How to Conceive Twins

So you want to know how to conceive twins, naturally? Babies are a joy, and twins are twice the fun, at least according to many twin parents and twin siblings. For parents who have always wanted to know how to have twins, here are a few things you can do to increase the odds, naturally. While many things are out of your control (such as twins running in your family) there are other aspects you can influence. Even if you're simply curious about factors that increase the likelihood of having multiples, without fertility drugs, read on. Here are some tips on how to conceive twins naturally.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Partner of the opposite sex
• Cassava (wild yam)
• Folic Acid
• Milk to drink
• Fertility awareness chart

1. 
   Fertility Awareness

   Learn Fertility Awareness and how to monitor the female cycle to pinpoint the optimal time for intercourse. Having sex at the fertile time of the cycle is necessary to learn how to conceive twins (or even one baby).

2. 
   Folic acid

   Take folic acid daily. Folic acid is important for any healthy pregnancy, and it has also been shown to increase the likelihood of conceiving twins--an additional one woman out of 176 taking folic acid will bear twins, as compared to women not taking the supplement. If you want to have twins, start taking folic acid at least one month before conception.

3. 
   Cassava Root

   Eat cassava root, a type of wild yam found in Africa. In a region in Africa where cassava is a staple of the local diet, women have the highest rate of twins found anywhere in the world. Many nutrition researches agree that eating this yam increases ovulation.

4. 
   Drink milk

   Drink milk and eat beef to increase the odds of having twins. According to Dr Gary Steinman, lead scientist in a medical study of twins, women who have a milk-based diet are more likely to conceive twins naturally than their vegan counterparts. It is thought that natural properties in milk may stimulate the ovaries, encouraging the production of multiple eggs for conception.

5. 
   Breastfeed

   Keep nursing your infant or toddler while you try to conceive twins naturally. According to one study, women who are still breastfeeding and yet fertile are slightly more likely to produce twins.

6. 

   Gain a little weight. Women with slightly higher fat percentages and those who are a little overweight are more likely to have twins. Don't overdo it, however--your health is especially important during pregnancy.

7. 
   Fraternal Twins

   Have a family history of fraternal twins. This one is out of your control, but if the mother has fraternal twins in her family, she is more likely to have twins of her own. You can quite possibly conceive twins (or improve your chances) without a family history, but it helps.

Tips & Warnings

• Maximize your intake of whole foods to optimize your nutrition and increase your chances of carrying twins to term.
• Eat a healthy diet as you try to conceive twins and become pregnant. Your body needs to have a good supply of nutrients to conceive and nourish two babies.
• Have several babies and try to conceive twins in your late 30's or early 40's. Women who already have had children and are slightly older are more likely to have twins.
• Multiple carry more risks than singletons. Be sure you are in top physical condition before trying to conceive twins, and discuss the implications with your midwife or OB-GYN.

Resources

• Taking Charge of Your Fertility (book)
• Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor
• The Everything Getting Pregnant Book
• Win free stuff for expectant parents and new babies
• Shop for new baby at the Baby Center store

[mike-seesholtz]

on 10/18/2009 Great Article, and much luck to your continued success on eHow :)

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 8/28/2009 Interesting ways to increase the chances of having twins.

[dorigillman]

on 6/6/2009 i thought the only way to really get twins by trying was fertility drugs. it is up to nature for the most part, otherwise. i have identical twins and my husband's mother is an identical twins. identical are much more uncommon, but there are several sets on my husband's side.

[tracyb239]

on 4/4/2009 I have a question...I am an identical twin with 2 sets of faternal twin cousins, how likely is it that I'd have twins of my own? Please write me back at [e-mail] with more info. because I'm trying get pregnant with twins.

[valena]

on 3/23/2009 shervel88, u may get the cassava roots in the Philippines. They are very cheap. People there cook them into native recipes like Cassava cake, boiled, grilled, etc.