What is Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome?
Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, TTTS, is a serious complication of the placenta in identical twin/multiples pregnancies. It occurs when the blood vessels from each twin become interconnected in the placenta and the blood flow becomes unbalanced. One twin then receives too much blood and nutrients and the other does not get enough. Approximately 10-15% of shared placenta (Monochorionic-Diamniotic or Mono/Di and Monochorionic-Monoamniotic or Mo/Mo) pregnancies will face TTTS. If left undiagnosed and untreated TTTS has a survival rate of +/- 10%. But when monitored and with appropriate medical intervention the survival rate can improve to 70% or better.
As soon as you have been advised of a multiples pregnancy make sure that you and your doctor know how many placentas you have. All single placenta, multiples pregnancies (Mono/Di and Mo/Mo) are at risk for TTTS. The number of placentas can be verified through ultra sound. If you have a Mono/Di or Mo/Mo pregnancy make sure you are informed about Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, talk to your doctor about frequent ultra sound monitoring, ask about a referral to an MFM or perinatologist and follow a diet full of healthy proteins to support your multiple pregnancy.
Please click HERE for more information on the recommended steps for appropriate monitoring of a shared placenta pregnancy and TTTS.
Please click HERE for more information on the diagnosis of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, staging of severity and possible treatments.
Please click HERE for easy and healthy ways to add calories and proteins to your diet to support the growth and development of your babies.
There are also other less common types of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome
For more information specific to your diagnosis and your medical options we also recommend you contact Fetal Health Foundation to speak with someone from their office.
Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, TTTS, is a serious complication of the placenta in identical twin/multiples pregnancies. It occurs when the blood vessels from each twin become interconnected in the placenta and the blood flow becomes unbalanced. One twin then receives too much blood and nutrients and the other does not get enough. Approximately 10-15% of shared placenta (Monochorionic-Diamniotic or Mono/Di and Monochorionic-Monoamniotic or Mo/Mo) pregnancies will face TTTS. If left undiagnosed and untreated TTTS has a survival rate of +/- 10%. But when monitored and with appropriate medical intervention the survival rate can improve to 70% or better.
As soon as you have been advised of a multiples pregnancy make sure that you and your doctor know how many placentas you have. All single placenta, multiples pregnancies (Mono/Di and Mo/Mo) are at risk for TTTS. The number of placentas can be verified through ultra sound. If you have a Mono/Di or Mo/Mo pregnancy make sure you are informed about Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, talk to your doctor about frequent ultra sound monitoring, ask about a referral to an MFM or perinatologist and follow a diet full of healthy proteins to support your multiple pregnancy.
Please click HERE for more information on the recommended steps for appropriate monitoring of a shared placenta pregnancy and TTTS.
Please click HERE for more information on the diagnosis of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, staging of severity and possible treatments.
Please click HERE for easy and healthy ways to add calories and proteins to your diet to support the growth and development of your babies.
There are also other less common types of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome
- Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence, TAPS, is when the red blood cells slowly become dangerously divided between the twins leaving one with too high of a count, polycythemic, and one too low, anemic. This form of TTTS also puts both twins at risk. It can only be monitored and/or diagnosed via ultrasound doplers. Please click HERE for more in depth information on TAPS.
- TTTS has also been medically documented to affect multiple placenta (Dichorionic-Diamniotic or Di/Di) multiples pregnancies, though this is very rare.
For more information specific to your diagnosis and your medical options we also recommend you contact Fetal Health Foundation to speak with someone from their office.
Creating Connection, Community and Awareness
One TTTS Story at a Time
One of the long standing Awareness projects we have is the community blog, TTTS Parents. This blog was created in 2013 to give a platform for all TTTS parents to share their TTTS experience with the world. It offers stories of all outcomes, from all the babies in the pregnancy being born healthy, to the loss of all babies carried, and all experiences in between. It is designed to allow you to search for stories based off of key terms such as; single survivor, NICU, laser surgery, TAPS, PROM, United States, so that you can find stories similar or different from your own and the more stories we can share the more support we can offer. So if you are interested in building awareness by adding your story to the blog, we are ALWAYS looking for and accepting new stories! Please email us for more information.
One TTTS Story at a Time
One of the long standing Awareness projects we have is the community blog, TTTS Parents. This blog was created in 2013 to give a platform for all TTTS parents to share their TTTS experience with the world. It offers stories of all outcomes, from all the babies in the pregnancy being born healthy, to the loss of all babies carried, and all experiences in between. It is designed to allow you to search for stories based off of key terms such as; single survivor, NICU, laser surgery, TAPS, PROM, United States, so that you can find stories similar or different from your own and the more stories we can share the more support we can offer. So if you are interested in building awareness by adding your story to the blog, we are ALWAYS looking for and accepting new stories! Please email us for more information.
Social Media
As we continue to grow we are excited to be adding new/and updating our current Awareness Projects. We already have a couple of ways that you can help to build awareness for Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. The easiest way is for you to share our social media on your social media!
Facebook - Please like and follow our team page and feel free to share any post on your social media that resonates with you and your life.
Instagram - You can find us @tttsteam. This is a newer for us and we would love to have as many followers there as we do on our Facebook page!
Pinterest - Check out our page @tttssupport for meaningful information, quotes, websites, gifts, and books that help support healing and remembrance after a baby has died.
As we continue to grow we are excited to be adding new/and updating our current Awareness Projects. We already have a couple of ways that you can help to build awareness for Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. The easiest way is for you to share our social media on your social media!
Facebook - Please like and follow our team page and feel free to share any post on your social media that resonates with you and your life.
Instagram - You can find us @tttsteam. This is a newer for us and we would love to have as many followers there as we do on our Facebook page!
Pinterest - Check out our page @tttssupport for meaningful information, quotes, websites, gifts, and books that help support healing and remembrance after a baby has died.
Keep an Eye Out for More Awareness Projects Coming Soon!!