What To Know If You've Been Blessed With A Multiple Pregnancy

In the United States, since 1980 there has been a 65% increase in the frequency of twins and a 500% increase in the number of triplet pregnancies or higher-order births. The vast majority of this increase has resulted from assisted reproductive technologies(in-vitro or fertility drugs). The risk of a multiple pregnancy resulting from infertility treatments is a very high 25%.

Very recently reproductive endocrinologists have been trying to reduce the number of multiple pregnancies associated with in-vitro procedures by transferring only one embryo, even in older patients. Interestingly, however there is a much higher identical twin rate (identical twins result from one embryo splitting into two, three or even four embryos) associated with in-vitro techniques, so that even when only one embryo is transferred, a multiple pregnancy can result. When infertile couples are surveyed, many are actually thrilled to be "blessed" with a multiple pregnancy--as often they have waited for years before conceiving.

Although multiple pregnancies account for only 3% of all live births, they are responsible for a much larger percentage of pregnancy complications and poor outcomes. 17% of preterm births are the result of multiple pregnancy. 24% of low-birth weight infants are the product of a multiple pregnancy. It is interesting to note however, that although these statistics are accurate, the babies born to parents who have undergone infertility treatments, even if premature or low birth weight, tend to do very well. In part this is because of dramatic advances in care of the premature infant, but another factor is that the parents of these pregnancies are thrilled to be pregnant and are doing everything possible to optimize their outcomes.

What can you do to optimize your outcome?


Get in early with your doctor! If you have been diagnosed with a multiple pregnancy you are going to get to know your doctor very well! If you have been through infertility treatments, your RE (reproductive endocrinologist) will likely have a number of good references. Choose a doctor that you are comfortable with and that you feel will answer all your questions.
Eliminate any remaining bad habits! If you have been through infertility you have likely cleaned up your act pretty thoroughly already, but if there are any vices that linger, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, excessive caffeine intake, etc. now is the time to dispense with these!
Maximize your nutrition. You are going to want to gain a significant amount of weight, but make sure you do it gradually and by eating the right mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. You are also going to want to supplement iron, calcium and folic acid, and you are going to need to choose a supplement you can tolerate!(In another article, we'll talk about nausea of pregnancy!)
You are going to need plenty of rest and will likely end up on bed rest, so get a good bed! You may want to invest in a body pillow to help you position the body that you won't even recognize in a few months!
Get going on your nursery and stock up on supplies - you can't shop while you're on bed rest.
Join THE TRIPLET CONNECTION website - this site has lots of discount codes and suggestions for stores with hard-to-find items. They also have used items for sale by other multiples families which can be very handy and save lots of money!
Get lots of film, or even better, a digital camera or video camera. There are also some very neat baby books which allow you to document your babies' progress in the neonatal intensive care unit--a great site to check out is COME UNITY.
Finally, you are going to want to start making plans at work. You will almost certainly be out of work by 20-24 weeks if you are carrying more than 2 babies. You may want to consider starting a home business! After all that hard work bringing those babies into the world, you may not be eager to leave them in someone else's care when they finally arrive. See my box below for more information about the business I chose that allows me to stay home with my boys while they are babies and still send them to college down the road!

Elaine Brown, M.D. is a former Obstetrician/Gynecologist turned Internet entrepreneur. She is a successful marketer and mother of four including triplets. See her business at MyInternetBusiness.com (new link coming soon!). Or for something just for fun - go to her blog Dr Brown's MyInternetBusiness.

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