After recently reading an article about how selectively reducing twin pregnancies were on the rise I was a bit baffled. Having had two children naturally then having to endure the challenges and horrific side effects of IVF I couldn't help but think back to when I was told that I had not only had successful results but there were actually two babies in there. You see when you choose to do IVF you are asked by your Doctor about the amount of embryos that you would like transferred. The Doctor gives his recommendation (which is usually one to two embryos depending on your age and other factors) but if they decide to put two in that was their decision. The reason that I am starting from the very beginning is so that you see that at one point there is a chance to make the decision to just transfer one embryo. Transferring two embryos does not raise the rates of having a positive outcome. This means that at one point these women had to sit down with their Doctor and partner to discuss the chances of multiples. If given the opportunity before transferring why didn't these women think about it a little bit better? I believe in a woman's right to choose but isn't this a little backwards? I mean, she is given the right to choose before the fact!

When I was given my HCG levels in the beginning I was told that they were amazingly high and that there could have been triplets instead of twins. Did I flinch? Absolutely. Did I wonder how I was going to be able to handle it all? Sure. That didn't take away from the fact that months prior I had cried myself to sleep because I didn't think there was any way I would be able to have another child. I also remember how frustrating it was to fail an IVF cycle and wondering why my body didn't “accept” this pregnancy when it had clearly accepted others! Having triplets is definitely more taxing on your body and border line more dangerous than having twins.

Then there are those that argue that even though one embryo is transferred there is a very high chance that they might split and become two. I understand that's not what you chose but weren't you given these odds before going through the treatment? If not, you might want to have a little chat with your Doctor.

Selective reduction should (in my opinion) be done when there are medical reasons behind it. For example, when the health care provider states that the mother 's or baby's health is in jeopardy. Not because they didn't “think it through” before hand. Making an educated decision is something that should be done prior to taking action. In life we are dealt a set of cards, study them and the rules of the game before sitting down to play!

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