Two-minus-one pregnancy

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/magazine/the-two-minus-one-pregnancy.html?pagewanted=1&smid=fb-nytimes

As Jenny lay on the obstetrician's examination table, she was grateful that the ultrasound tech had turned off the overhead screen. She didn't want to see the two shadows floating inside her. Since making her decision, she had tried hard not to think about them, though she could often think of little else. She was 45 and pregnant after six years of fertility bills, ovulation injections, donor eggs and disappointment-and yet here she was, 14 weeks into her pregnancy, choosing to extinguish one of two healthy fetuses, almost as if having half an abortion. As the doctor inserted the needle into Jenny's abdomen, aiming at one of the fetuses, Jenny tried not to flinch, caught between intense relief and intense guilt.

Unintended consequences of reproductive technology?

[Hushi05]

What "choice" looks like. I don't have to like it. But it's hers to make.

[yetanotheramanda]

What "choice" looks like. I don't have to like it. But it's hers to make.

sigh, agreed...but. This seems incredibly selfish. I kind of want to smack Jenny upside the head. a lot.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I will say that I am fairly pro-choice, but this makes me uneasy. I would not be comfortable assisting with this procedure knowing I was helping "reduce" a healthy baby.

[studentsara]

Sounds a bit dramatic to me, which is probably exactly what the "author" intended. For the record, actual adults going through reproductive assistance are counseled and topics like this are discussed at length. A person who had gone through extensive fertility treatments doesn't reduce from twins to a singleton, sorry guys. They are fully aware from the get go of the possibility of multiples. Beat the abortion horse to death somewhere else. :)

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

This is the sort of scenario that changed me from a lukewarm pro-choicer to a staunch pro-lifer. Sometimes, there are TOO MANY choices, and humans just don't handle them well. 'nuff said (by me anyhow).

[Nire83]

Her choice, her life. I know a woman who was 41 at the time who reduced from 3 to 1...and that baby was then born at 27 weeks. If she had 3 she would have lost them all weeks earlier no doubt.

[decembergrad2011, BSN, RN]

I feel like this topic is almost impossible to discuss on a message board.

My half sister is a product of in-vitro and it influences my feelings. I believe it is a woman's choice to undergo fertility treatments and decide how she deals with the results. At the same time, I believe that there are many children out there already that could benefit from someone willing to adopt them and be their parent. I believe in general that parents should not have kids beyond single replacement (so 2 per couple), but also believe it is not my right to force that belief upon others.

It's complicated if you allow people reproductive choice. But I believe women need to have reproductive choice if they are ever to be the masters of their own lives. It's much better than the alternative.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Sounds a bit dramatic to me, which is probably exactly what the "author" intended. For the record, actual adults going through reproductive assistance are counseled and topics like this are discussed at length. A person who had gone through extensive fertility treatments doesn't reduce from twins to a singleton, sorry guys. They are fully aware from the get go of the possibility of multiples. Beat the abortion horse to death somewhere else. :)

I only chose the title because that was the title of the article. Did you read it? It's actually pretty interesting. And neutral.

I'm not interested in stirring up the abortion debate either, but this is less about that and more about what happens when we mess too much with Mother Nature. Sure reproductive technology can be a great thing, but sometimes people get more than they bargained for....then what?

[studentsara]

Yes, I read the entire article. Perhaps my feelings are biased because I know dozens of families who have gone through varying levels of fertility treatments and none of them would have reduced from 2 to 1. Not for social reasons, not for ease of parenting, not to be able to "love the one remaining child enough" (really?). They knew going in to the procedure what the possibilities were.

I guess I can keep in mind that in the TOTAL number of twin pregnancies out there that exist because of fertility treatments, this small sliver of idiots who are choosing to reduce (and I'm pro-choice!) doesn't even come close to representing the real hearts behind reproductive medicine.

Here's a tip for the women who don't want to have multiples following a fertility treatment: DON'T PUT MORE THAN ONE IN! Don't take meds that increase your chances of having multiples. You rolls the dice, you takes your chances...

[homecarelpn]

To each his own.

We cant change anyones minds for them. If someone feels that is the best decision for them, they have the freedom to do whatever they wish. They will be the one living with the heavy guilt that is sure to be felt eventually.

I feel that everything happens for a reason. EVERYTHING.

[Summers_Off]

I feel like this topic is almost impossible to discuss on a message board.

My half sister is a product of in-vitro and it influences my feelings. I believe it is a woman's choice to undergo fertility treatments and decide how she deals with the results. At the same time, I believe that there are many children out there already that could benefit from someone willing to adopt them and be their parent. I believe in general that parents should not have kids beyond single replacement (so 2 per couple), but also believe it is not my right to force that belief upon others.

It's complicated if you allow people reproductive choice. But I believe women need to have reproductive choice if they are ever to be the masters of their own lives. It's much better than the alternative.

Single replacement?? I'd like to think my life was worth more than just being a "spare".... geez