Marilynn Marchione, Associated Press, 12/2/13

Doctors are reporting an epidemic — of twins. Nearly half of all babies born with advanced fertility help are multiple births, new federal numbers show.

In the five years since the “Octomom” case, big multiple births have gone way down, but the twin rate has barely budged. Twins aren’t always twice as nice; they have much higher risks of prematurity and serious health problems.

Now fertility experts are pushing a new goal: one. More couples are attempting pregnancy with just a single embryo, helped by new ways to pick the ones most likely to succeed. New guidelines urge doctors to stress this approach.

Abigail and Ken Ernst of Oldwick, N.J., did this to conceive Lucy, a daughter born in September. Using one embryo at a time “just seemed the most normal, the most natural way” to conceive and avoid a high-risk twin pregnancy, the new mom said. Click here to read more.