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SAN ANTONIO, Oct 16, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A new study indicates some women who receive in vitro fertilization and give birth to twins, triplets or more say they regret undergoing the procedure.
The BBC reports the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in San Antonio this week included reports parents of IVF twins and triplets are much more likely to report marriage problems.
And with up to 40 percent of all IVF births involving more than one baby, researchers say such children are more likely to be born early and suffer a wide range of complications, such as low birth weight, defects and disabilities.
Lead researcher Marcia Ellison said the psychological impact of coping with more than one newborn is significant.
Said Ellison: "Multiple births resulted in significant increases in unmet family needs, social stigma and higher maternal depression scores. In addition, multiple births resulted in significant decreases in maternal quality of life, health and functioning, satisfaction with their marriage and their husband, and lower overall quality of life scores."
Ellison reported some women involved in the study said they regretted seeking IVF treatment after having to cope with more than one baby.
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
