[Parents of multiple births after assisted conception]

A major criticism is the increase in multiple pregnancies after ART in the past 30 years and the associated fetal and maternal risks.

Few studies examined the psychosocial risks of the parents of multiple births after ART, for example psychology adjustment, parenting stress, education problems, anxiety, depression, relationship problems or social isolation.

The research confirms the psychosocial characteristics after multiple births. In the early postpartum period there is increased risk of depressive disorders. Mothers of twins after ART show a limitation of their psychosocial well-being compared to mothers of singles after ART.

Higher expectations of parenthood during pregnancy, less sufficiency coping strategies, and consequently, greater parental stress show twin mothers after ART in comparison to twin mothers after nature conception. An interdisciplinary postpartum care services makes sense. However, clinicians should keep attention to potential psychosocial burden of a multiple birth.