Economic and social implications of multiple birth.
This paper provides the background statistics and trends on multiple births. It highlights a number of factors that influence parents with multiples, including social situation, psychological adjustment and economic circumstances. It is often assumed that these areas of concern arise only after the babies have been born, but clinicians should be aware that many are seen in the antenatal period as well. Apart from the socioeconomic cost to individual families, multiple births also carry a cost to society. A number of self-help groups and voluntary organisations can assist parents of multiples. This is especially important if parents find that family and friends cannot or will not come forward.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, UK. d.m.campbell@abdn.ac.uk
Doris
D
Campbell
Edwin R
ER
van Teijlingen
Livia
L
Yip
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000523:psychology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors