Multiple Births: Myths and More

Multiple Births: Myths and More

By Shawn Tassone, MD and Kathryn Landherr, MD

Multiple births are on the rise in the United States. Twenty years ago, the number of twins born in this country was 90,118; in 2006, that number increased to 137,085. This increase is a result of fertility drugs, medical technology that is used to “save” high risk pregnancies, and women bearing children at older ages. Approximately 35 percent of pregnancies that occur from the use of fertility drugs result in multiple births. Of course, a woman can naturally conceive twins, triplets or quadruplets, particularly if she is:

• Over age 35
• Has a history of multiple births on her side of the family
• Is of African descent
• Has had one previous multiple pregnancy

Myths have always surrounded the topic of multiple pregnancies and births. Following are some statements and beliefs that we frequently encounter in our clinic.

• The majority of multiple births come from infertility treatments.

Believe it of not, this statement is false. The majority of multiple births occur   naturally.

• You can’t breastfeed multiples, or if you do, you must never supplement with or use a bottle.

Another false statement. You can breastfeed twins and you can use a bottle.

The logistics of breastfeeding twins is a good conversation to have with a  lactation specialist.

• There’s a good twin and a bad twin in every pair.

Maybe in movies and books this tends to be true, but not in real life.

• Multiples are always born by C-section.

Although the chances of having a C-section increases with a multiple  pregnancy, the procedure is not always required. If conditions are favorable,  many doctors are willing to try a vaginal delivery. In fact, obstetricians even  have a lower C-section rate with twins than with single births.

• Twins have ESP.

There are no hard facts to prove that twins are more psychic than others.  This is more the stuff of movies and fiction.

Famous People With a Twin

• Mario Andretti, race car driver (twin brother Aldo)
• Montgomery Cliff, actor (twin sister Roberta)
• Vin Diesel, actor (fraternal twin brother Paul Vincent)
• Joseph Fiennes, actor (twin brother Jacob)
• Andy Garcia, actor (parasitic twin brother removed from Andy’s shoulder; died soon after)
• Jon Heder, actor (identical twin brother Daniel)
• Scarlett Johansson, actress (twin brother Hunter)
• Ashton Kutcher, actor (fraternal twin brother Michael)
• Alanis Morissette, singer (twin brother Wade)
• Elvis Presley, singer (twin brother Jesse Garon died at birth)
• Isabella Rossellini, actress (twin sister Isotta Ingrid)
• Curtis Strange, pro golfer (identical twin brother Allen)
• Kiefer Sutherland, actor (twin sister Rachel)