Conjoined twins

Caz · 26-12-2008, 23:38

Very sad news that the second of the conjoined twins has died. Although pretty much expected as she was very poorly.

Wondering what others would have done if informed of the situation at 12 weeks into the pregnancy as they were.

My own view is I would have terminated. Wouldn't want to take the risk of weeks of suffering for those babies. I know occasionally they survive, depending on how the are conjoined, but nevertheless...

cashman · 26-12-2008, 23:58

very difficult choice caz, think ones religious stance may possibly come into play, nevertheless i respect yer choice.

grego · 27-12-2008, 00:08

I think its easy to comment when its not actually happening to you, making decisions when you're pregnant is very hard because there is always what if?
Its very sad that they didn't survive, I felt at the time that the operation was very soon after the birth, in previous cases the surgeons had planned the op for weeks, in this case it was done within a week, though I know there were concerns about the weaker twin.
I dont think I couldv'e terminated but without all the facts and feelings that you have for your child when your carrying it, its hard for me to know what I'd do.

forceten · 27-12-2008, 00:16

I honestly don't know what I would have done.

You would always have had the "what if" and would the twins survive?

I don't think that I could have terminated, I would have had to have gone along with what fate decided.

I lost my first baby through a miscarriage, not by choice, and I always mourn that.

I think that things happen for a reason, and that we have to let fate take the way

kathleen_firth · 27-12-2008, 01:28

i agree with forceten.... although deep down you know there will be suffering on the babies either if they survive or not. but nature has to decide our fate.

and then there is always the occasional time that they do survive.

emzy · 27-12-2008, 10:47

I would have terminated if I knew that they were conjoined early on. Although do sympathise with the family who took this risk and did get to spend a little precious time with there two babies, I know that I wouldn't have been able to go through with it knowing all the risks that were involved and that the chance of them living was very slim anyway and plus the suffering that they would go through. Maybe it would be selfish of me to not give them the chance to survive but thats my view and opinion. I know that so many people would disagree with me on this one though.

derekgas · 27-12-2008, 11:02

In a situation like this, you would have to respect the mothers strength in her choice, either terminating or having the babies is a real toughie, this poor woman has had to endure two infant deaths very cllose together and that I would think, is very hard to deal with, and imo probably harder than termination. RIP little ones.

emamum · 27-12-2008, 11:55

I would have kept them and given them a chance, instead of live the rest of my life wondering what if.

Taggy · 27-12-2008, 12:09

These are almost impossible situations on which to make decisions arnt they. No matter which choice you make, you would always question later if you had made the correct one. It really is only the parents themselves who can decide. I'm sure in their case they made the right choice for themselves and the children. Its just up to everyone else to support parents as much as they can, when their chosen decision is made, every case will be different. Its just very very sad though.

Best Regards - Taggy