Selective / Embryo Reduction (twins) - where recommended in UK?

[killy1]

Hi.
From Ireland, week 12 of pregnancy and recently found out that one of my twins has an abnormality. It's been an agonising week since we found out. We have with much heartache and soul searching that selective reduction would be the best solution for us and the healthy twin. However, it is not allowed in Ireland so we must travel to UK. Information the hospitals are permitted to provide in Ireland is minimal also.
So we have been relying on online research this week which is hardly ideal.
I 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.
Your advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks

I don't know, I'm in Ireland too but I'm so sorry you're in this situation xx

I'm sorry you are in this situation. Kings and st Thomas in London both have excellent reputations for feotal medicine so maybe start by ringing those. Big hugs. X

Sorry, can’t help. Very sorry for you. I hope someone can give you the info you need.

You poor thing.
I haven't been there and I am no expert, but isn't a Kings where Prof. Nicolaides is based? I'd always thought he (and by extension his team) were the best. If not them, I'd look at the other large London teaching hospitals, as they often see complex /hard cases.

In similar ish circumstances I went to a private clinic in Harley st. who then referred me to the NHS where I saw Pippa Kyle at st Thomas she was brilliant.

The fetal medicine centre comes recommended these days. Best wishes and sorry you're going through this.

Thanks for all your kind messages and advice.
I did speak with Kings Hospital today but I'm thinking it might be challenging to arrange it within the next 3 weeks (its cut off is 15 weeks). Our hospital in Ireland needs to get us test paperwork and there is a whole process to go through as a private patient with Kings.
Does anyone know if St Thomas has a cut-off of 15 weeks or will it allow in weeks 16, 17....?

So sorry to hear about your predicament sending you a
If you can't get a referral to St Thomas' you could try Professor Brian Beatty (he's actually Irish) who is head of foetal medicine at the University College Hospital Cardiff, he's an amazing man and manger to save save one twin that a colleague I know was carrying, she tragically had twin to twin syndrome and the other twin was not viable.
Wishing you the very best of luck.

As far as I'm aware St thomas' don't have a cut off.

I think advice is generally 1st trimester or as late as possible but prognosis is, generally speaking, good for healthy twin at any stage (although second trimester is riskiest)

A friend had to have this with one of her triplets and it was professor Nicolaides at UCLH. An amazing man apparently. Sorry that you are going through this.

Thanks all for the suggestions. The challenge we have with Prof Nicolaides is the cut off time which I just can;t see working (although I understand the rationale).
I will try Prof Beatty too.

So sorry you're going through this. I haven't been through it myself but I know that Saint Mary's hospital in Manchester have an excellent foetal medicine unit so it may be worth contacting them.

You can see Prof Nicolades at his Private Clinic The Fetal Medicine Centre, on Harley Street
He is a wonderful and kind doc and he will refer you on if necessary

Chelsea and Westminster also has a great fetal medicine unit, lead by Guy Thorpe-Beeston
Mina Savvidou who works there with Guy is also great and has a special interest in twins

I know it's old thread... But did everything finished good for you. As I'm in similar position today but just fondnoit nearly in 17th week. About bad t11 Spina bifida at one of our babies. And I'm scared nd concern. No one here will tell us how many cases kids or adults with this level sb actualy lives...in Ireland.even the organizations looking after SB they dont know.. it's very concerning....and terrifying...

I would always recommend speaking to Nicolaides at Kings as he is the world renowned authority on complex multiple pregnancy and selective reduction. You could also try Mr Lees at Queen Charlotte's who specialises in a different method of reduction - he trained under Prof Nicolaides. But in general I'd just try and speak to Nicolaides ASAP and if he and his team can't help you personally they will certainly refer you to the right person.

I know this is a old post but please can someone help me I’m 6 weeks confirmed twin pregnancy there is no way I can physically continue with twin pregnancy as awful as it sounds i have found some research on selective reduction- local GP hadn’t heard of it before midwife’s in wales don’t know much about it and have pretty much forwarded me the numbers for places like BPAS who don’t do selective reduction. I don’t know what to do I’m stuck and all my local support services don’t know any information on this as it is not common in wales. I’m sat here ringing London hospitals they have said I need consultant referral- where can I go private anyone know how much it will cost

Hi,

im in the same scenario and would love some
advice please? Can’t continue with a twin pregnancy but also
dont want to terminate. Based in Ireland so
will have to travel to the UK

hi, do you mind me asking what you did?