Skip to content
WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Videos

Infertility & Reproduction Health Center

Select a topic to explore more.
WebMD
Font Size
A
A
A

Risks of multiple pregnancy

Possible maternal complications of multiple pregnancy include:

Common fetal complications of multiple pregnancy include:

  • Increased chance of giving birth before 37 weeks (premature delivery), which poses greater risks of illness, disability, and death. For more information, see the topics Preterm Labor and Premature Infant.
  • Vanishing twin syndrome.

Less common fetal complications include:

  • Differences in size between the fetuses (discordance), usually from twin-to-twin transfusion. In twin-to-twin transfusion, blood shifts from one fetus (the donor) through the placenta to the other fetus (the recipient).
  • Increased risk of birth defects and genetic disorders. For more information, see the topic Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More.

The delivery and care of multiple infants is costly, especially if they have special needs, which often is the case with babies born prematurely.

If a woman becomes pregnant with several fetuses, she and her partner may choose selective reduction (multifetal pregnancy reduction). This procedure removes one or more of the embryos during the first trimester, giving the remaining fetuses a better chance of healthy survival. However, the procedure also has a minimum 10% risk of ending the pregnancy.1

Citations

  1. Speroff L, Fritz MA (2005). Induction of ovulation. In Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, 7th ed., pp. 1175–1213. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Author Bets Davis, MFA
Author Sandy Jocoy, RN
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated March 21, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 21, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
webMD Video

Show or hide information about video: Semen: What's in There?   Semen: What's in There?

Marks Semen Analysis Video Thumbnail

What can be gleaned from a semen analysis? Sheldon Marks, MD, clarifies.

Watch Video: Semen: What's in There? (opens in a new window)

Show or hide information about video: Acupuncture for Fertility   Acupuncture for Fertility

Show or hide information about video: Reversing Vasectomies   Reversing Vasectomies

Show or hide information about video: Genes that Cause PCOS   Genes that Cause PCOS

Show or hide information about video: Male Fertility Problems: Are They Common?   Male Fertility Problems: Are They Common?