Is it OK for Couples to go to a Fertility Clinic to Have Quadruplets or Sextuplets?

This is an issue that has been given added attention thanks to certain television shows such as Jon and Kate Plus 8 and the media coverage of "Octomom". Some see couples who continually return for repeat fertility procedures or who aim to have quadruplets or sextuplets through the treatments available at clinics as selfish. Being able to care for so many children and provide each with the appropriate attention can be a challenge. And many see the world population as getting out of control, thanks in part to the advancements in infertility procedures that help otherwise infertile couples conceive—sometimes leading to multiple births.

In fact, the instances of multiple births have skyrocketed since the early 1980s as the technology has advanced. Many couples are waiting later to have children than they had in years past as they focus on their careers in their prime reproductive years. As women reach about 35 years old, it may begin to be more difficult for them to conceive whether naturally or through fertility procedures. As a result, more are turning to medicine to get pregnant and the result is that more have multiple pregnancies.

In most cases, only a few embryos are transferred to the uterus. In vitro fertilization requires that embryos are created by combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory. Unused embryos are frozen for use in future sessions. Using more than one improves the odds of at least one embryo implanting in the uterine lining and developing, while most limit the amount used to reduce the chances of multiple births. But some will request that several embryos are transferred either to improve their chances of success or with the goal of having quadruplets or sextuplets.

Some are trying to reduce the instances of multiple births because of the health risks that multiple pregnancies pose. In the UK, a movement that encouraged the transfer of just one embryo per session has led to fewer multiple births. The chances of success reduce when only one embryo is transferred, however, which means the ultimate cost of treatment is often greater as subsequent sessions are required if the initial session is unsuccessful.

The issue is one with many viewpoints. There are some who unintentionally end up with multiple births, while others set out with that goal. It's a subject worth considering before you head to the clinic to consult a specialist regarding infertility treatment.