A farming community in southwest Nigeria has been named the The Land of Twins because almost all the babies born here are twins.
And, this even has the experts baffled.
Community leader Olayide Akinyemi, a 71-year-old father of 12, reveals that for generations, people in Igbo-Ora had been welcoming twins and not single children into the family.
“There is hardly a family here without a set of twins. My father had 10 sets, while I had three sets,” China Daily quoted him, as saying.
Overall, almost 5 percent of all Yoruba births produce twins, a Belgian study has now found. The figure is just around 1.2 percent for Western Europe and 0.8 percent for Japan.
They believe that one of the reasons may be yam consumption in West Africa.
Yams contain a natural hormone phytoestrogen which may stimulate the ovaries to produce an egg from each side.
However, while some of Igbo-Ora’s residents believe that this might be a good theory, others are not so sure.
“We eat a lot of okro leaf or Ilasa soup. We also consume a lot of agida (yam). This diet influences multiple births,” Akinyemi said.
“The real cause of the phenomenon has not been medically found,” said Akin Odukogbe, a senior consultant gynaecologist with the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the nearest big town. (ANI)
Friday, 16 November 2007
Quintuplets mother 'advised to abort'
Doctors in Russia urged a woman pregnant with quintuplets to have selective terminations, it has emerged.
The woman has since given birth to the first set of quintuplets to be born in Britain for 10 years. She had had a drug-based fertility treatment which makes multiple births more likely, but refused to have abortions on religious grounds.
The mother, a 29-year-old music teacher who does not wish to be named, gave birth to five girls 14 weeks prematurely at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Saturday.
They were born by caesarean section and their weights range from 1lb 13oz to 2lb 2oz.
The babies are said to be doing well and are being cared for in intensive care units at the John Radcliffe and at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in west London.
The woman and her husband had travelled to Oxford after doctors in Russia advised her to have a selective reduction, in which some of the foetuses are aborted to give the remaining ones a better chance of survival.
The treatment was paid for by wellwishers in Russia. It is thought around eight in 10 babies born so early survive.
Mr Lawrence Impey, an obstetrician who led her care, said: "I'm very pleased to be able to help this delightful family.
"Mother is recovering well and the babies are doing well."
The babies will be cared for in Britain until they are strong enough to go home.
Their mother received intensive treatment in recent weeks to prevent her from delivering even earlier.
The woman has since given birth to the first set of quintuplets to be born in Britain for 10 years. She had had a drug-based fertility treatment which makes multiple births more likely, but refused to have abortions on religious grounds.
The mother, a 29-year-old music teacher who does not wish to be named, gave birth to five girls 14 weeks prematurely at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Saturday.
They were born by caesarean section and their weights range from 1lb 13oz to 2lb 2oz.
The babies are said to be doing well and are being cared for in intensive care units at the John Radcliffe and at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in west London.
The woman and her husband had travelled to Oxford after doctors in Russia advised her to have a selective reduction, in which some of the foetuses are aborted to give the remaining ones a better chance of survival.
The treatment was paid for by wellwishers in Russia. It is thought around eight in 10 babies born so early survive.
Mr Lawrence Impey, an obstetrician who led her care, said: "I'm very pleased to be able to help this delightful family.
"Mother is recovering well and the babies are doing well."
The babies will be cared for in Britain until they are strong enough to go home.
Their mother received intensive treatment in recent weeks to prevent her from delivering even earlier.
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Baby units stretched to breaking point
Units for sick and premature babies have been stretched more than ever in the past year, a charity claims. Baby care charity Bliss says its survey of 195 neonatal units across the country revealed that a lack of resources and staff means units are now at breaking point. Only a handful of units met the minimum nursing levels, resulting in some being forced to refuse new admissions for considerable periods of time. The survey showed that units have to turn away people for an average of two weeks in a six month period. Ten per cent said they closed their doors for eight weeks or more every six months. This in turn leads to parents having to travel longer distances to find an available unit and can result in twins and triplets needing special care being separated; 35 per cent of these babies were found to parted in this way. One in eight of the most specialist units operated at an average occupancy of 100 per cent or more for a whole year, but half of these units have half or less of the minimum staffing levels. Bliss says that despite an increase of new nurses, 2,600 more are needed to meet recommended standards. Until this is reached the charity warns staff morale will remain low and parents who are already anxious about their children will face extra stress. Bliss chief executive Andy Cole said: "Bliss is concerned that the government still gives less priority to intensive care for babies than for adults and children, even though all the evidence points to a neonatal service that is on the brink of collapse. 'The Department of Health's recent commitment to provide extra midwives is a step in the right direction for maternity services. We now need to see the same commitment to ensuring there are adequate numbers of trained neonatal nurses for those babies born sick or premature.'
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
School has 20 sets of twins on the roll
Taking the register is a little more tricky, but one school is celebrating having 20 sets of twins on the roll.
The Grange School in Hartford, near Northwich, Cheshire, achieved that distinction when four new pairs enrolled this month.
The Grange School, Cheshire, says it has so much experience teaching twins that it specialises in looking after them
That means that roughly one in 28 of those attending the 1,140-pupil school in Cheshire is a twin.
The Grange says it has so much experience teaching twins that it specialises in looking after them.
Ariel Leese-Jones, whose four-year-old girls, Athena and Bianca, have just started at the school, said her daughters felt more comfortable with other twins in the playground.
"They are in the same class and this seems to have worked really well," she said. "There's been no starting-school trauma as it's been a case of waking up with your best friend then going to school with her.
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"Having said that, they are different personalities and they have also made different friends."
Stephen Bennett, the headmaster, said his staff always treated pupils as individuals and were not afraid to separate brothers and sisters if they felt they would benefit.
"Some twins, especially when starting school, seem to flourish better with the close support of their brother or sister. Others are keen to stop being one of a pair as soon as possible. Just because twins start off together, doesn't mean they remain that way.
"The golden rule, of course, is to treat them as the individuals they are. Forget they are twins, even if they look alike." But Mr Bennett admitted that teachers were sometimes baffled.
"Form teachers very rarely get the twins mixed up, but it certainly can happen.
"We have one pair of twins who are so alike that even their brother sometimes gets them mixed up."
Fees start at £6,060 a year at the school but there is a 10 per cent discount for siblings.
Nationally, there has been a steady increase in multiple births, attributed to fertility treatments such as IVF. At present, one in 34 babies born is a twin, compared with one in 52 in 1980.
The Grange School in Hartford, near Northwich, Cheshire, achieved that distinction when four new pairs enrolled this month.
The Grange School, Cheshire, says it has so much experience teaching twins that it specialises in looking after them
That means that roughly one in 28 of those attending the 1,140-pupil school in Cheshire is a twin.
The Grange says it has so much experience teaching twins that it specialises in looking after them.
Ariel Leese-Jones, whose four-year-old girls, Athena and Bianca, have just started at the school, said her daughters felt more comfortable with other twins in the playground.
"They are in the same class and this seems to have worked really well," she said. "There's been no starting-school trauma as it's been a case of waking up with your best friend then going to school with her.
advertisement
"Having said that, they are different personalities and they have also made different friends."
Stephen Bennett, the headmaster, said his staff always treated pupils as individuals and were not afraid to separate brothers and sisters if they felt they would benefit.
"Some twins, especially when starting school, seem to flourish better with the close support of their brother or sister. Others are keen to stop being one of a pair as soon as possible. Just because twins start off together, doesn't mean they remain that way.
"The golden rule, of course, is to treat them as the individuals they are. Forget they are twins, even if they look alike." But Mr Bennett admitted that teachers were sometimes baffled.
"Form teachers very rarely get the twins mixed up, but it certainly can happen.
"We have one pair of twins who are so alike that even their brother sometimes gets them mixed up."
Fees start at £6,060 a year at the school but there is a 10 per cent discount for siblings.
Nationally, there has been a steady increase in multiple births, attributed to fertility treatments such as IVF. At present, one in 34 babies born is a twin, compared with one in 52 in 1980.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Eating Junk food whilst pregant & breastfeeding - obese kids
Mothers who eat junk food during pregnancy and breastfeeding may be putting their children at risk of overeating and developing obesity, according to a study funded by the Wellcome Trust and carried out at the Royal Veterinary College, London.
The research suggests that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not indulge in fatty, sugary and salty foods under the misguided assumption that they are "eating for two".The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that rats fed a diet of processed junk food such as doughnuts, muffins, biscuits, crisps and sweets during pregnancy and lactation gave birth to offspring which overate and had a preference for junk foods rich in fat, sugar and salt when compared to the offspring of rats given regular feed. The research team behind the study believe the findings have implications for humans.Obesity is a major cause of disease, associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. According to a report by the World Health Organization(2), around 1.6 billion humans were classified as overweight worldwide in 2005 and 400 million were obese. Obesity affects populations increasingly earlier in life with over 20 million children under the age of five being classed as overweight."Our study has shown that eating large quantities of junk food when pregnant and breastfeeding could impair the normal control of appetite and promote an exacerbated taste for junk food in offspring," says lead author Dr Stéphanie Bayol. "This could send offspring on the road to obesity and make the task of teaching healthy eating habits in children even more challenging.”Controlling appetite is complex, involving hormones which signal to the brain to regulate energy balance, hunger and satiety (feeling of fullness). However, feeding is not only a matter of regulating energy balance; it is also a pleasurable experience that involves “reward centres” in the brain, such that the combination of pleasure with feeding may occasionally override the normal regulation of satiety. Previous research has shown that junk foods rich in fat and sugar inhibit the satiety signals while promoting hunger and stimulating the reward centres."Exposure to a maternal junk food diet during their foetal and suckling life might help explain why some individuals might find it harder than others to control their junk food intake even when given access to healthier foods later in life," explains Dr Bayol.Professor Neil Stickland, a co-author on the study, who heads the research group at the Royal Veterinary College, believes that mothers need to be made aware of the risks associated with a poor diet."The government is trying to encourage healthier eating habits in schools, but our research shows that healthy eating habits need to start during the foetal and suckling life of an individual," says Professor Stickland. "Giving children better school dinners is very good, but more needs to be done to raise awareness in pregnant and breastfeeding women as well. Future mothers should be aware that pregnancy and lactation are not the time to over-indulge on fatty-sugary treats on the misguided assumption that they are 'eating for two'."
The research suggests that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not indulge in fatty, sugary and salty foods under the misguided assumption that they are "eating for two".The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that rats fed a diet of processed junk food such as doughnuts, muffins, biscuits, crisps and sweets during pregnancy and lactation gave birth to offspring which overate and had a preference for junk foods rich in fat, sugar and salt when compared to the offspring of rats given regular feed. The research team behind the study believe the findings have implications for humans.Obesity is a major cause of disease, associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. According to a report by the World Health Organization(2), around 1.6 billion humans were classified as overweight worldwide in 2005 and 400 million were obese. Obesity affects populations increasingly earlier in life with over 20 million children under the age of five being classed as overweight."Our study has shown that eating large quantities of junk food when pregnant and breastfeeding could impair the normal control of appetite and promote an exacerbated taste for junk food in offspring," says lead author Dr Stéphanie Bayol. "This could send offspring on the road to obesity and make the task of teaching healthy eating habits in children even more challenging.”Controlling appetite is complex, involving hormones which signal to the brain to regulate energy balance, hunger and satiety (feeling of fullness). However, feeding is not only a matter of regulating energy balance; it is also a pleasurable experience that involves “reward centres” in the brain, such that the combination of pleasure with feeding may occasionally override the normal regulation of satiety. Previous research has shown that junk foods rich in fat and sugar inhibit the satiety signals while promoting hunger and stimulating the reward centres."Exposure to a maternal junk food diet during their foetal and suckling life might help explain why some individuals might find it harder than others to control their junk food intake even when given access to healthier foods later in life," explains Dr Bayol.Professor Neil Stickland, a co-author on the study, who heads the research group at the Royal Veterinary College, believes that mothers need to be made aware of the risks associated with a poor diet."The government is trying to encourage healthier eating habits in schools, but our research shows that healthy eating habits need to start during the foetal and suckling life of an individual," says Professor Stickland. "Giving children better school dinners is very good, but more needs to be done to raise awareness in pregnant and breastfeeding women as well. Future mothers should be aware that pregnancy and lactation are not the time to over-indulge on fatty-sugary treats on the misguided assumption that they are 'eating for two'."
Friday, 24 August 2007
Father of twins blasts A Level 'lottery' after 'cleverest' daughter fails to win university place
The father of twins who both achieved five A grade A-levels today described the university allocation system as a "lottery" after one of his daughters failed to win a university place.
Tania and Mahua Bhaduri both plan to study medicine. But while Mahua has won a place at Imperial College London, Tania will be taking a gap year before reapplying next year because she was not offered a university place.
Tania and Mahua Bhaduri both plan to study medicine
Her father, Dr Bim Bhaduri, said this was despite the fact she was the smarter of the two. He described her as "brighter and sharper" than her non-identical twin and said she took several of her 12 GCSEs a year early.
Tania was rejected by universities including Oxford, Bristol, and Sheffield, he said.
Dr Bhaduri, a consultant paediatrician at Maidstone Hospital said: "The system is really a lottery, they can't differentiate between bright and brighter and this is a problem. The two girls both did very well but only one of them got a place to go to university.
"I'm very proud of them but I'm disappointed by the system, disappointed in the sense that one of my girls got into Imperial - probably the second best university in the country - but the other one didn't get a place anywhere."
Tania and Mahua, 18, attended Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls in Kent. The twins, of West Malling, Kent, both studied biology, chemistry, French and maths. Tania studied psychology and Mahua studied geography.
Tania said she was "happy" for her twin. Mahua said: "I'm glad we got the same results. She deserves it as well, probably more than me. I think she works harder."
Both girls said the secret of their success was hard work and support from the school, which has an excellent reputation.
Tania and Mahua Bhaduri both plan to study medicine. But while Mahua has won a place at Imperial College London, Tania will be taking a gap year before reapplying next year because she was not offered a university place.
Tania and Mahua Bhaduri both plan to study medicine
Her father, Dr Bim Bhaduri, said this was despite the fact she was the smarter of the two. He described her as "brighter and sharper" than her non-identical twin and said she took several of her 12 GCSEs a year early.
Tania was rejected by universities including Oxford, Bristol, and Sheffield, he said.
Dr Bhaduri, a consultant paediatrician at Maidstone Hospital said: "The system is really a lottery, they can't differentiate between bright and brighter and this is a problem. The two girls both did very well but only one of them got a place to go to university.
"I'm very proud of them but I'm disappointed by the system, disappointed in the sense that one of my girls got into Imperial - probably the second best university in the country - but the other one didn't get a place anywhere."
Tania and Mahua, 18, attended Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls in Kent. The twins, of West Malling, Kent, both studied biology, chemistry, French and maths. Tania studied psychology and Mahua studied geography.
Tania said she was "happy" for her twin. Mahua said: "I'm glad we got the same results. She deserves it as well, probably more than me. I think she works harder."
Both girls said the secret of their success was hard work and support from the school, which has an excellent reputation.
UK women OK with multiple embryo transfer risks
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) would rather have twins -- and accept the risks that can come with a multiple pregnancy -- than not become pregnant at all, a study by UK researchers found.
One quarter of IVF pregnancies in Europe result in twins, Graham S. Scotland of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and colleagues note in their report. Given the increased risks of twin pregnancies to both mother and children, they add, many European nations have shifted to a policy of single embryo transfer.
But in the UK, where local funding may only provide for a single round of IVF treatment, people have been less willing to accept this practice. Policymakers have debated about whether the decision to have more than one embryo implanted should be a patient choice, or a medical decision.
To investigate the perception of risks associated with twin pregnancies, Scotland and his team surveyed 74 women awaiting IVF, asking them about their relative preferences for having a child with physical impairments, cognitive impairments, visual impairments, early death, premature delivery, or no pregnancy at all.
Overall, women said they would rather have a child with physical impairment, cognitive impairment, or visual impairment than not become pregnant at all, but women preferred not becoming pregnant to having a child who died. Women also said they would prefer delivering a child prematurely to not becoming pregnant at all.
"Our findings seem to suggest that being made aware of these risks, explaining what they are and what they would entail, might not be necessarily enough to put people off having double embryo transfer," Scotland told Reuters Health.
While the absolute increased risk of problems with twin pregnancies compared to single births is relatively small, he added, at a population level the increased health care costs involved with multiple births are substantial.
Scotland pointed out that preliminary evidence from Europe shows that single embryo transfers are just as likely to result in pregnancy as transfers of two or more embryos. But to make single embryo transfer acceptable in the UK at this point, he and his colleagues say, it may be necessary to offer more rounds of IVF "so as to assure women that they have as good a chance of a live birth in the long run as they would with double embryo transfer."
But this recommendation may be hard to put into practice, Scotland noted. While the UK's National Health Service recommends funding three cycles of IVF for women younger than 40, he explained, tight budgets at local health authorities mean many women may only be offered a single try. "The guidance doesn't measure up to what's happening on the ground."
One quarter of IVF pregnancies in Europe result in twins, Graham S. Scotland of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and colleagues note in their report. Given the increased risks of twin pregnancies to both mother and children, they add, many European nations have shifted to a policy of single embryo transfer.
But in the UK, where local funding may only provide for a single round of IVF treatment, people have been less willing to accept this practice. Policymakers have debated about whether the decision to have more than one embryo implanted should be a patient choice, or a medical decision.
To investigate the perception of risks associated with twin pregnancies, Scotland and his team surveyed 74 women awaiting IVF, asking them about their relative preferences for having a child with physical impairments, cognitive impairments, visual impairments, early death, premature delivery, or no pregnancy at all.
Overall, women said they would rather have a child with physical impairment, cognitive impairment, or visual impairment than not become pregnant at all, but women preferred not becoming pregnant to having a child who died. Women also said they would prefer delivering a child prematurely to not becoming pregnant at all.
"Our findings seem to suggest that being made aware of these risks, explaining what they are and what they would entail, might not be necessarily enough to put people off having double embryo transfer," Scotland told Reuters Health.
While the absolute increased risk of problems with twin pregnancies compared to single births is relatively small, he added, at a population level the increased health care costs involved with multiple births are substantial.
Scotland pointed out that preliminary evidence from Europe shows that single embryo transfers are just as likely to result in pregnancy as transfers of two or more embryos. But to make single embryo transfer acceptable in the UK at this point, he and his colleagues say, it may be necessary to offer more rounds of IVF "so as to assure women that they have as good a chance of a live birth in the long run as they would with double embryo transfer."
But this recommendation may be hard to put into practice, Scotland noted. While the UK's National Health Service recommends funding three cycles of IVF for women younger than 40, he explained, tight budgets at local health authorities mean many women may only be offered a single try. "The guidance doesn't measure up to what's happening on the ground."
Friday, 17 August 2007
Julia, Sarah and Katie miracle triplets who defied the odds
THESE are the three little miracles whose survival has confounded medical opinion.
Born three months premature, tiny Julia weighed just 1lb 12 ounces when she arrived at Dublin's Rotunda hospital in May while her sisters Sarah and Katie weighed in at just under 3lbs.
Parents Jim and Jayne Patterson from Clonmore, Templemore, Co Tipperary were warned that none of the three might survive.
But, as our picture shows they did, albeit after a long time in the intensive care unit.
The trio are pictured with Jayne and Jim and elder brother Callum.
The proud parents say their biggest worry now is correctly identifying the new अर्रिवाल्स
From The Irish Independent
Saturday, 11th August, 2007
Born three months premature, tiny Julia weighed just 1lb 12 ounces when she arrived at Dublin's Rotunda hospital in May while her sisters Sarah and Katie weighed in at just under 3lbs.
Parents Jim and Jayne Patterson from Clonmore, Templemore, Co Tipperary were warned that none of the three might survive.
But, as our picture shows they did, albeit after a long time in the intensive care unit.
The trio are pictured with Jayne and Jim and elder brother Callum.
The proud parents say their biggest worry now is correctly identifying the new अर्रिवाल्स
From The Irish Independent
Saturday, 11th August, 2007
Calgary woman delivers identical quadruplets
A rare set of identical quadruplets will be reunited Friday at a Calgary hospital after spending their first night apart Thursday - two in Canada and two in the United States.
Karen Jepp, 35, of Calgary delivered four healthy little girls Sunday at a hospital in Montana, after being sent there because of a shortage of neonatal beds in Canada.
Babies Calissa and Dahlia, the strongest of the newborns, were flown to Alberta by air ambulance Thursday afternoon with their father, J.P. Jepp - only two babies can be accommodated at once in the air ambulance.
They are to be joined by sisters Autumn and Brooke Friday.
"It's all going to be OK," said Dr. Thomas Key, a high-risk pregnancy specialist who helped bring the four crying babies into the world Sunday at the Benefis HealthCare centre in Great Falls, Mont.
"The prognosis and outlook for each of these little girls is perfectly normal," said Key, who has previously delivered two sets of quadruplets and a set of quintuplets.
"They're small, but very healthy, very alive. They've just got some growing to do."
The babies, who doctors had dubbed babies A, B, C and D, - names the parents extended into Autumn, Brooke, Calissa and Dahlia - were delivered via caesarean section in about 15 minutes.
The babies were delivered at 31 1/2 weeks because of concerns doctors had for the condition of Dahlia, the U.S. physician said.
"One of the fetuses was in somewhat of a dangerous position," Key said.
But all four emerged without complication and in order of A through D.
"It was just a tremendous sense of relief," the doctor said.
The four newborns ranged in size from two pounds six ounces to two pounds 15 ounces, according to the family's Internet blog.
"All are breathing fine," said a family blog. "Autumn actually cried like a full-term baby when born . . . Both parents are over the moon with guarded happiness."
None of Jepp's babies required artificial respiration after they were delivered Sunday, although two required some air pressure to assist their lungs.
After sharing a womb for almost eight months, the babies were kept in close proximity after they were born.
Each was presented individually to the mother and father, who doted over their new babies, making sure they received lots of physical contact in their first few days, the U.S. doctor said.
"Phenomenal parents, very capable parents," he said of the Jepps.
"They certainly will grow up in a very blessed environment."
Each child was also tagged with a band on her wrist and ankle shortly after her birth, to keep their identities straight.
Calgary Health Region officials say the chance of giving birth to naturally conceived quadruplets is one in 13 million, adding that Canada's last identical quads were born in 1982.
Calgary doctors had been closely monitoring Jepp's pregnancy and were anticipating her newborns would require care at Foothills Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in Calgary.
However, when Jepp began experiencing labour symptoms on Friday, the unit at Foothills was over capacity with several unexpected pre-term births.
Lynda Phelan, a spokeswoman with the Calgary Health Region, said no other Canadian NICU had space for Jepp's four babies.
"There wasn't space anywhere in Canada, so we had to turn to our friends in Montana," she said.
Jepp was transferred by air to Montana on Friday - the fifth Alberta woman to be transferred to Great Falls this year because of neonatal shortages in Calgary.
The babies face about six more weeks in hospital.
The Calgary Health Region is picking up the tab for the babies' U.S. health care - from $1,500 to $2,000 a day for the mother, Karen, and from $6,000 to $7,000 a day for each of the four girl's stay in intensive care. Had Karen delivered in Calgary, her care would have cost $800 a day, and it would have been $2,500 a day for the quads.
The cost of each air ambulance trip will be $10,000 to $15,000.
It's been a remarkable year for multiple births. In January, a woman gave birth to sextuplets in Vancouver.
Two of the premature babies later died and four were then apprehended temporarily by authorities to make sure they received blood transfusions, which their parents, Jehovah's Witnesses, opposed on religious grounds. The parents have applied for a judicial review of the removal orders.
In April, an Algerian woman gave birth to six girls.
The 27-year-old had been expecting seven children, but one, a boy, died in utero.
Last month, a 32-year-old Mexican woman gave to quintuplets - three boys and two girls - in an extremely rare occurrence of a multiple birth without fertility treatment.
The costs associated with higher-order multiple births can be staggering, including medical costs of specialized obstetrical care during pregnancy, intensive prenatal care for babies and increased incidence of prematurity and handicaps.
Between 1975 and 1990, with the growth of fertility treatments and an increase in older mothers, the number of triplets and quadruplets in Canada increased about fourfold.
As of last summer, there were about 66 quadruplet families in Canada and seven sets of quintuplets। There had been at that time no cases of sextuplets in Canada in which all the children survived.
Michelle Lang and Keith Bonnell, CanWest News Service
Karen Jepp, 35, of Calgary delivered four healthy little girls Sunday at a hospital in Montana, after being sent there because of a shortage of neonatal beds in Canada.
Babies Calissa and Dahlia, the strongest of the newborns, were flown to Alberta by air ambulance Thursday afternoon with their father, J.P. Jepp - only two babies can be accommodated at once in the air ambulance.
They are to be joined by sisters Autumn and Brooke Friday.
"It's all going to be OK," said Dr. Thomas Key, a high-risk pregnancy specialist who helped bring the four crying babies into the world Sunday at the Benefis HealthCare centre in Great Falls, Mont.
"The prognosis and outlook for each of these little girls is perfectly normal," said Key, who has previously delivered two sets of quadruplets and a set of quintuplets.
"They're small, but very healthy, very alive. They've just got some growing to do."
The babies, who doctors had dubbed babies A, B, C and D, - names the parents extended into Autumn, Brooke, Calissa and Dahlia - were delivered via caesarean section in about 15 minutes.
The babies were delivered at 31 1/2 weeks because of concerns doctors had for the condition of Dahlia, the U.S. physician said.
"One of the fetuses was in somewhat of a dangerous position," Key said.
But all four emerged without complication and in order of A through D.
"It was just a tremendous sense of relief," the doctor said.
The four newborns ranged in size from two pounds six ounces to two pounds 15 ounces, according to the family's Internet blog.
"All are breathing fine," said a family blog. "Autumn actually cried like a full-term baby when born . . . Both parents are over the moon with guarded happiness."
None of Jepp's babies required artificial respiration after they were delivered Sunday, although two required some air pressure to assist their lungs.
After sharing a womb for almost eight months, the babies were kept in close proximity after they were born.
Each was presented individually to the mother and father, who doted over their new babies, making sure they received lots of physical contact in their first few days, the U.S. doctor said.
"Phenomenal parents, very capable parents," he said of the Jepps.
"They certainly will grow up in a very blessed environment."
Each child was also tagged with a band on her wrist and ankle shortly after her birth, to keep their identities straight.
Calgary Health Region officials say the chance of giving birth to naturally conceived quadruplets is one in 13 million, adding that Canada's last identical quads were born in 1982.
Calgary doctors had been closely monitoring Jepp's pregnancy and were anticipating her newborns would require care at Foothills Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in Calgary.
However, when Jepp began experiencing labour symptoms on Friday, the unit at Foothills was over capacity with several unexpected pre-term births.
Lynda Phelan, a spokeswoman with the Calgary Health Region, said no other Canadian NICU had space for Jepp's four babies.
"There wasn't space anywhere in Canada, so we had to turn to our friends in Montana," she said.
Jepp was transferred by air to Montana on Friday - the fifth Alberta woman to be transferred to Great Falls this year because of neonatal shortages in Calgary.
The babies face about six more weeks in hospital.
The Calgary Health Region is picking up the tab for the babies' U.S. health care - from $1,500 to $2,000 a day for the mother, Karen, and from $6,000 to $7,000 a day for each of the four girl's stay in intensive care. Had Karen delivered in Calgary, her care would have cost $800 a day, and it would have been $2,500 a day for the quads.
The cost of each air ambulance trip will be $10,000 to $15,000.
It's been a remarkable year for multiple births. In January, a woman gave birth to sextuplets in Vancouver.
Two of the premature babies later died and four were then apprehended temporarily by authorities to make sure they received blood transfusions, which their parents, Jehovah's Witnesses, opposed on religious grounds. The parents have applied for a judicial review of the removal orders.
In April, an Algerian woman gave birth to six girls.
The 27-year-old had been expecting seven children, but one, a boy, died in utero.
Last month, a 32-year-old Mexican woman gave to quintuplets - three boys and two girls - in an extremely rare occurrence of a multiple birth without fertility treatment.
The costs associated with higher-order multiple births can be staggering, including medical costs of specialized obstetrical care during pregnancy, intensive prenatal care for babies and increased incidence of prematurity and handicaps.
Between 1975 and 1990, with the growth of fertility treatments and an increase in older mothers, the number of triplets and quadruplets in Canada increased about fourfold.
As of last summer, there were about 66 quadruplet families in Canada and seven sets of quintuplets। There had been at that time no cases of sextuplets in Canada in which all the children survived.
Michelle Lang and Keith Bonnell, CanWest News Service
Friday, 10 August 2007
British woman beats odds to give birth to identical triplets
A British woman has given birth to a set of healthy identical triplets – an event that happens only in about one in 150,000 pregnancies.
Mae Christina Astley, 25, had the three girls, called Amy, Kim and Zoe, delivered by Caesarean section at Feldkirch State Hospital in Western Austria on Monday.
The three babies, who were conceived naturally without IVF treatment, were delivered prematurely at 32 weeks, each weighing 3.3lb (1.5kg). All are doing well, although they are weak and are being cared for in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
The children’s Austrian father, Thomas Graziadei, 27, told the local newspaper Vorarlberger Nachrichten: “We thank God that everything went well. But they all look the same. I don’t know how we are going to tell them apart when they have not got their hospital wristbands on.”
Miss Astley told the newspaper: “I was conscious but had an epidural so was able to witness it all.”
Her doctor, Peter Schwarzler, said that although the babies were born prematurely and identical triplet pregnancies are among the most dangerous, he expected them to survive and develop normally.
“We need to be careful over the next few days but we are confident that all will go well,” he said. “They are currently getting breathing support, as is usual. The triplets were born in the 32nd week and, as is normal with such premature births, the lungs are not so resilient and fatigue sets in easily.”
Identical triplets are created either when a single fertilised egg divides into three, or when one embryo splits into two to form identical twin embryos, and then one of these divides again. They account for about 6 per cent of all triplet pregnancies.
Identical triplets occur in between one in 130,000 and one in 150,000 pregnancies, although many of these are not carried to term because of complications. About ten sets of identical triplets are conceived in Britain each year.
All triplet pregnancies have a higher risk of miscarriage; stillbirth; death in the first weeks of life; birth defects; and serious disabilities, and these are elevated when the triplets are identical and share a placenta.
Nicholas Fisk, Professor of Obstetrics and Foetal Medicine at Imperial College, London, said that his own centre had experienced 17 identical twin pregnancies in the past 13 years and he had delivered two sets of identical quadruplets. “Identical triplets are not as rare as you might think,” he said. “We generally see a case referred to us about once a year. The outcomes, unfortunately, are often not good. You have all the risks of triplet pregnancies, along with all the risks of sharing a placenta. Around 40 to 50 per cent of these pregnancies end with an adverse outcome.”
While many women who conceive nonidentical triplets opt for foetal reduction – a selective abortion that improves the chances of a healthy outcome for the remaining foetuses – this is also more difficult for identical triplets.
“There is no easy way to do a reduction when there is only one placenta,” Professor Fisk said. “Continuing these pregnancies is often difficult and dangerous.”
Multiple choices
— Multiple births make up one in 68 births compared with one in 98 a decade ago and the pace is accelerating. If the trend were to continue, twins would outnumber singletons by the year 2179
— IVF mostly accounts for the increase in nonidentical twins. The trend for identical multiple births is generally static, despite the large increase in the number of women giving birth later in life. The chances of having identicals increases with age
— Identical twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray scandalised the nation in the 1960s. Ross and Norris McWhirter amazed children across the country in the 1970s. The Olsen twins have made a fortune in the fashion world and the Cheeky Girls capitalised on their image to break into the music business
— Oliver James, the child psychologist, believes that the greatest risk for identicals growing up is the “script” given to them by their parents. Desperate to differentiate between their children, parents often label one as “outgoing” and the other “shy”, or one “clever” and the other “artistic”
— Identicals appear to be a random event and are distributed uniformly in all countries
— Studies on identical twins separated and reared in different environments show that they share similar personality traits, mannerisms, job choices, attitudes and interests
Source: Times database
Mae Christina Astley, 25, had the three girls, called Amy, Kim and Zoe, delivered by Caesarean section at Feldkirch State Hospital in Western Austria on Monday.
The three babies, who were conceived naturally without IVF treatment, were delivered prematurely at 32 weeks, each weighing 3.3lb (1.5kg). All are doing well, although they are weak and are being cared for in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
The children’s Austrian father, Thomas Graziadei, 27, told the local newspaper Vorarlberger Nachrichten: “We thank God that everything went well. But they all look the same. I don’t know how we are going to tell them apart when they have not got their hospital wristbands on.”
Miss Astley told the newspaper: “I was conscious but had an epidural so was able to witness it all.”
Her doctor, Peter Schwarzler, said that although the babies were born prematurely and identical triplet pregnancies are among the most dangerous, he expected them to survive and develop normally.
“We need to be careful over the next few days but we are confident that all will go well,” he said. “They are currently getting breathing support, as is usual. The triplets were born in the 32nd week and, as is normal with such premature births, the lungs are not so resilient and fatigue sets in easily.”
Identical triplets are created either when a single fertilised egg divides into three, or when one embryo splits into two to form identical twin embryos, and then one of these divides again. They account for about 6 per cent of all triplet pregnancies.
Identical triplets occur in between one in 130,000 and one in 150,000 pregnancies, although many of these are not carried to term because of complications. About ten sets of identical triplets are conceived in Britain each year.
All triplet pregnancies have a higher risk of miscarriage; stillbirth; death in the first weeks of life; birth defects; and serious disabilities, and these are elevated when the triplets are identical and share a placenta.
Nicholas Fisk, Professor of Obstetrics and Foetal Medicine at Imperial College, London, said that his own centre had experienced 17 identical twin pregnancies in the past 13 years and he had delivered two sets of identical quadruplets. “Identical triplets are not as rare as you might think,” he said. “We generally see a case referred to us about once a year. The outcomes, unfortunately, are often not good. You have all the risks of triplet pregnancies, along with all the risks of sharing a placenta. Around 40 to 50 per cent of these pregnancies end with an adverse outcome.”
While many women who conceive nonidentical triplets opt for foetal reduction – a selective abortion that improves the chances of a healthy outcome for the remaining foetuses – this is also more difficult for identical triplets.
“There is no easy way to do a reduction when there is only one placenta,” Professor Fisk said. “Continuing these pregnancies is often difficult and dangerous.”
Multiple choices
— Multiple births make up one in 68 births compared with one in 98 a decade ago and the pace is accelerating. If the trend were to continue, twins would outnumber singletons by the year 2179
— IVF mostly accounts for the increase in nonidentical twins. The trend for identical multiple births is generally static, despite the large increase in the number of women giving birth later in life. The chances of having identicals increases with age
— Identical twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray scandalised the nation in the 1960s. Ross and Norris McWhirter amazed children across the country in the 1970s. The Olsen twins have made a fortune in the fashion world and the Cheeky Girls capitalised on their image to break into the music business
— Oliver James, the child psychologist, believes that the greatest risk for identicals growing up is the “script” given to them by their parents. Desperate to differentiate between their children, parents often label one as “outgoing” and the other “shy”, or one “clever” and the other “artistic”
— Identicals appear to be a random event and are distributed uniformly in all countries
— Studies on identical twins separated and reared in different environments show that they share similar personality traits, mannerisms, job choices, attitudes and interests
Source: Times database
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Miracle triplets act as bridesmaids and pageboys at parents wedding
A happy couple had a dream wedding present when the triplets they feared they would never have were bridesmaids and page boy on their big day.
Tim and Kayleigh Stevenson were thrilled when the trio were born a year ago because he thought he could never father children after having leukaemia as a boy.
Identical twins Olivia and Caitlin and their brother Finley were the icing on the wedding cake for their mum and dad when they tied the knot at Norwich Register Office.
Kayleigh, 22, said: "The little ones made all our dreams come true. We feel so lucky as we didn't think we would have any children and then we suddenly got three.
"It was perfect to have them at our wedding, they looked lovely in their little bridesmaid and page boy outfits.
"But it was so hot they only had them on for about two hours and spent the rest of the day in just their nappies."
Scroll down for more
All smiles: proud parents share their special day
Tim, 28, a mechanic from Little Plumstead, Norwich, was hit by leukaemia in November 1981 aged three.
In 1981 and 1982 he had radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and continued having other treatment until he was eight years old.
Doctors said Tim no longer needed to have check-ups when he was 13. But they warned his mother, schoolteacher Janet, that he would never have children as a result of his treatment.
Yet just a month after they starting trying for a baby, Kayleigh - whose maiden name is Brown - fell pregnant. It was at her 12-week scan that the couple discovered they were having triplets.
The trio were born by Caesarean section 10 weeks prematurely on August 30, because doctors were worried about the health of the smallest baby, Olivia.
Caitlin weighed just 3lb 3oz, Olivia a mere 2lb 11oz with Finley the heaviest at 3lb 7oz when they were born.
Now, as they approach their first birthday, all three are bright and bubbly and doing well.
Dressed up: triplets look the part for wedding ceremony
Kayleigh said: "You can see they have different personalities already. Caitlin is the one with a little bit of attitude, Finlay is very laid back and Olivia is really cheeky.
"I don't find it too hard with three as long as we all stay in our routine. They were very hard work on the wedding day, though, they were all over the place."
The Stevensons have found there is one downside to getting married while they have three young children - it makes it impossible to go on honeymoon.
Kayleigh said: "Not a lot of people want to look after a baby, let alone three. They are quite a handful so we have decided to wait and perhaps go on honeymoon when they get a little bit older."
Tim and Kayleigh Stevenson were thrilled when the trio were born a year ago because he thought he could never father children after having leukaemia as a boy.
Identical twins Olivia and Caitlin and their brother Finley were the icing on the wedding cake for their mum and dad when they tied the knot at Norwich Register Office.
Kayleigh, 22, said: "The little ones made all our dreams come true. We feel so lucky as we didn't think we would have any children and then we suddenly got three.
"It was perfect to have them at our wedding, they looked lovely in their little bridesmaid and page boy outfits.
"But it was so hot they only had them on for about two hours and spent the rest of the day in just their nappies."
Scroll down for more
All smiles: proud parents share their special day
Tim, 28, a mechanic from Little Plumstead, Norwich, was hit by leukaemia in November 1981 aged three.
In 1981 and 1982 he had radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and continued having other treatment until he was eight years old.
Doctors said Tim no longer needed to have check-ups when he was 13. But they warned his mother, schoolteacher Janet, that he would never have children as a result of his treatment.
Yet just a month after they starting trying for a baby, Kayleigh - whose maiden name is Brown - fell pregnant. It was at her 12-week scan that the couple discovered they were having triplets.
The trio were born by Caesarean section 10 weeks prematurely on August 30, because doctors were worried about the health of the smallest baby, Olivia.
Caitlin weighed just 3lb 3oz, Olivia a mere 2lb 11oz with Finley the heaviest at 3lb 7oz when they were born.
Now, as they approach their first birthday, all three are bright and bubbly and doing well.
Dressed up: triplets look the part for wedding ceremony
Kayleigh said: "You can see they have different personalities already. Caitlin is the one with a little bit of attitude, Finlay is very laid back and Olivia is really cheeky.
"I don't find it too hard with three as long as we all stay in our routine. They were very hard work on the wedding day, though, they were all over the place."
The Stevensons have found there is one downside to getting married while they have three young children - it makes it impossible to go on honeymoon.
Kayleigh said: "Not a lot of people want to look after a baby, let alone three. They are quite a handful so we have decided to wait and perhaps go on honeymoon when they get a little bit older."
Progesterone injections do not prevent preterm birth in twin pregnancies
Weekly progesterone injections do not prevent premature births in women pregnant with twins, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study has found.
The result came as a surprise to the researchers, who previously discovered that weekly injections of the naturally occurring hormone, called 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone or 17-OHPC, reduced additional preterm births by one-third in women whose previous babies were born prematurely.
"Based on the results of the first study, which showed that 17-OHPC reduced preterm birth in the group with the highest risk, we were hopeful that it would also prevent preterm birth in twin pregnancies, which represents an intermediate level of risk," said John Thorp, M.D., a study co-author and professor of obstetrics and gynecology UNC-Chapel Hill. "The mechanisms that lead to preterm birth are complex, and I think our current study shows they may not be amenable to a single solution."
The study results are published in the Aug. 2 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine . The lead author is Dwight J. Rouse, M.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The study was conducted for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which provided grant funding. It took place at 14 sites across the United States, including UNC-Chapel Hill, WakeMed and the Wake County Health Department.
For the study, 655 healthy women with twin pregnancies and no prior preterm births received weekly injections of either 17-OHPC or placebo, starting at 16 to 20 weeks into their pregnancies and ending at 35 weeks. The results showed no meaningful difference between the 17-OHPC and placebo groups. Birth or miscarriage before 35 weeks gestation occurred in 41.5 percent of the 17-OHPC group and in 37.3 percent of the placebo group.
The researchers concluded that treatment with 17-OHPC did not reduce the rate of preterm birth in women with twins.
"Why 17-OHPC is effective in reducing the rate of preterm birth in women with a prior spontaneous preterm birth, but not in women carrying twins is a question that will be answered only when the mechanisms underlying preterm birth and the actions of 17-OHPC are better understood," they wrote, adding that additional research is needed to see whether 17-OHPC is effective in other conditions in which the risk of preterm birth is increased.
Thorp said the same research network is currently working on two other 17-OHPC studies. One involves women with triplets while the other focuses on women with a short cervix. Both groups are considered to have an intermediate risk of preterm birth.
Another question for future research, Thorp said, is whether or not injections are the best method for administering 17-OHPC. It's worth investigating whether other methods, such as daily vaginal suppositories, might be more effective, he said.
A commercial formulation of the drug, marketed under the name Gestiva, has been granted orphan drug status by the Food and Drug Administration and an application for full FDA approval is pending.
http://www.unc.edu/
The result came as a surprise to the researchers, who previously discovered that weekly injections of the naturally occurring hormone, called 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone or 17-OHPC, reduced additional preterm births by one-third in women whose previous babies were born prematurely.
"Based on the results of the first study, which showed that 17-OHPC reduced preterm birth in the group with the highest risk, we were hopeful that it would also prevent preterm birth in twin pregnancies, which represents an intermediate level of risk," said John Thorp, M.D., a study co-author and professor of obstetrics and gynecology UNC-Chapel Hill. "The mechanisms that lead to preterm birth are complex, and I think our current study shows they may not be amenable to a single solution."
The study results are published in the Aug. 2 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine . The lead author is Dwight J. Rouse, M.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The study was conducted for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which provided grant funding. It took place at 14 sites across the United States, including UNC-Chapel Hill, WakeMed and the Wake County Health Department.
For the study, 655 healthy women with twin pregnancies and no prior preterm births received weekly injections of either 17-OHPC or placebo, starting at 16 to 20 weeks into their pregnancies and ending at 35 weeks. The results showed no meaningful difference between the 17-OHPC and placebo groups. Birth or miscarriage before 35 weeks gestation occurred in 41.5 percent of the 17-OHPC group and in 37.3 percent of the placebo group.
The researchers concluded that treatment with 17-OHPC did not reduce the rate of preterm birth in women with twins.
"Why 17-OHPC is effective in reducing the rate of preterm birth in women with a prior spontaneous preterm birth, but not in women carrying twins is a question that will be answered only when the mechanisms underlying preterm birth and the actions of 17-OHPC are better understood," they wrote, adding that additional research is needed to see whether 17-OHPC is effective in other conditions in which the risk of preterm birth is increased.
Thorp said the same research network is currently working on two other 17-OHPC studies. One involves women with triplets while the other focuses on women with a short cervix. Both groups are considered to have an intermediate risk of preterm birth.
Another question for future research, Thorp said, is whether or not injections are the best method for administering 17-OHPC. It's worth investigating whether other methods, such as daily vaginal suppositories, might be more effective, he said.
A commercial formulation of the drug, marketed under the name Gestiva, has been granted orphan drug status by the Food and Drug Administration and an application for full FDA approval is pending.
http://www.unc.edu/
Ground-breaking twins
Photographs of four-month old twins Ryan and Dylan Kershaw, with their parents Margaret and David, appeared in the newspapers beside an announcement from the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin about a first in Ireland. During the 35-year-old Cork woman's arduous pregnancy it was discovered her babies were suffering from a complication known as Twin-to-Twin-Transfusion Syndrome which occurs when abnormal blood vessels in the placenta transfuse too much blood into one baby, and too little in the other (the condition only appears with identical twins). In the past the mother would have travelled abroad for treatment but on this occasion doctors at the Rotunda performed an operation on the babies while they were still in the womb. The in-utero surgery, otherwise called a fetoscopy, was performed last January at 21 weeks into the pregnancy: a camera less than one-eighth of an inch thick, was inserted into the womb where lasers were used to find and fix the abnormal blood vessels in the babies` placenta.
Friday, 3 August 2007
Marcia desperate for mummy time
Desperate Housewife and new mum Marcia Cross has described motherhood as "challenging", and confessed she's finding it tough to juggle her twin babies Savannah and Eden with the on set demands of making the popular TV show. "I had them come with me on set last week," Marcia told People.com. "I think if I have one full day, then the next day they have to come with me to work, because I can't not see them for that long.
"When they're with me at work, that's challenging, but when they're not with me, it's challenging too- I'm a new mother." And she admits she sometimes has to keep the babies away from the clucky Housewives cast and crew members. "I'm trying to keep them slightly sequestered on set because everybody's screaming," she smiled. The star gave birth to her daughters back in February - the first children for her and stockbroker husband Tom Mahoney.
"When they're with me at work, that's challenging, but when they're not with me, it's challenging too- I'm a new mother." And she admits she sometimes has to keep the babies away from the clucky Housewives cast and crew members. "I'm trying to keep them slightly sequestered on set because everybody's screaming," she smiled. The star gave birth to her daughters back in February - the first children for her and stockbroker husband Tom Mahoney.
Children born following IVF twice as likely to suffer ill-health
A study of hundreds of seven-year-olds has revealed that they are admitted to hospital much more frequently than other youngsters of the same age.
While many of their illnesses were common to all children, those born through fertility treatment suffered more fits and more conditions connected to the brain and immune system.
The British study also showed that IVF twins tend to require more hospital treatment than youngsters from single births.
The figures, published in Human Reproduction, a respected medical journal, will fuel fears over fertility treatments. Previous studies have shown that young men conceived this way are more likely to be infertile.
IVF babies are also more likely to suffer from birth defects, including heart problems, and are thought to be at higher risk of autism and cerebral palsy.
More than 30,000 women undergo IVF treatment in the UK each year, leading to the birth of more than 10,000 babies.
Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, the paediatrician behind the research, said: 'There are two sides to the coin and we have to say that in most cases, everything seems to go perfectly fine.
'But we have to give accurate information and inform the families there may be some risks - and even risks about which we don't yet know.'
The Imperial College London professor scrutinised the health of almost 900 boys and girls, a third of whom had been born after fertility treatment.
Analysis of hospital records revealed that the IVF children had been admitted to hospital more often and spent more time there.
On average, a seven-year-old conceived after fertility treatment had been in hospital 1.76 times - while a child conceived naturally had been admitted only once. By the age of seven, IVF children had spent an average of 4.31 days in hospital, almost two days longer than other children.
The study, carried out in conjunction with Finnish researchers, took into account only admissions after the children reached one month.
This ensured the results were not skewed by difficulties in the days immediately after birth. Further analysis of the records also revealed differences in the types of illness suffered.
Both sets of children were treated for stomach bugs, ear infections and coughs and colds. However, fits and other conditions affecting the brain were more common in those born after IVF treatment.
These youngsters were also more prone to infections and to asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which have links to the immune system.
The researchers said that some of the findings could be explained by the high number of twins born through IVF.
As they are more likely to be lighter than other babies and be born prematurely, twins tend to be more illness-prone than other children. However IVF children who weren't twins were also sicker than their naturallyconceived counterparts. It is possible the health problems were somehow caused by the IVF process itself.
It is also possible that chlamydia infection, stress and other factors which may have affected the mother's fertility went on to impact on the baby's development in the womb.
It may however be that parents who have undergone fertility treatment are simply more inclined to seek medical help.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is considering restricting the number of embryos implanted - to just one in most cases - in a bid to cut the number of multiple births. Dr Allan Pacey, of the British Fertility Society, said many of the health problems associated with IVF were linked to the high number of twins and other multiple births.
The Sheffield University fertility expert said: 'We know IVF children are pretty healthy but there are some little things, quite serious things in some cases, that do seem to be on the increase in IVF children.
'It is important to understand them and try to work out why they occur, so that if there is a possibility of doing something to prevent it, we have the opportunity to do that.
'It is important to understand the risks and not ignore them but any women undergoing treatment shouldn't be desperately worried.'
While many of their illnesses were common to all children, those born through fertility treatment suffered more fits and more conditions connected to the brain and immune system.
The British study also showed that IVF twins tend to require more hospital treatment than youngsters from single births.
The figures, published in Human Reproduction, a respected medical journal, will fuel fears over fertility treatments. Previous studies have shown that young men conceived this way are more likely to be infertile.
IVF babies are also more likely to suffer from birth defects, including heart problems, and are thought to be at higher risk of autism and cerebral palsy.
More than 30,000 women undergo IVF treatment in the UK each year, leading to the birth of more than 10,000 babies.
Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, the paediatrician behind the research, said: 'There are two sides to the coin and we have to say that in most cases, everything seems to go perfectly fine.
'But we have to give accurate information and inform the families there may be some risks - and even risks about which we don't yet know.'
The Imperial College London professor scrutinised the health of almost 900 boys and girls, a third of whom had been born after fertility treatment.
Analysis of hospital records revealed that the IVF children had been admitted to hospital more often and spent more time there.
On average, a seven-year-old conceived after fertility treatment had been in hospital 1.76 times - while a child conceived naturally had been admitted only once. By the age of seven, IVF children had spent an average of 4.31 days in hospital, almost two days longer than other children.
The study, carried out in conjunction with Finnish researchers, took into account only admissions after the children reached one month.
This ensured the results were not skewed by difficulties in the days immediately after birth. Further analysis of the records also revealed differences in the types of illness suffered.
Both sets of children were treated for stomach bugs, ear infections and coughs and colds. However, fits and other conditions affecting the brain were more common in those born after IVF treatment.
These youngsters were also more prone to infections and to asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which have links to the immune system.
The researchers said that some of the findings could be explained by the high number of twins born through IVF.
As they are more likely to be lighter than other babies and be born prematurely, twins tend to be more illness-prone than other children. However IVF children who weren't twins were also sicker than their naturallyconceived counterparts. It is possible the health problems were somehow caused by the IVF process itself.
It is also possible that chlamydia infection, stress and other factors which may have affected the mother's fertility went on to impact on the baby's development in the womb.
It may however be that parents who have undergone fertility treatment are simply more inclined to seek medical help.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is considering restricting the number of embryos implanted - to just one in most cases - in a bid to cut the number of multiple births. Dr Allan Pacey, of the British Fertility Society, said many of the health problems associated with IVF were linked to the high number of twins and other multiple births.
The Sheffield University fertility expert said: 'We know IVF children are pretty healthy but there are some little things, quite serious things in some cases, that do seem to be on the increase in IVF children.
'It is important to understand them and try to work out why they occur, so that if there is a possibility of doing something to prevent it, we have the opportunity to do that.
'It is important to understand the risks and not ignore them but any women undergoing treatment shouldn't be desperately worried.'
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
World Breastfeeding Week 1st-8th August
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated around the world to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and to raise funds for breastfeeding support.
This year's theme, "The Power of One," doesn't seem very relevant to mothers of multiples who are feeding two or more babies, but it actually refers to the powerful benefits of nursing in the first hour after birth, the first pumping of breastmilk for a baby in the NICU, or the potential for saving one million babies. Breastfeeding twins or more may present some extra challenges for mothers, but it is absolutely achievable.Hints to help you successfully nurse your babies.
Congratulations! Your babies have arrived and you've chosen to breastfeed. You know it might be difficult and frustrating at times, but you're determined to make a go of it.Here are some tips to get you through the rough patches and make the most of your breastfeeding experience.Get pumped!Invest in a nursing pump. Pumping stimulates your milk production; moms who are worried about producing enough milk for all of their babies will find it tremendously useful. It also allows you to collect and stockpile extra milk in the event that it's necessary to provide a bottle to the babies.Many mothers of multiples suggest using a heavy-duty electric double pump that allows you to express milk from both breasts at the same time. (Mums of twins are good at doing two things at once, right?!) One recommended model is: Avent Isis
A good pump can cost hundreds of pounds. One option to consider is renting equipment from a hospital or medical supply company. If you are successful with the pump, you can always buy one later. But if you find you don't need one down the road, you can return it and save the money.
Relax.Try to relax. Remember, feeding your babies is your ultimate priority at this time, and nothing else matters. Find a quiet place where you won't be distracted. Turn off the phone. Let someone else do the dishes and the laundry. If you have older children, keep them occupied with snacks, books, their own baby dolls, or even the TV if it works.Tune out anything that makes you worried, stressed, uncomfortable or unhappy and focus on feeding those babies. Focus on your babies; look at them, touch them, sing to them and enjoy them.
Help! I need somebody...Accept any and all help. This is not the time to be a martyr. Enlist the help of an encouraging friend. Allow your mother-in-law to do the laundry. Say yes when the neighbors offer to bring over dinner. Let your husband or partner help out by bringing you the babies, changing their nappies and burping them after they're fed.Your most powerful asset at this time is the support of other parents of multiples. Your local twins club can be an invaluable resource when you're breastfeeding; fellow nursing mums will have lots of advice. Ask them what worked, and try it with your babies.Don't hesitate to consult your hospital, doctor or midwife or the La Leche League for professional help.
A lactation consultant can assist you over the phone or in person, and will help you overcome a myriad of problems.If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.Experiment with logistics to find what works. Some mums of twins nurse both at the same time; others prefer an individual approach. There is no "right way" -- the right way is what works best for you and your babies, so that's what you have to figure out.Explore different positions to find a comfortable situation. Lay down, sit up, prop yourself and the babies with pillows. Try a nursing pillow like the Theraline® Maternity & Nursing pillow.Take care of mummy, too.Remember, all this won't work without you. Don't let yourself suffer during this hectic and tiring time. By neglecting yourself, you neglect your babies.
Nurture yourself so that you can effectively nurture your babies.Drink plenty of water, and then drink more. Your body needs extra hydration to make milk; make sure there's enough leftover for your own needs! Keep a glass of water at hand at all times, refill it constantly, and sip, sip, sip!Refuel with plenty of nutritious food: fruits, vegetables, proteins. Even though it feels like you're doing nothing but sitting around and nursing, your body is hard at work. This is not the time to worry about weight gained during pregnancy.
Rest when you can. Many mothers suggest sleeping whenever the babies sleep. (They do sleep sometimes!) Some are even able to doze off while breastfeeding, provided they have a trusted caregiver available to keep an eye on things. Nap periodically throughout the day; even a few minutes of sleep can feel refreshing.Give yourself a break.Give yourself a break. Tell yourself every day "I'm the best mummy for these babies and I'm doing the best that I can." Breastfeeding multiples is an awesome challenge. Remind yourself that you're giving your babies an optimal feeding experience -- even if you supplement with bottles, even if you choose to use formula, even if your house is a wreck, even if you never get dressed during the day.What matters is that your beautiful babies are nourished and loved.
This year's theme, "The Power of One," doesn't seem very relevant to mothers of multiples who are feeding two or more babies, but it actually refers to the powerful benefits of nursing in the first hour after birth, the first pumping of breastmilk for a baby in the NICU, or the potential for saving one million babies. Breastfeeding twins or more may present some extra challenges for mothers, but it is absolutely achievable.Hints to help you successfully nurse your babies.
Congratulations! Your babies have arrived and you've chosen to breastfeed. You know it might be difficult and frustrating at times, but you're determined to make a go of it.Here are some tips to get you through the rough patches and make the most of your breastfeeding experience.Get pumped!Invest in a nursing pump. Pumping stimulates your milk production; moms who are worried about producing enough milk for all of their babies will find it tremendously useful. It also allows you to collect and stockpile extra milk in the event that it's necessary to provide a bottle to the babies.Many mothers of multiples suggest using a heavy-duty electric double pump that allows you to express milk from both breasts at the same time. (Mums of twins are good at doing two things at once, right?!) One recommended model is: Avent Isis
A good pump can cost hundreds of pounds. One option to consider is renting equipment from a hospital or medical supply company. If you are successful with the pump, you can always buy one later. But if you find you don't need one down the road, you can return it and save the money.
Relax.Try to relax. Remember, feeding your babies is your ultimate priority at this time, and nothing else matters. Find a quiet place where you won't be distracted. Turn off the phone. Let someone else do the dishes and the laundry. If you have older children, keep them occupied with snacks, books, their own baby dolls, or even the TV if it works.Tune out anything that makes you worried, stressed, uncomfortable or unhappy and focus on feeding those babies. Focus on your babies; look at them, touch them, sing to them and enjoy them.
Help! I need somebody...Accept any and all help. This is not the time to be a martyr. Enlist the help of an encouraging friend. Allow your mother-in-law to do the laundry. Say yes when the neighbors offer to bring over dinner. Let your husband or partner help out by bringing you the babies, changing their nappies and burping them after they're fed.Your most powerful asset at this time is the support of other parents of multiples. Your local twins club can be an invaluable resource when you're breastfeeding; fellow nursing mums will have lots of advice. Ask them what worked, and try it with your babies.Don't hesitate to consult your hospital, doctor or midwife or the La Leche League for professional help.
A lactation consultant can assist you over the phone or in person, and will help you overcome a myriad of problems.If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.Experiment with logistics to find what works. Some mums of twins nurse both at the same time; others prefer an individual approach. There is no "right way" -- the right way is what works best for you and your babies, so that's what you have to figure out.Explore different positions to find a comfortable situation. Lay down, sit up, prop yourself and the babies with pillows. Try a nursing pillow like the Theraline® Maternity & Nursing pillow.Take care of mummy, too.Remember, all this won't work without you. Don't let yourself suffer during this hectic and tiring time. By neglecting yourself, you neglect your babies.
Nurture yourself so that you can effectively nurture your babies.Drink plenty of water, and then drink more. Your body needs extra hydration to make milk; make sure there's enough leftover for your own needs! Keep a glass of water at hand at all times, refill it constantly, and sip, sip, sip!Refuel with plenty of nutritious food: fruits, vegetables, proteins. Even though it feels like you're doing nothing but sitting around and nursing, your body is hard at work. This is not the time to worry about weight gained during pregnancy.
Rest when you can. Many mothers suggest sleeping whenever the babies sleep. (They do sleep sometimes!) Some are even able to doze off while breastfeeding, provided they have a trusted caregiver available to keep an eye on things. Nap periodically throughout the day; even a few minutes of sleep can feel refreshing.Give yourself a break.Give yourself a break. Tell yourself every day "I'm the best mummy for these babies and I'm doing the best that I can." Breastfeeding multiples is an awesome challenge. Remind yourself that you're giving your babies an optimal feeding experience -- even if you supplement with bottles, even if you choose to use formula, even if your house is a wreck, even if you never get dressed during the day.What matters is that your beautiful babies are nourished and loved.
Twins Restaurant New York USA
Twins Restaurant is owned by identical twin sisters Lisa Ganz, twin sister Debbie Ganz, and actor Tom Berenger. We are the only restaurant of its kind, staffed entirely by 37 sets of identical twins who work the same shift, in the same station, in the same uniform. Twins Restaurant opened November 14, 1994. We get 10-20 sets of multiple customers each evening for dinner (ranging from newborns, sextuplets to 95 years old) and when multiples come in, they sign our twin guest book, they get their picture taken (which goes on the wall) and they get two for one drinks (triplets get three for one, quadruplets get four for one). In addition, we specialize in single malt scotches, because it is the only single thing we have!!!! It doesn't end there - we have twin towers, double door knobs, Doublemint gum, double sided business cards, double light fixtures, double mirrors and of course, double bar stools. You see Double before you have a cocktail.
Twins Restaurant is a restaurant first and a concept second. At a time when theme restaurants have infiltrated the food world very few are highly recognized for its great food. We have an American menu with a Mediterranean influence. This is what puts Twins in a class of its own. We are open ONLY for dinner seven nights a week, beginning at 5:00pm and we are open for Sunday brunch from 11:00am - 4:00pm. We are not open for lunch, only Sunday Brunch.
TWINS is approximately 2,000 sq. ft. with a full dining room and a 36 ft. mahogany bar and lounge area. The stained glass Twin Towers, vibrant multi-colored banquettes and Twin paraphernalia all lend additional ambiance to the fun of a great evening out. We also have a beautiful outdoor garden which seats approximately 40 people for spring and summertime seating. TWINS RESTAURANT is opening other locations, nationally and internationally within the year.
Please come in for dinner and enjoy the "Twinergy" of Twins Restaurant. is owned by identical twin sisters Lisa Ganz, twin sister Debbie Ganz, and actor Tom Berenger. We are the only restaurant of its kind, staffed entirely by 37 sets of identical twins who work the same shift, in the same station, in the same uniform. Twins Restaurant opened November 14, 1994. We get 10-20 sets of multiple customers each evening for dinner (ranging from newborns, sextuplets to 95 years old) and when multiples come in, they sign our twin guest book, they get their picture taken (which goes on the wall) and they get two for one drinks (triplets get three for one, quadruplets get four for one). In addition, we specialize in single malt scotches, because it is the only single thing we have!!!! It doesn't end there - we have twin towers, double door knobs, Doublemint gum, double sided business cards, double light fixtures, double mirrors and of course, double bar stools. You see Double before you have a cocktail.
Twins Restaurant is a restaurant first and a concept second. At a time when theme restaurants have infiltrated the food world very few are highly recognized for its great food. We have an American menu with a Mediterranean influence. This is what puts Twins in a class of its own. We are open ONLY for dinner seven nights a week, beginning at 5:00pm and we are open for Sunday brunch from 11:00am - 4:00pm. We are not open for lunch, only Sunday Brunch.
TWINS is approximately 2,000 sq. ft. with a full dining room and a 36 ft. mahogany bar and lounge area. The stained glass Twin Towers, vibrant multi-colored banquettes and Twin paraphernalia all lend additional ambiance to the fun of a great evening out. We also have a beautiful outdoor garden which seats approximately 40 people for spring and summertime seating. TWINS RESTAURANT is opening other locations, nationally and internationally within the year.
Please come in for dinner and enjoy the "Twinergy" of Twins Restaurant.
Twins Restaurant is a restaurant first and a concept second. At a time when theme restaurants have infiltrated the food world very few are highly recognized for its great food. We have an American menu with a Mediterranean influence. This is what puts Twins in a class of its own. We are open ONLY for dinner seven nights a week, beginning at 5:00pm and we are open for Sunday brunch from 11:00am - 4:00pm. We are not open for lunch, only Sunday Brunch.
TWINS is approximately 2,000 sq. ft. with a full dining room and a 36 ft. mahogany bar and lounge area. The stained glass Twin Towers, vibrant multi-colored banquettes and Twin paraphernalia all lend additional ambiance to the fun of a great evening out. We also have a beautiful outdoor garden which seats approximately 40 people for spring and summertime seating. TWINS RESTAURANT is opening other locations, nationally and internationally within the year.
Please come in for dinner and enjoy the "Twinergy" of Twins Restaurant. is owned by identical twin sisters Lisa Ganz, twin sister Debbie Ganz, and actor Tom Berenger. We are the only restaurant of its kind, staffed entirely by 37 sets of identical twins who work the same shift, in the same station, in the same uniform. Twins Restaurant opened November 14, 1994. We get 10-20 sets of multiple customers each evening for dinner (ranging from newborns, sextuplets to 95 years old) and when multiples come in, they sign our twin guest book, they get their picture taken (which goes on the wall) and they get two for one drinks (triplets get three for one, quadruplets get four for one). In addition, we specialize in single malt scotches, because it is the only single thing we have!!!! It doesn't end there - we have twin towers, double door knobs, Doublemint gum, double sided business cards, double light fixtures, double mirrors and of course, double bar stools. You see Double before you have a cocktail.
Twins Restaurant is a restaurant first and a concept second. At a time when theme restaurants have infiltrated the food world very few are highly recognized for its great food. We have an American menu with a Mediterranean influence. This is what puts Twins in a class of its own. We are open ONLY for dinner seven nights a week, beginning at 5:00pm and we are open for Sunday brunch from 11:00am - 4:00pm. We are not open for lunch, only Sunday Brunch.
TWINS is approximately 2,000 sq. ft. with a full dining room and a 36 ft. mahogany bar and lounge area. The stained glass Twin Towers, vibrant multi-colored banquettes and Twin paraphernalia all lend additional ambiance to the fun of a great evening out. We also have a beautiful outdoor garden which seats approximately 40 people for spring and summertime seating. TWINS RESTAURANT is opening other locations, nationally and internationally within the year.
Please come in for dinner and enjoy the "Twinergy" of Twins Restaurant.
Twins with 2 mums
Born minutes apart and with almost identical looks, there seems little to set Lauren and Hannah Bernaba apart from any other pair of newborn twins.
But the girls are the world's first twins to be born on the same day to two different women.
First, biological mother Amy Bernaba gave birth to Lauren, weighing 7lb 10oz, then, half an hour later, surrogate mum Torry Keay delivered 7lb 3oz Hannah.
The double pregnancy happened after Mrs Bernaba and husband George had undergone IVF treatment for 12 years in an effort to conceive a baby brother or sister for their son Jeremy, now 15.
Scroll down for more...
Great expectations: Torry Keay and Amy Bernaba the day before the babies arrived
Eventually, doctors decided that 40-year- old Mrs Bernaba would almost certainly be unable to carry another baby because of a problem with her immune system.
So they tried an extremely unusual procedure, implanting eggs fertilised by Mr Bernaba's sperm into her womb and also into surrogate Mrs Keay's.
Mrs Keay became pregnant, and against all the odds so did Mrs Bernaba. Both women had straightforward pregnancies before giving birth on May 27 in neighbouring rooms in a Los Angeles hospital.
Mr Bernaba, who runs his own security business, saw Lauren delivered by Caesarean section before doctors told him Hannah was on the way.
He raced to watch her arrival and took photographs to show his wife.
Scroll down for more...
At last: George and Amy Bernaba cradle Lauren and Hannah, born 15 years after their son Jeremy
Yesterday, the couple told of their joy as they settle in to life at home in Beverly Hills with the twins.
Mrs Bernaba said: "I feel so happy to have them. I can't stop smiling.
"All the strain and heartache I've been through in the past few years have definitely been worth it, just to have these very special twins."
Although the twins are not identical because they came from separate eggs, they look very alike and Mrs Bernaba said she is only now starting to tell them apart.
"They both have dark brown hair and big blue eyes, but Hannah has gold streaks in her hair and her eyebrows are slightly lighter.
"She is the lively one, while Lauren is more quiet and relaxed."
Mrs Bernaba was 24 when she gave birth to Jeremy, and the pregnancy "just happened". It was only two years later when the couple tried to conceive again that her complex fertility problems emerged.
The Bernabas spent thousands on 14 IVF attempts which resulted in only one pregnancy.
Tragically, an ultrasound scan at four months found the baby had not developed properly and had to be aborted.
Finally, Mrs Bernaba was treated by U.S. fertility doctor Dr Michael Vermesh, who has one of the world's highest IVF success rates at 50 per cent.
Dr Vermesh also produced an earlier world first when he helped a woman give birth using an embryo frozen 12 years before.
The Bernabas contacted mother-of-six Mrs Keay, 31, via a friend, and she immediately agreed to help. Mrs Keay, a hairdresser, lives in Lake Arrowhead, three hours away, with her husband Billie, who runs a construction company.
She was paid an undisclosed sum to act as surrogate.
She said: "I immediately knew I wanted to do it and Billie supported me. We have a big family and we love children and we felt so sorry for people who weren't as lucky as us.
"I was excited to be helping somebody and when we met Amy and George and saw what a lovely couple they were, we were even more convinced."
The two women, who are now close friends, had their prenatal appointments and scans together.
Doctors decided to induce Mrs Keay so she would give birth at a similar time to Mrs Bernaba's Caesarean delivery.
Mr Bernaba, 40, said: "It was really quick. They had just cleaned up Lauren and we were holding her, when they said Hannah was being born.
"They handed the baby straight to me, so I could take her to see her mum and her twin sister."
Mrs Bernaba said: "We are going to tell the girls exactly how they were born and make sure they know they're both as special as each other."
The idea of implanting a woman's embryos into the mother and a surrogate at the same time is still extremely rare.
There has been only one other set of twins born this way, Americans Connor and Cameron Payne, who were born to mother Kathy and surrogate Angel Willis 16 days apart last June.
But the girls are the world's first twins to be born on the same day to two different women.
First, biological mother Amy Bernaba gave birth to Lauren, weighing 7lb 10oz, then, half an hour later, surrogate mum Torry Keay delivered 7lb 3oz Hannah.
The double pregnancy happened after Mrs Bernaba and husband George had undergone IVF treatment for 12 years in an effort to conceive a baby brother or sister for their son Jeremy, now 15.
Scroll down for more...
Great expectations: Torry Keay and Amy Bernaba the day before the babies arrived
Eventually, doctors decided that 40-year- old Mrs Bernaba would almost certainly be unable to carry another baby because of a problem with her immune system.
So they tried an extremely unusual procedure, implanting eggs fertilised by Mr Bernaba's sperm into her womb and also into surrogate Mrs Keay's.
Mrs Keay became pregnant, and against all the odds so did Mrs Bernaba. Both women had straightforward pregnancies before giving birth on May 27 in neighbouring rooms in a Los Angeles hospital.
Mr Bernaba, who runs his own security business, saw Lauren delivered by Caesarean section before doctors told him Hannah was on the way.
He raced to watch her arrival and took photographs to show his wife.
Scroll down for more...
At last: George and Amy Bernaba cradle Lauren and Hannah, born 15 years after their son Jeremy
Yesterday, the couple told of their joy as they settle in to life at home in Beverly Hills with the twins.
Mrs Bernaba said: "I feel so happy to have them. I can't stop smiling.
"All the strain and heartache I've been through in the past few years have definitely been worth it, just to have these very special twins."
Although the twins are not identical because they came from separate eggs, they look very alike and Mrs Bernaba said she is only now starting to tell them apart.
"They both have dark brown hair and big blue eyes, but Hannah has gold streaks in her hair and her eyebrows are slightly lighter.
"She is the lively one, while Lauren is more quiet and relaxed."
Mrs Bernaba was 24 when she gave birth to Jeremy, and the pregnancy "just happened". It was only two years later when the couple tried to conceive again that her complex fertility problems emerged.
The Bernabas spent thousands on 14 IVF attempts which resulted in only one pregnancy.
Tragically, an ultrasound scan at four months found the baby had not developed properly and had to be aborted.
Finally, Mrs Bernaba was treated by U.S. fertility doctor Dr Michael Vermesh, who has one of the world's highest IVF success rates at 50 per cent.
Dr Vermesh also produced an earlier world first when he helped a woman give birth using an embryo frozen 12 years before.
The Bernabas contacted mother-of-six Mrs Keay, 31, via a friend, and she immediately agreed to help. Mrs Keay, a hairdresser, lives in Lake Arrowhead, three hours away, with her husband Billie, who runs a construction company.
She was paid an undisclosed sum to act as surrogate.
She said: "I immediately knew I wanted to do it and Billie supported me. We have a big family and we love children and we felt so sorry for people who weren't as lucky as us.
"I was excited to be helping somebody and when we met Amy and George and saw what a lovely couple they were, we were even more convinced."
The two women, who are now close friends, had their prenatal appointments and scans together.
Doctors decided to induce Mrs Keay so she would give birth at a similar time to Mrs Bernaba's Caesarean delivery.
Mr Bernaba, 40, said: "It was really quick. They had just cleaned up Lauren and we were holding her, when they said Hannah was being born.
"They handed the baby straight to me, so I could take her to see her mum and her twin sister."
Mrs Bernaba said: "We are going to tell the girls exactly how they were born and make sure they know they're both as special as each other."
The idea of implanting a woman's embryos into the mother and a surrogate at the same time is still extremely rare.
There has been only one other set of twins born this way, Americans Connor and Cameron Payne, who were born to mother Kathy and surrogate Angel Willis 16 days apart last June.
Monday, 30 July 2007
Together or apart? Changing attitudes to bringing up twins
Together or apart? Changing attitudes to bringing up twins
Dress us the same and Kanga gets it.A generation ago, you knew where you were with twins, they were dressed identically - whether or not they were identical - and had similar sounding names like Tim and Tom or Lottie and Dottie.
The poor little mites were given one present between them at Christmas and on their birthdays and books on bringing up twins emphasized their “sameness”.
But today there has been a complete U-turn, with families desperately anxious to recognise their children as individuals and not just half of “the twins.”Now parents of multiples are going to great lengths to make sure that as well as treasuring a special bond, their children learn to relish their independence.
From the moment twins are born, people compare and stereotype them - which is the eldest? Which is the quietest? Which is the strongest? It is important to realise how damaging this can be - affecting not only how the children are seen by the outside world - but also the way they see themselves.
Tracey Cawthra, mum to Jack and Sam, aged two,says: “I am very conscious about bringing my two boys up as individuals - they have never been dressed alike from the moment that they were born. I tell everyone to send them separate birthday cards and if they want to take them out for the day, I am more than happy that they go out individually - this also means that they both get their own time. I am also clear that Jack and Sam are never referred to as "the twins"
Marieke Piggott, mum to four-year-old Sam and Tom, says: “With the huge amount of information being exchanged across the globe these days and research data on the long-term effects of parenting, we are much more aware of the damage that can be done to multiples if they are not treated as individuals.”
According to Tamba, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, twins should be encouraged to achieve a sense of their individuality by dressing them differently from an early age. But the charity advises new parents: “For the first few months, don’t worry too much about how you dress the babies. You will be so busy that any approach that fits in with your schedule and budget is OK.”
As the children grow, it may be continue to be fun to dress them identically, but Helen Forbes, director of Tamba warns: “Dressing children in identical clothes can lead others to treat the babies as a group instead of as an individuals. It can also cause problems later on as children sometimes insist on continuing to wear the same clothes as each other. Even if you’re given identical sets of clothing as presents, the babies do not have to wear them at the same time.”
Twins at play should not have to share their toys. Giving them one toy between them is likely to limit their urge to explore and lead to frustration and fighting. And you should always make a special effort to address each child by their own name. It may sound like this is stating the obvious - but it’s easier said than done....as one little boy showed when he was asked his name after just starting nursery with his twin brother. “It’s Michaelandjohn,” he replied.
Dress us the same and Kanga gets it.A generation ago, you knew where you were with twins, they were dressed identically - whether or not they were identical - and had similar sounding names like Tim and Tom or Lottie and Dottie.
The poor little mites were given one present between them at Christmas and on their birthdays and books on bringing up twins emphasized their “sameness”.
But today there has been a complete U-turn, with families desperately anxious to recognise their children as individuals and not just half of “the twins.”Now parents of multiples are going to great lengths to make sure that as well as treasuring a special bond, their children learn to relish their independence.
From the moment twins are born, people compare and stereotype them - which is the eldest? Which is the quietest? Which is the strongest? It is important to realise how damaging this can be - affecting not only how the children are seen by the outside world - but also the way they see themselves.
Tracey Cawthra, mum to Jack and Sam, aged two,says: “I am very conscious about bringing my two boys up as individuals - they have never been dressed alike from the moment that they were born. I tell everyone to send them separate birthday cards and if they want to take them out for the day, I am more than happy that they go out individually - this also means that they both get their own time. I am also clear that Jack and Sam are never referred to as "the twins"
Marieke Piggott, mum to four-year-old Sam and Tom, says: “With the huge amount of information being exchanged across the globe these days and research data on the long-term effects of parenting, we are much more aware of the damage that can be done to multiples if they are not treated as individuals.”
According to Tamba, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, twins should be encouraged to achieve a sense of their individuality by dressing them differently from an early age. But the charity advises new parents: “For the first few months, don’t worry too much about how you dress the babies. You will be so busy that any approach that fits in with your schedule and budget is OK.”
As the children grow, it may be continue to be fun to dress them identically, but Helen Forbes, director of Tamba warns: “Dressing children in identical clothes can lead others to treat the babies as a group instead of as an individuals. It can also cause problems later on as children sometimes insist on continuing to wear the same clothes as each other. Even if you’re given identical sets of clothing as presents, the babies do not have to wear them at the same time.”
Twins at play should not have to share their toys. Giving them one toy between them is likely to limit their urge to explore and lead to frustration and fighting. And you should always make a special effort to address each child by their own name. It may sound like this is stating the obvious - but it’s easier said than done....as one little boy showed when he was asked his name after just starting nursery with his twin brother. “It’s Michaelandjohn,” he replied.
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