Your babies will probably be born 7 weeks early with dangerously low birthweights, immature lungs and organs -- you are deliberately robbing your children of the time they need to mature in the womb. You will also probably develop preeclampsia, a life threatening condition that will force early labor. My best friend went had to deliver her singleton at 6 months because of preeclampsia. Her baby son died after 5 weeks in the NICU. This is serious stuff! Think about what you are doing. Do research, get information. Make informed decisions about your childrens' health. They are depending on you!
From the March of Dimes:
"Over 90 percent of triplets and virtually all quadruplets and higher multiples are born preterm. The length of gestation decreases with each additional baby. On average, most singleton pregnancies last 39 weeks; for twins, 36 weeks; for triplets, 32 weeks; for quadruplets, 30 weeks; and for quintuplets, 29 weeks.
Low-birthweight babies, especially those born before 32 weeks of gestation and/or weighing less than 31/3 pounds (1,500 grams), are at increased risk of health complications in the newborn period as well as lasting disabilities, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy and vision and hearing loss. While advances in caring for very small infants has brightened the outlook for these tiny babies, chances remain slim that all infants in a set of sextuplets or more will survive and thrive.
Close to 60 percent of twins, over 90 percent of triplets and virtually all quadruplets and higher multiples are born preterm. The length of gestation decreases with each additional baby. On average, most singleton pregnancies last 39 weeks; for twins, 36 weeks; for triplets, 32 weeks; for quadruplets, 30 weeks; and for quintuplets, 29 weeks.
Most preterm multiples weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds (2,500 grams), which is considered low birthweight. Low-birthweight babies, especially those born before 32 weeks of gestation and/or weighing less than 31/3 pounds (1,500 grams), are at increased risk of health complications in the newborn period as well as lasting disabilities, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy and vision and hearing loss.
Women who are pregnant with multiples also face an increased risk of pregnancy-related forms of high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and diabetes. More than half of triplet pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia."
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