Authors:
Berkowitz RL. Lynch L. Stone J. Alvarez M.
Institution:
Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, One Gustave L. Levy Place,New York, NY
10029; United States.
Title:
The current status of multifetal pregnancy reduction (1996-1398).
Source:
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Vol 174(4) (pp265-1272), 1996.
Abstract:
The number of women conceiving three or more fetuses has increased dramatically as a result of successful infertility therapy with ovulation- inducing agents and assisted reproductive technology. Higher-order multiple gestations have an increased risk of premature delivery and its attendant se quelae of increased neonatal mortality or irreversible morbidity. Multifetal pregnancy reduction is a procedure designed to decrease the increased propensity to deliver very prematurely in these patients by reducing the number of live fetuses they are carrying. The procedure has proved to be both safe and effective, and pregnancies reduced to twins proceed as if that were the number of fetuses originally conceived. Nevertheless, this invasive procedure does have the potential to result in loss of the entire pregnancy and causes considerable emotional distress for some couples who view it as their 'least bad' alternative. The medical benefits of performing multifetal pregnancy reduction in women with four or more fetuses seem fairly well established, but this is less true for triplets. Serious attention should be paid to reducing the number of higher- order multiple pregnancies resulting from infertility therapy. In the meantime, when three or more fetuses have been conceived, multifetal pregnancy reduction offers a reasonable option to patients whose only choices in the past were either to accept the risk of delivering extremely prematurely or to terminate the entire pregnancy.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 How successful is infertility treatment?
- 2 How can we compare infertility treatments?
- 3 How can we compare outcomes between different fertility units?
- 4 Are treatments for infertility improving?
- 5 Is there an increased chance of miscarriage following infertility treatment?
- 6 Is there an increased chance of ectopic pregnancy following infertility treatment?
- 7 What is a heterotopic pregnancy?
- 8 What problems can occur with multiple pregnancy?
- 9 What is selective termination of pregnancy?
- 10 How can the pregnancy risks following infertility treatment be reduced?
- 11 We have had infertility treatment which has been successful. How will our pregnancy be cared for?
- 12 If we have infertility treatment, will our baby be healthy?
- 13 What are the psychological effects of infertility? information?
- 14 Where can I obtain more information?
- 15 Infertility Support Groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
