Selective Reduction
Posted on May 14, 2009
An article in Newsweek would generate some heated debate if comments were allowed to be posted. The issue of selective reduction is a sensitive topic for those using Assisted Reproductive Technologies such as artificial insemination and IVF (although, contrary to general public knowledge the risk of triples and other high-order multiples is infrequent when this technology is used).
When my husband and I did the “clomid challenge” our Reproductive Endocrinologist made us sign the “selective reduction” waiver. We laughed as the nurse handed us the paperwork and then asked her if she realized the “clomid challenge” was only being done to see how I would react to the medications…it was unlikely we’d get pregnant due to our male factor issues. She was adamant we sign the waiver anyway, which we did.
But does signing the waiver that you’ll consider or agree to selective reduction if you become pregnant with high-order muliples make it binding? Can a doctor really force you to undergo this procedure? I’m thinking the answer is no. And how does a couple decide which babies to “selectively reduce”? I’m not sure I could do it. Could you?
Thanks to Dr. Alan Singer for alerting me to this article. The short Newsweek article is worth a read and I applaud Dr. Evans for writing on this controversial issue.
» Filed Under Infertility, Premature Births, pregnancy
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