Miracle twins survive surgery in the womb to celebrate Christmas
Miracle baby twins who defied the odds to survive life-threatening surgery in the womb get ready to celebrate their first Christmas
- Poppy and Jessica Jennions were getting uneven supplies of blood in the womb
- Doctors performed surgery at 18 weeks old to prevent them from dying
- Despite being born ten weeks premature, they are now finally able to go home
View
comments
Twin baby girls are getting ready to celebrate their first Christmas after surviving a life-threatening operation when they were still in the womb.
Lauren Jennions, 25, was 18 weeks pregnant with her husband, Phillip Jennions, 26, when they were told their babies were suffering with a rare condition, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
The twins, Poppy and Jessica, were at risk of cardiac arrest before they were even born, as they received uneven supplies of blood, putting pressure on their hearts.
Mr and Mrs Jennions, of Havant, Portsmouth, had to wait an excruciating week before finding out if their babies had survived surgery to fix the abnormal blood vessels in the twins.
Miraculously, they had, and despite being born ten weeks prematurely, are about to celebrate their first Christmas.
Twin baby girls, Poppy (left) and Jessica (right) are to celebrate their first Christmas after surviving an operation when they were still in the womb
Mother Lauren Jennions, 25, was 18 weeks pregnant with her partner, Phillip Jennions, 26, when she was told her babies were suffering with a rare condition that threatened their lives
The babies had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, which mean that Jessica was receiving a larger share of the blood supply and nutrients, while Poppy was being starved of blood
Mrs Jennions, a nursery worker, said: ‘There were so many times Philip and I thought we’d lose our daughters.
‘This is the dream family Christmas we feared we might not see.’
The married couple were delighted when, at their first scan, they discovered they were having identical twins.
-
Consistent bedtime could prevent weight gain: Kids who go to… 
Five ways pregnant women can reduce the risk of stillbirth,… 
Who will survive the final season of Game of Thrones?… 
Man, 51, is nailed to the ground after being impaled by a…
Share this article
But, at an 18 week scan, they were given the news their babies were suffering with twin-to-twin syndrome (TTS).
Around 300 twins die from TTS every year in the UK, and 6,000 babies are affected annually in the US.
Mrs Jennions said: ‘I’d never heard of this syndrome. But I was worried when at an 18 week scan I was told there was a slight difference in the amniotic sacs and I would be monitored for it.
‘Four days later I knew it was serious when my tummy suddenly grew and I put on two kilos overnight.’
Mrs Jennions was urgently referred to London’s St George’s Hospital where doctors said they needed to operate immediately to break shared blood vessels.
Jessica was receiving a larger share of the blood supply and nutrients, while Poppy was being starved of blood. Both had a strain on their hearts due to the unbalance.
Mrs Jennions said: ‘Devastatingly, surgery could kill them. But without it both babies would die.
Mr and Mrs Jennions had never heard of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Four days after the discovery, the condition became serious when Mrs Jennions put on two kilos overnight
Mr and Mrs Jennions’ babies survived the delicate laser surgery. However, they were born ten weeks prematurely and needed support breathing
‘Poppy had no visible bladder and barely any fluid around her whereas Jessica had too much fluid causing her heartbeat to overwork.’
Doctors conducted delicate laser surgery to seal off the defective blood vessels, which involved inserting a camera and laser directly into her uterus.
‘At one point the camera went through Jessica’s sac to drain the fluid and she lifted a tiny hand in a wave’, Mrs Jennions said. ‘Poignantly it made me realise how bonded I was to them.’
The next 16 hours were crucial, as during this time the mother could miscarry.
Shockingly, the parents would have to wait a whole week to find out – because that was when the next scan was available.
Mrs Jennions said: ‘The first 16 hours were critical as there is a high risk of losing both or one of the twins during this time.
‘But then we had to endure a week’s wait to see if the operation had worked. It was a terrible time.’
Thankfully, the scan a week later showed the girls were thriving. To the relief of their parents, the delicate and risky laser surgery saved both babies’ lives.
The couple looked forward to enjoying the rest of the pregnancy, unaware of what was to come next.
Mrs Jennions said: ‘At 29 weeks and six days weeks I was having a meal to celebrate going on maternity leave when my waters broke in the restaurant.’
Mr Jennions, a factory worker, rushed his wife to hospital where she was expected to give birth to her baby girls ten weeks prematurely.
An hour after arriving at hospital, she gave birth to Poppy, weighing 2Ib 13oz. Four minutes later Jessica, 3lb 1oz, arrived.
Mr and Mrs Jennions were able to take their twin girls to their home in Portsmouth after seven weeks, but ‘needed to carry portable oxygen tanks for a while’
‘They are the best Christmas presents’, Mrs Jennions said. The family will spend their first Christmas together, which will fall on the girls’ four-month birthday
The girls were immediately taken to specialist neonatal units at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
‘I only saw the tops of their hats as they were wheeled out,’ Mrs Jennions said.
‘It was five hours before we saw them properly and a week before we could hold them.’
The girls battled to breathe on the own for the next seven weeks. But eventually, they were sent home. Since then, they have tripled their birth weights.
‘Finally bringing them home was amazing, even if we did have to carry portable oxygen tanks with us for a while,’ Mrs Jennions said.
The family are now looking forward to their first Christmas together, which will fall on the girls’ four-month birthday.
Mrs Jennions said: ‘It’s going to be extra special. For a long time we couldn’t think as far ahead as Christmas. We were just grateful for every day they survived.
‘Having Poppy and Jessica are the best Christmas presents. We’re so lucky to have them.
‘After everything they’ve been through Poppy and Jessica are just little miracles.’
Mr Jennions said: ‘They are such stubborn little fighters. Jessica is smiling and they often reach out to touch one another and hold hands.’
The Jennions are raising money for the neonatal care units at QA Portsmouth and St Richards Chichester hospitals for premature and sick babies. To donate, click here.
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.
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.
Source: Cincinnati Children’s hospital
Source: Read Full Article
