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Dr. Marshall Marino talks to couples every day at the fertility clinic where he works. All of his patients are there because they have infertility problems, which are usually due to one of three things: not enough sperm, not enough eggs, or problems holding the embryo in the uterus. Both partners are tested for infertility problems.

Today, Dr. Marino is speaking to the Hernandezes. They have been trying to get pregnant for four years, but are still young, in their thirties. The doctor explains that Maria's ovaries are not producing eggs on a regular schedule. He suggests they begin hormone treatments as soon as possible. The hormones will stimulate the ovaries to make eggs.

Mark and Maria Hernandez have done their homework, though. They read about the McCaughey septuplets born in Iowa and wonder if that might happen to them. Dr. Marino wants to be honest with all of his patients, so he explains the side effects of taking the hormone treatments. Often the ovary responds to the hormone by giving off a number of eggs at one time. If these eggs are all fertilized, the result is a multiple birth. Years ago, doctors thought they could control the dosage of the hormone and, therefore, keep the ovulation under control. This has proven not to be true. There is a chance of what are called "supertwins," that is, triplets and more.

Maria thinks a multiple birth would be good. With their problems, who knows if she will ever get pregnant again? But Mark has read that the more embryos in the uterus, the more danger there is of premature birth, brain damage, and possibly death. This frightens him.

1. What should the Hernandezes do?
2. Should Dr. Marino have told them about the problems? Why or why not?
3. If the treatment is successful and multiple births result, who is responsible for the problems?
4. What options does an infertile couple have if they find out they are carrying five or six babies? Research this.
5. In some cases, like the McCaughey's septuplets, all of the babies are born healthy. What other problems might the McCaugheys have in the future?