Risks of Multiple Pregnancy

Topic Overview

There are pregnancy problems that can be more likely with a multiple pregnancy.

Risks of multiple pregnancy may include:

• Miscarriage of one or more babies (fetuses).
• Gestational diabetes.
• High blood pressure and preeclampsia.
• Anemia.
• Increased chance of cesarean delivery.
• Increased chance of giving birth before 37 weeks (preterm birth), which poses greater risks of illness, disability, and death. For more information, see the topics Preterm Labor and Premature Infant.
• Having a baby born with a birth defect that occurs when something is wrong with the genes or chromosomes. Certain genetic disorders may be more likely to occur in multiple pregnancies.

Multiple pregnancies conceived by the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) may have a greater risk of certain pregnancy problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks related to your treatment.