IVF, 1 or 2 embryos?

[NAndrea2022]

I am now going through egg stimulation and will soon be having to decide to put 1 or 2 embryos in my uterus. It is a very hard decision to make.

• What are the risks of ivf twins for babies in the womb?
• What are the risks of ivf twins for the mother?
• Any twin mothers out there that would share their story with us?

Thank you!

Hi I have twins from an IVF double transfer!

My experience .....

I was healthy going into pregnancy but found it brutal physically - I'm pretty petite, not a whinger, just get on with it sort of woman but I was on sofa rest from 20 weeks. Found it difficult to walk long distances, strain on pelvis, bump etc - so difficult if you have older children like I did

Huge bleeds from 28 weeks, advised we may have to make decision to let the smaller one go to save the bigger one. But held out until 34 weeks when detached placentas meant emergency c section - life threatening for the 3 of us

3 weeks in NICU but I established breastfeeding and EBF until 12 weeks

One twin with long term/life long health issues which relate to being a twin and IUGR

Other than pregnancy risk to me during birth I'm in the best shape of my life since twins born - maybe as don't get chance to sit down, eat or sleep 😂

Only transfer 2 if you are are comfortable emotionally physically and above all financially for multiples - I know just as many triplet mums from a double transfer than I do a double one. Yes the cost of raising twins is eye watering when you factor in childcare costs. Be prepared offers of baby sitting etc disappear as soon as it's twins (or more!)

I found the first year "easy" I absolutely adore having twins, it's been a brilliant experience and I would do it again tomorrow if I could.....

My STBEXH on the hand......couldn't cope with twins and the relentlessness of our new life and recently walked out as he can't handle it. Having multiples can and does put a huge strain on even the strongest marriages/relationships

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! <3 will definitely take it into consideration.

Hi @NAndrea2022
I'm not sure what age you are, I am 29 but because of my age my clinic advised to transfer only 1 embryo when my FET happens (November hopefully!)

A clinic told me this month they don't do doubles unless they've already been through several rounds of IVF and there's a history of early miscarriages and chemical pregnancies. The reason is that if the embryo is good, there's no increased chance of success by implanting two. Just extra risks to mother and babies. We tend to think "awwww twins how cute" but Another, above, has shown exactly why it's not always the best idea.

Natural conception is 0.025% chance of twins, IVF is up to 12% !!! and that includes single transplant cycles. Like Another sort of hinted there above, during an FET there is a high chance one embryo splits in two, creating identical twins (in her friend's case it became triplets because of another embryo being there as well). Notice that she knows more than one person it happened to. It's not rare. And it's terrifying when you are the one carrying three. Because you know there is just no way that your pregnancy is going to be straightforward in any way at all. I am sure that Another found it terrifying even carrying two.

@NAndrea2022 my first cycle my clinic put 2 in, they wasn't successful unfortunately. But they told me that the risks with IVF twins are exactly the same as a normal twin pregnancy, so I would research Twin pregnancies,

2nd time they put one in and I'm 17 weeks pregnant after a 2nd full cycle my egg quality was better this time and due to my age they wouldn't put 2 in- as it goes against HFEA guidelines.

Good Luck, hope they stick for you, given the choice after reading the risks I'd choose 2 again x