Usually, when the prevention of multiple pregnancy is mentioned in infertility treatments, reference is made to certain clinical strategies that are used during said treatments in order to reduce the chances of multiple fertilizations. In the first place, it is necessary to understand why it is pertinent to avoid this type of pregnancy.
Risks of a multiple pregnancy
There are certain complications that can occur during pregnancy, where both the mother and the babies are affected. Some examples are:
- Preeclampsia: high blood pressure during pregnancy, and causes the loss of protein in women through urine.
- Spontaneous abortion or loss of one or more fetuses.
- Intrauterine growth retardation: Fetuses do not grow as needed.
- Preterm birth: any birth before the 37th week of gestation.
- Low birth weight: when the baby weighs less than 2.5kg
- perinatal mortality
These complications can be life-threatening for women and babies. For this reason, within the care that must be taken in infertility treatments is the prevention of a multiple pregnancy.
Prevention of a multiple pregnancy
Among the preventive measures of a multiple pregnancy, is the reduction of the number of embryos to be transferred in an In Vitro Fertilization. The number of embryos to be transferred is chosen based on factors such as the age of the patient, the quality of the embryos, the cause of infertility, the receptivity of the endometrium, and the preference of the patient. In some countries, however, the number of embryos to be transferred is legislated.
Other possible measures include reducing or suspending the dose of ovulation inducers, or even canceling the cycle.
