The number of children born to multiple parents has seen an over twofold increase since 1977
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of multiple births in Germany, with twins, triplets, and even quadruplets becoming more common. This trend can primarily be attributed to the advancements in modern reproductive medicine.
According to data from the German Statistical Office, there were approximately 29,000 multiple births among 781,000 newborns in 2019, making up 3.7 percent of all births. This proportion represents a marked increase since the 1980s, a period that has seen significant advancements in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility treatments.
The rise in multiple births can be linked to several key factors. One of these is the age of mothers at childbirth. Women in Germany tend to have children at older ages, often due to social and economic factors. Older maternal age is associated with higher natural rates of multiple ovulation, which can increase multiple births even without fertility treatments.
Another significant contributor to the rise in multiple births is the use of ART. Technologies like IVF and ovulation induction greatly increase the chance of pregnancy by encouraging multiple eggs to mature or implant, often leading to twins or more. While single embryo transfer policies have more recently aimed to reduce multiple births, historical increases since the 1980s remain evident in demographic data.
Medical practice patterns have also played a role in the increase in multiple births. Earlier fertility treatments commonly involved transferring multiple embryos to increase pregnancy success rates, directly increasing multiple birth rates. Although guidelines have evolved to promote single embryo transfer to minimize multiples, the historical increases since the 1980s remain evident in demographic data.
Delays in childbearing due to career or economic considerations have also influenced the rise in multiple births, leading to greater use of reproductive medicine. The delivery room setting, as depicted in a photo from the DTS News Agency, showcases the joy and excitement that come with these multiple births, despite the challenges they may present.
While the data provided does not directly discuss birth or reproductive trends in Germany, this explanation aligns with well-documented global and European trends in fertility and assisted reproduction since the 1980s. As reproductive medicine continues to advance, it is likely that the trend of multiple births will continue to evolve.
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