Summary
THE birth of twins would seem like the best possible outcome for any couple undergoing fertility treatment: years of longing for a family rewarded with not just one, but two bundles of joy. It's a scenario that has become increasingly common in the past few decades as the number of multiple births in the UK has risen significantly, mainly thanks to the success of IVF procedures.
But behind the cute images of twins and triplets lie some harsh medical statistics. While the majority of twin babies grow into healthy children, multiple births carry far greater risks and can result in a traumatic start to life, including weeks spent in an intensive care unit. More than 100 IVF babies will die each year as a consequence of being born in a multiple birth and some will be affected by lifelong disabilities, such as cerebral palsy. In addition, the mother is also more likely to suffer dangerous complications during the pregnancy.See the full content of this document
Extract
Ivf Is Having Twins Really so Bad?
Amid these concerns, the fertility watchdog in the UK last week launched a consultation on plans to cut the number of twin pregnancies occurring through IVF treatment. Currently the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) code of practice states that women aged under 40 are expected to have no more than two embryos transferred, with women over 40 allowed a maximum of three. Now the focus will be on the use of "single-embryo transfers", where only one embryo will be transferred per IVF cycle.
One of the most rad...See the full content of this document
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