Australia has led the charge in a new, world-first report into the effects of multiple birth-pregnancies upon mothers, babies, and families.
Twins Research Australia from the University of Melbourne’s School of Population and Global Health teamed up with the UK’s Twins and Multiple Birth Association, Australian Multiple Births Association, and the International Committee of Multiple Birth Organisations to bring together and analyse the experience and expertise of the many stakeholders in the multiple-birth healthcare system.
The report found in instances of multiple-birth, women were two to three times more prone to pregnancy complications such as anemia, high blood pressure and anemia; twin or triplet babies were at least three times more likely to die during pregnancy or within the first month after birth; and the risk of a premature birth before 28 weeks to be 10 times higher in twin births and 30 times higher in triplets.