Congratulations, you’re pregnant with twins! This is the most fascinating and dreamy movement for every couple, particularly if a couple is conceiving after a long time with fertility treatments.
But, what if I tell the reason for conceiving a twin itself, a fertility treatment? Sounds interesting, right? However, it doesn’t mean that every single patient undergoing IVF or IUI can conceive with twins, but it increases the chances.
Let’s get to know how this happens and what to expect if you conceive twins through fertility treatments.
What are the chances of having twins naturally?
According to the information gathered, less than 1% of people conceive twins without the aid of fertility treatments.
The natural conception of twins happens mostly for people with a history of twin pregnancies and genetics. In the case of genetics, you can witness there will be twin babies in every generation.
Another important reason for conceiving twins is getting pregnant at an older age. This happens because of irregular hormone levels with elevated estrogen in the body, which trigger the release of more eggs than one.
As a result, older women are more likely to conceive with twins. However, there is a chance for an increased risk of unsuccessful pregnancies because age increases and the quality of eggs declines.
Types of twins
Surely, everyone knows about the two different types of twins that are nothing but identical and non-identical twins.
Identical Twins (Monozygotic)
The identical twins conception concept is still a mystery for many as two babies form with one sperm and a single egg.
Among three sets of twins, one will be monozygotic. Identical twins occur when the fertilized egg is divided into two and is still a tiny collection of cells. So, the one fertilized egg will have the same genetic information.
Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic)
Dizygotic is quite common because the non-identical twins are mostly seen in your groups. The ratio of fraternal twins is two among three sets of twins.
In addition, monozygotic twins are almost the same sex, but this is different for fraternal twins. The two babies can be a boy and a girl or two non-identical girls or boys.
Well, how can fertility treatments interfere with twin formation? What could be the reason for more than one baby with Fertility treatment?
Don’t think much; just dig deeper and learn about IVF and the chances of twin conception.
What is IVF? How does it link to twins?
In vitro fertilization is a boon for couples with any underlying medical issues or unexplained fertility problems. In this procedure, fertility experts provide stimulation medications to induce ovulation, retrieve eggs, fertilize eggs in the laboratory, and transfer the embryo back into the uterus.
Many sources state that people who undergo fertility treatments like IVF are more likely to conceive with twins. The reason why this happens is due to the ovulation-inducing drugs and other medications used in in vitro fertilization.
IVF Twins Rate
The rate of getting pregnant with twins is around 20 to 30%, which doubles the happiness of the couples and also increases the risks during the gestation period.
To give a glimpse, conceiving with a twin during IVF can enhance the chance of low birth weight, cesarean section, premature birth, etc.
Now you know that the important reason for twins during IVF is fertility medications, but do you know how it leads to multiple pregnancies? Let’s be aware of them here.
Why twin pregnancies are common in IVF?
In the IVF procedure, fertility experts provide ovary stimulation hormones to mature and release more than one egg and also fertilize many eggs. Doctors purposely do this to improve the chances of successful conception.
But to the surprise, multiple pregnancies may happen. Still, not every conception ends up in successful twin delivery; some become a risk for the fertility journey.
Other than ovulation-inducing medications such as Clomiphene Citrate and Letrozole, there are some other influential factors also available in increasing the chances of conceiving twins or multiple pregnancies.
List factors influencing the chances of IVF
Number of transferred eggs
As stated earlier, many doctors prefer transferring multiple eggs rather than single egg transfer (SET) to enhance pregnancy outcomes. This becomes the very first and foremost factor influencing twin conception.
Woman’s age
A woman over 30 may release more than one egg during ovulation, which increases the chances of fraternal twins. This condition is quite similar to the release of multiple eggs during in vitro fertilization treatment.
Genetic factors
An individual with a family history of twins improves the chances of conceiving twins. Particularly, if your mother’s side generation has a chain of twins history, then with or without fertility treatment, you can get pregnant with twins.
Number of previous pregnancies
Women with multiple previous pregnancies can expect twins during the current pregnancy. However, twins or multiple pregnancies at the same time not only double the happiness, which also indicate twice the troubles.
So, don’t just stop after knowing the possible reasons and factors for twins with IVF. In addition to this, learn about the risks associated with twin babies through IVF.
Risks associated with twin babies in IVF
Twin pregnancies carry higher chances of complications for both new moms and fetuses. Awareness of the risks with twin babies in IVF helps for better preparation and care throughout pregnancy.
Premature Birth
According to the sources, almost 60% of twins and 90% of triplets through fertility treatment result in preterm delivery. The newborn babies might need intense neonatal care for many weeks.
In some rare cases, doctors ask the patients to abort as it can risk the patient’s lives, too.
Low birth weight
So, preterm birth is highly related to low birth weight, which increases the risk of infections and feeding difficulties, and some can develop long-term health problems.
C- section
Carrying twins may reduce the chances of normal delivery and end up in cesarean. C-sections may have severe impacts for a long period, such as infection of the womb lining, blood clots, and others.
Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
If the babies are identical twins, they need to share one placenta, which means everything will be transferred from one twin to another.
This is more likely to increase the chances of unbalanced blood supply, growth tissues and health complications. As a result, babies may get Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.
Pre-eclampsia
Pregnant with twins or quadruples increases the risk of high blood pressure and is the reason for the condition, Pre-eclampsia.
The exact cause of this condition is not properly known, but some believe that if there are any interruptions in blood vessel supply may contribute to this condition.
Gestational Diabetes
So, if you’re pregnant with a twin, you can expect an increased level of hormone secretion. The enhanced levels of estrogen and HCG may block the insulin action and result in gestational diabetes. It also can cause weight gain in pregnant ladies.
Final words
There is no doubt that fertility treatments provide several opportunities to become a happy parent. On the other hand, understand that conceiving twins is also possible with fertility treatments like IVF.
So, don’t get super excited or anxious if you’re pregnant with a twin, because it has both advantages and drawbacks. Follow your fertility doctor’s advice, as they can guide you on the right path through the IVF or IUI procedure. Have a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
No, planning for a twin pregnancy is an absolutely impossible thing. There is a chance for successful conception with a twin if you undergo in vitro fertilization. Even during this procedure, you can’t confirm that patients will have twins.
Even though there is no other way to confirm that by taking an ultrasound scan, some people claim that a few symptoms indicate you’re pregnant with twins.
One of the early pregnancy signs of having twins is increased appetite and extra weight gain. Along with these symptoms, you may also experience severe morning sickness and extreme soreness or tenderness of breasts.
Yes, there is a chance of having twins with IUI too. However, the chances are very low for fraternal twins as the treatment includes a single sperm with one egg. Anyhow, there is a chance for twins in intrauterine insemination also.
