A multiple pregnancy means that a woman has two or more babies in her uterus. These babies can come from the same egg or from different eggs.
Identical Twins
Babies that come from the same egg are called identical. This happens when one egg is fertilized by one sperm. The fertilized egg then splits into two or more embryos. Experts think that this happens by chance. It isn't related to your age, race, or family history.
Fraternal Twins
Babies that come from different eggs are called fraternal. This happens when two or more eggs are fertilized by different sperm. Fraternal twins tend to run in families. This means that if anyone in your family has had fraternal twins, you're more likely to have them too.
Babies that come from different eggs are called fraternal. This happens when two or more eggs are fertilized by different sperm. Fraternal twins tend to run in families. This means that if anyone in your family has had fraternal twins, you're more likely to have them too.
Causes for multiple pregnancy
Taking fertility drugs : Fertility drugs help your body make several eggs at a time. This increases the chance that more than one of your eggs will be fertilized.
Having in vitro fertilization to help you get pregnant : When in vitro fertilization is used to help a woman get pregnant, the physician may put several fertilized eggs in the uterus to increase the chances of having at least one baby. But this also makes a multiple pregnancy more likely.
You're also more likely to have more than one baby at a time if:
You're age 35 or older.
You're of African descent.
You've had fraternal twins before.
Anyone on your mom's side of the family has had fraternal twins.
You've just stopped using birth control pills.
