Madison and Malia - Overcoming TTTS

by Anna Pippin
(Lyme, New Hampshire)

When my husband Tony and I got married, we agreed upon having one child, since he has three children from a previous marriage. When I went in for my first ultrasound at 9 weeks, I was with my mother, and when the technician said TWINS, I thought I was going to fall off the examination table! My mom and I kept laughing and I continued to ask the technician if she was kidding. I was so excited to hear the news, and when I called my husband to tell him, he couldn't of been happier.

At 18 weeks, I went in for my bimonthly ultrasound, and the twins were starting to show signs of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. I was still in stage 1, but the doctors told me that I needed to start coming in for ultrasounds every 3 days because TTTS moves so fast, and if I move to stage 2 they were going to send me to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I was so scared, but all I could do was stay positive and hope that I would remain in stage 1. So, we went in for another ultrasound 3 days later, and I was still in stage 1. Another 3 days went by and I went in for another ultrasound, and the doctor said I was so close to stage 2 that she wanted to send me to Philadelphia so they could evaluate me for surgery. It was a Friday, and Memorial Day was that weekend, so we (my husband and my mom and I) left for Phili that Monday morning and I spent all day Tuesday in the hospital in Phili getting extensive ultrasounds and EKGs on the babies hearts.

After all the tests were over, the doctor met with us and explained that we were still in stage 1 and it would of been more of a risk to do the laser surgery than to let me remain in stage 1. She said that since I have been in stage 1 for about 10 days, the likelihood of me advancing to stage 2 and beyond was not great, since I hadn't advanced yet. So, the doctor sent us back to New Hampshire and said to come back if we do advance to stage 2. We were thrilled and relieved! I was so happy and just felt such a sense of relief! We flew home that day and I continued to get ultrasounds once a week for the remainder of my twin pregnancy.

Everytime I went in for an ultrasound the babies looked better and better. The fluid began to stabilize and the growth of the babies evened out! I ended up making it to 38 weeks with the girls and I had a scheduled c-section on September 25, 2009. Madison was 7lbs 4oz and Malia was 7lbs 1oz! The girls are just about 6 months old now and I am having so much fun with them. I feel so blessed that they are so healthy. I couldn't be more in love.