Chances of Multiples?

B&C03 · June 2011

Since DH and I already have a 18 mom old that was naturally conceived I am now worried with doing IVF ( DH has motility and morph issues) that we might have twins. Dr. Said that because I'm 40 the chances are low. The younger you are the more likely you will have twins. I mean I know that we need to transfer more than one fertilized egg but has anyone heard of this?

AtlJuneBride · June 2011

I think the higher chances of multiples if you are younger has to do with egg quality, or at least that's what I am assuming that's what your RE meant.

With respect to multiples, I know exactly how you feel. We have a 17 month old DD and we did IUI. If we could afford IVF for #2 we would do it and just transfer 1 because, quite frankly, the cost of having twins scares me. So we are waiting a little longer to TTC #2 just to make sure we're in a financial place to be OK if we do have twins. If I knew we could get PG with only 1, I'd do it right away.

OrangeSmoke · June 2011

I'm not sure what you are asking - what have I heard of? People having twins from IVF? Yes, there are lots of us.

So golden rule of IVF is - don't put back more embies than the number of babies you are willing to have. Yes. there is still a small chance that you can end up with ID twins with a single transfer, but those odds are a lot lower than when you transfer 2 or even 3.

LVBlvd · June 2011

You don't have to transfer more than you are comfortable carrying. If you are against having twins, don't transfer two.

Best of luck to you!

oooCarrieB · June 2011

I thought that the older you were the higher the chance of multiples. Since egg quality could be lower, the possibility of splitting and identical twins could be higher.

LVBlvd · June 2011

oooCarrieB:
I thought that the older you were the higher the chance of multiples. Since egg quality could be lower, the possibility of splitting and identical twins could be higher.

Older women tend to have more spontaneous fraternal twins. The reason is that you are more likely to release multiple eggs in a cycle the closer you get to menopause. Nothing to do with IVF.

AtlJuneBride · June 2011

oooCarrieB:
I thought that the older you were the higher the chance of multiples. Since egg quality could be lower, the possibility of splitting and identical twins could be higher.

Oooh, I didn't even think about that! I also agree with everyone else-if you're only okay with 1 baby, then only transfer 1 embryo...

Mrs.Reem · June 2011

Transferring only one embryo for a 40 year old is almost unheard of because it nearly sets you up for failure so I see your dilemma. Normal rule of thumb is to only transfer the number you're willing to raise but it gets tricky over age 38 because egg quality plummets. There is definitely always a risk of twins if you transfer more than one. You have to weigh that risk against your odds. If you're willing to do more transfers then you can be more cautious with the amount of embryos you transfer and just do possibly more of them.

B&C03 · June 2011

Mrs.Reem:
Transferring only one embryo for a 40 year old is almost unheard of because it nearly sets you up for failure so I see your dilemma. Normal rule of thumb is to only transfer the number you're willing to raise but it gets tricky over age 38 because egg quality plummets. There is definitely always a risk of twins if you transfer more than one. You have to weigh that risk against your odds. If you're willing to do more transfers then you can be more cautious with the amount of embryos you transfer and just do possibly more of them.

Yes, that is right, egg quality plummets. My insurance will cover 3 ivf's we also need to do icsi.

perry7285 · June 2011

B&C03:
Mrs.Reem:
Transferring only one embryo for a 40 year old is almost unheard of because it nearly sets you up for failure so I see your dilemma. Normal rule of thumb is to only transfer the number you're willing to raise but it gets tricky over age 38 because egg quality plummets. There is definitely always a risk of twins if you transfer more than one. You have to weigh that risk against your odds. If you're willing to do more transfers then you can be more cautious with the amount of embryos you transfer and just do possibly more of them.
Yes, that is right, egg quality plummets. My insurance will cover 3 ivf's we also need to do icsi.

maybe you could play it by ear and see what your embie quality is--transfer one if you have a great quality embryo, two if they are lower quality?

these are tough decisions with no easy answers. good luck!

DavezWife · June 2011

just throwing something out there... us old girls CAN have good eggs. Maybe. (those that know my story are likely laughing)

I'm 38 next week, and I walk in on cd1 with 20 antrals on each ove, and from EACH of our 3 fresh IVF's they've gotten a dozen or so eggs mature from them. Sure, I have to hit them over the heads with a baseball bat loaded with gonal-F, but I do it. (they're just tiredddddd!!!!!)

Yes, not the norm. AMA is real, and lots of women fight with egg quality around their 40's. (and perhaps I have that to come, lol. aintthatakickinthehead)

But just because you're "old" doesn't mean you're automatically going to have ovaries that act like it. You're just doomed for it.

lol.

Your doctor will be able to guide you (and they SHOULD) about how many to transfer based on their quality and the wishes you have re: multiples. Bug them. Twice. ;-) GL !

Quizzle · June 2011

At 36, we got 14 eggs, with 8 mature and fertilized. We transferred 2 and froze 5! So I actually had very good egg quality.

Obviously, I only have one DD, and my RE has a pretty high twin rate.... We did have 2 at my first u/s but lost it before we ever had a heartbeat.

I'd say don't transfer more than you're willing to carry, but have a frank talk with your RE about it. I was unwilling to transfer more than 2. Based on my embryo quality, my RE was absolutely unwilling to transfer more than two, too. The first words out of his mouth when he came in for the transfer were 'Wow, you have gorgeous embryos, I had a hard time choosing!' and he told me he'd have argue with me if I'd wanted more than two. At 40, I think 2 is considered the standard of care.

B&C03 · June 2011

Quizzle:
What was your FSH and AMH?

At 36, we got 14 eggs, with 8 mature and fertilized. We transferred 2 and froze 5! So I actually had very good egg quality.
Obviously, I only have one DD, and my RE has a pretty high twin rate.... We did have 2 at my first u/s but lost it before we ever had a heartbeat.
I'd say don't transfer more than you're willing to carry, but have a frank talk with your RE about it. I was unwilling to transfer more than 2. Based on my embryo quality, my RE was absolutely unwilling to transfer more than two, too. The first words out of his mouth when he came in for the transfer were 'Wow, you have gorgeous embryos, I had a hard time choosing!' and he told me he'd have argue with me if I'd wanted more than two. At 40, I think 2 is considered the standard of care.

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