In monochorionic pregnancies (where twins share a placenta), the blood supply is also shared. In approximately 15 in 100 monochorionic twin pregnancies, the blood flow may be unbalanced between the fetuses. This is called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). One baby receives too little blood (the donor twin) and the other baby too much (the recipient twin), affecting the blood pressures of both (RCOG, 2016). Because the donor twin has less
blood flow, this baby grows slower and is smaller. The baby becomes dehydrated and cannot produce adequate urine, thus the bladder is small or invisible and the amniotic fluid begins to decline. The recipient twin grows faster and tries to urinate the excess fluid due to their higher volume of blood; an enlarged bladder and too much amniotic fluid results. 

Severe TTTS can cause death in one or both twins, the condition is therefore closely monitored. Dependent on the severity of TTTS surgeons can use a laser to block the blood vessels that communicate between the two fetuses. The surgeon inserts a pencil-tip-sized fibre-optic scope in the mother’s uterus and examines the entire placenta to find the crossing blood vessels. Once these are all mapped, a tiny laser fibre is inserted and laser energy is used to stop the blood flow between the twins. Separating the twin blood flow is like functionally separating the placenta, allowing each twin to develop independently.

Hello! 

I’m a final year student midwife with a passion for midwifery and all things twins.

For as long as I can remember I have had an interest in pregnancy and once old enough to understand what twins were - twin gestations. To this day scientists do not understand why the fertilised egg splits in two, creating monozygotic (identical) twins. It’s one of life’s miracles but unfortunately comes with risks, one if which can be TTTS.

I am wishing to raise money and awareness for important
TTTS research that is to be conducted within the Twins Trust Centre for Research and Clinical Excellence at St George’s Hospital.

Twins Trust is a National charity and partnered with St George's in 2020 to launch the world-first Twins Trust centre for research, the aim of which is to help units across the country improve care and save babies' lives.

Twins Trust has organised a virtual 10K walk for August 8th 2021 which I plan to complete along with fellow student midwives.

I have never created a just-giving page before but I am passionate about this cause and would be very grateful for any support you ‘d like to offer.

Thank you in advance!

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