Anyone else had a selective reduction - positive stories if possible

[Chattycat78]

Hi all. Not sure how unusual this is, but I guess I'll know by the response. 4 days ago I had to have a selective reduction in a dCDA twin pregnancy. The twin in question was very sick with a rare structural condition. The consultant told us she was fairly certain it would not survive, but we didn't feel we could leave it there any longer due to the risks to the healthy twin (miscarriage, prem labour etc). We were devastated but didn't feel we had a choice.

However, now I'm terrified of losing the other twin. Told 5 percent or so risk of miscarriage (procedure done at 13 weeks but the twin was measuring only 11.5 or so weeks anyway) and I'm on pins. it's also frustrating that there's nothing at all we can do! I'm having to continue hiding the pregnancy even though I'm now 14 weeks, in case the worst happens.

Anyone come through the other side of anything similar?

AerodactylsAssemble - thank you for responding - I really appreciate your response. I'm dreading Thursday 😢

We are currently facing the decision of whether to have a selective reduction for one of our identical twins or to carry both knowing one won't survive more than a few hours after birth (it has Anencephaly). We would have to travel from Newcastle to London for the procedure. I don't know how we're supposed to make such a heartbreaking decision. I'm an identical twin myself and whilst we want to do what we can for the healthy baby, the thought of having just one twin breaks my heart as I can't imagine my life without my twin sister :(

Mayray85 - We had our procedure yesterday down at UCLH. We too travelled from Newcastle to London. If you'd like to talk with me regarding your situation as someone who has just had the procedure I am happy to. I know all too well the heartbreak and agonising decision we went through but we had to save Twin 1 - they were both identical twins and shared a placenta so risk was massively increased due to Twin 2's serious condition. Send me your email address and I will contact you if you decide you would like to. Thinking of you all.

Aimski3...I just found this website and realize the posts were from early 2016. If anyone responds, it would be nice.

I'm 12 weeks pregnant with identical twins, sharing one placenta and one of them has "issues".

Did your reduction go well? Any issues? I'm scheduled for the reduction soon.

Thanks

We have an abnormality with one of our twins (12 weeks pregnant). We would really appreciate your advice on where is recommended in UK to present us with best chance of keeping the healthy twin?
Any consultants and contact details that we could get in touch with ASAP?
What are the cut-off limits in various hospitals / clinics? ( (I had a brief conversation with Kings Hospital in London which seems to get good reports online and theirs' is 15 weeks or you leave it until very late in the pregnancy - which we would struggle with even more than we are at the mo).
We are beset with worry and chagrin at the mo, with a real feeling of helplessness given we live in Ireland and would need to travel to the UK.

Hi Killy

I'm so sorry to hear about the position you are in. I am afraid I can't really help, but I may very shortly be in a similar position and didn't want to read and run.

My husband has a balanced translocation and so there is a 50% chance a fetus will be non-viable. We found out at an 8 week scan that we are having non-identical twins. I am booked in for CVS at the end of the week (although it might not be possible). Our most likely outcome is that we will have one viable and one not and therefore need a selective reduction (although both or neither may also be viable).

I am at St Thomas's in London and when we had the scan and they talked about the options they were very relaxed and said a reduction should be fine, even though there is a small chance that things will go wrong.

I don't know how easy it is to get into a specific hospital, but St Thomas were very good at our first scan. Our Genetics adviser did also mention Kings. I think big or specialist hospitals are more likely to be have seen more of this and so be better position to help.

Hope you are doing ok. I know this is scary but from the posts you have found (thank you - I was going mad searching for positive stories about reductions, rather than Daily Mail nastiness) there are often positive outcomes despite the difficulties.

Hi chattycat78, please please help me, im 11weeks pregnant with twins and I have a 15 month old baby, im desperate for selective reduction, otherwise I face a full termination. Please can you let me know who your consultant was?

Hi, I realise your thread Is 2 years old but I find myself in a similar situation to what you were. I wondered how you got along. Did you find a hospital to do the procedure? I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. Thank you in advance for your reply.

I had a selective reduction in 2016. I am uk based and selective reduction was offered as a treatment option as soon as sick twin was diagnosed. Where are you located? Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Hello, this was 5 years ago, but where did you get to on this? I am in the same situation x

Hello, I’m 12 weeks pregnant with DCDA twins. Since I found this out at my scan, I have felt sick with anxiety and dread. I am a mum to an 18 month old and cannot begin to imagine life with twins. One baby I can manage: my care, energy and financially. The scan showed no sign of a medical concern. Does anyone know if I can find a doctor who would support selective reduction in such a case? I am desperate and dreading being told ‘no’ by my gp etc. Please be kind. I am doing this alone and in every way can only make it work with 2 children. My heart is broken already and I feel lower than low. Any advice appreciated. Thanks