Prompt Cast
The Rise of Multiple Births: Twins, Triplets, and Beyond
TLDR The rate of twins born in the United States has more than doubled in the past 40 years, primarily due to the use of fertility drugs. Multiple births, including twins and triplets, have become more common over time, thanks to advancements in medicine and improved care for premature babies.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Multiple births, including twins and triplets, have become more common over time despite some types of multiple births being exceedingly rare.
02:26
Twins are uncommon but not particularly rare, with the highest rate of twins found amongst the Yoruba people in West Africa.
04:38
The rate of twins born in the United States has more than doubled in the past 40 years, with the increase primarily due to the use of fertility drugs.
06:50
Sesquiziotic twins, also known as half identical twins, occur when a single egg is fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in twins that are similar to fraternal twins but share the same amniotic sac like identical twins.
09:11
Triplets are much more rare than twins, occurring in about one in every thousand births, and identical triplets are even rarer, occurring in only about one in every million births.
11:30
The rise in extreme multiple births, including twins and higher-order multiples, can be attributed to the use of fertility drugs and improved care for premature babies.
13:50
Extreme multiple births almost always result in premature birth and require a cesarean section, but advancements in medicine and infant formula have greatly improved survival rates for infants from multiple births.
