Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Day 5
As a way to educate people on Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, I have joined a challenge on Facebook put together by the TTTS Foundation. Each day in the month of December, we will be sharing a fact about TTTS. Today, on December 5th, me and my boys are sharing Fact #5.
The Facts
Before I share my fact, let me share the first 4 facts from the first 4 days of TTTS Awareness month with you directly from The TTTS Foundation.
- December is International TTTS Awareness Month. Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a disease of the placenta that affects identical twin pregnancies (or higher gestations) who share a placenta (monochorionic). The shared placenta contains abnormal blood vessels which connects the umbilical cord and circulations of the twins. The events in pregnancy that lead to TTTS are all random. TTTS is not hereditary. TTTS has also been reported in dichorionic twins, two placentas, however, this is felt to be extremely rare.
- The later the embryo splits, the more likely complications, like TTTS, will occur. Soon after the embryo splits after conception, usually between 4-8 days, the umbilical cords randomly attach to the placenta and the shared blood vessels in the placenta form in such a way that it is predetermined that TTTS will progress at some gestational week. No one knows why an embryo splits, so they do not know why TTTS happens. The later in days after conception that the embryo splits, the more complications that can happen.
- The placenta is the only biological structure that can cause the death or injury to more than one person at the same time. TTTS can occur at any time during a pregnancy, even when the mother is in labor at full-term. The placental abnormalities determine when and to what degree a transfusion occurs between the twins.
- Unequal Placental share can magnify the effects of TTTS. TTTS is caused by an unequal flow in shared blood vessels, but the pregnancy may also be further complicated from the babies having an unequal share of the placenta, which is something different. Placental share is determined by ‘independent’ blood vessels to each baby’s cord. Unequal placental share contributes to a size difference between the babies, and may force an earlier delivery if the baby stops growing, and may contribute to the baby’s passing after laser surgery as the shared vessels are cauterized and the baby may not have enough placental share to continue growing.
Day 5
Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome is not caused by the Parents or the Babies.
Please watch and share this post or the video on YouTube. It will also be on my Facebook page.
Ps. This was about take number 20.
Pps. This was also after a day with no naps, and before dinner.
Ppps. Thank you so much for watching and for your support!
Thank you again for watching, and thank you for helping me spread awareness about Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below, and you can always visit the TTTS Foundation right HERE.
I had pretty much no idea about this until I read your post. Thank you so much for educating me, I’m definitely going to read more about this.
This is incredible! 25 weeks is sooo early!! You’re effort in creating awareness has defintely enlightened me!
Thank you so much!
I had never even heard of this so thank you for getting the word out about it!
Thank you for sharing these facts! TTTS is not something I had heard of before, so it’s great to learn more about it. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Thank you for being open & honest about your journey with your twins. Parenting is tough and the more people know about this the better it is for you & the kids.
Thank you!
I have a lot of trouble finding an opportunity to watch videos 🙁 I love what you are doing to raise awareness! I will continue to follow along!
Thank you! ps. It’s only about 2 minutes 🙂
So informative! Your boys are so adorable! I enjoy their stories
Thank you for sharing and allowing people like me to become aware of what TTTS is! Also, your boys are adorable:)
Thank you for reading!
I had no idea bout this! Definitely interesting. I’m not quite at this stage in my life, but it’s good to be aware! Thanks 🙂
Thank you for reading! Every person I can reach makes an impact!
Never heard of TTS up until now. Thank you for the post and the video! 🙂
Thank you for reading and watching!
This is a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing.
You are such an amazing and inspirational woman. The patience and care that you give your children is beautiful. Whats more amazing is how you share that care with the world. Thank you for educating us on this topic. Ill be sharing this post to help you spread the message 😉
Thank you so much Sacha. I appreciate your comments so much, and I also appreciate your help in spreading awareness. Thank you.
I had never heard of TTTS either! Thank you for being so open, honest and informative!
Your blog looks fantastic! 🙂 Love the changes.