You might have heard stories about how IVF led to numerous pregnancies, but does it increase your chances of having more than one child? Find out if twins are more likely to be born through IVF than through natural conception, and learn the science behind IVF services and multiple pregnancies. But first, let’s discuss the possibility of multiple pregnancies and the factors that raise that risk.

Do Multiple Births Occur More Often with IVF?
Do Multiple Births Occur More Often with IVF?

Twin Types

Identical Twin

A single sperm fertilizes a single egg to produce a pair of identical twins. Once the fertilized egg divides, it produces two sets of identical offspring. Only about 3 or 4 of every 1,000 births will result in a group of identical twins. Identical twins are always born male and female. This is true regardless of whether the parents choose to have children of either sex. Why? Genetically speaking, they are identical twins.

Fraternal Twin

In the case of a fraternal twin, two eggs are fertilized by two sperm cells. Both eggs take hold in the mother’s uterus, and nine months later, twins are born. Two girls, two boys, or a girl and a boy can be fraternal twins. However, they could be very different in appearance. This is because they do not possess comparable genetic makeup. They’re as different as brothers and sisters separated by several years of age.

Natural Causes of Twins

Genetic hyperovulation

Hyperovulation, where two or more eggs are released during ovulation, can be inherited from your mother or father.

Age

Twin pregnancies are more common in women over the age of 35. However, as menopause approaches, hormonal shifts may cause ovulation to produce more than one egg.

Height

Taller women tend to have more multiple births. Researchers have linked this possibility to something that sounds strange at first: an insulin-like growth factor.

Prior Pregnancies

Having twins is more likely if you’ve already given birth. Indeed, compared to a 20-year-old childless woman, a woman 35–40 with four or more children is three times more likely to produce twins.

When using IVF, does it increase the likelihood of having twins?

At the RISAA IVF Clinic, our IVF doctor explained how IVF increases the chances of having twins. IVF, or in vitro fertilization, does not increase the chance of having more than one baby. But women who use IVF are much more likely to have multiple babies (twins, triplets, etc.) than women who usually get pregnant. Compared to the overall population rate of 2%, IVF with fresh embryos results in a 12.1% rate of twin pregnancies in women under the age of 35 and a 9.1% rate in women between the ages of 35 and 37. In contrast to natural twin birth, the likelihood of having twins through IVF decreases with age. For women aged 38–40, the chance of having twins is only 5.3%. This percentage drops to 0.5% for individuals aged 43 and up.

During an IVF treatment round, more than one embryo is usually transferred. This likely led to the false belief that IVF makes it more likely to have twins. Until recently, it was standard practice for IVF clinics to transfer more than one embryo at a time to increase their patients’ chances of a successful pregnancy. Some researchers thought that the chance of getting pregnant would increase if more than one embryo were put into the uterus simultaneously. However, the successful implantation of more than one embryo usually results in multiples.

Some married people prefer to send only one of them overseas. Even though it is possible that the single embryo could grow into a set of genetically identical twins, this is very unlikely. For people who want to increase their chances of success with IVF by transferring two embryos, if one of the transferred embryos divides, a third may implant in the uterus. It would produce a set of triplets, with two identical twins and one set of fraternal siblings.

Multipregnancy Considerations

After infertility, it’s ideal to have one healthy child rather than twins. Multiple pregnancies and births can lead to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental abruption, fetal death or loss, more Cesarean births, early labor or birth, and low birth weights. IVF services, such as monitoring and single-embryo transfers, can reduce multiples.

Discuss twins with the IVF doctor if you are planning reproductive treatments. We delivered healthy and lovely twins! To understand twin pregnancy expectations and hazards, consult a fertility doctor. The RISAA IVF Clinic can help you get twins with IVF services by Dr. Rita Bakashi. Contact us today.

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