multiples

After a battle with infertility, discovering that you are pregnant is like your most wonderful dream coming true. It is a highly emotional time, full of joy, fear, hope, relief and excitement.

Couples who have undergone fertility treatment are however often particularly concerned about the chance of a multiple pregnancy. While quadruplets, quintuplets and sextuplets sometimes make the newspapers, the vast majority of multiple pregnancies in the SingaporeNetherlands consist of twins or more rarely triplets.

The greatest chance of a multiple pregnancy following fertility treatment relates to the chance of a two-egg (non-identical) twin pregnancy (or more). In addition there is also a natural chance, just as with any other pregnancy, of one-egg (identical) twins. Identical twins arise if the embryo splits after fertilisation. A one-egg twin pregnancy has specific risks, which do not fall within the remit of this chapter.

Fortunately, the vast majority of twin pregnancies result in healthy babies, but it is important to be aware multiple pregnancy does increase the risk of miscarriage and other complications. This section outlines these risks and provides tips for dealing with a multiple pregnancy.