Selective reduction is the practice of reducing the number of fetuses in multiple pregnancies like quadruplets and triplets. The procedure is also called multi-fetal pregnancy reduction. Embryo reduction is done by passing a needle through the mother's tummy under local anesthesia and injecting a medicine called potassium chloride into the fetus to be reduced. It is done under continuous ultrasound guidance. Later on, the fetal material is reabsorbed into the woman's body. The average time required for embryo reduction is 10 to 15 minutes.

Fetal reduction by interstitial laser therapy is an effective procedure. Prenatal ultrasound studies now enable the early detection of fetal anomalies and reduce abnormal fetuses in multi-fetal pregnancies. Fetal laser therapy was first used in complicated monochorionic pregnancies. Fetal reduction for purely social and financial reasons is not allowed. However, the fetal reduction is legal when done for the right reasons. Complications include miscarriage, infection, leaking of amniotic fluid, etc,.but they are very rare and the procedure is contemplated only when benefits outweigh the results. Having a reduction would be better than facing extremely preterm labor and having to take care of the babies in the NICU for a prolonged period of time, both expense-wise and outcome-wise. The fetal medicine specialist/ the fetal doctor does the procedure under ultrasound guidance.

Technically speaking you don't need to get admitted but we generally advise you to stay in the hospital overnight so that we can check on you for at least 12 hours for the recurrence of complications.