Jacob & Riley by Mark & Lynne - Australia

TTTS Parent Stories: Jacob & Riley

In August 2001 my wife Lynne who was 8 weeks pregnant found out that we were having twins. I can certainly recall the overwhelming and emotional high on finding out. We had talked about what it would be like to have twins before our first son Conner was conceived. However, we really had not thought about it much after that.

I of course read all I could about twins. The odds, the types, how special they would be, the risks.

By 12 weeks we knew all about Monoamniotic twins thanks to Monoamniotic.org. We immediately were aware of all the issues. Lynne faced everything with an extremely positive attitude. I read all I could about TTTS & cord compression. I read all about the joy and the losses.

At 19 weeks no matter how hard they searched a single placenta with no separating membrane confirmed the Monochorionic/Monoamniotic twin pregnancy.

Lynne’s focus was only about being positive. It showed throughout the whole pregnancy. Lynne’s health was very good. Her blood pressure remained constant at 120/60 & was having the perfect pregnancy. Well, except for the throwing up bit.

Jacob & Riley were having a good time of it as well. Throughout all the ultra sounds all measurements were very close, Amniotic fliud levels & bloodflows checked out okay but careful examination failed to find any evidence of that thin membrane we hoped was there.

We did have a scare at 29 weeks where at a regular check up one of the boys moved such that the heart pulse did show some erratic behaviour but we were eventually given the all clear.

We soon moved to having a ultrasound every fortnight with heart monitor every second day as a precaution. I read with growing concern some readings on the debate on removal at 32 to 34 weeks. I was certainly getting nervous.

On 14 February 2002 our little babies came silently into this world.

Lynne went for her check up in the morning & only one faint heart beat could be found. An emergency C section had to be performed. Lynne went off bravely knowing that one was lost but hopeful for at least one little gift.

I was alone in the room, the door opened. Seeing the nurse with both our boys together not a word needed to be spoken.

An acute TTTS had taken my little boys at 33 weeks without a single sign and Lynne did NOTgo into labour had a good night sleep & no discomfort at all. The attached photo shows Jacob being the darker of the two.

The measurements were

Weight Length Head circumference

Jacob 1895 41 31.5

Riley 1810 39.5 31.0

The placenta autopsy contained observations including a slight thinning of 1 cord but no cord compressions was present. Entanglement existed but free movement existed along the cord with no knotting. The placenta was healthy with no disease or inflammation with both umbilical cords having 3 vessels.

Driven by a depth of emotion that there is probably no word in the English language to describe - we held our babies. We washed them, clothed them, photographed them loved them. For days we held them dear.

Upon coming home from hospital this tragedy moved to a more immediate level. Lynne became convinced that the babies were coming back & that it was all a big mistake. A severe 8 week case of post partum psychosis saw Lynne forget my name, her life, her son. Coming back as a family has taken time, before we are allowed to try for a new family, even longer.

An anniversary, has gone bye.

We are free conceive and do so in the first month. Lynne & I talked about what it would be like to be given the opportunity to have twins again. The joy, the compounded risks & heartache.

The Obstetrician confirmed a baby & I saw its little heart chamber pumping away we looked for & have found a second.

In 2 days time we will know for its twins for sure and what our issues will be.

While I do feel that given the circumstances we did all we could the first time the lingering doubt that we should have had daily monitoring does weigh deeply on me.

I have wanted to write this for so long.