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Imagine finding out you are pregnant again while you still have a newborn. The term “Irish Twins” refers to siblings born within a year of each other, and it definitely does happen. While birthing two babies in the span of a year have its challenges, there are also many uniquely special benefits to raising siblings close in age.
We have everything you need to know about Irish twins, including whether it’s safe and tips for raising children so close in age.
What does the term ‘Irish Twins’ mean?
The term ‘Irish Twins’ is defined as having two children born within 12 months of each other or within the same year. For example, a mother having a child in January and then October, or in my case January and December, my two boys are eleven months and three days apart.
However, Irish twins are not actually real twins as they were not born at the same. They may or may not be Irish but that depends on the parent’s heritage.
The History:
The term “Irish Twins” first appeared in the United States at the turn of the 20th century, a time when there was a significant influx of Irish immigrants into the US.
Most Irish immigrants at that time were strict Catholics, and therefore, did not practice family planning. It was not uncommon for Irish families to be quite large, with children coming into the family almost yearly.
For this reason, it is easy to see that the term Irish twins were considered a derogatory term to Irish immigrants.
How Common are Irish Twins?
It was more common before the 1900s as birth control was not really used as much as it is today. However, today it tends to occur more as there are several misconceptions like you can’t get pregnant when breastfeeding and several more.
My Irish Twin Boys:
Jack was born in January of 2016, and the pregnancy wasn’t exciting till near the end. I passed a blood clot approximately a month before delivery. Not a mucus plug or anything of that sort, but a gush of a blood clot.
Then during labor, I spiked a fever. It resulted in him being rushed to the NICU following an emergency c-section. I didn’t have any morning sickness with him except for perfumes and cologne.
Luke was a different pregnancy. I had morning sickness that started around nine weeks and lasted what felt like forever. I do not still, to this day, like ginger snaps and do not understand why they call it morning sickness when it lasted all day sometimes.
During our 20-week ultrasound, we found out that Luke had an echogenic intracardiac focus (or EIF), which looks like a small bright spot on a developing baby’s heart during an ultrasound. A few weeks before delivery, the echogenic intracardiac focus was no longer visible.
In December of 2016, our second son, Luke, had made it into this world via a scheduled c-section.
More on Echogenic Intracardiac Focus (EIFs):
EIFs themselves have no impact on health or heart function. Often the EIF is gone by the third trimester. If there are no problems or chromosome abnormalities, EIFs are considered regular changes, or variants.
Researchers have noted an association between EIF and chromosome problems. These types of chromosome problems occasionally are seen in trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) or trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).
In the case of an isolated EIF, and no other ultrasound findings, some studies show that the risk for a chromosome abnormality is approximately two times a woman’s background risk. Other studies report up to a 1% risk for Down syndrome when an EIF is seen on a second-trimester fetal ultrasound exam.
I was sent to see a high-risk obstetrician who did some genetic tests and a detailed ultrasound that all came back okay. The spot was still there, but she didn’t appear worried about it at all, even though I was a nervous wreck.
My physician advised that sometimes it will just go away on its own, but they will do the testing and keep a close eye on it. The spot remained till the final 2-weeks before our scheduled c-section. We had no complications following, and all testing came back normal.
Risks of Pregnancy’s Back-to-Back
Due to the toll one’s body takes during a pregnancy, it is not recommended to have pregnancies back-to-back. The World Health Organization recommends a gap of 2 to 5 years before you welcome a new life into this world.
Risks of Having Irish Twins:
Prematurity
It is defined as a newborn that is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. The younger sibling can be born prematurely even though the older sibling was born at term (after 37 weeks of pregnancy). The reason being, during pregnancy, a woman’s body depletes resources that takes time to replenish.
Health Risks to Mother
It takes time for women’s bodies to recover, so during contractions, it is essential to rest.
The Low Birth Weight of the second child.
This complication likely results due to prematurity. Another possibility is the lack of nutrition in the womb. The mother’s body hasn’t replenished the necessary vitamins and nutrients from the previous birth. Where one can overcome through the proper intake of nutrients and prenatal vitamins. In my situation, Luke weighed more than my first son, Jack. It can vary by different individuals, so I would not recommend stressing over it.
Scarcity of breastmilk
If breastfeeding during pregnancy might lead to contractions due to the release of oxytocin in one’s body, and she may also witness her milk to dry up.
High autism risk
A sibling born less than a year after her older sibling is more susceptible to the risk of autism than those who have a much more significant gap. It could be related to prematurity, lack of nutrients, and various other factors.
Complications with the placenta
Due to back-to-back pregnancies may lead to severe complications with the placenta, i.e., placenta previa and placental abruption. In placenta previa, the placenta lies low in the uterus, possibly covering the cervix, which may lead to bleeding. Placental abruption is a condition wherein, placenta disconnects from the uterine wall. It can result in heavy bleeding due to the tear in all connecting blood vessels. It can also prove life-threatening for the mother.
Momma may take years to recover from one pregnancy.
It goes beyond the typical tiredness and physical aspect of carrying, delivering, and nourishing a child. Carrying a baby can take vital nutrients from a mother that can take years to replenish and restore.
Having two children in a small time span doesn’t allow mothers the necessary time to recover physically or mentally. So many complications can occur or not occur like in any given situation. Research has shown that a mother with kids close in age is at a higher risk of postpartum depression, which can cause long-term damage if left untreated.
Tips on Raising Children Close in Age
- Have a Routine. Just like biological twins, Irish twins are a ton of work at the start. Babies have very specific eating and sleeping needs. With biological twins, it is recommended to get them on the same schedule. Irish twins are a little different because a newborn eats and sleeps much more frequently than a one-year-old. Implement a schedule that syncs up the older child’s two naps with two of the newborn’s planned sleep times, if possible.
- Ask for Help. It’s important not to burn out while caring for two babies. A mother must attend to her physical recovery after giving birth, particularly in the case of two pregnancies in one year. Her body is really recovering from both births. Go easy on yourself and enlist the help of others to shop, cook, or help care for the little ones.
- Make 1:1 time for Each Child Even though you’re raising future besties, every child needs special time alone with mom. Make it a habit to spend some time with each baby every day, even if it’s just a few minutes. This will help with any jealousy or behavior regressions in your older child.
- Make Some Time for Your Relationship Trying to deal with two babies can put a major strain on your marriage. Both of you will be exhausted and romance will take a back seat. Don’t feel pressured to have a date night if that’s not going to work right now. However, take small moments to give each other a hug or have a short conversation whenever you can sneak it in. Having the intention of nurturing your relationship is what matters, even if it doesn’t look like much for a while.
- Go with the Flow. Life won’t be perfect with babies born within a year. You will be faced with a tantruming toddler and an overtired screaming baby in the grocery store. Push through and pay for those groceries. Sometimes you just have to do your best.
Every situation is entirely different, though, and I did not meet any of the risks listed above. I ate a well-balanced diet, but I will probably still have my belly for a bit. It is getting smaller when I look at pictures.
Sincerely,
Erin
My kids are 20 months apart. I can’t imagine Irish twins!
Phoebe
Where did you get the information about autism? I would like to know. THank you!
irishtwins16
I have read so many articles but this is the one I linked to in that comment – https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/autism-in-babies-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/
Kez
Wow! I dont even want the bodily stress of one pregnancy, let alone 2 within a year! :oP
Mariah
i was also trying to find the information u listed on Irish twins leading to much higher risk fo austim, and i followed the link u posted. but found nothing int he article regarding irish twins. the only thing about twins is the paragraph ive listed.
“If autism already exists in your family, your baby will have a higher chance of developing the condition. If you already have a child who has been diagnosed with autism, then your child will have an 18% chance of also being diagnosed; however, in the case of identical twins, if one is diagnosed, there is a 95% chance that the other will be diagnosed as well”
did you mean to post a different link?
The Irish Twin's Momma
You are absolutely right! Here is the Link from the Mayo Clinic and I have corrected it in the post.
Esmé Slabbert
Hi Ashley
You have been nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award! Thanks for being part of my blogging journey, and I hope you will be able to participate and pay this forward. You will find the post on my blog at https://bit.ly/2Z7Fcgt and published at 2am Vancouver, BC time August 16, 2019
prabhu
i have also twins, and difference between both kid only 12 second.
Ida
I have three kids, twins and my first born 2,5 years apart. I’m glad that my eldest was a bit older when the twins were born, as she was already a great help from the beginning. The twins have developed at a slightly different pace, one started walking several months before her sister, but then she started talking a lot later. In a way, I think twins, though challenging, might be a bit easier than siblings with a small age difference. Everything from feeding, potty training, etc go on the same schedule with twins, but babies 11 months apart makes a huge difference. I can only imagine, at times it’s tough being a mother of several either way!
Laura
Really interesting. My brother and I are 19 months apart, and that feels close, but to have two kids born the same year is amazing. They’re going to have a great story to tell for the rest of their lives.
Valerie Fowler
Thank you so much for sharing this. While my own kids are spaced farther apart, my mom had 4 kids in 3.5 years {!!!}. I’m glad that you and your beautiful babes are doing well now.
Britt
This is really interesting. We have Irish twins in our family, but I never knew that there were so many potential risks involved. Thank you for sharing all this info.
Hoang Vi Fessenden
wow I couldn’t imagine having twins!
Jenn Summers
Great article. I can not imagine how hard it is on your body to have two full pregnancies within a year. You’re a rockstar hun!
Jessica
Im definitely going to be reading more of your posts as I just recently found out I’m expecting #2. I’m 2 months pregnant and 5 months postpartum. 2nd pregnancy was an oppsie as i was on BC but I’m excited none the less…nut bery nervous
The Irish Twin's Momma
That is what happened to us. Quicker than expected but still blessed. Feel free to reach out because it definitely is not easy having them back to back.
Caroline
I had two boys born 13 months apart. They were called Irish a twins. I never heard it was derogatory until today! I appreciated the term! I loved having Irish twins! They are now 35 and 34. The second is almost 35. Both were due in July. The first was a premie.
My husband and I decided that the baby thing was a breeze, we wanted several more, so went on.
The first was a busy little one. He explored everything and learned all he could before he was one.
I was seamed a high risk pregnancy due to the premature birth of number one. With number two, I was put on bed rest and given progesterone shots. It wasn’t pleasant, but I’d do it over in a heartbeat!
Number one day d everything for number two. All number tow had to do was point at the tv and number one knew exactly what he wanted! He operated the VCR (yep, long ago!) and put on Winnie the Pooh from r them to watch.
Yes, they had the same friends. It caused some conflicts.They did fight and make up. But, I’m the end, they are wonderful together!
Without knowing, both bought white pickup trucks. Within a year of each other, both had serious wrecks total lying both trucks! (Scary to say the least! But, both survived!). Then, each bought new pick up trucks, neither knew what the other was buying! However, both trucks are silver!
It’s truly amazing! I will never accept Irish twins as derogatory! It’s precious! (I am of Irish decent. But, not Catholic. – I have catholic relatives. After all we are trying to get to the same place; Heaven) Anyway, Irish twins are wonderful! I claim mine with pride!
The Irish Twins' Momma
Hi Caroline,
I absolutely love reading your story! That is so interesting about the trucks and so funny, but I am really sorry to hear about the accident. My 1st one is all about learning everything and must touch, break, and put back together. I remember the VCR, now my boys will probably know nothing about it because they are hard to find.
Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Vayda
They are not Irish twins if they were born 13 months apart ♀️
The Irish Twins' Momma
That is correct, Irish twins are born 12 months or less. Mine boys are 11 months and 3 days apart. Do you have Irish twins or know of someone that does?