The Baby Boom That Quietly Fizzled: Why Triplets (and More) Are Rarer Than Ever

October isn’t just another month — it marks an important milestone in a quiet but significant shift in American birth trends.

A new report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reveals that the rate of triplet and higher-order multiple births has dropped dramatically over the last 25 years. In 1998, there were about 193.5 such births per 100,000 deliveries. By 2023, that number had fallen to just 73.8 — with the most significant drop occurring between 2009 and 2023.

The decline appears to be closely tied to evolving fertility treatment guidelines. In the past, multiple embryos were commonly implanted during IVF procedures to increase the chances of pregnancy and reduce costs. But this practice also raised serious health risks for both babies and mothers — including premature births, low birth weights, and pregnancy complications.

In response, reproductive health organizations like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine began tightening their recommendations in the late 1990s. At one time, up to five embryos could be transferred for certain patients. Now, for most women, the recommendation is just one embryo per cycle.

“This shift has made fertility treatments safer,” said Dr. Micah Hill, president of the Association for Assisted Reproductive Technology, though he wasn’t involved in the study.

The impact of these changes can be seen across different demographics. Births of triplets or more among white mothers dropped by 71%, compared to 25% among Hispanic mothers. Interestingly, such births actually rose by 25% among Black mothers.

The topic of high-order multiple births entered pop culture in the 2000s, with figures like Nadya «Octomom» Suleman — who gave birth to octuplets in 2009 — and the Gosselin family, known for their reality show featuring their sextuplets and twins. But those headlines have faded as medical guidance — and public attitudes — shifted toward safer, more controlled fertility outcomes.

Now, instead of aiming for multiple births, the focus is on healthy pregnancies — one baby at a time.