Tommy's says there are a number of risk factors which may lead to premature birth including maternal smoking, infections in the womb, twin or triplet pregnancies.

BBC: Premature births 'are increasing'

Another thought is that parents who are coping with the only surviving triplet, who also has Goldenhar Syndrome, are liable to be experiencing a great deal of grief.

BBC: Baby dilemma: Whose decision should it be?

The HFEA also wants any national strategy to cover not just the fertility treatments which it currently regulates, but also treatments such as donor insemination and fertility hormone injections which also contribute to twin and triplet births.

BBC: IVF (Hank Morgan/ Science Photo Library)