Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Afshaan Shaik

Pregnancy Symptoms For Twins In IVF

Many IVF patients are apprehensive about having twins and the effect that multiple pregnancies will have on their bodies. Here are a few initial twin pregnancy symptoms which can tell you not only that you are pregnant but that you are probably expecting twins or more.

It is also important to understand that different women’s bodies respond differently, and you don't need to experience all of these symptoms of having twins. Similarly, it is also possible that you may be having twins even if you do not have any of these signs of twins. Or you could have these symptoms and have a single pregnancy.

Every woman is curious about the success of her IVF procedure. These are just general lookouts of IVF pregnancy symptoms twins that can give you an initial inkling about your pregnancy and the possibility that you may be expecting multiple babies.

Why IVF Increases the Chances of Twins

Twins are more common in IVF pregnancies than in natural conceptions. This is because fertility specialists may transfer more than one embryo during the IVF cycle to increase the chances of implantation. In some cases, both embryos implant, or one embryo splits—resulting in fraternal or identical twins.

Early IVF Pregnancy Symptoms: Twins vs. Singleton

One of the first clues that you're carrying twins comes from the early IVF pregnancy symptoms twins often present. While every woman’s experience is different, certain signs tend to be more intense when carrying multiples.

Common Early Twin Pregnancy Symptoms After IVF:

Some women say they "just feel more pregnant" early on, even before the ultrasound confirms twins.

Signs of Twin Pregnancy

Signs of twin pregnancy often include more severe morning sickness, higher hormone levels, and greater early weight gain.

Expecting twins puts the mother and the babies at high risk. If you are expecting twins, ensure that you eat well and get proper rest.

Despite all the signs and symptoms that you may be experiencing, it is best not to jump to conclusions. An ultrasound is the best way to confirm the nagging suspicion that you may be having twins.

Extreme Fatigue

Fatigue is a common pregnancy symptom. However, mothers who are expecting twins are likely to feel unusually very tired. With twins, your hormone levels are twice as much. When your body says it is tired, it is best to rest for a while.

Mood Swings

A certain amount of mood swings is common for a woman during hormonal changes in her body, which includes during her menstrual cycle. However, if a woman is showing signs of unusually sudden mood changes, it is worth taking note that she just might be pregnant with twins. If these mood swings have increased after an IVF procedure, then you can be pretty sure you are pregnant and probably have twins on the way.

Nausea

Women who are expecting twins begin to experience nausea much earlier in their pregnancy. Most women expecting twins experience very severe morning sickness.

High HCG Levels

When you are expecting twins, your HCG levels go up very high. The pregnancy test will give you a pregnancy confirmation much sooner than you would have gotten with a single pregnancy.

Weight Gain

When you are expecting twins, you will find that you suddenly start putting on weight. Weight gain is experienced due to the increased blood volume and the larger size of the uterus. You may also feel the desire to eat more.

How Does IVF Work?

IVF, also known as In-Vitro Fertilization, is a process in which the eggs and sperm are fertilized in an IVF laboratory, outside the body. The then-formed embryo is transferred back to the woman’s womb for implantation.

The embryo can be transferred to the woman’s uterus in two different stages, namely – the cleavage stage and the blastocyst stage. The cleavage stage is after 3-4 days from fertilization, and the blastocyst stage is done after a week of fertilization when the embryo has reached the optimal growth level. The implantation of the embryo in the uterine walls is done within the next six to twelve days, leading to a successful pregnancy conception.

What are the Chances of Having Twins With IVF?

One out of every 5 pregnancies might lead to multiple births with IVF, according to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HEFA).

This is usually because during the IVF treatment, multiple embryos might be transferred to your uterus to increase the chance of pregnancy conception.

This sometimes might lead to the implantation of more than one embryo to the lining of the uterus, causing a twin pregnancy.

Complications

In twin pregnancies, according to a study, the rate of caesarean section, vaginal bleeding, and preterm labor are comparatively common after IVF, but not to a statistical significance as compared to that of normal twins.

Assisted reproduction is associated with low birth weight only in twin pregnancies when controlled for confounding variables.

Moreover, twin pregnancies also result in complications in the mother, such as late IVF twins miscarriage rates, high blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia.

IVF Twins Pregnancy Week By Week

After noticing an early sign of pregnancy, a home pregnancy test confirms it. However, only a healthcare provider can confirm the twin pregnancy. It is usually detected during the 12-week ultrasound scan.

Table Showing IVF Twin Pregnancy Week by Week

Conclusion

From the entire article, we can conclude that although the symptoms of a twin pregnancy are similar to that of a singleton pregnancy, twin pregnancies often experience heightened symptoms like extreme fatigue, severe nausea, and fast weight gain.

IVF twin percentage, apart from certain risks or complications as that in a singleton pregnancy, if taken good care of, can help in a healthy delivery with a healthy baby and mother.

Frequently Asked Questions