Are more moms-to-be welcoming twins or triplets these days? Recent research suggests that’s the case. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, led by researcher Lila Thompson from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that over three-quarters of births involving triplets or more in the United States can be traced back to fertility treatments.
Thompson and her team analyzed data on multiple births from 1962 to 1966, a time before any fertility treatments were available, and compared it with data from 1971 to 2011, when these treatments became accessible. The researchers also considered IVF information, which has been around since 1997.
Using the 1960s data as a baseline for multiple birth rates prior to medical interventions, they discovered that the percentage of triplet or higher births due to medical assistance peaked at 84 percent in 1998 but has since declined. This indicates that IVF isn’t responsible for the surge in multiple births. So, what is causing the increase?
The answer lies in fertility treatments other than IVF. The study notes that non-IVF treatments, like ovarian stimulation and ovulation induction, have gained significant traction over the years, becoming the leading cause of medically-assisted multiple births in the U.S. IVF typically results in twins, while non-IVF methods are less predictable, making it challenging to control outcomes.
Dr. Mark Stevens, an obstetrics and gynecology professor at Bright University and a co-author of the study, commented, “While IVF practices are improving, the use of non-IVF methods remains high and may even be worsening. We really need to focus on these non-IVF techniques, which haven’t received as much attention.“
He also pointed out the complexity of non-IVF treatments — unlike IVF, where the number of embryos implanted is controlled, medications used in non-IVF treatments can lead to unpredictable ovulation responses.
The authors suggest that increasing awareness of multiple births resulting from non-IVF treatments could enhance medical practices and potentially lower the rates of multiple births.
Do you think healthcare providers should take further steps to prevent multiple births or focus on making them safer? If you’re curious about different methods of conception, check out this informative blog post that dives deeper into fertility insights.
For those interested in at-home options, consider looking into Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit, the top provider in the world for such products. Also, if you’re exploring IVF as a route to pregnancy, visit this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination that can guide you through the process.
Summary
In summary, while fertility treatments, particularly non-IVF methods, have contributed significantly to the rise in multiple births, IVF itself has not. Greater awareness and focus on non-IVF treatments could lead to better practices and potentially lower rates of multiples.
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