I am writing about my girls who are survivors of TTTS. Kirsten and Courtney were born 12/11/99 at 29 weeks. Kirsten was 2 pounds 9oz (donor twin) 14 inches long and Courtney was 2 pounds 4oz and 14 inches long. Kirsten was intubated for a week and then on cpap for another week and a half. Courtney had a nasal canula for a couple of weeks but then was a able to wean off of that.
It was at 14 weeks that we found out that the girls had TTTS and was uncertain as to would would happen. We live in Boston and were fortunate to have a doctor who was very familiar with the syndrome. Every week we would go for a level 2 ultrasound and at one point there was a 30% discordance in their sizes. Our goal was to get to 24 weeks, when they would be viable. When we got to the 24 weeks things were looking pretty good. At 27 weeks I went into preterm labor and was in the hospital in mag. The day of delivery I had had an ultrasound because the doctor did not like the reading on the monitor strip.
Today the girls are 4 and are doing great. Courtney, the smaller one of the two at birth is 40 pounds and 43 inches tall. Kirsten is 38 pounds and 42 inches tall. They are in preschool and are loving it. They actually go tomorrow for their very last eye appointment. So far they have had perfect vision. Having premature babies and being so sick is a scary thing to go through. But I was actually inspired by the nurses who took care of my girls. I currently work in an NICU as a nursing assistant and am going to nursing school so I to can work as a nurse in a NICU to help parents and take care of all the precious children born that are premature and sick. I think parents need to know that there survivors and hope for the twins diagnosed with TTTS.
Take care, Jennifer Riser
