We were expecting twins!

We were absolutely delighted and instantly felt so privileged and special! However, at our 20 week scan we were referred to the Queen Elizabeth Fetal Medicine Unit in Glasgow as our identical twin girls looked to be suffering from severe complications. Doctor Janice Gibson confirmed our fears, our girls were suffering from Stage 2 Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. TTTS is a rare disorder, which can happen in identical twin pregnancies and simply put, is an unequal flow of blood between the twins across the shared placenta. One baby donates blood across the placenta to their twin, becoming dangerously anaemic and the recipient twin becomes so overloaded with blood, they are at risk of heart failure. It is a critical condition, which can be fatal for both babies.

 
Doctor Gibson explained that laser surgery would be our best option to try and correct the blood flow by closing some of the vessels the girls were sharing. But the procedure carried major risks, we could lose one or both girls. However, if left untreated, there was only a 10% chance both girls would survive and would very likely suffer brain damage. We wanted to help our girls in any way that we could so decided to go ahead with the laser surgery. Our case carried high complications so two days later, Doctor Gibson took us to Birmingham where she could perform the surgery with the support of a specialist team.

The laser surgery went well, closing some of the shared vessels through a small incision in my abdomen. 2 litres of fluid were drained from my womb, a dangerous side effect of the TTTS and we were told a scan would be performed just an hour later to tell us if there were still two heartbeats. This was the longest hour of our lives but we were over joyed when the scan showed that both girls had survived the procedure and had already began to make improvements. However, we were warned that the next few days and weeks would be critical. After a couple of days recovery, we headed home to Scotland, praying things would continue to improve. A week later during a check up, it became apparent that although the laser surgery had corrected some of the flow, it hadn’t solved the problem completely. Sophia, the donor twin, was in grave danger and required a blood transfusion. This was given directly into her stomach through my stomach with a fine needle. This procedure carried great risk for not only Sophia but also her sister, Eloise. But without it, Sophia would not survive. We had to try and help her.

Our aim was for the girls to make it to 28 weeks gestation when they could be delivered and their chances of survival would be higher. The blood transfusion brought some success and was repeated to try and build up Sophia’s blood supply. However, heartbreakingly, when I was 25 weeks pregnant, Sophia passed away. We were devastated. She had fought so hard and for so long. We felt like we were living in a nightmare, one that we still can't wake up from. We were grieving for Sophia while fighting hard for Eloise, who was still in danger and had to be scanned every 2-3 days.

I carried both girls until I was 34 weeks pregnant when after a check up, I was given an emergency C-Section due to a bleed in my womb. Eloise Hope Fraser was born at 6.46pm weighing 4lbs 7.5oz and her little sister, Sophia Faith Fraser was born sleeping shortly afterwards. 


Both girls were very poorly during the pregnancy, with the uneven blood flow endangering their lives and putting them at risk of severe long-term health problems or brain damage. We believe that Sophia knew how ill she was, and let go, giving her big sister a special gift, the gift of life. For that, we think she is a brave and amazing little girl who will always be an important part of our family. We cannot put into words how much we love her and her sister Eloise. Eloise is now thriving and making her little sister proud every day.

The care we received during our pregnancy from the Fetal Medicine Department was absolutely outstanding. Doctor Janice Gibson is the most dedicated and skilled medical professional we have ever met, she held our hands and cried with us, and gave us hope and sound advice. We can never repay her for what she did for our family. Doctor Gibson is the only person in Scotland trained to carry out the laser procedure and funding is needed to support ongoing training and families going through similar experiences. We hope to raise money for this ever important cause through 'The Sophia Fraser Foundation'. The money we raise will support Fetal Medicine through the Yorkhill Children’s Charity. Over the coming months we are going to fundraise in a variety of ways, with details being updated here regularly. We have already had friends and family who would also like to take on their own projects to raise money on behalf of the foundation. However, raising money is just one part of Sophia's legacy, just by reading our story, she has raised awareness about TTTS which we hope will help others, just as we know she would have wanted.

Carol and Alan Fraser
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