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Triple the happiness!

Dr. K.N. Nath, senior consultant paediatrician and Head of Neonatology, Al Ain Hospital said that a multiple gestation is a pregnancy in which a woman is carrying two or more babies. In the past two decades, the number of multiple births all over the world has jumped dramatically.

Dr Wasna Al Yawer, consultant obstetric and gynaecology, Al Ain Hospital said the pregnancy of the Omani woman followed fertility treatment. In normal cases, the percentage of the twins to the regular deliveries is 1:80 while triplets ratio is 1:7000. She said multiple birth pregnancies have been rapidly increasing due to advancements in infertility treatments. But many twins and triplets are born premature, she said.

"The rising number of multiple gestations is a concern because women who are expecting more than one baby are at increased risk of certain pregnancy complications, including pre-term delivery before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Babies who are born pre-term are at risk of serious health problems during the new-born period, as well as lasting disabilities and death," said Dr Wasna.

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