The Risks of Multiple Birth
Friday June 29, 2007
The birth of sextuplets in Arizona and Minnesota earlier this month has generated a lot of media attention about multiple birth and focused attention on the risks to the babies as well as their mothers. Four of the Morrison sextuplets in Minnesota have passed away and two remain in critical condition. While the Masche babies in Arizona are breathing on their own and in stable condition, their mother experienced heart failure shortly after delivering them.
Recent articles from leading news organizations like The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and CNN have focused a spotlight on these extreme pregnancies and the reproductive techonlogy that produces them. Both the Morrison and Masche families used fertility-enhancing treatments to concieve their babies, and both reportedly declined the option of selective reduction.
As a parent of multiples, these articles prompt mixed emotions. On the one hand, I want to defend the existence of the lucky families who elude the risks and enjoy healthy, happy children. On the other hand, I squirm at the prospect of other outcomes, families who experience the agony of complicated pregnancies, extended hospitalization, a lifetime of disability, or even the loss of their children.
While these articles are focusing on extreme cases of higher order multiples, it casts a shadow on all multiple births, eliciting fear and concern for parents expecting twins or more. It's important to understand the real risks of pregnancy with twins or multiples.
• What do you think? Click on Comments to share your thoughts.
Recent articles from leading news organizations like The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and CNN have focused a spotlight on these extreme pregnancies and the reproductive techonlogy that produces them. Both the Morrison and Masche families used fertility-enhancing treatments to concieve their babies, and both reportedly declined the option of selective reduction.
As a parent of multiples, these articles prompt mixed emotions. On the one hand, I want to defend the existence of the lucky families who elude the risks and enjoy healthy, happy children. On the other hand, I squirm at the prospect of other outcomes, families who experience the agony of complicated pregnancies, extended hospitalization, a lifetime of disability, or even the loss of their children.
While these articles are focusing on extreme cases of higher order multiples, it casts a shadow on all multiple births, eliciting fear and concern for parents expecting twins or more. It's important to understand the real risks of pregnancy with twins or multiples.
• What do you think? Click on Comments to share your thoughts.
Comments
I believe that pregnancies with higher order than triplets are extremely dangerous for both mother and babies, but I believe it is the family’s choice whether to selectively reduce or not. I am a triplet Mom and couldn’t imagine not having all my babies. However, all my girls are healthy and I carried them till 31 weeks. Those families with higher order multiple should be given ALL information about their risks to make a decision about their situation. One thing I don’t agree with Dr.s inseminating with more than two to three embryos. I think that practice sets you up for extreme multiple pregnancies.