Frequently Asked Questions FAQ - Australian Multiple Birth Association

The AMBA A to Z guide on multiples terminology

info@amba.org.au (Ashlee Tenberge) — Sat, 16 May 2020 13:40:20 +1000

The language, words and terminology used when referring to multiples can be confusing. Here, we help you with an A to Z guide on common terms used in the world of multiples.

Do multiples or twins run in families and do they skip a generation?

info@amba.org.au (Ashlee Tenberge) — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:51:50 +1000

There’s both fact and fiction to the rumours that twins run in families and tend to skip a generation. Here's what you need to know about the science behind family heredity and twins.

What factors influence the chances of conceiving multiples?

info@amba.org.au (Ashlee Tenberge) — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:40:20 +1100

In Australia, on average 1.4% of pregnancies result in a multiple birth. Multiples result from around 1 in every 80 births, with approximately one-third of twins being identical (MZ) and two-thirds being fraternal (DZ).

What are the differences between fraternal and identical twins?

info@amba.org.au (Ashlee Tenberge) — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:40:20 +1100

In a nutshell, the two most common types of twins are identical and fraternal. Sometimes there are obvious ways to tell which type is what, but there are some complexities with determining the zygosity of same-sex twins - let's get into it.