Multiple-Birthing Trends: Impact on Couples and Families

Abstract

Current treatments for infertility often involve medical interventions that offer promising and sometimes unexpected results. One consequence has been a burgeoning of multifetal conceptions throughout the world. The purpose of this article is to review research on the effects of the multiple-birth experience on couples and families. Needs for future research and implications for couple and family counselors are presented.

Maternal Perinatal Mental Health and Multiple Births: Implications for Practice

“…Akerman (1997) in a study of parents of triplets found that fathers were closely and competently involved in infant care and felt emotionally close to their babies. Fathers who are closely involved in daily infant care from birth report greater enjoyment and satisfaction than those who are not (Weigel et al, 2000). This involvement may not be sustained.…”

“…Stillbirth or neonatal death of one of a multiple precipitates the complex coincidence of death and detachment from one infant with the formation of attachment to another. Prematurity or infant disability also involves grief for the loss of an imagined child and the gradual adjustment to the real infant (Klock, 2001;Weigel et al, 2000). Thorpe et al (1991) found that the most distressed mothers of twin 5-year-olds were those with a prolonged and inexpressible sadness associated with losing one twin when the other was living.…”

“…Discussions should include the realities of parenting multiples and not be confined to pregnancy and the intrapartum period (Hay et al, 1990;Weigel et al, 2000). A non-judgmental empathic response from professional staff at time of diagnosis of multiple pregnancy, which does not presume that it will be greeted with joy, is vital.…”

“…Mothers in this circumstance worry about the potential disruption to older children if they are unable to provide normal care because of enforced bed rest in late pregnancy (Hay et al, 1990) and the impact of being displaced by two infants (Bryan & Denton, 2001). Mothers pregnant with twins may have disproportionate feelings of unattractiveness associated with weight gain and fear rejection (Weigel et al, 2000). The quality of antenatal emotional attachment between a mother and her growing babies, and her overall adjustment, are positively associated with having a supportive confiding relationship with her partner (Colpin et al, 1998;Weigel et al, 2000) Childbirth Operative interventions in birth and prematurity, both more common among women with multiple gestations carry independent psychological costs (Barrett & Ritchie, 2002).…”

“…Mothers pregnant with twins may have disproportionate feelings of unattractiveness associated with weight gain and fear rejection (Weigel et al, 2000). The quality of antenatal emotional attachment between a mother and her growing babies, and her overall adjustment, are positively associated with having a supportive confiding relationship with her partner (Colpin et al, 1998;Weigel et al, 2000) Childbirth Operative interventions in birth and prematurity, both more common among women with multiple gestations carry independent psychological costs (Barrett & Ritchie, 2002). There is consistent evidence that instrumental intervention in vaginal birth and cesarean surgery are associated with elevated anxiety, disappointment, grief and dissatisfaction (Fisher et al, 1997).…”