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The desire for multiple births in couples with infertility problems contradicts present practice patterns
N Gleicher1, D P Campbell, C L Chan
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Center for Human Reproduction, Chicago, IL 60610, USA.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Infertility patients express worry about multiple births but largely desire twins or triplets. Many are divided on selective embryo reduction, with desire for multiples correlating with age and infertility duration.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Infertility Studies
- Patient Attitudes
Background:
- Patient attitudes towards multiple births in infertility contexts remain largely unexplored.
- Understanding these perspectives is crucial for informed patient counseling and treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attitudes and knowledge of infertility patients regarding multiple gestations.
- To explore factors influencing these attitudes, including desire for multiples and willingness to consider selective embryo reduction.
Main Methods:
- A survey questionnaire was distributed to 3800 couples experiencing infertility.
- Analysis of 582 responses (15% response rate) focused on perceptions of risk and desire for multiple births.
Main Results:
- A majority rejected fear of multiple conceptions, yet worry was expressed independently of the number of multiples.
- Desire for twins (67-90%) and triplets was common, while larger multiples were rejected.
- Willingness to consider selective embryo reduction was bimodal (equal acceptance and rejection).
- Age correlated with desire for twins and triplets; longer infertility correlated with positive attitudes towards multiples beyond triplets.
Conclusions:
- Infertility patients exhibit a complex mix of worry and desire regarding multiple births, particularly twins and triplets.
- Patient education on risks and procedures like selective embryo reduction is essential, given the divided responses.
- Demographic factors like age and infertility duration influence attitudes towards multiple gestations.