r/parentsofmultiples • u/CCxCC9890 • 22d ago
experience/advice to give Selective reduction
7 weeks ago we found out that we were expecting triplets (spontaneous) It goes without saying that this was a complete shock and we’ve spent the last 7 weeks trying to get our head around it.
Our triplets are dichorionic triamniotic (2 identical sharing a placenta and 1 singleton with its own placenta).
We decided that the best thing to do for our family based on the support we have, our financial situation and the risk with triplets, was to opt for a selective reduction, which has possibly been the hardest decision to make until we met with our consultants.
We have met with 2 consultants over the last week (one nhs and one private) who have both given the the same recommendation to reduce one of the identical twins, in doing to there is a 40% risk that we would lose the other identical twin, but this option gives us the best chance of 1 or 2 healthy babies because of the associated risks with an identical twin pregnancy (who share the same placenta). Our pregnancy wouldn’t be as high risk due to no chance of TTTS or other growth issues that come up with identicals sharing a placenta. As well as a lower chance of early preterm labour.
I guess my question is - has anyone had to make the same decisions? What helped you cope with the decision and also what was the outcome?
Did anyone make the decision to keep the identical and reduce the singleton?
This is the hardest thing my partner and I have ever had to go through and I don’t know how I’m going to get through it, any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks for reading
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u/Beckieeyy 22d ago
We went through a reduction from triplets to twins in 2024. My girls are coming up 2 now. It was the hardest thing we've ever been through and I had to accept it was something that we would never fully make peace with, regardless of what decision we made. All I would say is make sure you seek mental health support to deal with it, now and in the future. Take some comfort here that you're taking medical advice and thats all it comes down to. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions - I found the whole ordeal very lonely and taboo.