TTTS Parent Stories: Glenys and Tegans
10 weeks pregnant and looking forward to my first visit at the Obstetricians. At the first consultation a routine ultra sound was attended and two heart beats were found. Initial shock turned to instant Delight as our family of three would become a family of five!
Two months passed uneventfully until the ultra sound attended at 18 weeks. At this visit we were told to expect problems due to a problem with the placenta...[twin to twin transfusion.] A condition I knew very little about.
Feeling apprehensive about my pregnancy I decided to finish work earlier than planned.
Due to the complications associated with my Twin To Twin Pregnancy I was referred to a high Risk Clinic at Monash Medical Centre. During our first visit at 24 weeks into the pregnancy we were told we could loose one baby, we could loose two babies and if we got to 28 weeks we had a 50/50 chance of bringing two babies home.
Over the next two weeks I was monitored extremely closely, given steroid injections for the babies lungs, and admitted for removal of excessive amniotic fluid.
While having an ultra sound at 26 weeks we were told that the babies were in trouble and needed to be delivered.
So at 26 weeks gestation our two special little girls were born. Twin 1:Glenys -625gms and Twin 2:Tegan-601gms.
I was lucky enough to be awake during the Caesarean thanks to a spinal anaesthetic. Our girls spent four hours at Monash Medical Centre being stabilized before being transferred to The Royal Children’s Hospital......... [transferred due to lack of ventilated beds.]
Unfortunately we were now in two separate hospitals. Tony was torn between his distressed post operative wife, two tiny Very sick daughters and a confused three year old son. Our families Roller Coaster Ride was well and truly in Progress!
Over the next four months our tiny daughters experienced many ups and downs! Tests and Procedures too many to list. Two weeks prior to their home coming they were transferred to a closer hospital for fatting up.
Glenys and Tegan are two very lucky girl’s who survived their early arrival and problems associated with Twin to Twin Transfusion by demonstrating a true fighting spirit! Support shown to us by family and friends helped us survive a very busy , stressful time in our lives.
While in hospital both Glenys and Tegan experienced different problems which had greatly different outcomes for both of them.
Glenys experienced problems with her blood and had a cerebral bleed, lost a kidney and lost both feet.
Tegan experienced problems with her eyes......[she is legally blind]. Tegan also experienced a brain injury while still in utero...most likely due to being the” stuck twin.”
At age four Glenys and Tegan are Globally Developmentally Delayed. Both girls make slow progress in all areas of development. Yet to Walk, Talk or eat Sandwiches. We are uncertain what the future holds for our two little earth Angels. However one thing I do know is that they have brought much love and happiness to the lives of many people. Through our daughters our lives have been enriched by the many kind, thoughtful, dedicated people that we have met. My wish for my daughters is that they will live happy, healthy, full lives surrounded by loving family and friends.
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