Seeing Double
Older Mothers, Fertility Aids Boost Multiple Births in U.S.

 Listen to Linda Wertheimer's report.

Aug. 31, 2001 -- If you think you're seeing evidence of more twins -- usually double strollers rolling down the sidewalk -- it's not a coincidence, or an illusion. The most recent government statistics prove that the incidence of twins has almost doubled in the past two decades.

Dr. Barbara Luke of the University of Michigan medical school holds infant twins. Photo: University of Michigan

In 1980, there were 68,000 children born as twins, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By 1999, the number was up to more than 114,000. And the reasons for the increase in multiple births have as much to do with changes in American lifestyles as it does with biology.

Women are generally having children later in life, says Dr. Barbara Luke of the University of Michigan medical school. Luke told NPR's Linda Wertheimer that in some cases, they are using in vitro fertilization technology or fertility drugs to increase their chances of getting pregnant.

Luke says that women over the age of 40 are more likely to ovulate twice in a cycle. Also, in vitro fertilization and fertility drugs are more likely to result in multiple births. Luke, who is chief of the school's Division of Perinatal Epidemiology, has written a book about the challenges of multiple births, "Greater Expectations: When Twins, Triplets, or Quads Are On The Way."

But the numbers don't tell the full story -- the real challenge begins when the twins come home from the hospital. In short, parents need two of just about everything -- and there are several places that specialize in outfitting twins. Sometimes, it turns out that buying for two may in fact be slightly cheaper than buying for one.

Facts About Mothers and Twins • Since 1990, the twin birth rate has risen 80 percent for women aged 40 to 44, and almost 600 percent for women aged 45 to 49. • The chances of twins is highest for women aged 50 to 54. In 1999, the latest year that numbers are available, more than one-third of women in this age group gave birth to twins. • Mothers of multiple children suffer more complications before and after birth than mothers of single infants. • On average, twins weigh about one-third less than single newborns, and triplets weigh about one-half as much. • Multiple-birth infants are more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care, and are less likely to survive the first year of life. Source: National Vital Statistics Report, April 2001

But twins aren't cheap, no matter where you shop. Ginger Aubry, who works at a baby furniture store named Schneider's on New York City's lower east side -- and just happens to be a grandmother to newborn twins -- advises parents of twins to save up for big ticket items like cribs. In most cases, it seems you will have to get two of everything after all.

Her advice for the best gift for parents of twins? A double breast pump.

Pat Malmstrom has worked with parents of twins for three decades. She runs Twin Services in Berkeley Calif., and has some advice of her own: borrow everything, if you can, join support groups and get hand-me-downs.

Malmstrom teamed up with Janet Poland to write the book "The Art of Parenting Twins," and sums up the whole experience in one phrase: twin shock.

For a bigger perspective on the challenge of raising twins, NPR caught up with former correspondent John Hockenberry and his wife Allison Craiglow Hockenberry. Together they have two sets of twins -- two older daughters, and two new additions to the family born this summer.

Other Resources

TwinsMagazine.com -- online version of the national magazines for parents of multiple birth children.

TwinsFoundation.com conducts research and provides services for parents of twins.

PreemieTwins.com -- online resources for parents with twins born prematurely.

TwinsAdvice.com -- resources and links for parents of twins.

ToBuyTwo.com -- online auction site with twin-specific items for sale.

Twice-As-Nice-Shop.com -- clothing and accessories for twins.