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Loss in Higher Multiple Pregnancy and Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Elizabeth Bryan*
Affiliation:
Multiple Births Foundation, London, UK. ebryan@higgins7.co.uk
*
*Address for correspondence: Elizabeth Bryan, The Multiple Births Foundation, Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS

Abstract

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From early pregnancy into childhood, higher multiples have much higher rates of mortality, whether from spontaneous abortion, the ‘vanishing twin’ syndrome, fetal or infant death. Many parents must cope with the death of one baby whilst the siblings remain critically ill or later become disabled and yet there grief is often underestimated. Little is known about the long term feelings of parents who choose to have a multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR). Most say they made the right decision but also that there was insufficient respect for their loss. They are often anxious about what, if anything, to tell the survivors and how they might react. Long term follow-up studies of the children as well as the parents are needed. Meanwhile parents who chose to have a MFPR must be given more information and ongoing support.

Type
Pre Congress Symposium
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002