Since the early 1980s the number of twins born in the United States has risen by 60 percent. From the parents’ point of view, that may mean getting two for the price of one (hooray!) or signing on for double trouble (ut oh).
Still, whether twin parents are delighted or terrified, scientific research suggests that moms of twins live longer than moms of singletons. The reasons are not clear—it may be that women who birth twins are healthier to begin with or that having twins, like having children later in life, confers a longer life span. Whatever the reason, it’s nice to know that running around after your dynamic duo may sabotage your sanity but won’t shave years off your life.
