Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

July 5

Multiple Births Increasing

If you think you’re seeing more triplets than before, you’re right. The ratio of triplets, quadruplets, and other multiple births has more than quadrupled over the past two decades.

It appears that the increased use of infertility treatments has contributed to this phenomenon.

That’s what a report published by the Centers for Disease Control found. The Center reviewed data from clinics using high tech procedures, such as in-vitro fertilization.

In a normal cycle, women will ovulate one egg. To increase the chances of pregnancy, assisted reproduction techniques stimulate the ovaries to make more than one egg in a given cycle. In in-vitro fertilization, those eggs are removed, fertilized in the lab and the embryos are transferred into the women’s uterus, with the hopes that at least one embryo implants and develops.

But sometimes more than one embryo implants and twins, triplets or more begin to develop. The risk of the higher-order multiple births is that they are more likely to be preterm or low birthweight--which puts them at risk for needing intensive neonatal care and having developmental problems. Pregnant women carrying multiple fetuses are at an increased risk for high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that patients undergoing assisted reproduction be monitored and that the number of embryos transferred be limited.

How should a couple considering these techniques use this information?

Obviously, they should be aware of the risks, like any medical procedure.

It’s very important that the couple have a frank and open discussion with the doctor, to fully understand the procedure -- all of the steps and decision points along the way. A couple should also take time to talk to each other to make sure they are comfortable with the options that have been presented.

RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov

American Society for Reproductive Medicine
www.asrm.org

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
www.resolve.org

July 5
Multiple Births Increasing
	If you think you’re seeing more triplets than before, you’re right. The ratio of triplets, quadruplets, and other multiple births has more than quadrupled over the past two decades. It appears that the increased use of infertility treatments has contributed to this phenomenon. That’s what a report published by the Centers for Disease Control found. The Center reviewed data from clinics using high tech procedures, such as in-vitro fertilization. In a normal cycle, women will ovulate one egg. To increase the chances of pregnancy, assisted reproduction techniques stimulate the ovaries to make more than one egg in a given cycle. In in-vitro fertilization, those eggs are removed, fertilized in the lab and the embryos are transferred into the women’s uterus, with the hopes that at least one embryo implants and develops. But sometimes more than one embryo implants and twins, triplets or more begin to develop. The risk of the higher-order multiple births is that they are more likely to be preterm or low birthweight--which puts them at risk for needing intensive neonatal care and having developmental problems. Pregnant women carrying multiple fetuses are at an increased risk for high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that patients undergoing assisted reproduction be monitored and that the number of embryos transferred be limited.

	How should a couple considering these techniques use this information? Obviously, they should be aware of the risks, like any medical procedure. It’s very important that the couple have a frank and open discussion with the doctor, to fully understand the procedure -- all of the steps and decision points along the way. A couple should also take time to talk to each other to make sure they are comfortable with the options that have been presented.
	RESOURCES: Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov American Society for Reproductive Medicine www.asrm.org RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association www.resolve.org