Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 2, 441-443,
February 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Quadruplet pregnancy following transfer of two embryos: Case report
University of Bristol Divisions of 1 Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Michaels Hospital, Bristol BS2 8EG, 2 Child Health, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB and 3 The Cotswold Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Level D, University of Bristol Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Michaels Hospital, Bristol BS2 8EG, UK. Email: d.j.cahill{at}bris.ac.uk
Following a long period of secondary unexplained infertility, a couple had assisted conception treatment with IVF and transfer of two embryos 2 days later. The woman conceived and was found to have a quadruplet pregnancy. Following spontaneous labour onset at 34 weeks gestation, she was delivered by immediate Caesarean section. All four babies (three boys, one girl) were eventually discharged home with the mother. All the boys were found to be of differing zygosity. The quadruplet pregnancy was attributed to natural conception following intercourse and fertilization of oocytes not collected at the time of IVF. The wisdom of intercourse during a cycle of IVF is discussed.
Key words: chorionicity/quadruplet pregnancy/zygosity