How is a selective reduction performed?
Once the specific fetuses to be reduced are identified, potassium chloride is injected into the heart of each selected fetus under the guidance of ultrasound imaging; the heart stops and the fetus dies as a result. Generally, the fetal material is reabsorbed into the woman’s body.
Is selective reduction an abortion?
Selective reduction is arguably more objectionable than abortion because it deliberately targets and destroys a particular fetus, whereas abortion is not designed to take the life of the fetus; instead, the termination of fetal life is simply a by- product of the abortion procedure.
What is selective reduction in IVF?
Selective reduction refers to the procedure of aborting 1 or more fetuses in a multiple pregnancy induced by fertility drugs or in vitro fertilization.
What are the risks of selective reduction?
The risks of reducing the number of fetuses include:
- Miscarriage of the other fetuses. The miscarriage rate is lower if there are fewer fetuses at the start of the procedure.
- Emotional risks for you, especially if the pregnancy miscarries.
Can you abort one baby if you have twins?
At least some recent studies suggest that while twin pregnancies are more difficult than singletons in many respects, aborting the other twin does not reduce the risks of the pregnancy – at least not to the same extent.
When should you do fetal reduction?
It is usually done between 11 to 13 weeks of pregnancy; at our centre we prefer to do it at around 12 weeks when we can do the first trimester screening and also rule out any structural abnormality in the babies. In addition, about 8 to 20% multiple pregnancies may reduce by themselves by the end of first trimester.
Is selective reduction Legal?
There is currently no jurisprudence determining whether state abortion laws encompass selective reductions. Such limitations on selective reduction could produce a chilling effect on providers, unnecessarily interfere with fertility patients’ medical needs, and risk running afoul of individual reproductive rights.
Can you miscarry triplets?
Identifying twin pregnancies earlier than ever reveals losses that went undetected before the days of early ultrasounds. One of these losses is the miscarriage of a twin (or a triplet), a phenomenon known as vanishing twin syndrome.
Can 1 embryo become triplets?
However, despite performing SET, multiple pregnancies do happen due to a phenomenon known as ‘zygotic splitting’, when one embryo divides resulting in twins or triplets. It is more prevalent following SET than in spontaneous conception.
Does fetal reduction hurt?
Although fetal pregnancy reduction takes only a few minutes, you may get general anesthesia so you’ll sleep through it and feel no pain.
What are the chances of miscarriage with triplets?
Spontaneous losses are even higher in triplet and quadruplet pregnancies. A fetal loss rate of 40% may occur in pregnancies with triplets or more.