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Story #1: More than we bargained for<\/em><\/h3>\nCatherine showed Andrew the pregnancy test. There was a glow in her cheeks that showed only a fraction of the joy that was coursing through her. After being together for ten years, countless doctors appointments, various medications, and still being disappointed every month, Catherine and Andrew had finally decided to try IVF. The doctor had explained the process in a friendly but serious manner, going over the success rates.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will transfer three embryos into your uterus,\u201d he had explained. \u201cThat way we improve the likelihood that at least one will implant itself there.\u201d Catherine nodded, determined. She wanted a child.<\/p>\n
The joy Andrew felt was only surpassed by his relief. Relief that it had succeeded. Catherine\u2019s joy was all encompassing. Even that first day she began to speak to her child, despite knowing that the child couldn\u2019t hear yet. This child was going to complete their family, going to complete her life. Nothing could lessen her joy.<\/p>\n
The unabated joy, however, was sidelined by shock as Catherine lay on the table staring at the ultrasound screen. As she looked at her child, a mixture of emotions that she couldn\u2019t even begin to describe took hold of heart. It was not just her child that she saw, it was her children. Three children to be precise. Every single one of the embryos had successfully implanted in her uterus. She looked over at Andrew, but he just stared at the screen.<\/p>\n
When the doctor began to talk to them the shock had still not worn off. Catherine had wanted a child, but triplets? How could she possibly manage that?<\/p>\n
\u201cEach of the fetuses is healthy,\u201d the doctor explained. \u201cOf course, a multi-fetal pregnancy always comes with risks, for both you and the fetuses.\u201d He gestured at Catherine. \u201cWe should discuss your options.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOptions?\u201d asked Andrew.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. We can, of course, reduce the pregnancy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReduce the pregnancy?\u201d Andrew asked, uncomprehending.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, terminate one or two of the fetuses. You can also choose not to do so, in which case we will have to discuss how to monitor the pregnancy. With triplets come an increased risk of serious complications, including preterm labour and premature birth, which can have lasting consequences for the children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew suddenly understood what was being implied and he looked at Catherine. \u201cReducing the pregnancy makes sense to me,\u201d he said. \u201cWe aren\u2019t ready for three anyway. It might make sense to keep two \u2013 who knows if we will ever get pregnant again, but three is just too much. Don\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n
Catherine didn\u2019t respond right away. Shock still gripped her. She looked down at her stomach \u2013 not that there was anything to see there yet. But there would be soon. Triplets. Three babies. Inside her. And then she would have to give birth to them. And then she would have to care for them for the rest of her life. Fear was slowly replacing the shock.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we just reduce the pregnancy,\u201d Andrew was saying, repeating the phrase he had only just learned. \u201cWe could see if we can have a boy and a girl. A perfect little family of four.\u201d<\/p>\n
Twins I can do, she thought. \u201cYeah, a boy and a girl would be perfect. What a gift that we can get two children instead of the one we were hoping for. That would be perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew and Catherine went home to sleep on it, and decided to find out the sex of the babies she carried. Two girls and one boy. They talked, they cried, and then they agreed \u2013 a boy and a girl would be perfect. When they returned to the doctor, they were sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s reduce the pregnancy.\u201d<\/p>\n
And a girl lost her life because she was a girl.<\/p>\n
![\"sex](\"https:\/\/test.weneedalaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/sex-selection-300x169.png\")
<\/em><\/p>\nStory #2: Plenty of girls<\/em><\/h3>\nJanine was putting together the finishing touches on her middle daughter\u2019s costume. Just that morning, Annaliese had announced that she wanted to go trick-or-treating as an octopus. Despite searching every costume and thrift store in their small town, there was no octopus costume to be found. The look of disappointment on Annaliese\u2019s face grew as they went to store after store, finding a princess dress for Sarah and a Batgirl outfit for Ellie. \u201cWhat about a turtle?\u201d Janine had asked her 6-year-old. Annaliese hadn\u2019t said anything, but tears filled her eyes. Janine was not one to spoil her three girls, but her hearts strings were pulled. She loved her daughters dearly and wanted them to see the world for all the possibilities it had for women.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we can be resourceful.\u201d Janine said. \u201cLet\u2019s see if we can figure out how to make an octopus costume.\u201d Annaliese was enthralled and they spent the rest of the day looking up patterns and finding the material they needed. Janine was proud of her daughter. She had worked hard and carefully all day. All that was left for Janine to do after her daughters were in bed was the finishing touches.<\/p>\n
As she looked with satisfaction at the 8-legged costume, she heard the front door open as her husband Spencer arrived home from work. He was up for a promotion that kept him at the office longer these days. The costume was laid aside as another more serious topic took over her mind. Janine was unsure whether the wave of nausea she felt was the morning sickness or the dread of the conversation she intended to have.<\/p>\n
Spencer was pulling food out of the fridge when she walked into the kitchen. She sat at the island as he turned to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found out today that it\u2019s a girl,\u201d Janine said. Spencer didn\u2019t react right away, but Janine knew he must be feeling disappointment. He loved his daughters, she knew, but he had wanted a son. He had wanted someone to play catch with, to take fishing, and to carry on his name. Spencer would never have voiced this, but Janine knew. She knew, because she had wanted that to.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, a family of four girls,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Janine said. \u201cI was thinking about it. This isn\u2019t a great time to have another child anyway. With you up for the promotion and working so much, maybe it would work better to wait. Three children is already a lot \u2013 wouldn\u2019t it be better if we are going to have a fourth that we try again for a boy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spencer pondered this for a moment. \u201cIt\u2019s not too late?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can still have it done at the clinic,\u201d she responded. \u201cAnd we haven\u2019t told the girls yet so there won\u2019t be any questions from them. The only people who know are our parents and we can just say it was miscarriage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spencer nodded. \u201cOk. And when the timing\u2019s better, we can try again for a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
And a girl lost her life because she was a girl.<\/p>\n
![\"sex](\"https:\/\/test.weneedalaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/conversation-300x169.png\")
<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/p>\nStory #2: Plenty of girls<\/em><\/h3>\nJanine was putting together the finishing touches on her middle daughter\u2019s costume. Just that morning, Annaliese had announced that she wanted to go trick-or-treating as an octopus. Despite searching every costume and thrift store in their small town, there was no octopus costume to be found. The look of disappointment on Annaliese\u2019s face grew as they went to store after store, finding a princess dress for Sarah and a Batgirl outfit for Ellie. \u201cWhat about a turtle?\u201d Janine had asked her 6-year-old. Annaliese hadn\u2019t said anything, but tears filled her eyes. Janine was not one to spoil her three girls, but her hearts strings were pulled. She loved her daughters dearly and wanted them to see the world for all the possibilities it had for women.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we can be resourceful.\u201d Janine said. \u201cLet\u2019s see if we can figure out how to make an octopus costume.\u201d Annaliese was enthralled and they spent the rest of the day looking up patterns and finding the material they needed. Janine was proud of her daughter. She had worked hard and carefully all day. All that was left for Janine to do after her daughters were in bed was the finishing touches.<\/p>\n
As she looked with satisfaction at the 8-legged costume, she heard the front door open as her husband Spencer arrived home from work. He was up for a promotion that kept him at the office longer these days. The costume was laid aside as another more serious topic took over her mind. Janine was unsure whether the wave of nausea she felt was the morning sickness or the dread of the conversation she intended to have.<\/p>\n
Spencer was pulling food out of the fridge when she walked into the kitchen. She sat at the island as he turned to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found out today that it\u2019s a girl,\u201d Janine said. Spencer didn\u2019t react right away, but Janine knew he must be feeling disappointment. He loved his daughters, she knew, but he had wanted a son. He had wanted someone to play catch with, to take fishing, and to carry on his name. Spencer would never have voiced this, but Janine knew. She knew, because she had wanted that to.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, a family of four girls,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Janine said. \u201cI was thinking about it. This isn\u2019t a great time to have another child anyway. With you up for the promotion and working so much, maybe it would work better to wait. Three children is already a lot \u2013 wouldn\u2019t it be better if we are going to have a fourth that we try again for a boy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spencer pondered this for a moment. \u201cIt\u2019s not too late?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can still have it done at the clinic,\u201d she responded. \u201cAnd we haven\u2019t told the girls yet so there won\u2019t be any questions from them. The only people who know are our parents and we can just say it was miscarriage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spencer nodded. \u201cOk. And when the timing\u2019s better, we can try again for a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
And a girl lost her life because she was a girl.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n