Termination of pregnancy after conception with donor oocytes and donor spermatozoa: case report

Two couples, each suffering from longstanding primary subfertility due to severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in the male partner and perimenopause in the female, were referred to Bourn Hall Clinic for assisted conception treatment. Both couples received independent counselling prior to being accepted onto our programme. Both women conceived following embryo transfer. The embryos were created from (separate) donor oocytes and donor spermatozoa, and three and two embryos were transferred respectively. The first recipient conceived a triplet pregnancy, while the second conceived a twin pregnancy. Both felt unable to cope with their multiple pregnancies and declined further counselling. Both were offered elective fetal reduction; however, both declined and both decided to terminate their pregnancies. Both patients underwent termination of pregnancy, despite being advised against it. The reasons couples may opt for termination of their much-wanted pregnancies, after a protracted period of infertility, intensive and expensive infertility treatment and despite the counselling they receive before, during and after their treatment, are discussed.