Is it possible for IVF babies to form twins
IVF has become one of the important means for many infertile couples to achieve their reproductive aspirations. However, due to the unique reproductive mode of IVF, many people have doubts about whether IVF can form twins. This article will give a detailed answer to the possibility of twins formation in IVF from the aspects of embryo implantation, embryo division, embryo quality and hormone intervention.
1. Probability of embryo implantation and twins
An important step of IVF is to implant the embryo into the mother's uterus. One or more embryos can be selected for implantation. If multiple embryos are implanted, twins may be formed. In some cases, doctors may decide the number of embryos implanted according to the patient's age, constitution and other factors. However, multiple embryo implantation also increases the risk of pregnancy complications, such as premature delivery and low birth weight.
In addition, the success rate of embryo implantation will also affect the probability of twins. If only one embryo is successfully implanted, only a single embryo will be formed. Therefore, embryo quality and the accuracy of quality assessment have an important impact on the success rate of IVF and the formation of twins.
2. Embryo division and twins probability
In a few cases, IVF embryos split during culture to form two independent embryos, which is called "early embryo division". If both embryos are successfully implanted, twins will be formed. However, the incidence of embryo division is very low, only about 1%.
In addition, sometimes the division of early embryos may not be complete, leading to the connection between the two embryos in some tissues or organs, forming conjoined babies. The incidence of conjoined infants is even rarer, about 1/50000 to 1/100000.
3. Embryo quality and twin probability
Embryo quality is an important factor in the success rate of IVF, and is also related to the formation of twins. High quality embryos are more likely to succeed in the implantation process, so if multiple high-quality embryos are implanted, the probability of twins will also increase.
The evaluation of embryo quality is mainly determined by the appearance characteristics, cell number and development degree of the embryo. Generally, embryos with normal morphology, sufficient cells and good development are considered as high-quality embryos.
4. Hormone intervention and twins probability
In IVF, hormone intervention may also affect the probability of twins. Hormone intervention mainly promotes women to produce multiple eggs through ovulation promoting drugs, thus increasing the chance of pregnancy. If multiple eggs are successfully fertilized and implanted into the uterus, multiple pregnancies will be formed, which may be twins or multiple births.
However, excessive hormone intervention may also increase the risk of multiple pregnancy. Multiple pregnancy has a higher risk of complications, such as threatened preterm delivery and fetal dysplasia.
Summary
The possibility of IVF twins formation is affected by embryo implantation, embryo division, embryo quality and hormone intervention. Choosing multiple embryo implantation and high-quality embryos will increase the probability of twin formation, while the incidence of embryo division and conjoined infants is relatively low. However, multiple pregnancy will also increase the risk of complications, so patients and doctors need to consider various factors when deciding the number of embryo implantation and hormone intervention.
