ASRM Fact Sheet on Fertility Drugs and Multiple Births

March 12, 2015

From the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) fact sheet on Fertility drugs and the risk of multiple births:

How likely is multiple gestation?

Very possible. Depending on the type of fertility treatment used, if more than one follicle is produced, the risk of multiple gestation can be as much as 1 out of 3 women who become pregnant.

What could happen to the babies?

The babies could be born too early, which is called premature birth. Half of all twins and 90% of all triplets are born prematurely. Babies born prematurely may have many health problems.   Their lungs might not be strong enough, so they might have trouble breathing. The blood vessels in their brains might bleed easily. Many other birth defects are associated with multiple births as well.  The babies will probably be underweight and may get sick or even die.

Before birth, the babies might not get all the nutrition that is carried by the blood from their mother. This is particularly true if they share a placenta, the tissue that carries nutrients from the mother to the baby. The babies may not grow as fast as normal. If the multiple babies share important blood vessels through a common placenta, they may develop heart problems or die.

Twins, triplets, and other multiples are more likely to have problems with their brain development and nerves if they are born early. One of the more common  problems is cerebral palsy, an abnormality of the brain. Other problems associated with multiple births may not become known for many years after delivery.

What could happen to the mom?

If you are pregnant with more than one baby, you may experience problems during pregnancy. These potential problems could include high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia (low blood count), or too much or too little amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby during a pregnancy). Too much amniotic fluid can be a problem because it can cause premature labor, while too little fluid can cause a problem with the baby’s development. You may need to stay in bed or the hospital for weeks before delivery. This is especially likely if you go into labor early.

Also, you may have problems delivering your babies. There is a higher likelihood of undergoing a Cesarean section, which is when the babies are delivered through a surgical opening in your belly.

What can I do to reduce the risk of multiple births?

During a fertility treatment cycle when fertility drugs are used with timed intercourse or insemination, your doctor will monitor your cycle very carefully. The use of fertility medications makes it more likely that one or more eggs will be fertilized. However, if it appears that too many eggs are developing, your doctor may cancel your cycle and tell you not to have an insemination or intercourse to eliminate your risk of multiple births.

ASRM is an excellent resource for reproductive facts. Please check out their patient resources website at https://www.reproductivefacts.org/.

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