Personal stories about multifetal pregnancy reduction

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Personal stories about multifetal pregnancy reduction

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Pam, age 37: When my husband and I learned we were expecting three babies, we were thrilled. However, along with that news we heard about the risks for them and me. I'm already at risk for pregnancy problems, since I've had gestational diabetes before. So, we decided to have a multifetal pregnancy reduction. What convinced me was the knowledge that the miscarriage rate is higher for triplet pregnancy than it is for the twins after the procedure. And it went well for us. We took the risk, and the babies and I are doing well.

Maya, age 43: Because of my age, our fertility doctor encouraged us to have four embryos transferred for my in vitro. We were surprised that all of them took and were worried about the risks. After talking for a few days about having a multifetal pregnancy reduction, my husband and I decided not to have one. We were more comfortable with letting nature take its course. And it did—by the second trimester, two were gone, and I was carrying twins.

Jenny, age 39: We knew right away that carrying five babies was not going to work for them or me. So, I had a multifetal pregnancy reduction. Then, I miscarried. Even though it seemed like the obvious course to take, I'll never stop feeling terrible about it.

Joelle, age 35: I just couldn't bring myself to have a multifetal pregnancy reduction, even though my doctor told me that my pregnancy was high-risk. I'll never know whether it would have gone better if I'd had the procedure, but trying to carry the four babies didn't go well. One died after birth, and now we have the challenge of raising triplets, one of which is disabled.

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Author	Bets Davis, MFA
Author	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	March 21, 2008

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Last updated:	March 21, 2008
Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Reviewed By:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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