Reader Question: What Are My Chances of Having Twins?

Q. Loretta asks, "My mother has a twin brother and the father of my baby has a twin sister what are my chances of this baby being twins?

A. This is one of the most common questions that I receive. What are my chances of having twins? Unfortunately, it's simply not a question that I can answer. I don't have a crystal ball. (If I did, I would spend more time gambling in Las Vegas and less time writing blogs!)

Statistics about the odds of twins address populations, not individuals. For example, the current birth rate for twins is about 1 in every 32 births, or about 3%. Certain factors can increase or decrease an individual's chances of having twins, but it's not possible to assign a specific number and "rate" their chances of having twins.

Here are some of the factors that increase a woman's chances of having twins:

• A family history of dizygotic twinning on the mother's side (for example, Loretta's mother was a fraternal twin)


• Being overweight or tall. (Women with a BMI over 30 or those who are in the top 25th percentile for height)


• Being over the age of 45


• Taking fertility-enhancing drugs or undergoing reproductive assistance


• Having a previous set of dizygotic multiples (mothers of fraternal twins are four times as likely to have another set of twins)

Unfortunately for Loretta -- and all the others that email me every day -- I am unable to give you a specific answer. Only your doctor or medical caregiver can tell you if you are having twins, so be sure to express your concerns during your next prenatal checkup.

More Information about the Odds of Twins

• The Odds of Twins


• How to Have Twins


• Twin & Multiple Birth Statistics


• Am I Having Twins? Quiz