Latest news with #JackAlexander
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Couple expecting identical twin girls face heartbreaking dilemma that could see them save one baby to lose the other
When Jack Alexander and his partner went for their early 16-week baby scan, they were delighted to discover they were expecting identical twin girls. But their happiness quickly turned to 'devastation' as they were told their babies were suffering from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) - a rare condition which sees one fetus starved of blood and fluid. The couple were soon faced with a heartbreaking dilemma: let one twin die to save the other - or undertake risky laser surgery for a chance at saving both. Determined to fight for both girls, the couple were referred to St George's Hospital in London for specialist treatment - a six-hour round trip from their home in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, which they could be required to make every week. Jack, who has been forced to launch a GoFundMe, told the Daily Mail: 'It's devastating knowing that it could be 50/50. I'm just trying to be positive for my partner as she is very lost at the moment. 'They said obviously if we don't have it done, there is a risk that we could lose one. 'But obviously it does carry risks to it as well.' Jack, a chef, explained 'Twin One' is currently one week behind 'Twin Two' in their development, with midwives unable to see her bladder. 'It was a big shocker for us. We went for our 12-week scan and we didn't know we were having twins, and [the midwife] said we've got identical twins in there,' he said. 'This made us emotional anyway, knowing this was a happy thing. We went for a private scan two days before our 16-week one, just for an early gender reveal, and she said Twin Two has got more fluid in their sack than Twin One. 'She said this could be a problem. 'We hung around, and two days later we went for our 16-week scan at Bournemouth hospital, and they said that they can't see the bladder of Twin One.' The couple, who have three children between them from previous relationships, said they are willing to take the risks that come with laser treatment for a fighting chance of saving both girls. However, this means leaving behind their children - aged six, 10 and 13, for weekly visits to London that will be costly due to travel and hotel stays. 'We have to travel up to London by car. Without traffic it's just over three hours. I think we'll have to do this every week near enough. They've classed her as high risk, so they're doing weekly checks all the time as well,' Jack said. 'We have to travel all the way up, and if she does have this laser treatment, she's going to have to stay up there for a few days, recover, and see how she is.' He added: 'You've got to be positive through this, otherwise you're going to put yourself down. It is heartbreaking, but I need to be strong for my Mrs as well.' The couple have launched a GoFundMe in a desperate bid to raise the funds they will need to travel to London. TTTS is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 per cent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins) This year, former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson revealed she had been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, meaning one or both babies could have died. She had to undergo an emergency procedure in March after suffering complications, and was advised to remain in hospital until she was at least 32 weeks into her pregnancy. In May, she confirmed both girls were safe and well - three days after giving birth prematurely. Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at St George's Hospital, University of London, recommended that families facing a similar situation to Jesy and her partner contact the charity, Twins Trust, for resources and support. She said: 'TTTS is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 per cent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins). 'If left untreated, you can lose one or both babies in up to 80% of the cases. Laser surgery is the recommended treatment. In 85 per cent of these pregnancies, at least one baby survives and in up to 70 per cent of cases both babies survive. 'The laser surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia and it usually lasts for less than 30 minutes. A fetoscope (thin camera) is inserted into the womb via a small incision. Abnormal vascular connections in the placenta are sealed using the laser. 'The laser surgery is not a risk-free procedure. It can trigger early birth or a miscarriage. The pregnancy still needs close monitoring. 'Parents could lose one or both babies. As this is a very stressful time for the family, the parents often need emotional support.' If you would like to help Jack and his partner, visit their GoFundMe. WHAT IS TWIN-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME? Twin-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can occur in identical pregnancies when twins share a placenta. Abnormal blood vessel connections form in the placenta and prevent blood from flowing evenly between the babies. One twin then becomes dehydrated, which affects its growth. The other develops high blood pressure and produces too much urine. This leads to an enlarged bladder and excessive amounts of amniotic fluid, which can put a strain on the twin's heart, leading to heart failure. Without treatment, TTTS can be fatal for both twins. The condition occurs in about around 15 per cent of identical twins who share a placenta, according to the charity Twins Trust. Around 300 twins die from the condition every year in the UK, while 6,000 babies are affected annually in the US. Draining excess amniotic fluid can help to improve blood flow. If this is not enough, laser surgery is used to seal shut abnormal blood vessels and permanently disconnect them. The surgeon then drains excess fluid. Even when treated successfully, most TTTS babies are born premature. However, the majority go on to have long, healthy lives.
Scotsman
11-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Honouring a little piece of Scotland in a not so foreign field
Contalmaison Cairn, France, honouring the 16th Royal Scots, McCrae's Battalion who died on July 1, 1916 Last week I bumped into Jack Alexander. Jack is the author of an extremely informative book about the First World War's McCrae's Battalion and is vice-chairman of the McCrae's Battalion Trust. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... He told me that he was in the throes of organising this year's visit to the commerative cairn in Contalmaison, France, which is undertaken every year and which, once again, is fully booked. He wrote yesterday to inform me that 'this year the first of July falls on a Tuesday and on that date, the tiny village of Contalmaison will be welcoming a host of bleary-eyed visitors from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia and Germany. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The focus of everyone's attention is a humble cairn, built from Elgin Sandstone by Scottish craftsmen and adorned with four handsome bronze plaques, designed in Edinburgh, sculpted in Kirkwall and cast in a foundry in Nairn. 'The cairn stands on a platform of Caithness slate, imported from Scotland just over 20 years ago with the rest of the materials. Truly a little piece of Scotland in a not so foreign field.' I was lucky to represent the city at the unveiling of the Cairn in 2004, which was attended by a crowd of over 1000 people, all to see the memorial to the 16th Royal Scots, first proposed in 1919 and finally completed more than 80 years later. Jack said that 'The 16th Royal Scots was McCrae's Battalion and was raised from volunteers in 1914 during the opening months of the Great War. Players and supporters from Hearts and Hibs joined the ranks, along with others from Raith Rovers, Falkirk and Dunfermline. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'McCrae's was the original 'Football Battalion' and was tragically destroyed in less than an hour on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. 'In spite of dreadful losses McCrae's penetrated further into the German trenches than any other unit, reaching the outskirts of Contalmaison before they were pushed back.' Since the unveiling of the cairn in 2004 the McCrae's Battalion Trust, based in Edinburgh, sends a full coach of 'pilgrims' out to France to the ceremony, which is held in the village every year on 1 July to remember those who fell. Jack reminded me that an agreement between Edinburgh and Contalmaison was forged 'which cemented the friendship of a city of 500,000 with a village of 100 souls. The people of Contalmaison are unfazed by that and care for the Cairn as if it commemorates their own sons.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I have always been impressed by the commitment and passion demonstrated by the McCrae's Battalion when managing these events, particularly when it comes down to 'engaging with the locals.' Jack writes on the Trust's website that 'The Battle of the Somme has become synonymous with slaughter. On the opening morning alone nearly 20,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers gave their lives. A further 40,000 were wounded. The first of July 1916 is often referred to as the blackest day in the history of the British Army.' The service lives long in the memory and a more moving ceremony I have yet to witness. Standing alongside supporters from other football clubs and villagers from the picturesque village of Contalmaison, as the sound of the piper's lament was carried by the breeze across the fields of France, was a truly emotional experience.
