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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

TTTS - Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome

6 replies

Meritahti · 25/10/2022 19:03

Hi all,

I've read a few threads on here about people dealing with TTTS but I couldn't find one that matched my experience more similarly:

Basically, I am currently pregnant with identical twins but was diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) exactly two weeks ago today, when I was 22 weeks pregnant. The good news is they caught the syndrome relatively early, but still at what they considered an early stage of the pregnancy, so not ideal and intervention of some sort was needed.

I was advised that laser ablation surgery was the best option and had it the very next day. Scans both the morning after and 5 days after the procedure showed that the twins were coping well with it, and that it had improved blood flow to both twins so early assumptions were it was going well.

Fast forward to today, I'm now 24 weeks but another scan to check progress today has shown that unfortunately it looks like the syndrome hasn't been fixed. There's good signs - both babies are active and have a good blood flow. The smaller, donor twin continues to have fluid in the bladder. However, fluid has risen again around the bigger twin to an almost dangerous level, and no fluid gains are present around the smaller twin yet, meaning that almost definitely the syndrome is still active and hasn't been sorted, so to speak.

I'm going to be monitored over the next few days, but the doctor feels another round of surgery is going to be required, as most likely scenario is that some blood vessels were missed during the last procedure, despite their best efforts. I'll likely get the surgery again later this week unless some sort of miracle happens.

It's all very terrifying and quite frankly I'm not sure I can cope with another round of surgery and the continued uncertainty, it's exceptionally difficult and I feel sick to my stomach with worry. The care I've had and support from my partner and family has been out of this world, which I'm so grateful for but I'm also beyond scared and unsettled at this point.

Has anyone here had experience of TTTS with multiple surgeries? I know right now it seems it might be our best option (other options are to do nothing, which will almost definitely end badly, or to terminate the pregnancy) but I just can't see this ending well and my positive energy tank is essentially empty at this point...does anyone have any experience of this or heard anything? Any comments welcome and apologies for the long post!

OP posts:
Missikat13 · 25/10/2022 19:18

Hi, I didn't want to read and run and although I don't have experience of TTTS I do have experience of a micro preemie (born at 25 weeks). I know twins are different than a singleton (and especially identical ones) but just wanted to come and say that it's not completely hopeless even if you were to not do anything and the drs decided to deliver early to save the twins. 24 weeks is very early, but every week after that increases the odds significantly. I thought I was having my son at 23 weeks
, in the end he was born at 25 weeks 4 days and after a stay in neonatal for 10 weeks came home a month before he was due to be born, not on oxygen and weighing less than 4lb. He's now a (still tiny) almost 7 year old with no long term issues. There were various babies in the NICU at the same time as my son, including 25 week twins who also had good outcomes. It's obviously not a walk in the park, and risky for babies coming so early, but I just wanted to meet you know that babies can do OK being born at such early gestation.

Sending you strength to deal with the choices you have to make and hope your twins do really well. Lots of love.

Meritahti · 25/10/2022 20:50

Missikat13 · 25/10/2022 19:18

Hi, I didn't want to read and run and although I don't have experience of TTTS I do have experience of a micro preemie (born at 25 weeks). I know twins are different than a singleton (and especially identical ones) but just wanted to come and say that it's not completely hopeless even if you were to not do anything and the drs decided to deliver early to save the twins. 24 weeks is very early, but every week after that increases the odds significantly. I thought I was having my son at 23 weeks
, in the end he was born at 25 weeks 4 days and after a stay in neonatal for 10 weeks came home a month before he was due to be born, not on oxygen and weighing less than 4lb. He's now a (still tiny) almost 7 year old with no long term issues. There were various babies in the NICU at the same time as my son, including 25 week twins who also had good outcomes. It's obviously not a walk in the park, and risky for babies coming so early, but I just wanted to meet you know that babies can do OK being born at such early gestation.

Sending you strength to deal with the choices you have to make and hope your twins do really well. Lots of love.

Thank you so much for your response! That was very kind of you and I really appreciate your words of support and encouragement.

I think if I can make it to 26 weeks then I'll feel in a better situation...it's just going to be an immensely long fortnight.

Thanks again, and I'm so pleased your son pulled through :)

OP posts:
Missikat13 · 28/10/2022 09:41

How are things going today? I know how much every day at this point is critical. Have the drs said any more or have you made any decisions? Thinking of you x

Aliceinwonderland5 · 24/11/2022 13:02

Hi @Meritahti
I am also currently pregnant with mcda twins and have just been diagnosed with early ttts. I have an appointment with a specialist tomorrow so I dont really know much yet.
How did you get on?

Meritahti · 22/10/2023 15:22

@Missikat13 I'm so sorry but I missed this message at the time! Thank you much for getting in touch. Shortly before your message I had another round of surgery which was more successful and I'm pleased to say we eventually made it to 31+4 weeks 😊 We did discover a complication of the surgery at birth but otherwise all okay and a 7 week neonatal stay. They're now 10 months old (8 corrected) and doing well. Thanks again!🩷

OP posts:
Meritahti · 22/10/2023 15:26

@Aliceinwonderland5 Hi, sorry for delayed reply! Missed this at the time with everything going on!

I did have a second surgery but this time it was successful and we made it to 31 weeks. Girls are 10 months old now (8 corrected) and doing well. Hope you got on okay too? ❤️

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