New Jersey Association of
Twins' Mothers Clubs

NJATMC 2nd VP Report
Convention 2002

In recent years the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club's Research Department has released more and more surveys through their publication Notebook. They continue to grow a strong relationship with the international research community. Biannual participation at the International Society of Twin Studies (ISTS) has shown National to be an organization that takes research seriously. Many individual researchers seek the aid that NOMOTC can provide them in their ongoing scientific research studies. In the National Worker Fall mailing I received a copy of the three latest research reports; "Genetics of Peanut Allergy", "Sleep Patterns of Twins" and "Discipline and Your Multiples". Your National Rep may have received these reports already and should make them available to you.

Hopefully, you have all seen the September / October issue of Notebook. On pages 18-21 is a survey originally written by Kim O., current President and former 2nd VP of Research for the Illinois Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs. Maybe you even remember filling out one of these surveys during this past year. It is the same "Depression in Mothers of Multiples" studies that I collected from more than 300 of you Jersey Girls. Although the sequence of the questions has been rearranged and the title changed to "Post Partum Depression and Mothers of Multiples" its purpose remains the same. Thank you for your active participation in this most interesting survey. I had hoped to be able to report to you on the results of this study today, however, a portion of the completed surveys has not been tabulated. As soon as I receive the final figures, I will complete my evaluation of the answers and report the results to you at our next NJATMC meeting in January. I am anxious to see how our NJ State results compare to those of our counterparts in Illinois. Furthermore, I strongly encourage you to participate in as many surveys for which you qualify. Please remember that the scientific research community is counting on our support!

Finally, after countless e-mails, phone calls and letters I am able to accurately report the results from all of our NJATMC member clubs. This year's Twin Research Survey was completed by all 19, dues paying, member clubs.
In order to compare these results with past years, I had to go back to the 2nd VP reports compiled by Joan M. in 1996 and Peg M. in 1995.
Just for the record, we currently have 19 local member clubs. In 1996 and 1995 there were 20 local member clubs. Greater Montgomery MOM and M.O.M.I.E.'s were both started in 1997 and therefore, were not included in the 1996 and 1995 reports. Cape May Co. and Middlesex Co. were members in 1996 and 1995, but neither one is a member now. M.O.M.I.E.'s was not included in the 1995, 1996 or 2002 reports because they were not members of NJATMC during those years.

Our membership numbers have not changed significantly since the mid-nineteen-nineties. When compared to 1996-97 the total number of members and twins sets in 2001-02 is slightly decreased. Triplet sets have increased and quad sets have barely changed. The average number of children per member remains virtually the same.

There is an even 1/3 distribution of twin types across the board for these three years.

The ratio of same sex twins is essentially a 40 / 60 split.

The distribution of siblings by gender is approaching a 50 / 50 split.

The following eight clubs have less than 25 members; Burlington Co., Essex Co., Garden State, Greater Plainfield, Jersey Shore, Northwest, Seashore and Suburban. Garden State is the smallest club with only 8 members. Clubs with 25 to 50 members are Central Jersey, Greater Montgomery, Hunterdon Co. and Lake Area. There is a jump to the next level. We have four clubs with 70 to 100 members. They are Bergen Co., Mid-Jersey, Mountain Plains and Raritan Valley. Ocean Co. ended 2001-02 with 101 members, while South Jersey enjoyed 105. Morris Co. was our largest club with a membership of 128. Morris Co. has the greatest number of triplets, they have 10 sets. Only three clubs, Hunterdon Co., Morris Co. and Ocean Co. have members who have quads.

To date, only four clubs have an appointed research chairperson. I am disappointed that I have not received any individual club research studies this year. I'd like to encourage each club to appoint a research chair and develop a survey. If you need a place to start, I have samples surveys from past years. Please let me know how I can help you.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this report is the frequency of mothers who have multiple multiples. For lack of a better term, I will call them SUPER MOM's. Bergen Co. has two members and each have two sets of twins. Likewise, Central Jersey and Raritan Valley each have one member who enjoys their two sets of twins. Tn'T of Morris Co. has one member with two sets of twins and another MOM with a set of twins and a set of triplets. Lastly, Tn'T of the Lake Area has one member with two sets of twins and one SUPER MOM who has three sets of twins!

Finally, I'd like to congratulate Hunterdon County MOM for being the first club to submit their Twin Registry Survey. Thank you to the rest of the clubs who got them to me on time.

Respectfully submitted by,

Judith A. Z.
November 2, 2002