• Question: How common is multiple pregnancy in women? And does this increase the risk of miscarriage?

    Asked by jorgaliee to Claire, Greg, Vicki on 24 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Claire O'Donnell

      Claire O'Donnell answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Hi jorgallee
      If more than one embryo is put back then yes. Tat’s why there is a move to change all that. If you go to the HFEA web site and follow the linl to the one at a time programme you can read more about it. I’ll insert the link later for you:)

    • Photo: Vicki Onions

      Vicki Onions answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Hello
      Great question – its not that common with natural conception (though i don’t know exact figures) – but the chance of multiple pregnancy increases as you get older – its all to do with changing hormone levels (high FSH and low oestradiol) – the high FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) causes more follicles (which contain the eggs) to grow in each cycle to the sizes where it ovulates – hence you get more than one egg ovulated each cycle which then increases your risk of multiple pregnancies.

      If you have a lots of babies in there at the same time, yes it can increase your risk of miscarriage – thats why hen you hear about these women who are pregnant with 5,6, 7 or even 8 babies – quite often they lose one, more or even all of them. Jane would have been good to answer this one as she’s good with placenta! I’m not sure with twins whether the risk of miscarriage would be much higher

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