This procedure is done at about ten weeks of pregnancy when the embryos are approximately 1.5 inches in length. The procedure is minimally invasive and poses little or no risk to the mother. In the majority of cases, the pregnancy can be successfully reduced to twins. These twins have a much better chance of doing well during the rest of the pregnancy than quadruplet or higher-grade pregnancies. However, there is a small risk of losing the entire pregnancy following the reduction procedure.
Gonadotropins are natural human hormones that can cause a powerful stimulation of the ovaries.
In addition, you may experience pelvic pressure or tenderness that is due to ovarian enlargement. Rarely, allergies to some of the minor components of the gonadotropin preparations may develop. In rare cases, you may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which consists of ovarian enlargement, high hormone levels, fluid imbalances, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation in your abdomen. Although this may cause some discomfort, your symptoms usually resolve completely and without the need for any special treatment. In very rare cases, patients may develop severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which may necessitate hospital admission.