Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) - Triplets Claiya, Elyse and Lily
When my husband and I found out we were expecting triplets, to say we were shocked would be an
understatement. This was our tenth fertility cycle with ovulation stimulation and we were resigned
to the fact that we could not get pregnant again. When getting pregnant is so complicated, you
hope for an uncomplicated pregnancy. A triplet pregnancy did not sound uncomplicated. Because
we were doing fertility treatments, we had the benefit of finding out about our multiple pregnancy
very early on. We were only 7+3 weeks when we knew there were three, and only 9 weeks when
we knew that two were identical twins and were monochorionic diamniotic.
We waited until we were 12 weeks along to tell our older
daughter that she would be a big sister finally - and to
three. She was so surprised. Telling her made it so much
more real for us. It now felt like it was really happening
and we felt ready.
The doctors had always been very thorough and
explained the risks and complications of a triplet
pregnancy, including Twin to Twin Transfusion
Syndrome. But we never imagined we would have to
deal with it. Unfortunately we were wrong. Our 12+5
week ultrasound showed a mild discrepancy in some of
the fetal Doppler ultrasounds. We were closely followed
to monitor for any changes as TTTS can progress rapidly.
Our 13+6 week ultrasound showed baby B (recipient)
had polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) and baby C
(donor) had severe oligohydramnios (not enough fluid),
no visible bladder and abnormal Dopplers. Our Maternal
Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist spoke with Dr. Ryan at
Mount Sinai Toronto and arranged for us to meet with
him the next day. We were diagnosed stage 2 TTTS.
It was very early, we were only 14 weeks along, and it
was decided to monitor rather than intervene. The next
few weeks we made frequent trips to see Dr. Ryan, and
were also monitored at our local hospital. The twins’
fluid levels began to even out and our situation seemed
stable. We went to just monitoring locally.
We were caught off guard when our ultrasound at 20+5 weeks showed baby B had polyhydramnios,
large bladder, abnormal Dopplers and decreased cardiac function. Baby C showed signs of
oligohydramnios and no visible bladder. We were sent to Sick Kids for a fetal echocardiogram
Multiple Births Canada |
2015 National Multiple Births Awareness Day
which showed baby B had very poor heart function but no hydrops. We were diagnosed stage 3R
TTTS and were scheduled for laser surgery with Dr. Ryan the next day (20+6 weeks).
It was December 12th, so close to Christmas to be away
from family and home. We left the hospital after surgery
and tried to enjoy the holiday season, all the while
nervous but hopeful everything would be okay. And we
are so thankful it was. In the time between laser surgery
and delivery, baby B's echo (heart function) returned to
normal. Our doctor in London decided to deliver at 31+6
weeks when baby C began to drop off her growth curve. I
gave birth to three healthy baby girls, our littlest weighing
3 pounds, and two each weighing 3 pounds 7 ounces.
We will be forever grateful for Dr. Ryan and his amazing
team at Mount Sinai in Toronto and, of course, our own
local MFM Dr. Lopes and his team at Children's Hospital,
London Health Sciences Centre.
Paul, Cyndy, big sister Ella,
and triplets Claiya, Elyse and Lily.
For more information, please read MBC’s Fact Sheet about Twin
to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS).
Multiple Births Canada celebrates National Multiple Births
Awareness Day (NMBAD) on May 28th. This year's theme is:
"Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) - Early diagnosis
can save lives." See how you can get involved: click here.
If you are expecting twins or higher order multiples and are at
risk for TTTS, you might like to join MBC’s Preterm Birth
Support Network to connect with other families who have had
similar experiences.
Make a Donation - Help MBC to create resources and support
families expecting and caring for twins, triplets and more.
www.multiplebirthscanada.org
Multiple Births Canada |
2015 National Multiple Births Awareness Day