Doctor, Can I Have Twins with IVF?
Patient: Dr. Malpani, I’ve always dreamt of having twins. Is that something IVF can help me with?
Dr. Malpani: That’s a common question! Yes, IVF can increase the chances of twins—but only if more than one embryo is transferred. However, just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. Let’s explore this together.
Patient: But isn’t it true that IVF increases the likelihood of twin pregnancies?
Dr. Malpani: IVF per se doesn’t increase your natural chances of having twins. What increases the twin rate is when doctors transfer multiple embryos into your uterus. In the past, we used to do that often to increase the chance of at least one implanting. But this also raised the chances of twins—or even triplets.
Patient: So wouldn’t transferring two or three embryos give me a better chance of getting pregnant?
Dr. Malpani: In the short term, yes. Transferring more embryos can marginally increase the chance of pregnancy. But it also significantly increases the risk of multiple pregnancies—and these come with serious health complications for both you and your babies.
Patient: What kind of risks are we talking about here?
Dr. Malpani: Twin pregnancies carry a higher risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight, and NICU admissions. Babies born early often need respiratory support and may face long-term developmental issues. And mothers face more physical stress, higher C-section rates, and pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or hypertension.
Patient: But don’t many patients still want twins – like a “two-in-one” deal?
Dr. Malpani: True, some couples are excited about the idea of having two babies at once—especially after years of infertility. But I always remind them: the uterus is designed to carry one baby at a time. It’s safer, healthier, and gives each child a better start. Having twins isn’t a shortcut—it’s a gamble.
Patient: Then why do some doctors still transfer multiple embryos?
Dr. Malpani: Sadly, some clinics focus more on their success statistics than patient safety. They want to boost pregnancy rates, even if it means risking a twin or triplet pregnancy. And if twins result, they’ll proudly say, “I got you pregnant—with two!” But they won’t be the ones managing the NICU or your premature labour.
Patient: What’s the more responsible approach?
Dr. Malpani: The global best practice today is Single Embryo Transfer (SET)—especially if the embryo is of good quality. It balances success with safety. If the first SET doesn’t work, we can always try again using your frozen embryos. It’s a more thoughtful, step-by-step process.
Patient: But I’m not getting any younger. Isn’t it better to try everything in one go?
Dr. Malpani: I understand that urgency—it’s completely natural. But safety must come first. A healthy singleton pregnancy is always preferable to a high-risk twin pregnancy. We want you to take home a healthy baby—not just a positive test.
Patient: So what’s your recommendation for someone in my shoes?
Dr. Malpani: Go for a single embryo transfer. If you’re lucky and the embryo splits on its own, you might still end up with identical twins! But that’s nature’s choice, not ours. Our role is to give you the safest path to parenthood.
Patient: Thank you, doctor. I came here hoping for twins, but now I realise the goal is one healthy baby at a time.
Dr. Malpani: Exactly. You can always have a second baby later—with your frozen embryos. IVF is about giving you control—but the right kind of control. Always choose safety over shortcuts.
IVF can make miracles happen—but it’s not magic. If your dream is to be a parent, focus on the safest, most reliable path to a healthy baby. Ask the right questions, make informed decisions, and remember:
Have as many babies as you like—but one at a time. 💖