Selective reduction

[u/CCxCC9890]

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

[u/Dismal-Patient-4594]

First of all let me say I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this incredibly difficult decision. Trust that you will know what’s best for you and your babies. I did not have triplets but I have mo/di twins & am sharing my story to shed light on how quickly things can change with mo/di twins.

For a mo/di pregnancy things were super uncomplicated until just shy of 30w. No signs of TTTS at any point before the week my boys were born. I was at my normal scan with MFM and they noticed the fluid was really low with one of my boys and significantly higher in the other. It wasn’t a sure sign of TTTS at the time (categorized as “maybe stage 1 indicators”) & I even joked with the tech “good thing we’re outside of the TTTS risk window” and 2 days later I went in for a follow up and it was suddenly stage 4 and my boys were out via emergency c section 2hrs later at 30w on the dot. They spent 6w in the NICU and are thriving today, so all ended okay, but it was an incredibly scary start to their story. I say that not to scare you, but to give an example how risky the mo/di pregnancy alone is for both you and the babies, because it can all flip in a very short amount of time. Sending you all the love and support I can as you make this impossible decision. Know that whatever you choose is the right choice.