Multiple gestations
Pregnancy involving more than one fetus (see Types of twins, page 72)
Considered a complication of pregnancy because the woman’s body must adjust to the effects of the multiple fetuses
Dramatic doubling of the incidence of multiple gestations since rise in fertility drug use
Also known as multiple pregnancy
Causes
Use of fertility drugs
Heredity (in cases of natural dizygotic [fraternal] twins)
Contributing factors: increased parity and age
