Is it better to have a single IVF baby or twins?

Giving birth is something that basically every woman will experience, but giving birth also requires certain physical conditions for women. Some women are physically unable to conceive or have a low fetal survival rate or are too old. These reasons may lead some families to choose in vitro fertilization. In fact, IVF also has many risks and may not be completely successful. For example, is it better to have a single baby or twins?

Among expectant mothers who conceive naturally, the incidence of IVF twins is about 12 per 1,000. In the past 30 years, as IVF ovulation induction and IVF have become popular, the IVF twin pregnancy rate has increased significantly. Data from in vitro fertilization show that if double embryo transfer is performed, the IVF multiple pregnancy rate is over 40%, which is 40 times that of natural pregnancies. Most of them are IVF twin pregnancies, and a few are IVF pregnancies of three or more pregnancies.

IVF twin pregnancy is fraught with dangers

Many infertile couples who are trying to have IVF set IVF twin pregnancy as their goal to have IVF and will definitely ask the IVF doctor to transplant two IVF embryos. In fact, in the eyes of IVF doctors, IVF twins are a high-risk pregnancy, and will bring great harm to the health of the IVF babies.

First of all, IVF twin pregnancy places a great burden on the mother. The incidence of complications of IVF twin pregnancy (including IVF premature birth, IVF dystocia, IVF late miscarriage, etc.) is much higher than that of IVF single pregnancy. The risks of IVF gestational hypertension, IVF placental abruption and IVF gestational diabetes are several times that of single pregnancy. Due to factors such as prolonged IVF labor, IVF uterine atony, and malposition of the fetus, the IVF cesarean section rate and the risk of postpartum hemorrhage in IVF expectant mothers are greatly increased, posing a threat to the life safety and livelihood of IVF mothers.

For test-tube babies and newborns, the incidence of premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine distress and birth defects in twin pregnancies is significantly higher than that in single pregnancies. The late miscarriage rate and premature birth rate of IVF twin pregnancies are much higher than those of IVF single-baby pregnancies. As a result, even a healthy full-term IVF baby cannot be successfully born. Even if the IVF survives, the development of various organs and systems of the premature IVF baby may lag behind those of single-baby IVF babies.

In addition to the physiological effects of IVF, the delivery and treatment and care of premature babies from IVF twin pregnancies are much higher than those of full-term babies from IVF single pregnancies, which can bring considerable pressure to ordinary families. Similarly, IVF doctors recommend single IVF embryo transfer for those under 37 years old; single IVF embryo transfer for those aged 37 to 39 years old; and double IVF embryo transfer for those without IVF embryos.