Selective Reduction: Comments From a Surrogate of Triplets

I have posted about the topic of Selective Reduction in the past. Carolyn Zinn, who wrote the post of her experience, below, has given birth to triplets and she has some wonderful insights on the decision of selective reduction. I decided, instead of listing this post as a comment, it needed its own place on the blog. Thanks Carolyn and thank you for sharing your thoughts on this very important topic.

"I feel this information couldn't be stressed more. I have been a personal friend of Sharon's for many years and we have shared numerous surrogacy experiences and feelings throughout those years. I am THRILLED she has put together such a wonderful blog for those involved in the infertility world. I am a Gestational Surrogate 3X and I carried triplets my first time (in 2000) of which compels me to respond to this topic. Although I entered into my first surrogacy with the purest intent and deepest desire to help a couple have a child, I had no idea what all was involved, but at the time, it really didn't matter... I was going to do this! It wasn't until I was matched and entered into the contract stage that I realized how many issues I had to think about, be comfortable with and agree to. However, I was totally determined and nothing was going to stand in my way. I put a lot of thought into what my true feelings were concerning abortion, selective reduction and other related issues and if there is anything that I have stressed to intended parents and surrogates in the past.

It is imperative that everyone be completely honest about their needs and desires. As Sharon stated in her post regarding selective reduction , one never knows what is going to happen and you truly need to feel comfortable with and be able to live with whatever may arise. I never dreamed that we would end up pregnant with triplets but it had been decided by myself and my IP's that there would be no selective reduction and we agreed to no more than three embryos’ implanted. Boy... was that a good judgment call. We placed three excellent quality embryos back and low and behold... they all three took. Our journey was one to be treasured and the outcome was nothing short of incredible. All three babies were delivered at 33 and a half weeks (considered full term for triplets) and extremely healthy. They are beautiful and thriving but myself and my IP's often have said that we can’t even imagine not having one of them around if we had done a selective reduction. Please think and re-think things before agreeing to anything. If you find a couple and your expectations are different, don't feel bad for not working with them... don't think you will never find anyone else... or they will never find anyone else... follow your heart and move on. You each will eventually find that "right" match and everyone will be happy no matter what happens."