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Are you a gemellologist? You are if you're involved in the scientific study of twins!
Of all twins born worldwide, approximately one third are identical (they come from the same egg), one third are boy/girl fraternal (share the same womb but come from different eggs), and one third are same sex fraternal. Of all identical twins born, about half are both boys and half are both girls. And of the same sex fraternal, half are both boys and half are both girls.
• Of the five types of twin births, about 40% are fraternal boy/girl, followed by girl/girl fraternal and boy/boy fraternal. Identical twins are the least common, with boy/boy identical representing the least common percentage of all twin births.
• The unique bond between identical twins, is commonly known. In fact, identical twins have almost identical brainwave patterns. This can cause one twin to feel pain when the other is injured, or give twins the ability to "read each other's mind." Twins can develop similar physical abnormalities such as each twin missing the same permanent tooth.
• Scientists believe that the number of twin conceptions greatly outnumbers the number of twin births, some say that as many as one in eight births began with twins, while in only one in 70 births produce twins. One author claims that "80% of twin pregnancies result in the loss of one or both babies," though other sources cite this number at about 30%. Of the 133 million people born worldwide in 2000, an estimated seven million should have been twins.
• Australia produced the world's first test-tube twins in June 1981. They are also know for producing the world's first triplets and quadruplets.
• Eating yams may enhance your chance to conceive twins, as can living in the western part of the world compared to the east. Nigeria has the highest rate of multiple births and more identical twins. China has the lowest with the chance for multiple births averaging only one in 300.
• In 1996 there 50,375 sets of twins, 1,766 sets of triplets, 140 sets and quadruplets, and 16 sets of quintuplets were born in the United States.
• In the early to mid-1700's (1725-1765), a Russian peasant gave birth to 16 sets of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quadruplets.
• Eli Shadrack Phipps and John Meshak Phipps, born February 14, 1803, in Virginia were the world's oldest known twins. They lived to be 108 and 113, respectively.
• The chance of identical twins living to be 100 years old is one in seven million.
• The care of triplets takes over 197 hours a week.
• Of 3,000 families polled, 33% said they chose to give each multiple a totally unique name rather than those that sound similar.
• According to one source, there are approximately 125 million multiples living today.
• Many twins and multiples develop and speak a language that only they understand
• Many famous people have had twins or are a twin themselves. For instance...  President George W. and Laura Bush have twin daughters Baseball superstar, Jose Canseco, has a lesser-known twin brother, Ozzie, who also made it to the big leagues for awhile Two other pro baseball players, Damon and Ryan Minor, are actually mirror twins (see above) Actress Julia Roberts and Daniel Moder gave birth to twins in 2004 Pop Singer/Songwriter Alanis Morrisette has a fraternal twin brother Maurice and Robin Gibb of the well-known Pop group, the Bee Gees, were twins Jill Hennessy of the Crossing Jordan TV series has a twin sister, Jacqueline
• The typical chance of having twins is about 1 in 80, the chance of having identical twins, about 1 in 250.
• The highest incidence of twins among a particular ethnic group is about 10% in a the small fishing village Linha Sao Pedro in the city of Candido Godoi, Brazil.
• Fertility drugs which cause the mother to release multiple eggs have caused a virtual "epidemic of multiple births." According to Wikipedia, in 2001, approximately 6% of all children born in the United States were twins.
• The largest surviving set of multiples is of septuplets (four boys and three girls) born in Des Moines, Iowa on November 19, 1997, to Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey. Next largest were sextuplets (all girls) born in Liverpool, England on November 18, 1983, to Janet and Graham Walton.
NOTE: These statistics and data were compiled from a variety of sources including The US Census Bureau, Wikipedia, BBC Newswatch, First Science and others.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marian Thompson is the owner and operator of Be Here Soon, unique baby gifts and maternity online boutique dedicated to helping you find memorable baby shower gifts, maternity gifts and more. Visit http://beheresoon.com today to discover even more fun facts,interesting trivia about twins and twin gifts. (c) 2006 Be Here Soon- last updated 03/12/08.
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