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PubMed2000

Multifetal pregnancy reduction: perinatal and fiscal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the birth outcomes of a multifetal pregnancy reduction population with those of other patients delivered at Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, and to determine the fiscal impact of the multifetal pregnancy reduction program. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective review patients who were delivered after multifetal pregnancy reduction were compared with a general obstetric population who were delivered at Hutzel Hospital from January 1, 1986, through June 30, 1998. Outcome data were determined through a comprehensive perinatal database. The chi(2) analysis was used to examine the relationship between gestational age and delivery group. Financial data were estimated from published reports of neonatal intensive care unit admissions, cost estimates for neonatal intensive care unit care, and charges for multifetal pregnancy reduction. RESULTS: Pregnancies reduced to triplets, twins, and singletons had outcomes at least comparable to unreduced pregnancies starting at these numbers and substantially better than unreduced pregnancies with the same starting number. Financial estimates of hospitalization costs averted in the multifetal pregnancy reduction population exceeded $28 million. CONCLUSION: Use of multifetal pregnancy reduction improved obstetric outcomes for pregnancies with multiple gestations and also was associated with significant fiscal savings.

Cost Control↗

PubMed2004

Fetal gender and sonographic assessment of crown-rump length: implications for multifetal pregnancy reduction.

OBJECTIVES: Fetal size is a common criterion for the selection of an individual fetus to be reduced during multifetal pregnancy reduction. We investigated whether a difference in crown-rump length (CRL) exists between male and female fetuses at 9-13 weeks' gestation. METHODS: A total of 883 singleton pregnancies was evaluated at the time of chorionic villus sampling. The mean gestational age at the time of intervention was 10.9 weeks. Pregnancies were dated by certain last menstrual period (LMP). Pregnancies with uncertain dating by LMP or with a sonographic difference of gestational age > 1 week compared with LMP were excluded, as were all cases with chromosomal abnormalities. CRL differences between male and female fetuses were compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS: A total of 417 female and 466 male fetuses fulfilled our study criteria. Their gestational ages ranged between 9.3 and 13.9 weeks. We found no significant difference in size between the male and female fetuses. CONCLUSION: Using the CRL to guide multifetal pregnancy reduction should not result in a clinically significant selection of either gender.

Crown-Rump Length↗

PubMed2001

Multifetal pregnancy reduction and halakha.

The frequency of multifetal pregnancies has increased dramatically in recent years with the advent of assisted reproductive technologies. In an effort to ensure a successful outcome for both the fetus(es) and the mother, multifetal reduction is often medically recommended. Multifetal reduction may present a challenge to Orthodox Jewish law, as there is an apparent threat to the preservation of the fetuses lives. Yet, without medical intervention there is an increased risk of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The issues involved in multifetal reduction have been thoroughly analyzed and recorded in Orthodox Jewish responsa, setting guidelines for rabbinic authorities to rule on the matter in specific cases based on the specific circumstances. The present article will analyze the medical procedure with respect to the halakhic literature published to date on the subject of multifetal reduction.

Female↗

PubMed2000

Amniocentesis after multifetal pregnancy reduction: is it safe?

OBJECTIVE: This report reviews the obstetric outcomes of women with multifetal pregnancy reductions who subsequently underwent elective amniocentesis. STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred eight patients underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction at our institution. Among these, 91 patients underwent subsequent elective amniocentesis. The obstetric outcomes of all 508 patients were followed up. By means of logistic regression we evaluated several variables to determine any association with loss rate: (1) the finishing number of fetuses, (2) the number of fetuses undergoing reduction (starting number of fetuses minus the finishing number of fetuses), (3) the gestational age at reduction, (4) the maternal age at reduction, and (5) the procedure protocol. We observed that the finishing number of fetuses, the number of fetuses removed, and the procedure protocol were significantly associated with pregnancy loss rate. Women who underwent subsequent amniocentesis were compared with those who did not undergo amniocentesis. By means of multivariate conditional likelihood analysis we stratified the two groups according to the previously mentioned significant variables to compare the pregnancy loss rates. RESULTS: Among patients who subsequently underwent elective amniocentesis the total uncorrected pregnancy loss rate was 9.0% and the early premature delivery rate was 4.5%. The number of fetuses removed, the finishing number of fetuses, and the procedure protocol were statistically significantly associated with the loss rate. The adjusted odds ratio relating amniocentesis to the pregnancy loss rate was 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.31.5; P =.3.) CONCLUSIONS: The uncorrected rates of pregnancy loss and of early premature delivery among patients with multifetal pregnancy reduction who underwent subsequent amniocentesis were comparable to those of patients with multifetal pregnancy reduction who did not undergo amniocentesis.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1996

The current status of multifetal pregnancy reduction.

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 sequelae 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.

Ethics↗

PubMed1995

Multifetal pregnancy reduction and selective termination.

The incidence of multifetal pregnancies has increased dramatically since the advent of assisted reproductive technologies. Preterm delivery accounts for most of the mortality associated with multifetal pregnancies. Multifetal pregnancy reduction is a safe and effective procedure designed to decrease the adverse outcomes associated with very preterm deliveries. The increased incidence of multifetal pregnancies combined with reliable techniques for prenatal diagnosis of genetic and structural fetal anomalies have led to an increase in the diagnosis of abnormal fetal conditions in parents carrying multiple gestations. The development of the procedure of selective termination has provided prospective couples the option of selective termination of the abnormal fetus and continuation of the pregnancy.

Chorion↗

PubMed2004

Two hundred ninety consecutive cases of multifetal pregnancy reduction: comparison of the transabdominal versus the transvaginal approach.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of the transabdominal versus the transvaginal route for the multifetal pregnancy reductions. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred ninety consecutive cases of multifetal pregnancy reduction were reviewed. Two hundred three reductions (70.0%) were done transabdominally; 75 cases (25.9%) were done transvaginally, and 12 cases (4.1%) used both routes. The indications for the transvaginal route were extreme obesity, abdominal scars, or if the lower fetus could not be reached transabdominally. Two hundred seventy-one women were delivered of live born babies after 24 weeks (group 1). Nineteen cases had pregnancy losses </=24 weeks (group 2). RESULTS: The complete pregnancy loss rate was 6.5% (19/290 cases). Total pregnancy loss rates of multifetal pregnancy reduction were 3.5% (7/203 reductions) for the transabdominal route and 13.3% (10/75 reductions) for the transvaginal route ( P = .004). Overall pregnancy losses were 4.8% for starting with twins, 6.6% for starting with triplets, 1.8% for starting with quadruplets, 14.3% for starting with quintuplets, and 14.3% with starting numbers of >/=6 fetuses. For finishing numbers, total pregnancy losses were 5.1% for ending with a singleton infant, 6.6% for ending with twins, and 0% for ending with triplets. Significant differences in complete pregnancy loss were observed between transabdominal and transvaginal routes for starting with triplets (2.7% for transabdominal versus 16.7% for transvaginal; P = .006) and for finishing with a single fetus (0% for transabdominal versus 20% for transvaginal; P < .004). CONCLUSION: The multifetal pregnancy reduction success rate was higher with the transabdominal route compared with the transvaginal route. Significant differences in favor of the transabdominal route were observed for starting with triplets or finishing with a single fetus. The transvaginal route should be reserved only for cases in which the transabdominal approach is hard or impossible to perform. The performance of the procedure at 12 to 13 weeks of gestation enables structural evaluation of the fetuses before reduction.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to study multifetal pregnancy reduction.

This study integrates quantitative and qualitative research methods to examine the psychologic repercussions of multifetal pregnancy reduction, a recently developed reproductive technology. Two theoretical vantage points, descriptive psychiatry and psychoanalytic theory, were used to understand the emotional impact of the medical intervention, which involves aborting some but not all of the fetuses in a multifetal pregnancy. Quantitative analysis of diagnostic interviews indicated that women who underwent pregnancy reductions were at no greater risk than controls for developing depressive disorder. Although multifetal pregnancy reduction posed no apparent mental health risk, women experienced it as stressful and distressing. Women's responses were organized and understood via qualitative analyses based on six contemporary psychoanalytic perspectives: drive theory, ego psychology, object relations theory, self-psychology, interpersonal viewpoints, and developmental concepts. Some of the practical and philosophic implications of qualitative and quantitative strategies are considered.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1993

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and coagulation profiles after multifetal pregnancy reduction.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the effect of first-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction on maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and coagulation profiles in the second trimester. METHODS: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein was determined in 57 patients 1.5 to 10 weeks after multifetal pregnancy reduction, and coagulation profile was determined in 17 patients 2 to 5 weeks after the procedure. All but one had living twins at the time of testing. RESULTS: All patients had elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (mean 11.6 +/- 7.6 multiples of the median) compared with normal twin values (< 3.5 multiples of the median). There was a positive correlation between maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level and the number of dead fetuses and a negative correlation between maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level and the number of weeks elapsed since multifetal pregnancy reduction. Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein was measured in 10 patients and was normal. Fibrin split products were positive in 1 of 17 patients, intermediate in two of 17 and negative in 14 of 17. Prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and platelet counts remained normal. None of the patients had clinical evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation, and treatment for that condition was not given. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein in the second trimester is always elevated after multifetal pregnancy reduction and is not necessarily indicative of fetal defects. This elevation is probably caused by release of tissue or serum from the dead fetus(es). Amniocentesis is not indicated in these cases, but ultrasonography to evaluate fetal anatomy should be considered because maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein cannot be used in these patients to screen for fetal defects. Some patients can have laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation after multifetal pregnancy reduction, but it may resolve spontaneously.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

PubMed1998

Multifetal pregnancy reduction: a possible risk factor for periventricular leukomalacia in premature newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible role of multifetal pregnancy reduction as a risk factor for the development of periventricular leukomalacia, which has been associated with prematurity and twin pregnancies. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: In Vitro Fertilization Unit and Intensive Care Nursery of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. PATIENT(S): A total of 1,401 consecutive preterm infants who were born between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1995. INTERVENTION(S): Cranial ultrasonographic evaluation of each infant within 3 days of birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Premature infants who developed periventricular leukomalacia (cases) were compared with premature infants who did not develop this disorder (controls) when multifetal pregnancy reduction was considered. RESULT(S): Fourteen premature infants developed periventricular leukomalacia. Of these, 28.6% (4 infants) were exposed to multifetal pregnancy reduction, compared with 1.9% of the controls, giving an odds ratio (OR) of 20.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5-79.4). Adjustment of this OR for IVF treatment (OR, 18.6; 95% CI, 1.8-140.3), twinning (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 1.3-30.3), and for both IVF treatment and twinning simultaneously (OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 1.7-42.2) did not explain all the observed associations between periventricular leukomalacia and multifetal pregnancy reduction. CONCLUSION(S): Our data suggest that multifetal pregnancy reduction may be an additional risk factor for periventricular leukomalacia among premature infants, regardless of twinning.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Selective reduction of multifetal pregnancies to twins improves outcome over nonreduced triplet gestations.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate effects of multifetal pregnancy reduction on pregnancy complications and birth weights of remaining twin fetuses compared with expectantly managed triplets and nonreduced twins. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records of 54 triplet pregnancies, 59 twin pregnancies resulting from multifetal pregnancy reduction, and 88 sets of twins conceived with assisted reproductive techniques and delivered at New York Hospital after 24 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. Birth weights were corrected for gestational age at delivery by use of a formula derived from composite standardized growth curves. Statistical analysis was performed with chi(2) analysis and Student t test. RESULTS: Twins remaining after reduction and nonreduced twins were less likely to have preeclampsia than were triplets (14% and 23% vs 30%) and to be delivered before 36 weeks (39% and 27% vs 72%). They had birth weights that were > 100 gm larger than those of triplets even when corrected for gestational age. Reduced twins were similar to nonreduced twins in all parameters studied. CONCLUSIONS: Multifetal pregnancy reduction results in pregnancy complications, gestational age, and birth weights closer to those of nonreduced twins than to expectantly managed triplets.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

A comparative study of multifetal pregnancy reduction from triplets to twins in the first versus early second trimesters after detailed fetal screening.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcome of multifetal pregnancy reduction from triplets to twins performed either early (at 11-12 weeks' gestation) or late (at 13-14 weeks). METHODS: Ninety-five high-order pregnancies following assisted conception were studied. Transabdominal sonographically guided multifetal pregnancy reduction was performed early in 46 women, while 49 women first underwent a sonographic fetal anomaly scan before undergoing selective reduction. RESULTS: Sonographic screening led to selective termination of a specific fetus in nine cases due to increased nuchal translucency and relative intrauterine growth restriction in three cases each, and meningomyelocele, abdominal cyst and cystic hygroma in one case each. In the early reduction group a diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart in the two remaining twins was subsequently made, and one pair of twins suffers from cerebral palsy. The rate of pregnancy loss was not statistically different between the early (4.3%; 2/46) and late (4.0%; 2/49) termination groups. The birth weight and gestational age at birth were not statistically different between the early ( n = 85) and late ( n = 94) groups (2110 +/- 580 vs. 2140 +/- 490 g, and 35.8 +/- 3.0 vs. 35.7 +/- 3.5 weeks). Similarly there was no statistically significant difference between early and late groups in the incidence of very premature (24-32 weeks; 9.3 vs. 8.3%) and premature (33-36 weeks; 46.5 vs. 47.9%) births. CONCLUSIONS: Early second-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction from triplets to twins may allow more selective termination of abnormal fetuses without an adverse effect on the outcome of pregnancy. However, further studies are needed in order to confirm our observations in a larger series.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Follow-up of pregnancies, infants, and families after multifetal pregnancy reduction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the course of multifetal pregnancies and also the long-term pediatric and psychosocial follow-up of surviving offspring and their parents after selective reduction. DESIGN: Follow-up study. SETTING: University hospital and subject's homes. PATIENTS: Twenty-one couples with high-order multiple pregnancies resulting from infertility treatment were referred from all over the Netherlands. A total of 36 infants (15 twins and 2 triplets) were included in the follow-up. INTERVENTION: Pregnancy reduction by transabdominal approach at a median of 11 (9 to 13) weeks gestation. One assessment took place between the age of 9 months and 6 years after delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pregnancy outcome, health of the infants, and psychosocial impact upon their parents after infertility treatment and the multifetal pregnancy reduction. RESULTS: Abortion within 4 weeks after pregnancy reduction did not occur in this series. Six infants (13.7%) died perinatally. Two infants (4.4%) died at the ages of 12 days and 3 months, respectively. Early preterm delivery was the cause of death in all cases. The development of the infants was appropriate to gestational age and birth weight. At follow-up, 14 couples disclosed at the time they were unaware of the risks and the consequences of infertility treatment. Nine couples indicated they had feelings of guilt after pregnancy reduction. These feelings, however, were not disclosed at the time of the interviews, during which none of the families showed either regret or distress about their decision. Two couples only occasionally experienced some grief and mourning reactions for the reduced fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy reduction is an acceptable option in the case of excessive multifetal conceptions after infertility treatment regimes. There are no adverse effects on either the infants and their families provided that the procedure is carefully planned and performed and the couples are given full support both before and after the procedure.

Female↗

PubMed1996

Pregnancy outcome after multifetal pregnancy reduction to twins compared with spontaneously conceived twins.

Multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) appears to be an efficacious method for improving the perinatal outcome of 'high order' multifetal gestations. The present study was undertaken to evaluate pregnancy outcomes after MFPR to twins in comparison with spontaneously conceived twins. In all, 10 patients with quadruplet gestation (group 1) and 30 patients with triplet gestation (group 2), who underwent MFPR to twins, were prospectively enrolled. Pregnancy complications, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery and birthweights were compared with 30 consecutive spontaneous twin gestations (group 3) matched by maternal age and parity. Mean gestational age at delivery and mean birthweights were significantly lower in group 1, compared with groups 2 and 3 (33.2, 35.9, 36.9 weeks, and 1843, 2209, 2361 g respectively). The incidence of pregnancy complications was significantly higher in group 1 compared with group 3. There was also a clear trend of increased incidence of specific pregnancy complications in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3, especially premature contractions (PMC; 50, 27 and 13% respectively), and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH; 40, 23 and 7% respectively). In conclusion, the initial number of fetuses before reduction was inversely correlated with gestational age at delivery and birthweight, and positively correlated with pregnancy complications. Contrary to previous studies, we found a higher incidence of pregnancy complications after MFPR compared with spontaneous twins, especially PMC and PIH.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

First-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction: evaluation of technical aspects and risks from 2,756 cases in the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical aspects, efficacy and safety of first-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction in the management of multifetal pregnancies, an analysis of the international literature on first-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction was made. MATERIALS: Thirty-three studies were selected from an international review of the literature. Total fetal loss rate, risk of fetal loss after the procedure with the different techniques and gestational age at delivery were the main parameters studied. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 2,756 multifetal pregnancy reductions were performed (2,145 transabdominal, 363 transcervical, and 248 transvaginal procedures). Total fetal loss rates were different: 16.7% for the transabdominal, 24.8% for the transcervical and 10.9% for the transvaginal procedure (p = 0.03). The risk of fetal loss was 12% for the transabdominal, 20% for the transcervical, and 10% for the transvaginal approach at less 24 weeks of gestation (p = 0.04). There was no difference for the gestational age at the time of the procedure, the initial and final number of embryos, and the gestational age at delivery. CONCLUSION: Because the transvaginal approach seems to be the safer procedure, surgeons may opt for it. The transcervical approach has a high fetal loss rate and should be excluded.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1997

The geriatric gravida: multifetal pregnancy reduction, donor eggs, and aggressive infertility treatments.

OBJECTIVE: Recent technologic advances and societal acceptance have dramatically increased the use of donor eggs for infertile couples who require assisted reproductive technologies. Now many "older" couples can access assisted reproductive technologies to achieve pregnancies. We sought to evaluate the changing pattern of patients referred for multifetal pregnancy reduction as a result of donor eggs and age factors in aggressive infertility treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing multifetal pregnancy reduction from 1986 to 1996 were included and categorized by year groupings, age, and the use of donor eggs. RESULTS: A total of 523 patients were referred for and underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction. Before 1994, only 4 of 226 (1.8%) had received donor eggs, whereas in 1994 to 1996, 29 of 297 (9.8%) had received donor eggs (chi 2 = 12.6, p < 0.001). Eight of 9 patients aged > or = 45 years undergoing multifetal pregnancy reduction received donor eggs. There were no patients aged > or = 45 years before 1994 but 9 in 1994 to 1996. Four of 9 patients aged > or = 45 years with multifetal pregnancies chose reduction to singleton gestation. The proportions of patients aged > or = 40 years have increased from 0% to 11% in the last 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of donor eggs has dramatically increased the use of assisted reproductive technologies and subsequent use of multifetal pregnancy reduction in older patients. Older patients are more inclined to want reduction to singleton gestation; they cite parental demands, financial issues, and their ability to parent in their 60s and 70s as reasons for reduction to singleton gestation.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Multifetal pregnancy reduction is not associated with an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction, except for very-high-order multiples.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate whether multifetal pregnancies reduced to twins have an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction and discordant birth weight. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study investigated the rates of birth weight discordance > 20% and intrauterine growth restriction using both twin and singleton birth weight curves in 441 twin deliveries after multifetal pregnancy reduction (233 reduced from triplets, 156 from quadruplets, and 52 from quintuplets or greater) compared with 136 nonreduced dichorionic twins. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the frequency of birth weight discordance and in the overall incidence of intrauterine growth restriction by both twin and singleton birth weight curves when pregnancies that underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction were compared with the control group. There was, however, an almost twofold increase in the rate of intrauterine growth restriction in pregnancies with a starting fetal number of 5 or more (23.1%) compared with that in those reduced from triplets or quadruplets (12.1%) when the twin curve standard was used (P = .03). This difference disappeared when these groups were compared with a singleton nomogram. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that multifetal pregnancy reduction is not associated with an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction unless the starting fetal number is > or = 5. This finding provides a further rationale to avoid transferring excessive numbers of preembryos after in vitro fertilization.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed1995

First-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction: acute and persistent psychologic reactions.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine acute and persistent psychologic impacts of multifetal pregnancy reductions and patients' ability to cope with fetal loss while simultaneously bonding to surviving infants. STUDY DESIGN: The first 100 women to undergo a multifetal reduction were invited to participate in a retrospective telephone study assessing their emotional reactions and attitudes toward multifetal reduction. The semistructured interview elicited demographic and obstetric data and contained scales used in previous studies of reproductive loss, which assessed repetitive thoughts about reduced fetuses, catastrophic fears, and lingering depressive feelings. RESULTS: More than 65% of the sample recalled acute feelings of emotional pain, stress, and fear during the reduction procedure. Mourning for the lost fetuses was reported by 70% of women, but most grieved for only 1 month. Thoughts about reduced fetuses occurred moderately frequently after the reduction but rarely at follow-up. Persistent depressive symptoms were mild, although moderately severe levels of sadness and guilt continued for many. Nonetheless, 93% would make the same decision again. Emotional reactions of patients who miscarried differed little. The small subsample who continued to be most affected were younger (p < 0.02), were more religious (p < 0.003), and had viewed the multifetal pregnancy on ultrasonography more often (p < 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Multifetal reductions, although highly stressful psychologically, are well tolerated. Sadness and guilt may persist, especially for an identifiable subgroup. Normal maternal bonding and achievement of parenthood goals facilitate grief resolution. The large majority were reconciled to the termination of some fetuses to perserve the lives of a remaining few.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗