Fertility TreatmentsI. Introduction Many take for granted that we will all be able to grow up, fall in love, get married, and then have children of our own. This is not the lifestyle chosen by all people, but it is still the view accepted by the majority of society. What happens when the unthinkable happens and a happily married couple can't get pregnant? This is a reality for 7.1%, or 2.8 million, of married couples in the United States (Lenox, 1999). Today, many people around the world decide to use fertility treatments to conceive a child, and this often leads to the birth of twins, triplets or even higher order multiples. There are many risk factors involved in this type of pregnancy and these issues have created a debate around this topic. The use of fertility treatments in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of multiple births observed each year. The birth rate of twins has increased 59% since 1980, and the birth rate of triplets and higher order twins has increased 423% (King's Daughter Children's Hospital, 2004). There are two main forms of assisted reproductive therapy (ART) currently used. This involves induction of ovulation using only fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization (IVF).II. Fertility Treatment Options Induction of ovulation through the use of different forms of fertility drugs is the most common type of assisted reproductive therapy. The drug known as clomiphene, administered as an oral tablet, is commonly used for the induction of ovulation. It is taken for a short period of time during the menstrual cycle (Jacobs, 2004). This can vary between patients and doctors. The drug works according to all...... middle of the document ......Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 3358771].Jacobs, Barry, MD. Multiple births. Retrieved October 13, 2004, from http://www.texasfertility.com/nextstepmultiple.htmLenox, Naomi. (1999). When Fertility Therapy Goes Crazy: Discussing the Ethics and Dangers of Multiple Births. The Midwest today. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://www.midtod.com/fertility.phtmlMalpani, Dr. A&A. (2004). How much does the treatment cost? Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://infertility.adoption.com/chapter47.phpMorrow, Lance. (1999). Is this right? Who has the right to say that?. Time. vol. 153, number 1, p.41. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 1402892]. Shady Grove Fertility Centers. Blastocyst transfer. Retrieved October 14, 2004, from http://www.fertilitynetwork.com/articles/articles-blastocyst.htm