Patient perceptions of multiple gestations: An assessment of knowledge and risk aversion

Objective: To determine whether knowledge of the increased risk of certain pregnancy complications affects a woman's desire to achieve a multifetal gestation. Study Design: Women who attended an infertility clinic were given an interviewer-administered survey that ascertained how intensely they desired a multifetal pregnancy and how accurately they perceived the risks of multifetal complications. In addition, 5-point Likert scales were used to assess how different perceptions of risk affected the desire for gestations of different plurality. Results: Most respondents (67%) expressed the desire to conceive a twin pregnancy, although they could not accurately estimate the probability of risks associated with this type of pregnancy. Nevertheless, their desire was affected by perceptions of pregnancy-associated risk. On the basis of ordinal regression, desire for twins was more likely after in vitro fertilization (P