Selective Twin Reduction

[Coltonvic]

My daughter has one child and has just fallen pregnant with twins. She suffered PTSD after the first and financially and emotionally neither she nor her husband can cope with having two. The embryos are in different sacs with their own placentas. Instead of being over the moon, they are both stressed, she is not eating or sleeping and heading towards a nervous breakdown.
Does anyone know if Selective twin reduction is available in Australia?

[stacey10]

Not sure this would be available on the public system so if it isn’t she would have to go private, it comes with risks of loosing both babies and usually done around the 12 wk mark. Sometimes they do it earlier from what I’ve read, but the majority of times it’s around 12 wks. Best bet is to go back to gp and discuss further or get a referral.

[rukidding]

I’ve never heard of it being offered for DCDA twins (different sacs) if they are both healthy. I am all for supporting mums mental health so I understand your question but I think the mental anguish your daughter would go through looking at her one baby and thinking about their ‘twin’ should also be considered if she was able to terminate one. I feel she needs to discuss what’s happening with her GP, OB and psychologist ASAP and make a plan re her decision. As @stacey10 said there is a risk of losing both as well. Best of luck, please let us know how she goes.

[Coltonvic]

They have started counselling and are booked in to see the OB.
All our reading says it is best done with twins that have separate sacs and placentas and is a safe procedure. As awful as termination of one is, it might be a better option than terminating both. We are just not sure that it is done in Australia. I have read of other people in similar situations on these forums and hoping someone may know.
The whole situation is difficult and it is heartbreaking to watch your daughter who should be happy after taking so long to fall pregnant again, so distraught when she should be over the moon.
Thanks for your support.

[stacey10]

I definitely wouldn’t call it a safe procedure as there are risks involved, even if they’re slight risks, someone still has to be in that percentage group.

[turquoisecoast]

i don’t mean to be insensitive but surely if you’re trying for a child you’ve got to be aware of/prepared for the possibility of
multiples? i’m sorry she’s suffering this much but i agree with the sentiments above, surely the guilt/heartache of knowing you selectively
terminated one baby would be worse than keeping both?

[MuMtORiLeYandLeO]

I can understand her stress but I feel she will regret doing that no matter the mental anguish and all the practical reasons in the world for doing so right now.

I’ve been through a thing or two and I can honestly say I hope she finds another way. the pain and mental anguish that may come afterwards is something that she might not be aware of and is only able to see and feel how she feels now. It is a very hard situation to be in though and I hope she finds a way to feel better.

[SuperGranny]

please consider this very carefully. I really do think the risks would be huge. marie.

[BornToBe]

I certainly hope it is not available in Australia.

[Mum-I-Am]

I certainly hope it is not available in Australia.

How is that a helpful comment? You are entitled to your beliefs but in this situation why say anything?