Twins, triplets, and other multiple births have long fascinated the public. From the annual Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, to the media attention on large multiple – birth families, these unique births have always been in the spotlight. However, in recent years, there has been a significant decline in the rates of twin and triplet births in the United States.
The 1980s saw a dramatic increase in twin and multiple births in the US. This was mainly due to the introduction of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in 1981.
As of February 2024, over 8 million babies in the US have been born using IVF, accounting for about 2% of all US births. In the early days of this technology, IVF procedures often led to multiple births. Physicians commonly implanted several embryos, as they knew some might not develop into fetuses.
With technological advancements, the situation has changed. Now, during ART, fewer embryos need to be transferred, resulting in fewer multiple births.
For example, data from doctors at the Washington University School of Medicine shows that in 2004, among those under 35 who gave birth with the help of IVF, 32.7% delivered twins and 4.9% delivered triplets. By 2014, the twin delivery rate dropped to 11.8% and the triplet delivery rate to 0.4%.
At the same time, the percentage of those undergoing IVF who had live births increased from 36.6% to 48.7%, meaning more single – baby IVF births. This decline in multiple births is attributed to improvements in embryo culture media and controlled ovarian stimulation. With better egg selection and embryo – growing environments, IVF patients can achieve success with fewer implanted embryos in one round.
When looking at the situation across different states, some states have higher rates of multiple births. Michigan, Connecticut, and Alabama lead the way. There are several factors contributing to this. Families with college educations and higher incomes (at least $100,000) are more likely to afford IVF treatment, which can increase the likelihood of multiple births. Race and ethnicity also play a role.
White and Asian adults are more likely to use fertility treatments, according to the Pew Research Center. Additionally, state laws regarding fertility treatment coverage vary. Some states mandate that health insurance cover part of the fertility journey, while others, like Alabama, have complex regulations.
In February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that surplus embryos in the IVF process should be considered children, which has sparked ongoing debates. In June, the Southern Baptists, the largest Protestant denomination in the US, voted to condemn the current IVF process, further influencing public perception.
This decline in multiple births is not only a result of technological changes but also due to the evolving legal and ethical landscapes. As laws and public views on ART continue to develop, they will impact family decisions regarding fertility. This, in turn, will have a direct bearing on the rate of multiple births in the US.
Overall, the decrease in multiple births is beneficial for the health of both mothers and children, as multiple births are associated with complications such as premature labor, high blood pressure, and fetal growth restriction, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.
The citation sources for this article include CNN, Northwell Health, Stacker, the Washington University School of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pew Research Center, and the Cleveland Clinic.
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