Multiple fetation is the medical term used to describe the occurrence of two or more fetuses developing in the uterus during the same pregnancy. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): /ˈmʌltəpl feɪˈteɪʃən/. The first syllable is pronounced like "mul" with a short u sound, while the second syllable is pronounced like "ti" with a schwa sound. The "fe" in the third syllable is pronounced like "fay" with a long a sound, and the final syllable is pronounced like "shun".
Multiple fetation refers to the occurrence of more than one fetus developing simultaneously in the same uterus during a single pregnancy. This condition, also known as multiple pregnancies or multiple gestations, can result in the birth of twins, triplets, quadruplets, or even higher-order multiples.
Multiple fetation typically occurs when multiple ova are released and fertilized by separate sperm or when a single fertilized egg spontaneously splits to form two or more embryos. These different scenarios result in different types of multiple pregnancies, namely dizygotic (fraternal) and monozygotic (identical) pregnancies, respectively.
In dizygotic pregnancies, multiple eggs are ovulated, and each is fertilized by a separate sperm. These fetuses are not genetically identical and can have different genders. In contrast, monozygotic pregnancies arise when a single fertilized egg divides into two or more embryos. These fetuses share the same genetic material and are usually of the same gender.
Multiple fetation presents unique challenges and risks, both to the mother and the developing fetuses. The mother may experience increased strain on her body, and higher rates of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and delivery complications. The fetuses may be at an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental abnormalities.
Understanding and managing multiple fetation is crucial for healthcare professionals, as specialized prenatal care and monitoring are necessary to ensure the optimal health and wellbeing of the mother and the multiple fetuses throughout the pregnancy and delivery process.
The state of bearing two or more fetuses simultaneously.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the term "multiple fetation" can be broken down as follows:
1. Multiple: The word "multiple" originated from the Latin word "multiplex", which means "multiple" or "manifold". It is derived from the combination of "multi-" meaning "many" and "plex" meaning "fold" or "layer".
2. Fetation: The term "fetation" stems from the Latin word "fetus", which means "offspring" or "young one". It refers to the development and growth of an embryo or fetus within the womb during pregnancy.
Therefore, "multiple fetation" is a compound term combining "multiple", meaning "many", with "fetation", which refers to the development of multiple embryos or fetuses within the womb during pregnancy.