University News Last updated 20 November 2024
Women are not only choosing to have children later, but they鈥檙e also more likely to have twins, according to new fertility data released by the 鈥�
According to Dr Elizabeth Bailey, multiple birth specialist at 探花直播 (BCU), maternal age and the likelihood of having a multiple pregnancy are inextricably linked.鈥��
鈥淢ore women are delaying having their first child until they鈥檙e in their 30s and 40s,鈥� explained Dr Bailey, Associate Professor and Director of BCU鈥檚 Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Births Centre.鈥�
鈥淧revious generations were more likely to become mothers in their early 20s, but fertility trends show that the number of 20 to 24-year-old women having children now has decreased by 79%.鈥��
鈥淣owadays, women are taking more time to find partners, save money, and source childcare before growing their family. The fertility rate for over 40-year-olds is not only increasing, it鈥檚 also the only age group having more babies than a decade ago 鈥� indicating that the trend is here to stay.鈥�
鈥淭his societal shift began in the 1960s. Increased sexual and reproductive rights combined with better healthcare and education to give women more opportunities for independence. This gave women choice over the timing of motherhood, and often that choice is to have children later.鈥濃��
While overall fertility rates are declining in England and Wales 鈥� and have hit their lowest levels since 1977 鈥� multiple maternity rates are 50% higher than the 1970s.鈥�
Dr Bailey believes that the rise in multiples is driven by this trend to delay motherhood, which is closely linked to the record numbers of women seeking fertility assistance.鈥�
鈥淲omen in their 40s can start to have , which makes them much more likely to have a multiple pregnancy (1 in 48) than women in their 20s (1 in 2,000).鈥�
鈥淭hey are also more likely to seek fertility assistance. In 2023, the number of women freezing their eggs increased by 64%, while an extra 10% opted for IVF and donors ().鈥�
"Access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) led to a peak in multiple pregnancies in the 1990s 鈥� rocketing to 28%, compared to a natural multiple conception rate of 1-2%.鈥�
鈥淭his dropped down to 4% in the 2000s, following a campaign by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to reduce multi-embryo transfer in fertility procedures in the UK.鈥�
鈥淗owever, it鈥檚 important to note that this isn't the case in other counties and could be contributing to the stability of the multiple birth rate,鈥� added Dr Bailey.鈥�
Multiple births, which are , carry increased risks. These include higher rates of preterm birth, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality. About 60% of multiple pregnancies are preterm, leading to longer hospital stays and increased healthcare needs.鈥�
Twins are also while neonatal death rates are three times higher.鈥�
鈥淎s a result, multiple pregnancies require additional observation, which means increased antenatal appointments, scans and detailed birth planning,鈥� noted Dr Bailey. 鈥淭his can all add to the anxiety parents feel, especially if they have other young children in the family.鈥濃��
As a result, Dr Bailey is calling for tailored maternity and early-years healthcare services.鈥�
鈥淲e know the she said. 鈥淣ot only do parents of multiples need additional support with practical care, such as feeding and sleep, there are also It costs at to have twins than having two singletons in succession.鈥�
鈥淐urrent policies often focus on single births, neglecting the specific needs of families with multiples. Specialised resources, financial support, and research inclusivity for multiple birth families are urgently needed to improve maternal and infant outcomes.鈥�
鈥淕oing forward, it鈥檚 vital that the voices of multiple birth families are heard within service design and research prioritisation as they become an ever-growing community.鈥濃��
Parents of twins and multiples up to 10-years-old, including expectant parents, are invited to share their experiences and views on future research at two events run by BCU鈥檚 Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Birth Centre, taking place in 探花直播 in December and Burnley in January.鈥�
Find out more details and how to book.