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infoxicatinglady Have I mentioned my sister worries me sometimes?
She's pregnant. With twins. Identical twin girls, in fact. *cue evil laugh, and murmurs of "God officially has a great sense of humour!"*
Thing is, not only are the monozygotic (identical) but they're also monochorionic (they share a placenta).
Because she's had (several) miscarriages before, she's on 2 weekly ultrasounds. Yesterdays brought about a shock for all of us.
It turns out the girls have Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome, which means that one is getting more blood than the other. Effectively, one is robbing the other of potential to grow properly.
Ironically, it is normally that polycyclaemic (that is, recipient twin) who normally ends up dying if a death (pre or neo natal) occurs.
The anaemic twin (that is, the donor) has an increased risk of all kinds of problems, though. Kidneys, liver, spleen, heart.
I've also read increase in cerebral palsy for both, as well as heart problems (weak hearts - even if there is no actual defect detected), and circulatory problems (gangrenous limbs within the first 3 weeks of life are not normal for most babies, but have been reported with an alarming frequency for TTTS twins).
So, I'm doing what any good sister would do. I'm hoping, and praying to any and all Gods out there, and I could really use some help, please.
Bast (as she often gets called online) may end up in hospital very soon, mostly for monitoring, since they will not do the laser cauterising until 24 weeks (which is next week anyways), and after that there is a huge risk of spontaneous labour. (heh. any playing around with the uterus seems to increase the risk of spontaneous labour) I'll let you know where she ends up - She's in Brisbane, so any of my friends on here that can get to her to give her a hug for me would be appreciated.
x-posted LJ and Dreamwidth
She's pregnant. With twins. Identical twin girls, in fact. *cue evil laugh, and murmurs of "God officially has a great sense of humour!"*
Thing is, not only are the monozygotic (identical) but they're also monochorionic (they share a placenta).
Because she's had (several) miscarriages before, she's on 2 weekly ultrasounds. Yesterdays brought about a shock for all of us.
It turns out the girls have Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome, which means that one is getting more blood than the other. Effectively, one is robbing the other of potential to grow properly.
Ironically, it is normally that polycyclaemic (that is, recipient twin) who normally ends up dying if a death (pre or neo natal) occurs.
The anaemic twin (that is, the donor) has an increased risk of all kinds of problems, though. Kidneys, liver, spleen, heart.
I've also read increase in cerebral palsy for both, as well as heart problems (weak hearts - even if there is no actual defect detected), and circulatory problems (gangrenous limbs within the first 3 weeks of life are not normal for most babies, but have been reported with an alarming frequency for TTTS twins).
So, I'm doing what any good sister would do. I'm hoping, and praying to any and all Gods out there, and I could really use some help, please.
Bast (as she often gets called online) may end up in hospital very soon, mostly for monitoring, since they will not do the laser cauterising until 24 weeks (which is next week anyways), and after that there is a huge risk of spontaneous labour. (heh. any playing around with the uterus seems to increase the risk of spontaneous labour) I'll let you know where she ends up - She's in Brisbane, so any of my friends on here that can get to her to give her a hug for me would be appreciated.
x-posted LJ and Dreamwidth
