When Essence and Eric learned they were expecting identical twin boys, they knew the pregnancy would require close monitoring. Early testing confirmed a monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy—meaning the twins shared a single placenta, but separate amniotic sacs. While this type of twin pregnancy is not uncommon, it carries increased risks and requires careful, ongoing evaluation.
That monitoring soon revealed a serious complication: twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a rare condition that can quickly place both twins at risk when blood flow between them becomes unbalanced.
At 18 weeks, Essence was referred to the Fetal Care Center at Connecticut Children’s. There, Essence and Eric met fetal and neonatal surgeon Timothy Crombleholme, MD, and the multidisciplinary team specializing in fetal surgery for TTTS. During a delicate laser surgery for TTTS, Dr. Crombleholme used a fetoscope to identify and seal abnormal blood vessel connections in the placenta. This procedure—known as selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation—helps restore balanced blood flow between twins.
In the weeks that followed, Essence remained under close observation with frequent ultrasounds and coordinated care from the Connecticut Children’s team.
But the most critical chapters of their story were still ahead.
From delivery to intensive NICU care, Xavier and Bryson’s journey continued through moments that tested timing, expertise, and resilience at every step.
