Fertility Treatments and Multiple Births in the United States

This analysis of data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and the CDC showed a decline in triplet and higher-order births between 1998 and 2011 that coincided with a reduction in the transfer of three or more embryos during in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and non-IVF fertility treatments (i.e., ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation) constitute major risk factors for the genesis of multiple births (twin, triplet, and higher-order births). 1 IVF procedures, which are defined as procedures in which eggs and sperm are manipulated with the purpose of establishing a pregnancy, represent the overwhelming majority of procedures for assisted reproductive technology. Ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation, which are often included as part of the IVF process, are also coupled with timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination to establish a pregnancy independently of IVF. In ovulation induction, drugs are administered to induce ovulation . . .