, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as well as a predisposition to conceiving several babies in one or both partners.

Other reasons for the birth of twins are the consumption of foods or drugs whose constituent elements cause hyperovulation. However, doctors rarely recommend this kind of drugs in order to avoid the appearance of various complications during pregnancy, although they are quite effective.

genetic predisposition

An increased likelihood of the birth of several babies at the same time is present in families in which such cases were recorded on the maternal side. So, if a woman's mother or grandmother gave birth to twins, she has an increased chance of giving birth to twins too.

However, it is not so simple. Of great importance in this case is the combination of it in both partners. More often, heredity in terms of the birth of twins manifests itself after one generation. But even with the combination of the above circumstances, the chance for a successful outcome of the conception of twins is no more than fifty percent.

With weak heredity or insufficient strength of sex hormones of partners, the probability of having twins or twins varies from five to fifteen percent.

Factors contributing to the birth of two or more babies at once

As statistics show, the chances of having twins or twins in a healthy woman without a genetic predisposition are only about three percent. In general, there are a number of factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of having two or more babies at the same time.

The chance of having twins increases if:

• in the family on the maternal side there have already been cases of the birth of twins or twins;
• the woman has African roots (Europeans are in second place in terms of the likelihood of having twins, followed by Asians and Hispanics);
• the woman has already had successful pregnancies (this trend is associated with an increase in the capabilities of the human body);
• a woman is tall, leads a healthy lifestyle, eats well, or has some excess weight.

Nutrition and vitamins

In families in which partners lead an unhealthy lifestyle, eat poorly and neglect the intake of food rich in vitamins and useful trace elements, the likelihood of having twins is significantly reduced.

At the conception of a child and directly during its bearing, any vitamin complexes are useful. However, as practice shows, the birth of twins becomes more likely with the active intake of high-folic acid supplements, which are now available in almost any pharmacy.

Good, wholesome nutrition, rich in fresh, environmentally friendly products, not only leads to the birth of a healthy child, but also increases the chance of having twins. Significantly less such chances in people who are underweight.

If we talk about complete, good nutrition, then it should provide a uniform weight gain without causing harm to health and one's own well-being. Naturally, trying to increase the likelihood of having twins by any means, it is better to consult in advance in a reputable clinic. After all, only the application of the knowledge of a trained, experienced and practicing doctor makes it possible to hope for a positive result.

What is the probability of having twins if you resort to the help of a specialist?

Going to an experienced specialist can increase the chance of conceiving twins. In modern medical practice, there are enough professional doctors who can help give birth to twins to almost any couple.

Currently, the issues of conception of twins are most often solved by using the method of in vitro fertilization. Conceiving children in this way can cost a young couple a lot. However, the introduction of several healthy sperm at the same time into the mother's egg by artificial means significantly increases the likelihood of achieving the desired goal.

Finally

What determines the birth of twins? This issue is still not fully understood and remains shrouded in mystery. However, it is certainly known that an increased likelihood of conceiving two or more babies is transmitted through the generation.

It is worth noting that there are a sufficient number of families in which there are cases of conception of several twins, twins and even triplets. There are also families where twins or twins are grandparents, cousins, nephews and nieces. Therefore, the answer to this question is best known to nature. All the best!

The statistics collected by demographers over the past decades is unambiguous: more and more twins, triplets and even more weighty "gifts" of the stork are being born on our planet. So, over the past twenty years, the birth rate of twins has increased by almost 2.5 times, and today more than 75 million twins walk the Earth! Scientists wondered: what, in fact, is the reason for this pattern?

It has already been noted earlier that in some regions the number of such children is abnormally large, in others twins are almost never born. For example, in Japan or Greece, it is rare to find a young mother with a double stroller. But in the American city of Lake Elsinore, there are a total of more than 130 pairs of twins - adults and children. There are more than 150 of them in the Siberian city of Myski. But even this will seem to you if you dare to go from the airport to Delhi on an old cornfield to the small Indian village of Kodinhi (Kerela state). Despite the fact that in India the number of multiple pregnancies is usually low (4 out of 1000), more than 300 pairs of twins and twins (and more) live here - every year another 15-20 are added to them (this figure is 6 times higher than the demographic norms).

Approximately every tenth inhabitant of the village has his own "clone" - or even more than one! Moreover, according to local physician Krishnan Shribiya, all the twins are quite healthy and do not have any congenital anomalies. Desperate tourists jokingly complain that they have double or even triple vision, and do not stop clicking the camera. But the natives themselves take what is happening for granted - after all, for three generations (the last 60-70 years) they have been confusing parents with their brothers and sisters, and having created a family, they hardly distinguish their own children.

German researchers in the field of occupational and environmental medicine conducted an analysis of data on territories, especially inhabited by twins, and found out that in most cases the ecology of these places left much to be desired, since there were either metallurgical plants and other heavy industries, or radioactive uranium mines nearby. ores, or enterprises for the processing of toxic waste and incineration plants. And vice versa - according to archival records, bespodia is often observed in women from ecologically safe areas. One way or another, but the formula turned out to be mysterious: the worse it is, the more likely it is for the birth of twins, and therefore the level of their birth rate can serve as a bio-indicator of the ecological state of the region.

Scientists have suggested that the answer lies in the protective mechanisms of the human body: feeling the influence of toxic substances that regularly enter the bloodstream from the atmosphere, the reproductive function is rebuilt into a more active state, and therefore uses more eggs, as a result of which twins are more and more often born. . Scientists also attribute the increase in the number of multiple births to the use of the drug clomiphene citrate, which stimulates ovulation - it has become widespread in the European market since the early 70s of the last century.

The researchers also emphasize that there are many other prerequisites for the birth of twins. For example, artificial pregnancy more often leads to the appearance of several children - this is due to the fact that not one, but several embryos are planted in the uterus “just in case”, and identical twins are often born. The color of the skin also matters - since the northern peoples are as much as 25 times less likely to have twins than the inhabitants of the equatorial regions. Heredity also plays an important role: if there have been cases of the birth of such babies in the family, then the ability to repeat this feat is usually passed down through the generation. That is, the grandchildren of the current twins will be able to acquire twins, but identical twins already have as many as 6 chances out of 100 to become parents of their own kind. The age of the mother also affects the birth rate of several children at the same time: from 30 to 34 years old, twins most often “happen”, and from 35 to 39 there is every chance to babysit triplets.

Multiple pregnancy is risky for both mother and children. In this article, you will find a summary of multiple pregnancy statistics, the numbers of which may scare you. If you are expecting twins, for you this statistic is just an excuse to take your condition more seriously and be carefully monitored by your doctor, without neglecting examinations, examinations and necessary consultations. Medical supervision and timely action by doctors is the best way to avoid complications or at least minimize their consequences.

1. In developed countries, perinatal mortality (mortality shortly before childbirth, during childbirth and immediately after them) during multiple pregnancy is 5 times higher than during normal pregnancy with one fetus. Causes of miscarriage, frequent malformations, preeclampsia in the mother, incorrect presentation and birth trauma.
2. The birth of children with very low body weight in multiple pregnancies exceeds the frequency of this pathology in singleton pregnancies by 10 times.
3. The death of newborns in the first month of life exceeds that among the population by 7.1 times.
4. Mortality in childhood is 5.4 times higher.
5. Premature birth with twins occurs in 54% of cases, while with singleton pregnancy only in 9.6%.
6. 50% of children have a birth weight of less than 2500 grams, with a singleton pregnancy with low birth weight, 6% of children are born. The more fetuses, the lower the birth weight.
7. The frequency of congenital malformations: - with a singleton pregnancy 1.47% of cases - twins 2.17 cases - triplets 3.7% of cases
8. The second fetus always has a lower Apgar score, it often needs resuscitation, tracheal intubation.
9. Mortality in monozygotic twins is 3 times higher than in dizygotic twins
11. Among monozygotic twins, 1% are monochorionic, monoamniotic.
12. Mortality in monoamniotic monochorionic twins reaches 50%
13. Mortality with triplets reaches 50-108 children out of a thousand born.
14. The death rate for a quadruple is at least 67 children per thousand born, but the numbers are not accurate due to the rarity of such births.
15. Among all children with cerebral palsy, 5-12% are children from twins.
16. In multiple pregnancy, the risk of complications in the mother is also higher.

Thus, even according to the statistics of developed countries, multiple pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy, the course of multiple pregnancy in countries with a low level of development of medical care is accompanied by even more depressing outcomes. In order to choose the optimal obstetric tactics (for example, embryo reduction), it is important to make a diagnosis of multiple pregnancy in a timely manner, very early.

Not all parents dream of having twins in their family. Still, they are afraid of the increased load that will appear when caring for newborn twins, increased simultaneous spending, problems with infectious diseases, etc.

It's no secret that parents of twins always a little more complicated than if the children had some age difference, when the elders can already help a little, they can be taken to child care facilities, and clothes do not need to be bought at the same time. But some dream on the contrary, oh the birth of twins. Many future parents are wondering what is the probability of having twins, and are trying to plan for its appearance.

Watch a video about how twins behave on ultrasound (22 weeks)

According to statistics, the probability of having twins appears only in one case out of two hundred. Only once in 200 cycles do two viable eggs mature simultaneously. And if the combination of circumstances is favorable, then two little men are born at once. Usually they look alike, but only like ordinary brothers or sisters, they can also be of different sexes, weights, and natural features.

About the same frequency of birth of identical twins when the development of two embryos requires the division into two equal parts of one fertilized egg. In this case, the twins will look like two peas in a pod, and they will be of the same sex. According to the researchers, for every hundred pregnancies that occur, only one is multiple. Parents of twins can only rejoice at their appearance and accept congratulations.

Causes of multiple pregnancy

So, let's try to take into account the causes of multiple pregnancy. The fact is that with age in women, the concentration of the FSH hormone, which is responsible for activating the maturation of eggs, increases. That's why cases of simultaneous maturation of two or more eggs are becoming more frequent, which increases the chances of having twins.

Sometimes a multiple pregnancy occurs after giving up contraceptives that a woman has used for many years. And sometimes she is simply treated for infertility, takes quite powerful drugs, which give impetus to increased production of hormones that affect ovulation processes. The probability of having twins in such cases increases several times.

Cases are not uncommon in vitro fertilization, after a woman's unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant in a natural way. Doctors intend to implant several fertilized eggs into the body of a future mother at once, in the hope that at least one of them will develop into a full-fledged fetus. But it happens that all or several of them take root. If the bearing of several embryos does not contradict medical indications, then the woman becomes the mother of several children at once.

Sometimes a woman passes hormone therapy courses due to her poor health. There is a hormonal surge, which provokes the birth of several fruits at the same time.

Also, a fact that is still inexplicable is that during cataclysms, wars, natural disasters, etc., the increase in the number of multiple pregnancies increases. Apparently, wise nature takes care of a normal population in this way.

hereditary factor

It's not a secret for anyone that if there have been cases of twins in the family before, then in this family the probability of having twins increases many times over. And it does not matter in whose family, mother or father, there were cases of the appearance of twins. Therefore, it is worth carefully studying the history of both families. In addition, if a woman has once given birth to two or more children, then the chances of repeating this feat increase significantly.

What to eat to conceive twins

Those who are planning a pregnancy often want to know what to eat to get pregnant with twins? Many in vain think that nutrition does not affect this process in any way. It turns out that the liver of animals contains a special protein that affects the production of female hormones, and also increases the ability of the embryo to survive in the early stages of development.

This enzyme is called insulin-like growth factor. Thus, when planning a multiple pregnancy, you need to eat more meat and dairy products. Another tip is to try to get pregnant in the summer, because. it is during this period that the activity of sex hormones increases, and meat and milk are most saturated with useful substances.

And finally, watch 2 funny videos about twin babies.

Many parents are involved today. And some of them dream of twins. Is it possible to plan the birth of twins?

Statistics

Over the past decade, the number of twins born has almost doubled. In European countries, including the Russian Federation, in the 1980s and 1990s, there were 1 twins for every 80-90 births. Today, every 40-50th birth ends with the birth of twins. However, these are not the highest figures. For example, in Nigerian women, every 22 births end with the birth of two children. But Chinese women can very rarely be content with the birth of twins, there are only one in 250 births.

How do you get twins

information Twins are born from a pregnancy resulting from the fertilization of two eggs that matured during one ovulatory cycle. They will have a different set of genes, and may be of different sexes.

The conditions under which 2 eggs can be obtained at once are as follows:

1. hereditary factor. Scientists confirm the fact that there are genes responsible for the development of multiple pregnancies. Therefore, if there are cases of the birth of twins in your family, then we can hope that you will be lucky to experience the happiness of double motherhood at the same time. Moreover, if this happened on the maternal side, then the probability is higher.
2. Multiple spontaneous ovulation. Usually, one egg cell matures in the ovaries of a woman every month, while there are two ovaries and they work alternately. Under the influence of various factors, the maturation of several eggs at once in one or both ovaries can occur.
3. late pregnancy. It is believed that in a woman over 35 years of age, the likelihood of multiple spontaneous ovulation is slightly higher, which means that the chance of becoming pregnant with twins also increases. This is due to the ongoing age-related changes in hormonal levels.
4. Contraception. It is noted that the chances of becoming pregnant with twins after the abolition of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) increases. This is due to the so-called “rebound effect”. The ovaries, after a long rest, begin to work so efficiently that they can produce several viable eggs.
5. Infertility treatment. More and more infertile couples are being helped by doctors to become parents. One way to increase the chances of pregnancy is stimulation. The drugs prescribed for this often lead to the simultaneous formation and maturation of more than one egg in the ovaries.
6. . During the in vitro fertilization procedure, two or more embryos are implanted into the uterus. Sometimes only one takes root, but often there are more.
7. Malformations of the uterus. Full or partial duplication of the uterus increases the chances of getting pregnant with twins.

The literature describes cases of so-called over-fertilization (the interval between the fertilization of two eggs in this case is more than one menstrual cycle, as a result of which there are two fetuses in the uterus with different gestation periods) and over-fertilization (when fertilization occurs during one ovulatory cycle, but as a result not one intercourse, but different ones).

So, some media confirmed this fact with stories that one woman gave birth to a baby, and a month later another one. There was also information about cases in which a woman gave birth to a black and white child from one pregnancy.

When can I find out about the conception of twins

For the first time, the fact of a multiple pregnancy can be established at the first visit to the gynecologist (the size of the uterus will be larger than the estimated gestational age). But with greater certainty, an ultrasound examination performed at the 5-6th week of pregnancy (detection of two embryos in the uterine cavity) helps to answer this question.

important Also, in the early stages of pregnancy, women bearing twins experience more pronounced toxicosis (nausea, vomiting).