TTTS is a placenta-sharing disease that affects 10-15% of identical twins in utero. It can cause severe damage and/or death to one or both of the babies. With proper diagnosis, there are options that can be put in motion that may dramatically improve the prognosis and future of your precious twins. With treatment, both babies often thrive and go on to live healthy, normal lives. Other times, only one baby survives longterm, with varying possible complications and conditions. In some cases, even surgery cannot save either of the babies.
There are no guarantees even with intervention/surgery, but a proper diagnosis will certainly improve your odds. The fact that Crew was saved in the nick of time without a proper diagnosis is nothing short of a miracle. When one of the babies pass away in a shared placenta situation, catastrophic medical events follow that the surviving baby cannot overcome. He would have been gone just a few minutes later, as evidenced by the fact that he was born without a heartbeat. It still humbles me to realize how close we were to losing him too.
If you discover that you are pregnant with twins, it is crucial that you determine whether the babies share a placenta. It is difficult sometimes to tell the difference between one placenta and two placentas that have merged together to look like one placenta. If they share a placenta or if there is any question about it whatsoever, you should see a perinatologist to be monitored closely for changes and to determine your options.
TTTS is a ballgame changer and is not to be trifled with.
For more information, please visit http://www.worldtttsawarenessday.org/
And a warm shout-out to my beloved fellow TTTS mommies. You know who you are and how much you mean to me.
"WORLD TTTS AWARENESS DAY is an international mobilization effort created by The Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation to increase awareness of the #1 problem facing multiples. It is crucial for women to get an ultrasound in the first trimester to identify multiples and then to determine whether there is one placenta or two. Women must learn the warning signs of TTTS, the 15 questions to ask at each ultrasound, and the available treatment options. World TTTS Awareness Day is about empowering parents and is filled with messages of Hope, Help and Encouragement. Your babies can make it and be healthy. Don't ever give up. Please, Get Educated, Get Ultrasounds, Ask Questions, Get Treatment and Get Involved! This day is also a remembrance day for all the babies who have had TTTS. Candles will be lit tonight across the world during the vigil and messages may also be left for your babies through lighting online candles."
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