Ok, so this is purely hypothetical and yes, I know I’m crazy for even asking, but I’m a nanny and I love kids. I have been watching like a TON of Jon and Kate Plus Eight and I know I’m insane, but I love the idea of having Sextuplets. Ok, maybe not sextuplets. But triplets or even quads could be nice.
I kinda don’t think I’d ever actually TRY for multiples, just because, well, it’s kind of weird and people probably frown upon that sort of thing. But hypothetically, if I wanted to have a multiple birth, could I receive IVF or another fertility treatment to increase the possibility of having mulitples, even though I do not suffer from infertility?
basically, without using so many words, I guess I could have just asked this from the start:
Can a fertile woman (a woman who can get pregnant on her own) undergo IVF under any circustance??
again, not asking because I’m going to run out and get myself knocked up with eight babies. I’m just kinda curious.
By: Jakey’s Mom
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2 comments
Comment by Verity on August 4, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Not really.
Doctors try to avoid multiple births – especially high order multiple births – because of the risk to mom and babies.
You can pursue IVF for any number of reasons. (Screening for inherited disease and gender selection come to mind.) I’m assuming you’re in the US, where IVF is almost always paid for out of pocket. That means that you can probably find a clinic willing to work with you even if you’re not, technically, infertile. But it costs tens of thousands of dollars and can be a physically grueling process. And I do think that if your only stated reason was to have a multiple birth, most doctors would turn you away.
Keep in mind that many fertility treatments – Clomid, etc. – actually have adverse consequences when given to women who have normal ovulation, etc. So you won’t find a reputable doc willing to do it.
Comment by Vicky on August 6, 2009 at 12:22 am
I agree with Verity wholeheartedly. There are probably no doctors out there would would take the $20,000 it usually costs (all things accounted for) to undergo a series of IVFs. Additionally, as with every form of invasive surgery, there is some risk and I can’t see a doctor willingly undertaking any risk if it wasn’t necessary. Finally, IVF hurts. Emotionally and physically (egg retrieval, 3 shots in your body each day for weeks or months, blah blah!)
However, Clomid can increase the number of mature follicles each month; it raises the odds of a multiple by several degrees (up to 10% I believe). Also, the later in life you have your kids, the more likely your body is to accidentally send out two eggs. But waiting until you’re 35 is not recommended either (take it from me!!!)
Finally, IUI also shows increases in multiples, but no-one has ever done a study to see if this is IUI on its own or in combination with Clomid (which tends to be the case) so it’s hard to know which is giving the increased data.
Hope this helps!