What are some risks associated with multiple gestation?

In multiple gestation, such as twins or higher-order multiples, there are distinct risks that can arise during pregnancy. One of the most significant concerns is the likelihood of preterm birth and low birth weight. This is due to several factors, including increased uterine stretching and the overall stress on maternal resources. These multiples often do not have the same intrauterine space as singletons, leading to complications that can result in early labor and delivery before the developing babies have reached optimal growth.

Preterm birth can come with various complications, including increased risk for respiratory distress syndrome, feeding difficulties, and longer hospital stays for the newborns. Low birth weight is also prevalent in multiple gestations due to the limited capacity of the shared placenta to provide adequate nutrients and oxygen for each fetus. These factors make the risk of adverse outcomes significantly higher in pregnancies involving multiple gestation compared to single pregnancies.

In contrast, options such as higher IQ scores, increased risk of anemia, and reduced need for cesarean delivery do not accurately reflect the associated risks of multiple gestation in clinical practice and evidence-based research. Higher IQ scores are not a documented risk or outcome of multiple gestation. Increased risk of anemia may be present but is not as directly tied to the challenges