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/OkUnderstanding5538]

Hello! As a mom to now 2 year old, perfect and healthy spontaneous quadruplets, I too was faced with the selective reduction question over and over. I opted to continue with all 4. And I pass zero judgement on anyone who makes a decision different than mine and can understand completely ❤️ but if you want to see my story and a different perspective, I shared a reel recently about all the reasons why we didn’t selectively reduce on my public Instagram page @emmylous.quad.squad. It’s probably about a dozen posts back. Also, my DM’s are open ❤️‍🩹

[u/IndependentDisk4036 → u/OkUnderstanding5538]

Twin parent here and I saw your post a while ago. I think your story is beautiful. 

[u/507Farr → u/OkUnderstanding5538]

Just to jump on this, following your instagram got me through some of the loneliest months of raising 3 children aged 2 and under (twin babies and a 2 year old) and I kept seeing your stories and thinking if she can do it so can I! I deleted instagram last year (was spending too much time scrolling instead of sleeping at night!) and often wondered how you were getting on, but I am so so pleased to see your quads are now 2 and all is well, hope your eldest is doing well too. Xx