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Can a breastfeeding woman become pregnant with twins?
Twin pregnancy refers to pregnancy with two babies. If a woman ovulated two eggs around the same time (in the same menstrual cycle) and the eggs are fertilised, then fraternal twins that may not resemble in sex or looks can result. PHOTO / SHUTTERSTOCK
Dr is it true that if one is breastfeeding and gets pregnant she will get twins? Kubingi Ayolekerwa
Breastfeeding exclusively is one method of family planning and it is only in rare cases that a woman then may get pregnant.
If no exclusive breastfeeding is happening, a woman may more easily get pregnant while breastfeeding.
Twin pregnancy refers to pregnancy with two babies. If a woman ovulated two eggs around the same time (in the same menstrual cycle) and the eggs are fertilised, then fraternal twins that may not resemble in sex or looks can result.
If one fertilised egg completely breaks into two then identical twins save for fingerprints may result. These kinds of twins are rare and happen by accident.
For sure, twins in the modern world, are mostly conceived through IVF (test-tube) though there may be other unproven ways that are rumoured to lead to twins.
These ways include an older mother say in thirties, twins in the woman’s family, overweight or taller women, those taking lots of cassava, or west African yam and others yet to be proven.
If a woman gets pregnant while she is breastfeeding, (which rarely happens if a woman is exclusively breastfeeding), at this time the female hormone oestrogen levels are low and levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that help release eggs are likely to be up, risking release of more than one egg hence a bigger twin chance.
