Fertility Treatments May Explain Higher Twin Rates In the United States

Want twins? If you're living in America, chances are a bit more in your favor than before.

The rate of twin births in the United States hit close to 33.7 births out of every 1,000 deliveries in 2013, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); that's up from just 2 percent from 2012 and a new national high, according to Fox News.

"I was a bit surprised," said CDC epidemiologist Joyce Martin, via Reuters. "Two percent is quite an increase."

This rate increased from 76 percent from 1980 to 2009. Researchers believe that during the later years, many who've had difficulties conceiving opted for fertility treatments, increasing the chances of multiples.

In fact, Missouri hospital Saint Luke's East Hospital in Lee's Summit delivered six sets of twins in just one week, with all born or looked after in the neonatal intensive care unit.

"This is the first time we've ever had this many sets of twins in our hospital at the same time," said Brenda Cornell, a clinical nurse manager, via The New York Daily News.

However, while carrying more than one baby is a joy, it can also carry higher risks and complications than single births. According to the March of Dimes, close to 60 percent of all twins and more than 90 percent of triplets are born prematurely (before 37 weeks). The average twin pregnancy lasts 35 weeks. Triplet pregnancies average 33 weeks, and quad pregnancies average 29 weeks.

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