When is TTTS most likely to happen?

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome typically develops between weeks 16 and 26 of a woman's pregnancy. But an ultrasound as early as 10 to 14 weeks can put doctors on alert that there is a twin gestation, and if they are sharing a placenta. TTTS is diagnosed by measuring levels of amniotic fluid.

How late can TTTS be detected?

It can occur as late as during delivery. If detected promptly and at a sufficiently late gestational age, these twins may have a greater chance of surviving, if delivered in a timely fashion.

Can TTTS develop after 26 weeks?

If severe TTTS develops or worsens after 26 weeks of gestation, when the babies can survive outside the womb, it is usually preferable to deliver early. Once they are born, the syndrome is automatically halted (since the twins are no longer connected), but the effects of the syndrome may not disappear right away.

How quickly does TTTS progress?

Results: Among 132 consecutive cases of TTTS, 46 women presented with Stage I disease. In the majority (69.6%), disease remained stable (28.3%) or regressed (41.3%). Of cases that progressed, 79% did so within 2 weeks and 93% progressed to at least Stage III.

How do you avoid twin-to-twin transfusion?

Laser treatment: The best option we have

You are basically separating the babies' blood flows from each other. According to Rand, with early detection and the laser ablation, there is a 65 percent chance of having two surviving babies and an 85 percent chance that one of the twins survives.

Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) - Delivery

How common is twin to twin transfusion?

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare complication of pregnancy that develops in 10-15% of twins when the babies share the same placenta (monochorionic).

Does bed rest help TTTS?

Not all moms with TTTS are prescribed bed rest, but for those that are, bed rest means reducing their activity levels.

Can TTTS stay at Stage 1?

Among 132 consecutive cases of TTTS, 46 women presented with Stage I disease. In the majority (69.6%), disease remained stable (28.3%) or regressed (41.3%).

What causes twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome?

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare pregnancy condition affecting identical twins or other multiples. TTTS occurs in pregnancies where twins share one placenta (afterbirth) and a network of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients essential for development in the womb.

Is twin-to-twin transfusion hereditary?

The common placenta may also be shared unequally by the twins. The events in pregnancy that lead to TTTS are all random. TTTS is not hereditary or genetic, nor caused by anything the parents did or did not do.

Can both babies survive TTTS?

In almost 90 percent of those pregnancies, at least one baby will survive and be healthy after leaving the hospital NICU. Having both twins survive advanced TTTS remains a challenge, however. Across all medical centers in the United States, about half of pregnancies treated for TTTS end with two healthy babies.

What happens when one twin dies in the second trimester?

If the twin dies in the second or third trimester, there are increased risks to the surviving fetus, including a higher rate of cerebral palsy. When a twin dies after the embryonic period of gestation, the water within the twin's tissues, the amniotic fluid, and the placental tissue may be reabsorbed.

What is a daisy baby?

All babies affected by TTTS, including TAPS, SIUGR and TRAP are called Daisy Babies.

What are the stages of TTS?

Can one twin develop slower than the other?

Multiples do tend to be born smaller than single babies. But it's not because their growth rate is necessarily slower — in fact, for twins, it's about the same as any other baby's until about weeks 30 to 32, when they do slow down a tad, since they're competing more for nutrients.

What is the difference between TTTS and TAPS?

TTTS and TAPS are both chronic forms of feto-fetal transfusion. TTTS is characterized by the twin oligo-polyhydramnios sequence (TOPS), whereas TAPS is characterized by large inter-twin hemoglobin differences in the absence of amniotic fluid discordances.

Are all twin pregnancies considered high risk?

Being pregnant with multiples doesn't necessarily mean that your pregnancy will be problematic. However, women carrying multiples do have a higher chance of developing complications such as high blood pressure and preterm labor. For this reason, all multiple pregnancies are considered high-risk.

Can fraternal twins have TTTS?

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome is also referred to as chronic inter-twin transfusion syndrome. TTTS occurs about 15 % of the time among identical twins. Fraternal twins are not at risk for this syndrome because they do not share a placenta.

What do you say when one twin dies at birth?

simplest expression of sorrow is best, plus appreciation of the surviving baby as you do not want to detract from that. A donation to a neonatal charity would be appreciated I am sure and a present for the baby. It would be so sad if the joy at his/her birth were always to be overshadowed by the loss of the twin.

What is considered a rainbow baby?

A rainbow baby is a baby that you have after the loss of a child. They act as a symbol of renewal and hope. The rainbow stands as a symbol of excitement. Sunshine babies are kids born before a loss. They can bring light and happiness during your dark moments as a mother.

Can you miscarry an identical twin?

Miscarriage of a twin in the womb

Miscarriage in early pregnancy is very common, and sadly, the risk is slightly higher with twin pregnancies. With an identical twin pregnancy, where each baby shares the placenta or sac, there is a further increase of risk.

How does the death of a twin affect the other twin?

Twins literally do not know how to exist as one. When a twin dies, the twinless twin longs to reconnect. The twinless twin may have phantom pain or feel half dead. He or she may feel a need to represent both him or herself and the deceased twin or may even take on behaviors of the deceased twin.

What is twin bereavement?

Given the intense nature of twin and multiple bonds, the death of a twin or multiple, whether at birth or later, is an incomparable loss. Surviving multiples talk about the never-ending – and impossible – search for someone close enough to replace the missing sibling.

What is a sunrise baby?

sunrise baby: the surviving twin of a baby who dies in the womb.

Can you miscarry twins at 12 weeks?

A vanishing twin can also occur before a person's first ultrasound appointment, which typically happens at 12 weeks unless the pregnancy is considered high-risk. That means that in many cases of vanishing twin, parents and doctors never know.