The number of embryos transferred significantly impacts your chances of a multiple pregnancy. Transferring more than one embryo increases the likelihood of twins or higher-order multiples. Your doctor carefully considers factors like your age and reproductive history when determining the optimal number of embryos to transfer.
Your age plays a role; older women often require more embryos for successful implantation, potentially increasing the risk of multiples. Younger women may achieve pregnancy with fewer embryos, reducing this risk.
The type of fertility treatment itself affects the outcome. In vitro fertilization (IVF) carries a higher risk of multiples than other methods like intrauterine insemination (IUI), primarily due to the ability to transfer multiple embryos.
Ovarian response to stimulation medication influences the number of eggs retrieved and subsequently the number of embryos available for transfer. A strong response might lead to more embryos and a higher chance of twins.
Your response to specific fertility drugs can vary, leading to different outcomes. Some women are highly responsive, producing more mature eggs than others, potentially resulting in more embryos for transfer.
Genetic predisposition to multiple births can also exist. Family history of twins can slightly increase your chances of having twins with fertility treatments.
Finally, the embryologist’s skill in embryo selection and grading contributes to the overall success rate and, indirectly, the number of embryos needed for implantation, impacting the possibility of multiples.
