Final answer:
The use of Clomid primarily increases the risk of multiple gestations. Clients taking Clomid are more likely to conceive twins or other multiples, which carries additional health risks for both the mother and the babies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct answer to the client's risk when taking Clomid is b. Multiple gestation. Clomid, or clomiphene citrate, is a medication commonly used to treat infertility by inducing ovulation. Clients should be informed about the potential risks associated with its use. One significant risk is the possibility of multiple gestations, or the conception of twins, triplets, or more, which can result from the stimulation of multiple follicles.
Clomid acts by triggering the pituitary gland to release more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which can lead to the development of more than one mature egg. When multiple eggs are fertilized, this can result in a multiple pregnancy. Such pregnancies carry higher risks for both the mother and the babies, including preterm birth and increased medical complications. While neural tube defects are a serious concern during pregnancy, they are more commonly linked to folic acid deficiency rather than Clomid use specifically. Therefore, while Clomid does increase the risk of multiple births, neural tube defects are not a primary risk directly associated with its use.