Infertility treatments are designed to help couples conceive, but they often carry an increased risk of a multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets. This outcome can present significant challenges for both the mother and the children. Understanding the causes of multiple pregnancies in fertility treatment is essential for making informed decisions.
Causes of Multiple Pregnancies
The primary reason for the increased risk is directly related to the treatment protocols used to stimulate the reproductive system:
1. Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS)
In treatments like Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), medications are used to stimulate the ovaries (Controlled Ovarian Stimulation). The goal is to encourage the ovaries to release one or more eggs. If more than one egg is successfully released and fertilized, a multiple pregnancy results.
2. Embryo Transfer in IVF
During In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles, multiple embryos are often available after fertilization. For many years, the standard practice was to transfer two or more embryos into the uterus at once to increase the chances of implantation. If two or more embryos successfully implant, this results in a multiple pregnancy.
Why Multiple Pregnancies are a Concern
While the conception of twins or triplets might be exciting, it often carries higher risks compared to a single (singleton) pregnancy:
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Maternal Complications: Increased risk of complications for the mother, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
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Fetal Complications: Higher risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and other health issues for the babies.
For these reasons, modern fertility medicine, especially in IVF, increasingly prioritizes Single Embryo Transfer to maximize the chance of a healthy singleton pregnancy.
