IVF Twins: What You Need to Know About Twins from IVF

When you hear about IVF twins, twins born after in vitro fertilization, often due to multiple embryos being transferred. Also known as multiple births from IVF, they make up a significant portion of twin pregnancies today—especially in countries like India where IVF use is rising fast. Unlike natural twins, which happen when one egg splits, IVF twins often come from two separate embryos being implanted. This isn’t always planned. Sometimes, doctors transfer more than one embryo to boost success, and that’s how twins happen.

The chance of having twins through IVF isn’t the same for everyone. It depends on age, how many embryos are moved, and whether the clinic follows single-embryo guidelines. Women under 35 have a higher chance of twins after IVF than older women. And while some couples actively want twins, others are caught off guard. The risks? Higher chance of preterm birth, low birth weight, and complications like preeclampsia. Studies show IVF twins are about twice as likely to be born early compared to singletons. But here’s the thing: most IVF twins grow up perfectly healthy. The bigger issue isn’t the IVF itself—it’s the fact that multiple pregnancies are inherently riskier.

Many clinics now push for single embryo transfers to reduce twin rates. It’s safer for mom and baby. But in places where cost is a barrier, families may still choose multiple embryos to avoid repeating expensive cycles. That’s why knowing your options matters. You can also test embryos for gender or genetic issues using preimplantation genetic testing, a process that checks embryos for chromosomal problems before transfer. Also known as PGT, it’s not just for avoiding diseases—it helps doctors pick the strongest embryo, which can lower the need for multiple transfers. And if you’re wondering if IVF twins are different from naturally conceived twins, the answer is mostly no. They develop the same way once implanted. The difference is in how they got there.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real answers to the questions people actually ask: How common are IVF twins? Are they riskier? Can you choose to have twins? What happens if you end up with triplets? We’ve pulled together insights from doctors, parents, and medical data to give you a clear, no-fluff picture. No hype. No promises. Just what you need to know before, during, and after an IVF journey that leads to more than one baby.