[Multiple-fetus pregnancies. I. Myths and reality].
Pregnancies with many fetuses (triplets and more) have at all times been found interesting and unusual. Their rare and spectacular characteristics have for long been considered as divine punishment for the sin of adultery or bestiality or on the other hand as a mark of fertility and a gift from God. The authors report several legends (the Porcelets, the Trazegnies, la Dame de Montigny...) as well as the celebrated cases of fraud. Since techniques have been developed for medical handling of assisted reproduction, multiple pregnancies have become much more frequent. There is no case of survival of all fetuses when there have been more than six born at a time.
Pavillon Olivier, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Lille.
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Vaksmann
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Bouchard
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D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D009229:Mythology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple
Les grossesses multifoetales. I. Mythes et réalités.