What if I Want a Twin Surrogate Journey?

There are several reasons why intended parents may be tempted to pursue twins during their surrogate journey. Twins may increase the work in the short term, but they can also reduce the total amount of time you’re changing diapers! Many gay couples also want to pursue a twin pregnancy with their surrogate so that both men can experience the joy of biological fatherhood, with the help of an egg donor.

But the reality is that a twins surrogacy journey is more complicated than it may seem. It can significantly increase the risks to both your surrogate and your babies. It may also increase the cost and the amount of time it can take to match with a surrogate who is willing to take on the risks of a twin journey.

In years past, twin surrogate journeys were more common than they are now. This is partly because the success rate of I.V.F. was much lower than it is today. Years ago, fertility clinics tended to implant two or even more embryos simultaneously to increase the odds that at least one would lead to a successful pregnancy. As the IVF technology improved, however, twins or even more multiples became more likely when transferring more than one embryo at a time. Given the risks associated with a twin pregnancy, most IVF clinics now implant a single embryo. Some IVF clinics now even have policies against transferring more than one embryo at a time.

If you have your heart set on twins, however, some clinics will still be happy to work with you. But there are several considerations to keep in mind prior to embarking on a twin journey.

A twins pregnancy will increase your costs and timeline

Surrogates who are willing to take on the additional risks of a twin pregnancy will also likely require more compensation. Additionally, the medical costs of a twin pregnancy can be as much as twice as high with a twin pregnancy, since the pregnancy is considered “high risk.” Surrogates pregnant with twins are more likely to need bed rest towards the end of your journey, meaning they will be unable to work. Most surrogacy contracts will require you to compensate your surrogate for these lost wages. Fewer surrogates are willing to take on the risks of a twin pregnancy, meaning it may take longer for you to successfully match with one—which can increase your overall timeline.

Make sure you and your surrogate understand the risk

If your IVF clinic is willing to undergo a multiple embryo transfer, it’s critical that you and your surrogate understand the additional risks. Your surrogate, in particular, should undergo extensive conversations with your fertility clinic to understand the risks she is taking on. It is important for you, as the intended parent, to have a full understanding of the risks to your surrogate—and also the additional risks to the babies she will be carrying for you. Roughly half of twins end up in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Talk to your surrogacy agency and IVF clinic

If you’re considering growing your family with twins, the first step is to talk with the professionals you are working with, including your IVF clinic and surrogacy agency. Again, some IVF clinics may not be willing to work with you. Those that do, you’ll want to make sure they have a good understanding of the additional risks you are taking on—and are willing to support you throughout the entire process.  You will also want to have an honest conversation with your surrogacy agency about the additional costs you’ll incur during a twin journey. You’ll want to make sure they are upfront about all the expenses, and that there are no hidden fees.

Consider a “dual” or “sibling” journey instead

It’s understandable that many intended parents would prefer to have twins during their surrogate pregnancies—but there are a couple of ways to have multiple children through surrogacy that don’t rely on your surrogate carrying two or more fetuses at the same time. Some surrogacy agencies offer what’s known as a “dual journey”. During a dual journey, you will match with two surrogates and undergo two separate surrogacy journeys back to back. This will result in two healthy babies, born in close succession to one another, without taking on the additional risks that a twin pregnancy poses. Often, surrogacy agencies will provide discounts for intended parents interested in a dual journey. Others will provide a discount for a “sibling journey”— which is one that takes places several years after the first, often using the same surrogate.

Make sure you are ready to care for two babies!

If you know any parents with twins, make sure to talk to them before you embark on a twin journey! Caring for one baby can be overwhelming enough for many parents. Carrying for two at the same time can increase the stress of those early, sleepless days of new parenthood. Parents of twins will need to make sure they have the proper support systems in place to help them care for two babies at the same time.