In Vitro Fertilization and Twins

Today I’d like to share the results of a survey we’ve carried out on our patients with you.

We’ve asked up to one thousand patients from 31 different countries, all childless and with fertility troubles, if they would prefer to have twins, an only child, or if they didn’t mind either option.

The results show that most patients would rather have twins, up to 70% either want a twin pregnancy or don’t mind, whilst only 30% wish for a single pregnancy.

As sterility specialists, we aren’t surprised by these findings. Every day we go through the conflict between what our patients want and what we, as doctors, recommend, as it’s hard to explain all the risks a twin pregnancy entails to a woman whose biggest fear is never becoming a mother. When speaking of the possibility of giving birth to twins, most imagine they’d be double times happier because their family would already be complete.

It’s hard to decide on the number of embryos we must transfer to achieve success while preventing, at the same time, a twin pregnancy.

For an embryo to implant after In Vitro Fertilization, and for it to lead to an evolutive pregnancy, it’s necessary: that the uterus is ready to take it in, that the embryo has an adequate morphology (number of cells, similar appearance of these, etc.), that it has a normal chromosomal set, a powerful energy (given by mitochondria, less intense as ovaries get older), for the embryo and endometrium to work together to achieve implantation, and for immunological rejection not to happen. For us, who dedicate our lives to this matter, every single baby is a miracle!!!

According to studies carried out in our Center, in the best of cases, when embryos come from egg and sperm donors, 50% show chromosomal abnormalities and that percentage is increased with the woman’s age, reaching 85% altered embryos in 40 year old patients.

Thus, the main strategy to reduce the risk of having a multiple pregnancy without lowering pregnancy rates is to analyze the embryo’s chromosomes to transfer only those that have the potential to evolve.

The embryo can divide and, even by transferring one single embryo, we can have identical twins. Here you can see an exceptional image of a blastocyst in its fifth day of life, which will lead to two twins, given that it has two internal cell masses, which are the origin of the embryo tissues. Normally this cannot be seen because they divide later.

embrión_gemelar

Any case, whenever we see two little ones in the scan, in most cases we wholeheartedly share our patients’ great joy and pride!

Coks Feenstra, expert in twin studies, after intervewing dozens of adult twins, asserts that “being a twin means having double amount of joys and half the number of sorrows.”

12 years ago we had the opportunity of living an excepcional case. We had not double, but triple amount of joys: the birth of identical triplets.

6 Comments

  1. Rebecca vict Victor Reply

    I orgasmed today in sleep.I am 5 days post 3days Embryo transfer. I have lower abdomen aches of and on.Is it harmful for implantation? As said 5 to 7 days of ET there should not be orgasm? I m stressed.
    Please help

    • Dr. Marisa López-Teijón Reply

      Dear Rebecca,

      it is true that it is not recommended for the uterus contractions. In any case you can’t know if they have affected the implantation or not until you do the pregnancy test on the date scheduled, so try to keep calm. Until then I recommend you to follow some healthy habits, not make physical efforts or carry weight.

      I wish you good luck, a big hug

  2. Maria Reply

    Dear Dr Marisa,
    On 14/4 i had a 5day 3 frozen embryo transfer and on 24/4 my hcg was 298,7 units and I am very excited! Today my hcg is 641,40 units, is there a possibility to be a triple pregnancy?
    Thank you!

    • Dr. Marisa López-Teijón Reply

      Dear Maria,

      Your figures are normal in an evolutive pregnancy. Nevertheless, you should undergo an ultrasound to find out about the possibility of carrying triplets.

      Congratulations and best regards.

  3. Jatinder bali Reply

    hi doctor 3 days before im done embryo transfer .. Im im the best rest totally .. My question is after embryo trnasfer pain is normal , back pain and plevic pain … Should i take some light painkiller or not … That is my question pls answer me properly.

    • Dr. Marisa López-Teijón Reply

      Good morning Jatinder. As I am not your treating doctor, any question concerning the medication you should take should be addressed to the doctor in charge of your treatment. And also if you experience any pain or discomfort. I wish you the best of luck and best regards!

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