Thrice As Nice

A few weeks back we did an informative post on the different types of twins. (Duplicate DNA) This week we decided to do a piece on higher orders of multiples, which is three or more. So keep on reading for some fun facts you might not have known. We definitely learned some new things!

Most triplets are Trizygotic, meaning that each child forms from a separate egg/sperm combination. They are commonly described as "fraternal" multiples, and share the same genetic similarities as any siblings. However, it is not uncommon for triplets to be Dizygotic, which occurs when two eggs are fertilized by sperm, and one of the fertilized eggs splits into two. Essentially, two of the triplets are identical -- twins, sharing the same general DNA characteristics, while the third multiple has a unique genetic heritage.

It is rare for triplets to be completely identical, meaning that all three children formed from a single egg that split three ways, or split into two and then one of the two split again, ultimately resulting in three embryos with the same general DNA characteristics. Some identical triplets are actually quadruplets where one embryo has vanished or been reabsorbed. Research varies on the instances of identical triplets. Estimates range between one in 60,000 and one in 200 million. They are always of the same gender.

The statistics for higher order multiples in the UK have shown a dramatic decrease in recent years. The odds of conceiving triplets are about 1 in 4.400 in the UK. There has been a substantial decrease in the rate of triplet births over the last few years. If you are a part of a triplet you can see why it is so special.

Multiple births of as many as eight babies have been born alive, the first set on record to the Chukwu family in Texas in 1998; one died and seven survived.
In 2009, a second set, the Suleman octuplets, was born in Bellflower, California. The most recent report that all were still alive was shortly before their fifth birthday.

(These Canadian Dionne sisters, were the first quintuplets known to survive infancy , the photograph was taken in 1947)

There have been a few sets of nonuplets (nine) in which a few babies were born alive, though none lived longer than a few days. There have been cases of human pregnancies that started out with ten, eleven, twelve or fifteen fetuses, but no instances of live births. The pregnancies of the 10, 11 and 15 fetuses have all resulted from fertility medications and assisted reproductive technology (ART). However there has been one documented case when 12 fetuses were conceived naturally.

Multiple pregnancies in humans are usually born prior to 38 weeks of gestation, the average length of pregnancy. Thirty-six weeks is average for twin births, thirty-two weeks for triplets and thirty weeks for quadruplets.

Here are terms used for the order of multiple birth:

Two offspring – twins

Three offspring – triplets

Four offspring – quadruplets

Five offspring – quintuplets

Six offspring – sextuplets

Seven offspring – septuplets

Eight offspring – octuplets

Nine offspring – nonuplets

Ten offspring – decaplets

Eleven offspring – undecaplets

Twelve offspring – duodecaplets

Thirteenth offspring - Tredecaplets

Fourteenth offspring - Quattrodecaplets

Fifteenth offspring – Quindecaplets

Can you imagine having 15 in one go?  it's incredible! 

Now that we have a better understanding we can get excited for next week when we’ll have triplets Kelly; Michael and Sarah share their stories! 

For more info go to: Huggies ; About.com ; Wiki