This story originally appeared in Clinical Practice Today.
One cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States can cost more than $12,000, leading many women to have several embryos implanted at once to improve their likelihood of becoming pregnant on the first try. But the practice also raises the risk of multiple births, which can result in premature deliveries and other complications that can be life threatening to both mothers and infants.
In a study published in the December 2016 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, researchers found that fewer multiple births seem to occur in the 6 states where health insurance companies are required to cover the costs of IVF treatments.