Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Ekaterina Shtern

Why are A LOT more twins and triplets being born in Ireland?

There has been a 36% increase in the number of twins born in Ireland over the period of a decade.

THERE WAS A 36% increase in the birth of twins in Ireland between 2004 and 2013.

Figures from the HSE show that in 2013, there were 2,526 twin births, compared to just 1,849 in 2004.

Every year the number of twin births has risen.

The number of triplet births has also risen from 54 in 2004 to 87 in 2013. This accounts for a 61.1% increase over the decade.

births 3

So, why the big increase?

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Medical Director at Beacon CARE Fertility Dr Ahmed Omar said the number of twin births is not only rising here, but worldwide. 

Assisted reproductive therapies is the main contributory factor pushing multiple births up, said Dr Omar, but studies have shown that twin births in natural pregnancies are also on the rise, mainly due to the increase in the maternal age that women are conceiving.

What’s the likelihood of having twins? 

Dr Omar said that in a natural conception the chances of having twins is 1 in 80. However, with In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) the chance of conceiving twins is 1 in 5.

“One baby at birth is preferable,” said Dr Omar, who said that couples might disagree with this.

The reason why there are generally more multiple births is because embryo success was low, so more than one embryo was transferred, sometimes four or five,” he explained.

twins 1 Flickr / CC/ Donnie Ray Jones Flickr / CC/ Donnie Ray Jones / CC/ Donnie Ray Jones

He said that this doesn’t have to be the case nowadays.

The success rate has improved dramatically. There have been huge advances in technology and embryo selection, which means the need to transfer more than one embryo has decreased.
The selection process has changed significantly – we now have the ability to incubate embryos and pinpoint embryos with an increased chance of reaching a live birth. Confidence in using single embryo transfers has also increased.

Dr Omar said it is now the role of medical professionals to educate patients that multiple embryo transfers are not always necessary, as while success with IVF treatment in the past was low, studies show there can be a 70% success rate with a single embryo transfer.

shutterstock_71248234 Shutterstock / vgm Shutterstock / vgm / vgm

He said that couples are under huge pressure to succeed and there are costs to consider too.

However, he said it is important to educate people about the risks also.

The need to transfer multiple embryos has lessened, but we also have to think about the cost to society of twin births – whereby mothers are admitted to hospital weeks before the birth, and babies are spending weeks in ICU due to a low birth weight.The long term effects on the child throughout its life due to premature births also needs to be considered.

Read: ‘Life is short. I intend to honour those who died by living the happiest and most fulfilling life possible’>

Read: ‘He robbed my children, he robbed me and he did it for no reason’>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
26 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tubbsyf
    Favourite tubbsyf
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 8:49 PM

    Yet the gaa which has terrible participation rates get the majority if grants. More pools, cycle tracks , astro pitches etc needed

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Davis Payne
    Favourite Davis Payne
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 9:37 PM

    Sport is not the answer to mental health issues, I know a lot of people that suffer immense sports anxiety. I know 1 person in particular that suffered huge depression as a result of the team losing a number of matches where he took the blame on himself. Unfortunately sport is not a quick fix, there is none. We need to manage the expectations and pressures we put on people as a nation.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Troy
    Favourite Seán Troy
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 9:54 PM

    @Davis Payne:

    There is no better solution for anxiety than exercise. Power lifting in particular.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute helen walsh
    Favourite helen walsh
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 12:24 AM

    @Davis Payne: yes and another thing..hands were made to use, more hobbies, more diy…more community involvement, more jobs for pocket money from a young age. Less social media.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus Scott
    Favourite Seamus Scott
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 10:25 PM

    Sport is not the answer , your deluded if you think that , it’s a help but not the answer , will sport be there when your down in yourself at midnight , what about lots of guys who just can’t stand sport it’s not the answer for them , who makes up this stuff .

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SC
    Favourite SC
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 10:31 PM

    Men are not so irrational. When they are stressed it is usually because of real iddues like financial or relationship problems or loneliness. There’s a lot society can do (get rent under control,.make young men feel wanted in work and like their life has direction, give young people back some free time so they can actually socialise and meet women/men rather than work and go to the gym.all the time) and not as much an individual can do for themselves because these big issues are out of our hands.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Joe & Bridie
    Favourite John Joe & Bridie
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 9:50 AM

    Every 6 weeks we get a Lynn knows best article…..

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wayne Scales
    Favourite Wayne Scales
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 9:57 PM

    100% correct doesn’t work for everyone but for many it is the light at the e d of a dark tunnel.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 7:13 AM

    Sport isn’t a blanket answer to mental health issues. I’ve played competitive sports from a young age. If you have low self esteem to begin with, you need to be very careful what sports you choose to participate in. From what i’ve seen in the various sports and clubs i’ve been in, bullying and verbal abuse is rife in them.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean May
    Favourite Sean May
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 1:16 PM

    @Dave Doyle: I agree whole-heartedly with you on this. I lost all interest in sporting activity for years as a result of such abuse.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Henry Gaynor
    Favourite Henry Gaynor
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 8:18 AM

    All young men should do two years compulsory military service. They will learn the value of discipline, fitness, comradeship, and taking care of themselves.

    9
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds