ABSTRACT
Multiple pregnancy is a common outcome from using fertility drugs due to the ovaries being stimulated to produce several eggs at a time, or more than one embryo being transferred to the uterus in In vitro fertilisation (IVF), or more than one egg being replaced in Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT). Two-thirds of triplets and higher order pregnancies are due to ovarian induction with clomiphene and gonadotrophin drugs. Clinics balance the risks of multiple pregnancy against gaining an acceptable pregnancy rate. The number of embryos that can be transferred after IVF is limited to three by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and of course there is a further chance that a single embryo could sub-divide to give an identical set of twins or triplets. Fetal reduction may be carried out as a planned procedure to terminate the life of one or more fetuses in a multiple pregnancy.
