Pregnant twins from IVF, what is the chance?

IVF, also known as in vitro fertilization (IVF), is an option to help many couples have children. Interestingly, many twin pregnancies come from IVF programs. Why can you be pregnant with twins from IVF?

Why can you be pregnant with twins from IVF (IFV)

The IVF program involves taking a sample of female eggs to be fertilized by male sperm in a petri dish. The fertilized egg, now called an embryo, is then incubated for several days before being put back in the uterus. After that the embryo will develop into a fetus just like any pregnancy in general.

The chance of getting pregnant with twins from IVF can reach 20-40 percent. This means that every one in 4 pregnancies is a multiple pregnancy. It all depends on how many embryos are implanted in the uterus. Usually, doctors will insert many embryos at one time to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Of the many embryos, there may be more than one embryo that grows into a fetus. This is why the chances of getting pregnant with twins from IVF can be quite high. Not even twins, but it could be more.

Are all IVF programs will certainly produce twins?

Actually there is no definite answer. If you only want one embryo to be implanted, it is very unlikely that you will become pregnant with twins. Even so, one embryo could split into twins. Twins who come from one embryo are called identical twins.

IVF programs are not always successful

Regardless of how many embryos are implanted, the chance of success for IVF is only about 20-35 percent. The chances of a successful pregnancy will depend on the condition of the egg and sperm used.

The age of the expectant mother also plays an important role in determining the success of the IVF program. Women who are under 35 have up to 39.6 percent chance of having a baby from the IVF program, while women over 40 have only about 11.5 percent chance. Younger women have a higher chance of success because their egg quality is still relatively good.

Other health conditions that may hinder the success of your IVF procedure include fibroid tumors, disorders of the ovaries, abnormal hormone levels, and uterine abnormalities. Women who have conditions related to problems with the reproductive system have a lower chance of being able to get pregnant from IVF.

But, you and your partner don't give up just yet.

Embryo DNA testing can increase the chances of a successful IVF pregnancy

Recently a study from the University of Oxford and the Genetics Laboratory Reprogenetics in the UK. states that performing DNA testing on embryos can increase the success of IVF by 75-80 percent. In fact, the researchers state that this test also increases the chances of getting pregnant for women over 30 years of age.