Successful Fetal Reduction in Early Second Trimester: Series of Three Cases Conceived With Infertility Treatment

Abstract

This case series explores three instances of a successful fetal reduction in early second-trimester pregnancies conceived through infertility treatments. The patients, all admitted to a central Indian tertiary care hospital, underwent assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Faced with triplet pregnancies, fetal reduction was made to mitigate risks and enhance maternal and fetal well-being. The reduction procedures, conducted either transvaginally or transabdominally under continuous ultrasound guidance, resulted in the cessation of targeted fetal heart activity and motility. Post-reduction, pregnancies progressed without major complications, culminating in successful deliveries via lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) in the third trimester. This case series underscores the importance of selective fetal reduction in managing pregnancies arising from infertility treatments, emphasizing its role in minimizing risks associated with multiple gestations. Using continuous ultrasound guidance during the reduction procedures proved effective in ensuring precision and safety. These cases contribute valuable insights to the evolving field of reproductive medicine, offering clinicians a nuanced understanding of successful interventions to optimize outcomes in complex pregnancies.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technologies; cesarean section; fetal reduction; infertility treatment; multiple pregnancies; ultrasound guidance.