Twin Experts

Ok-- was wondering what the consensus is here-- DH and I have researched this, and so has SIL.

If Twins run in the family-- how is it passed on?

I have found- it needs to be passed through the mother, NOT the father. SIL has found that it can be passed through either parent.

A little background-- both of DH's parents' siblings are fraternal twins- meaning his mom has siblings who are fraternal, and so does his father- but neither one of his parents are twins. Therefore, it runs on both sides of his family- double the chances for SIL, but I think not for me, if it skips only one generation.

Thoughts?

Re: Twin Experts

From what I have found fraternal twins are the ones that run in families. If you get pregnant naturally with fraternals it means your body gave off two eggs that month and your DH's sperm fertilized both of them. As such, the thought that it runs in families goes along the mothers side of the family. So if you mother had fraternals it means her body for some biological reason gave off two eggs and you will be more apt to do so.

Sorry to put a damper on your thinking, but your husbands side is not the side to focus on. For you SIL there is a chance she might become pregnant with twins because her grandmother had them. Her mother might have released two eggs some months, but both might not of been fertilized either.

However, when i first found out i was having twins they thought they were fraternal (they are identical we found out) and when i said to my doctor but it does not run in my family, he said it could always start with you.

It's rare enough for a woman to give off two eggs in one month, even rarer for both to be fertilized. However if you DH family is known to get the job done (and you might give off two eggs one month) their might be a chance.

Hope this helps.

ETA - I don't believe their is any scientific research that proves it skips a generation either. That is just another twin myth i believe.

Message edited 4/7/2006 9:08:52 AM.

Re: Twin Experts

We are the first on both sides to have twins. SO I'm no help! SORRY!

Re: Twin Experts

Identical is a fluke thing, it does not run in families.

From what I have read, fraternal runs on the moms side,and doesn't skip a generation.

I also heard that since more women are having babies alter, the chance of fraternal is higher, since your body is not functioning at its optimal level. So like the Dr said it can start anywhere.

Re: Twin Experts

Thanks-- I know that fraternal is hereditary- was just wondering if you found it passed through the mother or the father. Honestly, the thought of twins is overwhelming- which is why we did the research in the first place- but, I recently had a convo with SIL whose findings were different than mine-- hence my post.

Thanks!

Re: Twin Experts

I'm not sure how it could be passed thru the father when the mother is the one who is dropping more than one egg.