c
c 

 



 c c 
 ›



- - more than one fetus is carried to term in a single

- pregnancy.

- multiple fetuses can be the same (identical,

monozygotic) or different (fraternal, dizygotic)
 m
  



-In the year 2000,

- * 118, 920 twin births
- * 6,740 triplet births
- * 507 quadruplet births
- * 78 higher order multiple births

- that is more than a 70 percent increase in

the number of twin births from 1980.
  
 m› 
 

-chance of having 'natural' fraternal twins: 1 in 60

-'natural' identical twins: 1 in 250
-'fertility treatment' multiple: 1 in 4
-'natural' triplets: 1 in 8,100 (only about 30% of triplets
are 'natural')
-'natural' quads: 1 in 729,000 (only about 6% of quads
are 'natural')
-'natural' quints: 1 in 55,000,000
  
 
  
 
 ›



-- increase can probably be attributed to the impact of

using fertility drugs and fertility treatments, such as
in-vitro fertilization. Younger patients who undergo
treatment with fertility mediation containing artificial
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) followed by
intrauterine insemination, are particularly at risk for
multiple births of higher order.

-- chance increases as you grow older

-- having a maternal history of twins or other multiple

births increases your chance
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone
found in humans and other animals. It is
synthesized and secreted by gonadotrophs of the
anterior pituitary gland. FSH regulates the
development, growth, pubertal maturation, and
reproductive processes of the body. Recombinant
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is administered
by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection with a
small needle.
cntrauterine cnsemination - ·
 ·




 

  
     



 

·.
 Ê

 m›



--  tra demands are placed on the mother and the

placental system on which the babies rely. This may
slow the growth of one or both the babies, and cause
high blood pressure in the mother.

- - Babies born from multiple-birth pregnancies are

more likely to result in premature birth than those
from single pregnancies. The preterm births also
result in multiples tending to have a lower birth
weight compared to singletons.
- multiples may become
monochorionic, sharing the
same chorion, with resultant
risk of twin-to-twin
transfusion syndrome.
Monochorionic multiples may
even become monoamniotic,
sharing the same amniotic
sac, resulting in risk of
umbilical cord compression
and entanglement. In very
rare cases, there may be
conjoined twins, possibly
impairing function of internal
organs.
  horion - the outer membrane enclosing
the embryo of mammals, reptiles, and
birds. It has a dense concentration of
blood vessels and aids in the formation of
the placenta in mammals.


mniotic Sac - the fluid-filled sac within

which the embryo of a bird, reptile, or
mammal develops.

 Placenta - vascular organ that develops

inside the uterus of most pregnant
mammals to supply food and o ygen to
the foetus through  
 
(aaaS), (Feto-Fetal Transfusion Syndrome (FFTS) or Twin
Oligohydramnios-Polyhydramnios Sequence (TOPS)) is a
complication of disproportionate blood supply.  


   
  
    
 

   

   
    

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