TwinParenthood.com

We all suspected we were seeing more twins, and now a new report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) confirms it.  The CDC says that the rate of twin births in the United States continues to rise.  Twin rates had been stable at about 2% of births from about 1915 through the 1970′s.  But beginning in the early 80′s, the rate began to rise. 

One in every 30 infants born in 2009 was a twin.

• The number of twin births more than doubled from 1980 through 2009, rising from 68,339 to more than 137,000 births in each year from 2006 to 2009. In 1980, 1 in every 53 babies born in the United States was a twin, compared with 1 in every 30 births in 2009.

Twinning rates rose by more than 200 percent among women aged 40 and over.

• Twin birth rates increased for women of all ages over the three decades, with the largest increases among women aged 30 and over. From 1980 to 2009, rates increased 76 percent for women aged 30–34, nearly 100 percent for women aged 35–39, and more than 200 percent for women aged 40 and over.
• In 2009, 7 percent of all births to women aged 40 and over were born in a twin delivery compared with 5 percent of births to women aged 35–39, and 2 percent of births to women under age 25. 

Health Implications of Twins

While twin parents everywhere rejoice in their happy but difficult circumstances, the increased rate of twin births does have implications for the health of the mother and the babies.  The rise in the rate of twins, which comprise the majority of multiples (96 percent in 2009), has had an unfavorable impact on key indicators of perinatal health such as rates of preterm birth and low birthweight.

Source:
Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJK. Three decades of twin births in the United States, 1980–2009. NCHS data brief, no 80. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2012.

Are you ready to live a healthier lifestyle?

Come join us as we journey together towards greater health! Whether you are already fit and want support to stay there, are pregnant and need encouragement to keep ‘em cookin’, or are far from healthy and need some buddies to work through it… come on in and join us!

This will be a low-key support group to help us stay on track, get back on track, or just commiserate when we fall off the track.  This is not one of those fancy groups where you track what you eat, or track your exercise, or your water intake… it is simply a forum where we can talk about goals and support each other. So… come join us and we can journey together to greater health!

You can find our subgroup in TwinParenthood’s Membership Community, select the subgroups tab, scroll down to “TwinParenthood Fitness” and click “Learn More and Join”.  Not a member of our online community? Join Now!

Hope to see you there!

Drop-side cribs have been outlawed in the United States. Do you own one of these? We have seen countless recalls on drop-side cribs in the past few years and many infant deaths — Danger! Danger!

A drop-side crib is any crib that has a rail that drops down to allow parents easy access for picking up or laying down the babies.

As a parent to two sets of twins, this was the only type of crib we used. I must say, that the ability to lower the side saved our already sore backs. However, if I had known how dangerous these cribs were, I would not have used them.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to ban these drop-side cribs. Please note that the manufacture, sale, and RESALE of these cribs is banned.

The new standard requiring cribs to have fixed sides would take effect in June. The move by CPSC would also prohibit hotels and childcare centers from using drop-sides, though those facilities would have a year to purchase new cribs.

According to an article on MSNBC, “In all, drop-side cribs have been blamed in the deaths of at least 32 infants and toddlers since 2000 and are suspected in another 14 infant fatalities. In the past five years, more than 9 million drop-side cribs have been recalled, including cribs from big-name companies such as Evenflo, Delta Enterprise Corp., and Pottery Barn Kids.” Read more at MSNBC.

Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Similac, have recently announced a recall of some of their powdered infant formulas. Apparently there is a possibility that the formula may contain some small beetle parts or larvae. The US Food and Drug Administration has determined that it poses no immediately health risk, but infants that consume the formula may experience gastrointestinal discomfort.

To immediately find out if the product in your possession is included in this recall, parents and caregivers should visit www.similac.com/recall/lookup, and type in their lot number to determine if their product is affected, or call (888) 376-2054.

Day 5 out of 40 in radio station Spirit 105.3′s Heath & Fitness 40 Day Challenge

Well, I am happy to report that I am now one of the Top 4 Finalists in my local radio station’s (Spirit 105.3) Health & Fitness 40 Day Challenge.  Thank you to everyone for all your support and votes!

I have completed 3 of the “boot camp” fitness classes provided to the 4 competitors by “Aim to be Fit”.  After the first class, my body was very sore.  And, each class that followed has resulted in sore muscles, but not as bad as the first day.  So… I think I’m progressing!  I’ve completed 5 days out of the 40, and I’m feeling more empowered as each day goes by.

However, the whole thing has derailed my normal routine quite a bit.  Christmas first threw me off my normal schedule, and now  this 40 Day Challenge is taking its toll.  But, it is good. I’m readjusting, and planning to get back to my blogging routine by next week.  I have some great new ideas for TwinParenthood.com — so I hope you will enjoy them as they roll out.

Meanwhile, wish me luck in this 40 Day Challenge.  I am not concerned about “winning” the challenge — just happy to be included and being made to be accountable.  I’ll let you know how I do over the next 40 days.  And if you’d like to follow along, please visit me at the radio station’s website: http://bit.ly/8LtOuH

Can a twin mom compete in a Health & Fitness 40 Day Challenge?

I am so excited. I am one of 8 finalists competing to become one of 4 contestants in Spirit 105.3′s Health & Fitness 40 Day Challenge.  Spirit is a local radio station here in the Seattle area.   The 40 Day Challenge is meant to encourage Fitness, Nutrition and Spiritual Growth in the New Year.  I entered because I am ready to start taking better care of myself.  And, I need your vote to boost me into one of the four contestant positions.  Please head over to their Spirit 105.3′s website, view my profile, and cast your vote for me!  All votes for the contestant selection must be placed by Friday, January 8th, 2010.  Thank you so much for your support!

After some fertility treatments and then 2 twin pregnancies — I had gained about 50 pounds that has stayed with me these past nine years of caring for my twins.  Now that they are all in school full day, I am ready to make it a priority to get healthy again. 

I hope you vote for me — but even if you don’t, I hope you visit back here often for updates during the 40 days. Even if I don’t “make it” into the contest, I plan to follow along and do my best.  I’ll be posting about this 40 day journey regularly.  Hope you can join me.