Abstract
Research on mothers of twins suggests they have a more robust phenotype compared to singleton only mothers. Historical demographic microdata can be of additional value in studying differences in reproductive behaviour and survival of their offspring between multiple birth mothers and singleton only mothers. However, the number of such studies in historical populations is limited. This study aims to explore the possibilities to study maternal life-histories of multiple birth mothers compared to singleton only mothers using microdata on 19th and early 20th century Netherlands from the HSN/LINKS database. In line with studies on other historical populations, our results confirm multiple birth mothers on average had their first birth at younger ages, their last birth at older ages, longer reproductive lifespans, shorter inter-birth intervals, and higher lifetime fertility than singleton only mothers.
Highlights
Historical demographic microdata can be of great value in studying differences between twin mothers and singleton only mothers with respect to their reproductive behaviour and survival of their offspring
Chernenko et al (2018) found a survival disadvantage in early life for male and female singleton offspring of twin mothers and a survival advantage at older ages of male singleton offspring of twin mothers. They observe elevated mortality risks in early life for male and female singleton offspring born after a twinset, but a higher survival advantage at older ages for male singleton offspring born after a twinset
Our study aims to explore the possibilities to study maternal life-histories of multiple birth mothers compared to singleton only mothers using microdata on 19th and early 20th century Netherlands from the Historical Sample of the Netherlands (HSN)/LINKS database developed by Kees Mandemakers and his team
Summary
Historical demographic microdata can be of great value in studying differences between twin (or multiple birth) mothers and singleton only mothers with respect to their reproductive behaviour and survival of their offspring. Twin mothers were more likely to start reproduction at younger ages, had longer reproductive lifespans, shorter inter-birth intervals, and higher lifetime fertility than singleton only mothers (Chernenko et al, 2018; Helle et al, 2004; Robson & Smith, 2011). Both mother and the twins often suffer complications during pregnancy and delivery (Hoekstra et al, 2007) and twins face much higher early life mortality risks, Helle et al (2004) found singleton offspring of twin mothers to have higher survival rates to adulthood than offspring of singleton only mothers. They observe elevated mortality risks in early life for male and female singleton offspring born after a twinset, but a higher survival advantage at older ages for male singleton offspring born after a twinset
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