PARIS, June 22 (UPI) -- A French study has found that twin pregnancies cost more than three times as much as a single pregnancy, and triplets cost more than 8 times as much.
Lead author Jacques de Mouzon told the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology the costs -- coupled with the known medical risks for both mothers and babies of multiple pregnancies -- underlined the necessity of preventing multiple pregnancies during assisted reproduction technology.
"Normally, the cost calculations of assisted reproduction are limited to the cost of the treatment cycle alone," he said. "However, it seems clear to me that it is equally important to count the costs of hospitalization, delivery according to the method of delivery and neonatal care. This gives a much better view of the reality.
"The resulting figures show that multiple pregnancies have a very important economic impact," he said, "which should be considered together with the medical risks ... . These figures reinforce the necessity of preventing their occurrence with an adapted policy on ART and stimulation regimen in other fertility treatments."
