How to Decrease the Chances of Conceiving Twins or Triplets

If twins, triplets, and multiples run in family among your female blood relatives, you may be prone to bearing multiple children at once. Although twins and triplets are double and triple the blessing, there may be reasons why you prefer to conceive just one baby at a time. You cannot completely eliminate the possibility of conceiving twins or triplets, but you can increase the chance of having just one baby.

(1) Avoid fertility drugs that increase your chances of conception. Fertility drugs cause the ovaries to release multiple eggs, which leads to multiple fertilizations, which leads to fraternal twins, triplets, and more! When your ovaries release just one egg, then you either have one baby, or possibly identical twins or triplets (if the embryo splits). If you have trouble conceiving, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments.

(2) Try not to get pregnant right after stopping the pill. When you stop taking the pill, it can take several months for you menstrual and fertility cycle to become normal. During this time, your ovaries may release several eggs, just as would happen if you were taking fertility drugs.

(3) Keep your body weight low, but healthy. Fatter women are generally more fertile than thinner women, and their bodies can support multiple babies. Thinner women are less likely to conceive twins or triplets.

(4) Try to conceive before your mid 30s. Older women are more likely to conceive twins or triplets than younger women.

(5) Stay healthy to keep your fertility cycle regular. Poor health can cause irregularities in ovulation, which can cause you to release more than one egg. Get regularly scheduled checkups, eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise to maintain normal hormone balance and fertility cycle.