IVF twin pregnancies riskier than singletons: study
Some data suggest women are just as likely to get pregnant if they have a single embryo transfer, versus more than one. But the findings have been inconsistent, Westphal said.
What Causes of Infertility Can IVF Treat?
When it comes to infertility, IVF may be an option if you or your partner have been diagnosed with:
Endometriosis
Low sperm counts
Problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes
Problems with ovulation
Antibody problems that harm sperm or eggs
The inability of sperm to penetrate or survive in the cervical mucus
An unexplained fertility problem
“A lot of patients are focusing just on getting pregnant, they’re not looking at the whole pregnancy and looking at the outcome of twins,” she said.
“They’re just thinking if they transfer more, they’re more likely to get pregnant. And they’re thinking if they have twins, they’re just getting everything done at one time.”
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Neonatal and maternal outcomes comparing women undergoing two in vitro fertilization (IVF) singleton pregnancies and women undergoing one IVF twin pregnancy
Result(s)
Preterm birth, very preterm birth, low birth weight, very low birth weight, and small for gestational age were dramatically increased for IVF twins compared with two IVF singletons with the same mother, with adjusted odds ratios from 4 to 16. Significantly higher rates of respiratory complications, sepsis, and jaundice were detected among the IVF twins. Significantly higher rates of preeclampsia, preterm premature rupture of the membranes, and cesarean section were observed for IVF twin pregnancies.
Conclusion(s)
The neonatal and maternal outcomes were dramatically better for women undergoing two IVF singleton pregnancies compared with one IVF twin pregnancy after double-embryo transfer. These results support single-embryo transfer to minimize the risks associated with twin pregnancies.
Antonina Sazonova, Karin Källen, Ann Thurin-Kjellberg, Ulla-Britt Wennerholm, Christina Bergh
Fertility and Sterility - 10 December 2012 (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.11.023)