Pollard Middle School in Needham, Massachusetts recently held its eighth-grade “moving up” ceremony for the outgoing students, which included an impressive 23 sets of twins. Principal Tamantha Bibbo mentioned to the Associated Press (AP) that the school has a substantial student body. However, the unusually high number of twins in this year’s eighth-grade class was quite remarkable. Bibbo stated, “We typically have anywhere from five to 10 sets at most, given our numbers, we have approximately 450 to 500 children in each grade, so this was extraordinarily high.”
The 23 sets of twins, along with an eighth-grade student whose twin sibling goes to a different middle school, make up about 10% of the class. During their “moving up” ceremony on Wednesday, June 12, these twins received special recognition, as reported by Bibbo to the Associated Press. In the United States, twins comprise about 3% of live births, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Therefore, the number of twins in Pollard Middle School’s eighth-grade class is more than three times the expected amount.
It remains unclear what proportion of the twins at Pollard Middle School were identical or fraternal. Roughly one third of all twins are identical, which means they were a single zygote that divided in the womb. The remaining two-thirds of twins are fraternal, indicating that they were two distinct zygotes and are no more alike than regular siblings. While the occurrence of fraternal twins can be connected to genetic factors, the likelihood of identical twins is the same for every pregnancy, as mentioned by the National Health Service.
The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the number of twin births in the United States steadily increased for three decades before starting to decline in 2019. Majority of multiple births are twins, with 114,483 twin births recorded in the U.S. in 2022. Additionally, there were 2,774 sets of triplets born in the same year. The factors contributing to the rise in multiple births are not entirely clear but could be associated with maternal age and the use of fertility treatments.
In a remarkable case, Halima Cissé from Mali holds the world record for delivering the most children at a single birth to survive. She gave birth to nine babies – nontuplets – on May 4, 2021, in Casablanca, Morocco. This surpassed the previous record held by Natalie Suleman, who delivered octuplets in 2009. All nine of Cissé’s babies survived, and the family returned to Mali after more than a year and a half.
The nontuplets were born via cesarean section at 30 weeks gestation, with each weighing between 1.1 and 2.2 pounds at birth. The unexpected surprise of Cissé carrying nine babies was only realized when she received specialized care in Morocco. This incredible feat showcases the amazing and unexpected nature of multiple births and the complexities associated with them.
Overall, the celebration of the 23 sets of twins at Pollard Middle School highlights the uniqueness and wonder of multiple births, showcasing the diversity and marvels of nature. With the increasing number of twin births in the U.S., it is clear that these occurrences continue to captivate and inspire communities across the country. As we celebrate these milestones, we are reminded of the beauty and intricacies of life and the miracles that come with each unique birth.
