Selective Reduction? (sorry..long)

dolphinsmakemesmile

 

 Hi,

  I posted this on the IF board and someone suggested posting here.  Hope you ladies don't mind.

  I had IUI #4 today.  My reg. RE wasn't there, I had one of his associates.  He asked us(DH was there) if RE spoke to us about the possibility of multiples.  I said all he mentioned was that with injectables there is a possibility, that's about it.  He then goes onto explain how normally with injectables they look for 3-4 eggs, and I over-responded and produced 7-8 eggs.  I was like WHAT??  He then goes onto explain how there is a 20-25% chance of twins (which he said is great, no problem), but 5-10% chance of more.

  He explained selective reduction to us and asked us if we were prepared to do that if necessary (explained all the possible health risks to myself and the babies, etc.)?  He said if we weren't, we should not proceed with the IUI and try next month with lower dosages.  I was caught completely off guard.  DH said he would not want me put at risk and that was fine and go ahead with the IUI.  I said ok.

 I feel so torn right now and like crying.  I just want to be pregnant and have a baby.  DH says don't worry about the multiple thing right now, let's just focus on getting that BFP and think positive thoughts, but I can't help it.  I guess in the back of my mind, I always knew it was a possibility, but I had not mentally prepared myself for this.  I felt like if I said no, he wouldn't do the IUI (although there was no paper or anything like that to sign), and I feel like I've come so far, mentally and physically (injections, etc.), that there was no way I was blowing this month's chance.

Anyone else ever experience this?  Thanks for listening.

ougrad1

I got pregnant with my twins from IUI w/ injectables.  Do you mind me asking the size of your follies?

I only had two follies (17 and 19mm prior to trigger-IUI 36 hrs later) and they both took.  I'm surprised your dr didn't catch that before today.

lgurian

i dont have any advice, but just wanted to say good luck!!!!!

dolphinsmakemesmile

I believe the largest was 21.5 and the smallest was 12.5, with a couple 14's and 17's in there.  Does this sound right?

dolphinsmakemesmile

ougrad1:

I got pregnant with my twins from IUI w/ injectables.  Do you mind me asking the size of your follies?

I only had two follies (17 and 19mm prior to trigger-IUI 36 hrs later) and they both took.  I'm surprised your dr didn't catch that before today.

BTW...congrats on the twins!!!! H&H 9 months to you.  I know, I was kind of shocked too.  Even though this is my fourth IUI, I still feel like this whole IF thing is new to me.  I swear I learn 5 new things every day.  Why can't I just be normal and get pregnant without shots and hormones?  (wishful thinking here)

 

ougrad1

dolphinsmakemesmile:

I believe the largest was 21.5 and the smallest was 12.5, with a couple 14's and 17's in there.  Does this sound right?

I had a 17 and 19 mm prior to trigger and IUI.  I wouldn't worry about the 12.5 to 14.  Those wouldn't be considered mature.  The 17's and above are what are considered mature follies.  Depending on your dx, it could work out okay.  Don't stress until you have something to stress about.

There is a lady who just had selective reduction done on the board.  She had five cut down to three.  So, it does happen.  There aren't any judgements here where that is concerned.

Definately keep us posted....

dolphinsmakemesmile

ougrad1:

dolphinsmakemesmile:

I believe the largest was 21.5 and the smallest was 12.5, with a couple 14's and 17's in there.  Does this sound right?

I had a 17 and 19 mm prior to trigger and IUI.  I wouldn't worry about the 12.5 to 14.  Those wouldn't be considered mature.  The 17's and above are what are considered mature follies.  Depending on your dx, it could work out okay.  Don't stress until you have something to stress about.

There is a lady who just had selective reduction done on the board.  She had five cut down to three.  So, it does happen.  There aren't any judgements here where that is concerned.

Definately keep us posted....

Thank you so much!  I will definitely keep you posted.  Just hoping this is finally my BFP!!! 

 

kimarino13

Your RE seems pretty careless to have proceeded with 7-8 follicles.  And I wouldn't call twins "great, no problem" because many ladies here had extremely difficult twin pregnancies and have dealt with things like extended bed rest, preterm labor, premature babies with health issues, etc.

Since you already went through with the IUI, I can only wish you good luck.

HisLobster

This gets brought up on the board every once in awhile. As pp said, there is no judgment here. There is another site/forums that focus on selective reduction although I can't remember it. Hopefully one of the other MoMs can give you the link so you can do a little bit more research. GL.

MrsAmyB

My situation is a little different than yours since my triplets are spontaneous and we didn't get a chance to think about reduction until we found out at 12 weeks.  By then, our babies were beautiful, healthy little babies and we chose not to.  The choice we were given was to reduce to 1 (the fraternal triplet), or keep them all.  Had you asked us a year earlier what we would do if we had gotten pregnant with triplets, I'm sure we would say "no way!".  But you never know how you will react until it happens to you. 

I do agree with some others and get really annoyed by irresponsible RE's. 

While a pregnancy with multiples and even a life with multiples can be trying, all situations are different.  I have a very healthy triplet pregnancy.  There are many singleton pregnancies that are much more dangerous than mine.  I originally thought we would lose everything if we kept them, and now we have our finances figured out and we will be okay.

The thing is, you don't need to think about reduction until you have a + test and an ultrasound showing multiple babies.  After I learned of our 3 and posted here for the first time, I realized that talking reduction is okay here.  People ask me all the time why I'm not more stressed out.  Where will that get me?  Nowhere.  And you shouldn't be stressed out either until you know how many sticky babies you have.

Best of luck!

Temp159135562506975

it's really a shame they didn't explain the risk for multiples and high order multiples (HOM) BEFORE you started the meds and showed up for IUI day.  That's a LOT of pressure to put on a woman who is dying to get pregnant and just took shots to get there... ugh.

I did clomid and got pg with one follie on our first IUI --- so when we went to TTC #2 I was not comfortable doing the IUI if I had 3 or more mature follies- since we knew we had a good chance that any follie present would become a baby --- and we were right - I had 2 mature follies at our IUI and got twins.

since you have had failed cycles before- your chance that all mature follies would take is lower - so try not to stress.... and it sounds like many of them were not mature (my RE looks for 18mm + for mature... the twins were 21 and 25mm when we did our IUI)

best of luck to you - i hope you get pg with one or two... and if it's more - then you can deal with the decisions on SR then - there are many women on here who have done SR, and some who had to decide and didn't - it's a very personal choice and nobody here would fault you either way -so do know we're here to support you IF you get to that point - but prayers that you don't need to- and just get one or two healthy little ones in there!

britbswoo

kimarino13:

Your RE seems pretty careless to have proceeded with 7-8 follicles.  And I wouldn't call twins "great, no problem" because many ladies here had extremely difficult twin pregnancies and have dealt with things like extended bed rest, preterm labor, premature babies with health issues, etc.

Since you already went through with the IUI, I can only wish you good luck.

This.....and I really hope this isn't taken the wrong way but with ANY fertility treatment there is a risk of multiples.  No matter how small the chances it happens everyday.  Good luck to you.

susanc07

kimarino13:

Your RE seems pretty careless to have proceeded with 7-8 follicles.  And I wouldn't call twins "great, no problem" because many ladies here had extremely difficult twin pregnancies and have dealt with things like extended bed rest, preterm labor, premature babies with health issues, etc.

Since you already went through with the IUI, I can only wish you good luck.

this.  see ticker.

GL to you - i hope you never have to make the decision to SR or not.

LMK8605

I may not be the poster you want to read... but I had 7-8 mature follies, did IUI and got pg with 4 (+1 ectopic).  DON'T FREAK OUT though, because that was my 5th IUI and I had 3 other ones with lots of follies and didn't even get a BFP. 

1st - I hope you get a BFP 

2nd - if you do get a BFP and you need to talk to someone about selective reduction you can PM me (please post that you PMd on the board so I know.. I don't always check my PMs)

Try not to worry about it until you get your BFP, like I said.. all of our other IUIs were BFNs - so you could easily just get pg with 1 or 2.  I know it is hard not to worry about it, hang in there!

norayates

My DW had 4-5 mature follicles, so we were kinda in a similar situation. We had a early ultrasound at 2w to find out where were at, so make sure to have that early. You can ask for it, if they don't give it to you.

OrangeSmoke

kimarino13:

Your RE seems pretty careless to have proceeded with 7-8 follicles.  And I wouldn't call twins "great, no problem" because many ladies here had extremely difficult twin pregnancies and have dealt with things like extended bed rest, preterm labor, premature babies with health issues, etc.

Since you already went through with the IUI, I can only wish you good luck.

THIS!  Twin pregnancies are hard.  So far, I've been blessed with a relatively easy pregnancy for twins, but still I feel like I missed the "glow of the second trimester".  Every single part of my body hurts.  I can't imagine being pregnant with more.

Good luck - I hope everything works out for you.

caden

I'm very surprised your RE didn't convert you to IVF. Anything above 4 follies at my clinic means you get converted. After your cycle is over I really think you need to have a talk with your dr or the nurses over the way they conducted this cycle with you. It's unfair to put you in that position in when you're halfway through it.

I know it's too late now so I wish you the best. 

Leigh71

my RE would cancel my cycle for IUI if I had more than 3 mature follicles.  This BFP cycle for me had 3, and all 3 took.  At sono #2, only 2 LOs had strong heartbeats...and I am now expecting twins.

I'm sorry the RE made you make a decision right then,- that can be a lot of pressure.  GL to you and keep us posted.

tmbuchmann

I personally have never been through what your going through but I wanted to wish you the best of luck and to keep us posted on how everything turns out.  There's no judgement on this board with SR and a lot of ladies have good advice on almost every subject that comes up.

Mrs.Babbsy

susanc07:

kimarino13:

Your RE seems pretty careless to have proceeded with 7-8 follicles.  And I wouldn't call twins "great, no problem" because many ladies here had extremely difficult twin pregnancies and have dealt with things like extended bed rest, preterm labor, premature babies with health issues, etc.

Since you already went through with the IUI, I can only wish you good luck.

this.  see ticker.

GL to you - i hope you never have to make the decision to SR or not.

 

This, I had a hell of a pregnancy and preterm babies.

 

 

Northof54

I hope you see a bfp this month

 

I went ahead with this:

14

14.5

15

15.5

16.5

17.5

My clinic never mentioned there was an issue with too many follicles.  They actually were very pleased with the results.

 

I was pg. with quads.  I was going to reduce...... I think.

I had the appointment.  It was the worst 2 months of my life.

At 10 weeks Baby D had no hb.  So the decision was made for us.  I am thankful everyday that we didn't have to go ahead with the reduction.  I know people do everyday.  I agree with SR.  But my DH was devastated.  It's a very hard place.  I hope you have a great outcome

!!

 

volgirl123

kimarino13:

Your RE seems pretty careless to have proceeded with 7-8 follicles.  And I wouldn't call twins "great, no problem" because many ladies here had extremely difficult twin pregnancies and have dealt with things like extended bed rest, preterm labor, premature babies with health issues, etc.

Since you already went through with the IUI, I can only wish you good luck.

 

This.

Inky75

My twins are the result of injectibles and IUI (I had 4 follies at trigger).  We knew multiples were a possibility and were willing to take the risk.  However, my RE would not do an IUI if we had more than 5 follies at trigger.  We were also required to sign a document indicating that we understood the risks involved. 

FaeryStarGazer

kimarino13:

Your RE seems pretty careless to have proceeded with 7-8 follicles.  And I wouldn't call twins "great, no problem" because many ladies here had extremely difficult twin pregnancies and have dealt with things like extended bed rest, preterm labor, premature babies with health issues, etc.

Since you already went through with the IUI, I can only wish you good luck.

 

another ditto for this. Best of luck to you.