Multiple Pregnancies

Newspaper Column Ad Appearing 7-16-03

Many are curious as to why so many women who get pregnant through the use of new fertility treatments often find themselves giving birth to twins, triplets, or high order multiples. For the most part, the answer rests in the fact that in spite of a significant progress, doctors still cannot fully control reproductive function. The growing use of ovulation-stimulating drugs along with artificial insemination is a major factor involved. A woman using these drugs may be inseminated when she is about to release too many eggs. With careful daily monitoring using ultrasound and hormone assays, reproductive endocrinologists can, in most cases, assure that only one or not more than two eggs are released. With less frequent monitoring (usually by a busy obstetrician), multiple birth may be an unintended consequence of fertility treatment. Unintended high order multiple gestations also used to be a problem with in vitro fertilization when between three and five embryos were transferred as an "insurance policy" that at least one would survive. However, with the current practice of not more than two or three embryos transferred during the IVF cycle, the risk of multiple pregnancy was decreased. Future advances in the IVF technology will undoubtedly be followed by a transfer of only one or two of the healthiest embryos and a further decrease in the risk.

Often when a couple has exhausted other means of having children, the thought of twins or triplets may be a boon – instant family. However, the management of a multiple pregnancy is best entrusted to obstetricians who specialize in these special pregnancies. For a medical practice devoted to reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and assisted reproductive technology, please call OAK BROOK FERTILITY CENTER, where dreams are conceived are conceived and hopes delivered. New patients are welcome.

P.S. As many as a third of all women who get pregnant through the use of fertility treatments find themselves carrying more than one baby.

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