Ask the doctor: What should I do to get twins?

What you need to know:
- It is important not to request a specific gender for the twins, as achieving this is complex.
I am currently 34 years old and would like to get pregnant as soon as possible, ideally with one set of twins. How can I find a local doctor to assist me with this? Dr Lena
Dear Dr Lena,
Twins are two children born to the same mother during the same pregnancy, and there are two main types of twins; identical and fraternal. Identical twins result from a single fertilised egg that splits to form two embryos. As a result, these twins are identical in sex and genetic makeup, although they may not have identical fingerprints.
Fraternal twins, which are the more common type, occur when two separate eggs are fertilised by two different sperm. These twins can have different genetic makeups and may or may not be of the same sex.
Many women delay having children due to extended periods of education, leading some to prefer having twins to expedite the delivery process. While some women may naturally conceive twins, especially if they are older, have a family history of twins, are taller, or consume a lot of dairy, there has been an increase in Ugandan women self-prescribing drugs claimed to boost the likelihood of having twins. These include folic acid, clomiphene citrate, and letrozole, though the success rates vary. In vitro fertilization (IVF), also known as test-tube pregnancy, can also lead to twins if more than one embryo is implanted by a fertility doctor.
However, it is important not to request a specific gender for the twins, as achieving this is complex.
Given your age, it may be challenging to conceive even one child naturally. Therefore, it is advisable to first try to get pregnant before focusing on having twins. If you want to increase your chances of conception, try having intercourse every day or every other day. If you have not succeeded after one year, please consult with your doctor for further guidance.