How many twins here?

[Anonymous]

It seems like there's a proliferation of twin births --- how many of you had twins as result of IF treatment? what was your protocol? DH and I would be thrilled with twins, but know there are risks involved... anything more is hard to fathom.

[Anonymous]

There is definitely a proliferation of twins since the advent of infertility treatment. In the grand scheme of things, this will be a temporary surge, and as treatment gets more effective, the rate will go down. The late 90s/early 2000s will essentially have a twin surge.

I have twins via IVF. It's not a matter or protocol if you are doing IVF, but simply how many embryos you choose to put back. The more you put back, the greater the chance of twins, or more, in the case you put back more than two. There is intense debate about this, but the long and short of it is that if you would not consider selective reduction but don't want anything more than twins, then two should be the max.

When it comes to IUI, the game is riskier, but good REs work hard to ensure not too many follicles/eggs are developing. If more than a few are, they may cancel cycles or switch to IVF.

Don't tell your RE that you'd be thrilled with twins. It's something they'd like to see less of, not more. And to be honest, although in many ways it's great, especially if you have difficulty becoming pregnant in the first place, it's not ideal and is difficult even when great, if that makes any sense. Even without complications, the first few years are intense. It's like being thrown into the deep end the first time you swim. You do fine, but it's generally better to ease in, in my opinion!

Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I felt the same way as OP - twins would not be my ideal outcome. On my first fresh IVF we transferred one top grade embryo (day 5) and got a bfn. I had read a lot about single embryo transfer and how the pregnancy rates are comparable to multiple embryo transfers (but the risk of twins is miniscule compared to 30-40% with a multiple embryo transfer). On the second fresh cycle we transferred two top grade embryos (day 6) and I'm now pregnant with one. Definitely talk it through with your doctor before you do your transfer. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We have fraternal twins from IVF. I have two friends who have triplets from just two eggs (basically a set of identicals and a singleton in one pregnancy)

We had hoped for twins (I was older and we were running our of $ and TTC engery). I know that twins seem like a wonderful outcome but it can be a very bumpy road. Many women end up with significant amounts of bedrest, babies in the NICU, stained marriage and a completely utterly exhausting 1st year. These are all things I experinced first hand.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

I have 3 year old IVF twins from a 2 blast transfer.

I think you'll find that the vast majority of IVF twins on this board are from IVF, not IUI. The majority of the time, IUI seems to results in singleton births with the occasional twin birth and then the really rate wacky higher order multiple birth (generally because a doctor did not know what he/she was doing or because he was reckless.
Interestingly, my experience in NW DC has been that 14/15 sets of twins I know are from IVF. I know one "natural" set. Having twins has been a sort of code for "yes, we dealt with infertility too, what doctor did you see?"

That all said, we did IVF at SG back in 2005 when the normal transfer for someone without multiple failures was 2 embryos. So that is what we did. It was only a few months later that the research started coming back that showed that single, quality blastocyst transfer leads to pregnancy rates equal to that from 2 blast transfers. However, this is still a relatively new line of thinking. I believe SG is the only clinic in the area that routinely does elective single embryo transfers (and would do more if their patients would agree). Dominion does them through their natural cycle program but still puts back 2 during stimulated cycles. I recently had a friend cycle (for the first time) in the greater Chicago area and her physician recommended putting back 3 excellent blasts (she is 33). Bingo, she is now pregnant with triplets. SO, the reproductive community at large still has a long way to go before single transfer is the accepted norm.

As to having twins--- Certainly I wouldn't now (at age) 3 trade out one of my children or trade out my experience as a twin mom. It's central to who I as a mom, who I am to a person. However, none of it has been an easy road (bed rest, premature babies (and associated issues) and then the general non-stop craziness of 2 newborns, 2 toddlers, and now 2 preschoolers). If I'm completely, completely honest, I'm not sure I would chose this again (over having 2 singletons back-to-back). If you had asked me any time from birth---age 2 I would have absolutely said I would not have chosen it again. It's been a long, hard slog at times.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for your thoughtful answers, much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As to having twins--- Certainly I wouldn't now (at age) 3 trade out one of my children or trade out my experience as a twin mom. It's central to who I as a mom, who I am to a person. However, none of it has been an easy road (bed rest, premature babies (and associated issues) and then the general non-stop craziness of 2 newborns, 2 toddlers, and now 2 preschoolers). If I'm completely, completely honest, I'm not sure I would chose this again (over having 2 singletons back-to-back). If you had asked me any time from birth---age 2 I would have absolutely said I would not have chosen it again. It's been a long, hard slog at times.

I could have written this when my duo were 3, heck even 4. Now they are 5 and 5 is a revelation. It is wonderful to have 2 same-aged children going through the same thing at the same time. That said, we made it through the first few years and many couples with multiples do not. Sad!

[Anonymous]

Thoughts from a successfuly single ICSI transfer - we had three embryos, and the doc was urging us to put two or all three in (since "freezing just one isn't good return on money"). I basically asked him "what part of I don't want twins do you not understand?" and did a lot of research myself on success rates of just a single transfer. I found that this is where Europe has been going for quite some time given the problems that come with twins (health of both babies and mother) and that if you're under 35, it's your first try and you have more than one embryo, the success rates for a single pregnancy were about identical (some showing better with just one transfer), and the only benefit of the transfer of two or mmore embryos was that you'd end up with twins on a much, much higher probability. So, I transfered one, and it stuck, and we now have two frozen for the future. I urge you to take the health problems eriously - I've seen it firsthand with a good friend who hasn't been able to go back to work in two years because one of her childern has so many doctor's appointments and health issues she coudn't manage otherwise, and she's not allowed to put him in daycare. Be careful, especially if this is your first try. and don't be pressured by the docs, who I find, don't always keep up with the most recent literature.

[Anonymous]

If you're tempted to make twins your goal, I'd read the first of Stephanie Saul's recent series on fertility treatments for the New York Times. Twins come with an increased risk of serious health problems (for you and them) -- not to mention the stress on your finances and your marriage.

[Anonymous]

OP here. 13:49 - not a goal, if it happens, we won't be disappointed.... its a matter of being realistic that there is an increased likelihood of multiples and we've accepted that twins are likely! fortunately, we're financially sound and our relationship has gotten even stronger in the past 15 months that we've been trying and suffered disappointment time and again.

and thanks, I've researched and read about the risks, including the NYT piece and other literature.

[Anonymous]

THanks OP for starting this thread. I often think about this as I am starting IVF treatment soon, and wonder about how many embryos to put back in when the time comes...Being < 35, I know there is a good chance of eSET working without having to put two in, but the thought of having to do all the fertility drugs again if it doesn't work scares me too! I have to say I know a few people who have had two kids back to back (i.e. 13 months apart) and say they wish they had just had twins, that it would have been easier!

[Anonymous]

I'm over 35 and had twins. This was the result of IVF. Honestly, I took alot of precautions once pregnant. I was rightfully scared. It is exhausting and takes alot financially. However, if you have a strong marriage (as most are if they have survived IVF more than 2 times), you can overcome the initial 1 year of strain.

I have never been HAPPIER. These girls are amazing. The love they have for each other is unique. I'm so grateful that they entered this world together.

It's now easier on me: activities are the same, vaccines are the same, play dates are easy (just match with that one age)... it's so amazingly fun. The three of us are ham balls. Always laughing, very few dull moments.

[Anonymous]

19:52 here. Thanks PP, its nice to hear a positive thing about having twins. I see my friends with 2 or more kids and sometimes that looks harder b/c they are different ages, on different schedules, and into different things. With two kids the same age, there has to be some ease in them playing together, and growing up/going through stages together. I agree, any twins I"ve ever known have a different bond than siblings, which is great too!

[Anonymous]

REearding schedules - my twins have been on different schedules and into different activities since birth! So not a sure thing. I love my twins but one was much easier. The hardest thing for me (twins are not the only two DC) was that our twins got so much less time time and attention than their sibs. Even when the sibs were not around you can simply not give as much attention to two babies, two toddlers, etc.

[Anonymous]

I have a singleton infant from IVF. The pregnancy started with twins, one miscarried around 8 weeks, so early (vanishing twin). I knew we were rolling the dice with Mother Nature and if the twin pregnancy had continued, I would have gladly accepted it and been delighted. It was not my ideal outcome--in fact, I was terrified when we first saw the two embryos implanted. As horrible as it might sound, I did not mourn or shed a tear when I found out that just one was developing normally. I knew that it increased the chances of having one healthy baby. I'm sure that if I'd had twins I would have no regrets and it would work out--but with one (and he's healthy and not difficult), I think to myself "How do moms with twins DO IT?!" (I guess the answer is: they have to!) Not to imply they're less happy or wish they didn't have twins.

I think the NYT piece is really important and something to think about. What that translates into when it comes to how to go about treatment is another question. My reality is that I wouldn't have my son w/o IVF. We want more children and will do a FET next year (if all goes to plan). So I'm rolling the dice again and who knows what will happen! My first IVF we ended up transferring 3 embryos even though I'm young; dr didn't love the quality and thought chances of any working were small enough. First round was unsuccessful. Second round we had great embryos and we transferred two (that was the vanishing twin).

We "froze" five good embros, in batches of 2 and 3. We have not discussed with the RE which to defrost first and try (2 or 3). I *really* want to minimize any chance of twins. But I want it both ways, because I really want to get pregnant again, too! I can't do IVF again b/c I had a very severe case of OHSS (on a low stimulation protocol!), so these frozen guys (or a miracle natural pregnancy) are my only chance. Sigh. What to do?!