Selective Fetal Reduction

Pregnancies of triplets, quadruplets, and above carry risks for the mother and babies, so some couples choose to reduce their multiple pregnancy down to twins. What is involved with this procedure, who is eligible, and what issues should be considered before proceeding? Our guest will be Dr. Mark I. Evans, one of the leading authorities on fetal reduction in the US, and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.

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Hit the Highlights
  • When should you consider reducing a multiple pregnancy?
  • How risky are triplet and quadruplet pregnancies?
  • Should you ever consider reducing a twin pregnancy?
  • Does this procedure differ from abortion?
  • Does insurance cover selective fetal reduction?
  • What infertility treatments result in the higher order multiple pregnancies?
  • How many fetal reductions are done each year in the US?
  • How is fetal reduction used when one of the fetuses has a chromosomal abnormality?
  • How do doctors decide which fetus to reduce?
  • How are fetal reductions preformed?
  • What happens to the dead fetus?
  • Do any federal or state laws cover selective fetal reduction?
  • When in the pregnancy should fetal reduction be preformed?
  • What questions should a patient ask before selecting a doctor to perform the fetal reduction?
  • Can doctors consider gender when deciding on which fetus to reduce?
  • What are the psychological impacts of reducing a pregnancy?
  • What can patients and doctors do to prevent the need for this procedure in the future?