Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome explained, as Jesy Nelson opens up about pregnancy
Jesy Nelson and boyfriend Zion Foster have opened up about the "complications that come with having identical twins" in a heartfelt Instagram posting, revealing that there is a risk that one or both of her babies could die.
"Normally, most twins will have two placentas that they feed off," the former Little Mix star explained. "But when you have mono-di twins, that means your twins live off one placenta which can lead to lots of complications."
She then added: "I am currently pre-stage TTTS, which is twin-to-twin transfusion, and I am being monitored very closely and I have to go and be scanned twice a week.
"The current situation is that every time I've gone it has got a little bit worse but we are just hoping and praying for the best."
As Nelson touched on in her video, pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare pregnancy condition which affects identical twins or other multiples.
It occurs when both twins share one placenta – and therefore, have one source of blood, oxygen and nutrients, essential for development within the womb. These types of pregnancies may also be referred to as monochorionic.
When the blood vessels are not evenly dispensed for both babies, then, it can cause an imbalance where one twin is getting more than the other, and one or both of them run the risk of malnourishment and even organ failure.
Likewise, if one twin is receiving too much blood, they may be susceptible to heart complications.
According to the Colorado Children's Hospital, approximately 1 in every 250 pregnancies are identical or monochorionic and approximately 2 out of 3 of these pregnancies are monochorionic-diamniotic. Of these pregnancies, 10%-15% develop TTTS.
Roughly one-third of all twins will be identical and two-third non-identical, per the NHS.
More than 60% of twin are born prematurely, before the 37-week mark, meaning their organs and bodies have not fully matured.
When there are multiples involved, there is a higher risk of premature birth, meaning they may be very small when delivered, and they may need help breathing, eating and fighting infection when they are born. Many multiple birth babies are placed in neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
Women carrying multiples are more than twice as likely to develop high blood pressure in pregnancy. It can also lead to early detachment of the placenta.
Although lots of pregnant women suffer with anemia, those carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience it than those carrying singles.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are about twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities.
This is especially likely when twins share a placenta.
Heavy bleeding after birth affects about 1 to 5 in 100 women who have a baby, but those carrying multiples are at greater risk of this happening.
Read more about pregnancy
These are your working rights during pregnancy and maternity leave (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
I was 'clinically dead' when I gave birth to my daughter (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Having been alone in hospital with twins, I know neonatal care leave is key (Yahoo Life UK 9-min read)
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