Selective Reduction

Im setting this up as a poll because this is a very sensitive and private matter...Dr B talked to us about multiples and selective reduction-its just something that i think I can even consider...did anyone on here do it-feel free if you want to respond or just do the poll itself..

I understand and dont judge anyone, sometimes its the best interest of mommy and babies too.

Re: Selective Reduction

My High risk OB discussed this with me and actually wanted me to reduce down to 2. I was not going to do a reduction unless my CVS came back abnormal bc I know I could never raise a child that had issues but that is just me and I dont want to offend anyone. It is a tough thing to think about and I am so glad that I never had to make that decision. My heart goes out to all the moms that had to make that decision...

GL to you

Re: Selective Reduction

Re: Selective Reduction

I know someone who after numerous IVF's was pregnant with quads. Very early on her docs urged her to selectively reduce. "Baby C", according to the sonogram, seemed smaller and they suspected "issues" (whatever they meant by that I don't know).

She went home that day, discussed it with her DH and right before the scheduled selective reduction the sonogram showed that one of the other babies had stopped growing, not the one they expected. She gave birth to triplets.

I do know of three other cases of selective reduction. All three women told very few people of their decision.

Re: Selective Reduction

Re: Selective Reduction

I personally wouldn't do selective reduction for twins or triplets. I would consider it for quads, based on my doctors opinion of course.

Re: Selective Reduction

I would only be able to consider it if there was a serious risk to me and/or the other babies. I can't imagine having to make a decision like that....

Re: Selective Reduction

I've been lurking over here for a few weeks as now that I am undergoing IVF the possibility of multiples is much more. DH and I actually had the selective reduction discussion a couple day ago.

Before we started TTC and before I knew our journey would take us down the path of IVF I always had a very strong NEVER opinion. Now that it is something that may be my reality I just don't know. For me it's a true case of you just don't know how you will feel until you're in the situation or in my case if it goes from something you most likely won't have to deal with to something that may very well be a part of your life.

Anyway, I respect all the mother's and father's faced with making this decision very much. Regardless of what decision is made I'm sure everyone does what they think is best for their babies.

Re: Selective Reduction

i actually was faced with this

i did IVF and got pregnant with triplets,
when i went to my high risk doctor for the first time he did the sonogram , baby C had a heartbeat but was smaller than the other 2.

we then talked about selective reduction IF baby C caught up to the other 2.
he said its really crucial to my other 2 babies for me to reduce to twins. now the reason for that is, i have a history of losses, inculding incompetent cervix.. so its hard for me to carry one baby, let alone 3.

i felt so horrible to even think it, but i would have done it , it was too big a risk for me, and i wouldnt want to lose all 3.

however, the next time we went to the doctor, baby C had passed on its own
it was very tough, but i believe everything happens for a reason.

Re: Selective Reduction

I think this is truly one of those situations where I can't say what would happen unless I was actually in the situation.
My first reaction is to say no I would never do it, but after having and carrying twins and seeing how much of a strain that was on my body, I see why doctors recommend it. I just don't know......
And I truly feel for anyone who is in the position to make that decision, it must be heartbreaking

Re: Selective Reduction

I asked a similar question, on the infertility board. We are doing IVF this month and are struggling with the number of embryos to transfer back. Mainly because I do not want to BE in the situation where I would have to choose. My first instinct is put them all back, I don’t care if I have 6!!?!?! But realistically, I know this is NOT healthy for me or the babies. DEEP down, I believe (b/c everyone is right you don’t KNOW till you are IN that situation) in that moment, I would not be able to do it, and I would risk everything, and have a great chance of losing everything.

My heart truly breaks for women in this situation, it is not an easy decision, and NO ONE should be judged, we are all just trying to make the right choices for our family !!!!!

Re: Selective Reduction

This was actually presented to me yesterday by Dr. B. We discussed it before my last IUI but DH and i didn't really think we would be put in ths situtation. Our first sono went great last week. 2 sacs 2 heart beats. This week, still the same 2 sac and 2 heartbeats but obviously with bigger babies. Then Dr. B said, there is a 3rd sac. It is measuring a full week behind the other 2. The prior week he saw it but did not see a yolk sac or anything. This week it has a heartbeat. He doesn't think that it will make it but if it does, we have to decide if we want to do a selective reduction. Dr. B recommended we do it. DH and I thought about it and IF we have to do it, we are going to do it. Dr. B as well as myself do not feel that i can carry 3 babies. It's not healthy for me. The only thinkg i am scared uf is the fact that there is a 6-8% chance that I could miscarry 1 or b oth of the other babies. But Dr. B said that this baby is so far away from the other 2 that he doesn't feel that it would have any kind of effect on them. I trust him and his opinion. I am however hoping that we are not faced with having to make that decision and go through with it.

Message edited 6/10/2010 1:03:49 PM.