The average woman has a 3% chance of conceiving twins, but there are some steps women can take to increase your odds of conceiving twins. Although there are no guarantees, there are both natural and medical methods that can increase the chance of falling pregnant with multiples. Diet, ethnicity, genetics and lifestyle all play a role in whether a woman is more apt to have twins.
1. Having a family history of twins will increase your chances of having twins. This is true if you have a family history of twins, meaning someone on your mother’s side or father’s side of the family has had twins, especially if they had fraternal twins. If your partner has twins in his family, it doesn’t help you any. If you already have twins, your chance increases at least 4x.
2. African American women are more likely to conceive twins than Caucasian women. And, Asian women have a lower chance of conceiving twins. Twins are also more common in older women.
3. Studies have shown women who have folate (folinic acid is preferable to the man made folic acid) have a 40% increase in twin pregnancies, although this appears to be more particularly aimed at women who’ve had IVF.
4. Cassava – This African variant of sweet potato is believed to cause hyperovulation and increase the chance of multiples.
5. Studies have shown women who consume a lot of dairy are more likely to conceive twins. This is believed to be due to Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) in cows and possibly some of the hormones they have administered to them.
6. Older women produce higher amounts of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) which increases the chance of dropping multiple eggs. However fertility rates also go down as women age, so waiting too long can also lower the chances of falling pregnant at all.
7. Women who are tall and of medium or high weight ranges have a higher chance of conceiving twins.
8. If you’re breastfeeding when you fall pregnant, the likelihood of twins is higher.
9. The more babies you have, the more chance you’ll fall pregnant with multiples. Women with 4 or more pregnancies increase their chances of twins dramatically. It seems that the body is more likely to have twins after it knows you “can take it.”
10. Magnesium/Calcium – There is anecdotal evidence that taking these two in combination can increase the risk of twins (although you should check dosage with your doctor/chemist). It may also increase the chance of having girls.
11. Maca Root – A peruvian fertility treatment that appears to increase the chance of twins.
12. Medical Methods – Taking fertility drugs such as Clomid (prescription only, and should be taken with medical supervision) as well as multiple egg implantation via IVF can often increase the chance of multiples.
13. Miscarriage – Although a terribly sad event for any parent, sometimes a blessing can follow. Anecdotally, women are more likely to conceive twins after a miscarriage.
