First, it’s important to discuss the different types of twin pregnancies: Dizygotic (or DZ) and Monozygotic (or MZ).

DZ pregnancies refer to twins that are created from two different eggs becoming fertilized at the same time. Whether that is from hyper ovulation (releasing multiple eggs at once) or fertility treatments, this results in fraternal twins.

MZ pregnancies, on the other hand, occur when one egg is fertilized and splits into two, identical embryos. This results in identical twins.

So what can affect your odds of having multiples?

Twins in the family

Many scientists argue that hyperovulation can run in a woman’s family resulting in a higher rate of twins. A male cannot contribute to the release of an egg so, therefore, cannot affect the ovulation status of his partner. A father can, however, pass down the genetic factor of hyperovulation to his daughters who may be more likely to conceive twins in the future.

Fertility Medications / Treatments

There are many reasons why people experience infertility and choose to undergo fertility treatments to conceive children. Some fertility medications can cause hyperovulation, increasing the chances that a woman may carry a set of dizygotic (DZ) twins. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are a few examples of common medications, and what they do:

Clomiphene citrate (Clomid). Stimulates ovulation by causing the pituitary gland to release certain hormones.

Injections that stimulate the ovary to produce multiple eggs. Used to improve a woman’s insulin resistance when this is the suspected cause of infertility.

Letrozole (Femara). Works similarly to Clomiphene, but is used mostly in women under the age of 39 who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Another type of fertility treatment that can affect the chance of conceiving multiples is In-vitro Fertilization (IVF). This process includes taking eggs from a woman’s body, sperm from a man’s body, and fertilizing them in a medical lab. After fertilization, the product becomes an embryo and the patient chooses how many embryos to transfer into the uterus in hopes of implantation. If the patient transfers two or more embryos at one time, the odds of a multiple pregnancy increase.

Certain health conditions

Some argue that certain health conditions or statuses can lead to an increased rate of conceiving twins, specifically obesity. Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. Although this may be true, there is not much scientific evidence to back it up. In fact, studies show that being overweight or obese increases the risk for pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes and preterm labor. Be sure to discuss the ideal diet and level of activity during pregnancy, and while trying to conceive, with your healthcare provider.

Age and Past Pregnancies

Advanced Maternal Age (AMA) is associated with an increased chance of conceiving twins. This also goes hand in hand with parity which refers to the number of previous pregnancies a woman has had. The more pregnancies a woman has undergone, and the higher her age, the greater chance that she will have twins in future pregnancies.

Urban Legends

It is worth mentioning that some people share stories that encourage certain behaviors in order to increase the chances of conceiving twins. Although these have not been backed by science, they have been told for many years and are interesting to discuss! Here are some common ones:

Eating extra dairy: Some say the protein in dairy can increase the odds of conceiving twins.

Increasing folic acid: This nutrient is essential during pregnancy because it reduces the risk for life-threatening conditions such as Spina Bifida in babies. However, some claim that taking folic acid before becoming pregnant may help you have multiples.

Sweet Potatoes: These may contain nutrients that increase your odds of twinning

Eat Cassava: Sometimes referred to as yucca, is a root vegetable that is believed by some to induce hyperovulation.

Drinking Bourbon before conceiving: This beverage has high levels of phytoestrogen.

Good, Old Fashioned Luck!

Ultimately, many twin pregnancies are the result of luck. Even if a woman has a family history of hyper ovulation, is of advanced maternal age, and is taking fertility medications, the conception of twins comes down to her body’s ovulation during that cycle and the success of implantation.

Good luck!

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/twins/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863559/#bib9

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/diagnosis-treatment/drc- 20354313

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5954173/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5571734/#R8

https://www.healthymummy.com/11-old-wives-tales-conceiving-twins-may-actually-true/

The post Factors that Increase your Chances of having Twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

To raise any number of children is a miracle in itself.  Let’s face it- kids are hard.  Each phase ends, and a new one begins.  There is never a break, and it can be emotionally exhausting.  There are 3 ways that I juggle twins that save my sanity and keep me focused during the day.  Without these tools, I would be lost and completely overwhelmed.

1. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule!

My babies were immediately separated at birth due to health complications for my son.  He was in the NICU for 2 weeks at the beginning, which was the start of many more hospitalizations.  However, I knew going into having twins that I had to have a different mindset than if I were to have a singleton. Before they were born, I realized that I would never sleep if they were not on the same schedule.

Once they were both home, I immediately put them on the same schedule, even if it meant waking them up from sleep.  (The “never wake a sleeping baby” is a myth in my eyes).  I fed them at the same time, sometimes tandem breastfeeding, and sometimes one had a bottle while the other breastfed.  They went to sleep together every 3 hours after they fed.  If they both fed on demand, I would have been up 24/7.  Sleep is incredibly important as a parent.  I was sure to get what I could when I could so that I could stay alert and ready for the next move.

2. Make sure your partner is on the same page

I ensured my husband was comfortable bottle feeding from Day 1.  He knew he had as much to do with helping with the babies as I did, and we worked as a team.  We got on a sleeping schedule right away so that I was not the only one doing feeds at night.  I would take the late shifts and he would take the early morning shift so that he would just get ready for work afterward.  Even though he went to work during the day, he knew that at least once during the night, he would be getting up.  Staying at home with two babies is harder than a Full-Time job!  Try to ensure all parties involved are working together.

This includes as the kids are growing up and discipline comes into play.  If you are not on the same page, the kids will become incredibly confused.  If they do not have stability, they will act up even more and things will just get worse.

3. It’s ok to use formula during infant years

I knew right away that I would not be able to exclusively breastfeed due to the issues with my son. Even without those issues, I was never planning on it.  The first three weeks of their life were grueling.  I loathed pumping, breastfeeding hurt, and I was so overwhelmed.  I felt like all I did was feed and pump over and over.  I was ready to quit pumping and breastfeeding during those three weeks.  I used formula when I was too tired or everything hurt too badly.  Once I figured out how to tandem breastfeed, my life changed.  But, by no means, did I stop using formula when I needed it.

These things worked for my family.  I still keep my twins on the same schedule, and they are three!  I don’t regret anything I have done with them, and I truly feel the three things above are absolute wins for twins.  No matter what you decide to do, you are right because that is what is best for your family.  Twins are a different beast, always bringing more unexpected twists and turns.  Just hang in there and know that whatever you are doing is amazing!  We are all Rockstars!

The post Three Wins When You Have Twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

The story was first told in a 1940s bestselling novel, was adapted to the screen for the first time in 1950, and re-entered the hearts of children and families around the world in the early 2000s.

On March 18, 2022, Disney released a new take on the tale on their streaming platform, starring Zach Braff and Gabrielle Union as the parents of a blended family with 12 children.

Among the new wacky dozen are Bronx and Bailey, played by 9-year-old identical twins Sebastian and Christian Cote.

So who ARE Sebastian and Christian Cote?

Although Cheaper by the Dozen is their feature film debut, Sebastian and Christian have been working toward this big break since the tender age of three. The Baltimore, Maryland natives signed with a talent agent and began modeling together – mainly working on commercials for several years.

The twins made the shift to television in 2020, where they played George Keller in the Hulu horror series, Monsterland.

When they aren’t pursuing their acting dreams or working hard in school, Sebastian and Christian are your typical nine-year-old boys. They love playing video games and sports, and are particularly talented in basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. You can often find them hanging out with friends or watching movies. They’re both fans of the Disney movie Encanto.

Just Because They’re Identical Doesn’t Mean They’re Exactly Alike

Like most identical twins, it can be challenging to tell them apart at first glance. However, their shared experiences, along with distinct motivations and interests make them anything but the same.

The bond shared by identical twins is unique and challenging. Unlike sibling rivalry in singletons, “Twin” rivalry, as described by Dr. Joan A. Friedman, is part of a healthy twin relationship. It can often be conflated though, with a misconception that twins can or should always share the same thoughts and feelings.

Sebastian and Christian shared some of their differences and similarities that contribute to their strong bond as brothers and friends as they experience an exciting new chapter in their acting careers.

What’s your most challenging acting role so far?
Sebastian: “My role as Bronx Baker in Cheaper by the Dozen was the most challenging because there were a lot more lines to remember and more emotions to show.”

Christian: “Young George Keller in Hulu’s anthology series “Monsterland” because I had to show more of a range of emotions.”

Which genre of acting do you feel you’d like to explore?
Christian: “I would like to explore Horror because I want to make people scared or creeped out.”

Sebastian: “For me, Action because I want to do fight scenes and my own stunts.”

Who do you consider to be your acting role model or whose career you would like to emulate, and why?
Sebastian: “Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is my acting role model because he’s strong, determined and does some of his own stunts.

Christian: “I consider Lin-Manuel Miranda my acting role model because he acts, sings and writes his own music.”

What’s your dream career?
Sebastian: “I want to be a DJ like Marshmello.”

Christian: “I want to be a doctor, chef and continue to act.”

Life and Family

Christian and Sebastian have done almost everything together. They’re active in sports and excel at school.

What is your favorite memory of one another?
Sebastian: “My favorite memory is smashing cake in each other’s faces during our Zoom quarantine birthday party.”

Christian: “It was riding horses on a mountain in LA.”

What is one thing that you can do well that the other can’t?
Sebastian: “I actually pass the ball and can do layups in basketball.”

Christian: “I can cook better than him.”

What nicknames do you have for each other?
Both: “We call each other Crash and Bash.”

Finally, of course, we have to ask, what is the silliest question you’ve gotten about being twins?
Both: “Are you twins??”

What’s Next?

Sebastian uses words like “cool,” “helpful,” and “funny” to describe his brother. Christian thinks of his sibling as “friendly, “generous” and “smart”. Does this mean more success working together on future projects? We’ll have to wait and see!

As they experience the thrill of their first feature film, we can’t wait to see where their ambition and passion for life will take them next!

You can keep up with everything Sebastian and Christian are doing via their Instagram, @TheCote_Twins.

And be sure to watch and show your support for Sebastian and Christian’s film debut in Cheaper by the Dozen Available now and only on Disney+.

The post Meet Disney’s Cheaper by the Dozen’s Identical Twins! appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

That day, the double rainbow my parents marveled at foreshadowed my existence—only, at the time, they had no idea that 2 weeks later, they would find out they were pregnant with twins. Identical twins.

For most people, starting college, or any new beginning is a lonely endeavor.

For most of my life, I’ve never felt this type of loneliness. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been separated from my identical twin sister, Grace. It’s been nearly 2 decades since my parents marveled at that double rainbow, and I met my best friend. From the neonatal intensive care unit to now, here at Duke, we’ve been through life side-by-side, in every sense of the phrase. Our twinship dominates my identity.

So naturally, orientation week at Duke was filled with the classic phrase chain, “I just met you… Grace, right?” and then, “No way, that was your twin?” which was usually followed by, “I wish I was a twin.” Yup. The first week, month, even semester, was marked by our new peers and friends mixing us up. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be known as Liv, instead of Liv & Grace… or, more commonly, the Haywards. And it’s not that I don’t like that, I do. It’s just that the concept of being known individually seems foreign.

Ever since we were little, we’ve been friends with the same people. As self-proclaimed “floaters” we would sometimes float to different people separately and then introduce our new friends to each other. Although I’ve always felt comfortable spending time with my friends without Grace present, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the twin-ergy we give off when we’re together. We, quite literally, feed off each other’s energy. Given we are two naturally spirited individuals, it’s almost too easy to egg each other on. As much as “double the trouble” is cliché, it is also true. When we’re together, we’re our true selves. It’s hard to explain, but I feel a sense of comfort knowing Grace is with me. In conversations, it’s common for us to seamlessly finish each other’s sentences, share glances that carry meaning without needing the words to accompany them, and usually if one of us starts laughing, it’s virtually impossible for the other to stay serious.

As hard as it is to believe, Grace and I were very close to applying early decision to separate schools. If admitted, this notion of individuality would have been a lot less foreign. But I don’t think either of us was ready to split just yet. Of course, it’s in our cards to live separate lives, but not yet. The athletic, academic, and social obstacles I’ve faced at Duke would have been far more challenging if I didn’t go through them with Grace by my side. There is something remarkably special about having a deep, authentic appreciation of exactly who we are to each other. The phrase “I wish I was a twin” that I’ve heard countless times since starting college is one that consistently reminds me of the gift that is our twinship.

It’s easy to compare twins, especially when they’re identical.

Read that again and tell me that isn’t the most ironic statement. We are as identical as it gets and yet, constantly compared. It sounds wack but I kind of get it. Because we are so alike, there is this desire to find a difference. We’ve heard the phrases “who’s faster, who’s taller, who’s smarter, who’s more outgoing, who’s funnier.” We’ve even been victims to arguably the worst of them all, “who’s prettier.” While we usually let these comments pass, it would be unfair to say they don’t affect our relationship. I sometimes ponder the answers myself. I wonder if the people who ask these questions also answer them with their friends behind closed doors?

What other people say, I’m certain will never cut too deep though. Because in my heart I know that we aren’t competitors fighting to be the “faster, taller, smarter, funnier, prettier, more outgoing” twin. We’re sisters who make each other better and build each other up despite what other people say. And our closest friends will admit, if you spend enough time with us, we’re different people with unique personalities who just happen to look strikingly similar.

The post Double Rainbows – Twinning in College appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Congratulations! You will soon be part of an elite group of moms whose mothering experiences qualify them for the “Believe It or Not!” Club. Friends and family over the years will tell you that if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes or heard it with their own ears, they wouldn’t believe you.

For example, to be rudely graphic, my identical twin baby boys used to fart at exactly the same time—no kidding. My mother-in-law and I would together bottle feed my infant boys and literally within seconds of each other, they would loudly pass gas. The babies were just weeks old, so this wasn’t a planned prank by mischievous male teenagers! (Though prepare yourself for this in the upcoming teen years.) My mother-in-law repeated this story to everyone, saying that if she wasn’t there in person, she wouldn’t have believed it.

Then there were the nights of the tag team crying episodes.

One infant would wake up crying in his crib, and either my husband or I would stagger into the nursery in the wee hours, pat the perpetrator back to sleep, and tiptoe slowly back to bed only—to have the other one start wailing. Hubby and I took turns, sometimes all night long. It took its toll on us physically to the point that we both looked like something the cat dragged in. Proof of this was when I ran into an old high school friend who took one horrified look at me and said, “Karen! What happened?!” My reply: “Twins.”

People may think that if you have identical twins, they will be alike in many ways. Sure they look exactly alike, but in other ways, it may not be even remotely true. For example, my boys are ‘mirror image twins.’ One’s a lefty and one’s a righty. One is a serious, less patient type, and the other is Mr. Easygoing, as evidenced in this early photo. They are going to be 40 years old this year, and this personality difference still holds true.

Also, prepare yourself for the sinister plots your toddlers come up with. They will conspire secretly and shock the heck out of you when you least expect it. For example, and to be graphic again, I learned to pee in 20 seconds or less because of the mischief they would get into whenever I closed the bathroom door behind me. The last straw was when I came out of the bathroom after a 20 seconds pee only to find one toddler standing on the dining room table reaching for the chandelier, and the other one climbing up on a chair to join him. Believe it or not, that was the last time I peed without an audience for a long time.

I will end this congratulatory message with a few interesting and heartwarming observations and synchronicities for you to be on the alert for as your twins are growing up:

• In elementary school, their differing personalities seemed to compliment each other when it came to making friends and fitting in with their classmates. Plus, living in a small home and having to share a bedroom and toys 24/7 helped them become expert negotiators and problem solvers among their friends.
• During the boys’ senior year in high school, I was at home suffering periodically from the extreme effects of chemotherapy. On my sickest days, one of them always seemed to ‘stop by’ on their lunch period to check on me… and they both claim that they didn’t plan it that way.
• Along those same lines, in their older years when they call to say hello to me, more times than not, they call within 5 minutes of each other, unaware that the other had called.

All in all, being a mom of twins has been the single best thing that ever happened to me in my life, gray hair and all!

I have a feeling you just might think so too! Keep your eyes open and your sense of humor ready for the “Believe It or Not!” moments… and welcome to the club!

The post What’s It Like to Raise Twin Boys? appeared first on TWINS Magazine.