The Impact of Assisted Reproductive Techniques on the Risk of Multiple Pregnancies

Background &  There is a well-established link between multiple pregnancies and assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality are directly related to multiple pregnancies. The purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of multiple pregnancies on women using various reproductive techniques.Materials &  This study used a comparative-analytical approach. We assessed a cohort of 130 pregnant women of which 120 had twins and 10 had triplets. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were performed on 62.0% of women, while 6.0% had ovulation induction. Using ultrasound examination, twin and triplet pregnancies were found in 92% and 8%, respectively. Our results show that 11% of women experience the physiological course of pregnancy with multiple pregnancies. Pregnancy concludes in the delivery of twins only in 50% of patients with multiple pregnancies diagnosed by ultrasound examination before 10 weeks. It was found that 46% of births in women carrying multiple pregnancies happened prematurely after studying more than 100 births. Of these, 6% occurred before 28 weeks, 20% between 29 and 34 weeks, and 20% between 35 and 37 weeks. Preeclampsia and placental insufficiency are more likely to occur in multiple pregnancies than in single pregnancies. As a result, at the beginning of the second trimester, all preventative measures should be implemented. Although abdominal delivery is not the preferred option for multiple pregnancies, there is a need to increase the indications for surgical delivery for the benefit of the fetuses.