Help Support the Dewar Twins
Donation protected
On August 3rd Erica and Matt received the alarming diagnosis that they're twin boys were suffering from two rare and dangerous diseases of the placenta. Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and Unequal Placental Sharing (UPS).
TTTS occurs in pregnancies when the identical twins share the placenta. Abnormal blood vessel connections form in the placenta and allow blood to flow unevenly between the babies. One twin - called the donor- becomes dehydrated; and the other -called the recipient- develops high blood pressure and produces too much urine which overfills the amniotic sac potentially causing heart failure.
UPS is when the umbilical cords attaches in areas of the placenta that cause one twin to receive a smaller share of the placenta than the other resulting in even less blood flow and nutrition to the donor twin. In the Dewars case the donor twin only has access to 5% - 10% of the placenta.
On August 9th they flew to Toronto with the intent of receiving laser therapy in attempt to save both of the twins. The medical professionals thought they were stable enough to wait as the procedure can be dangerous so they flew home. On August 13th at their next appointment they discovered the condition had worsened and they would have to go back to Toronto for treatments.
The cost of flights, hotels and general needs while away from home will be hefty. Its likely that when they return home from Toronto they will be traveling to Halifax to be monitored and possibly deliver. All of this is unclear and they wont know more until after therapy.
Lets come together to help the Dewar family get through this difficult time.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
TTTS occurs in pregnancies when the identical twins share the placenta. Abnormal blood vessel connections form in the placenta and allow blood to flow unevenly between the babies. One twin - called the donor- becomes dehydrated; and the other -called the recipient- develops high blood pressure and produces too much urine which overfills the amniotic sac potentially causing heart failure.
UPS is when the umbilical cords attaches in areas of the placenta that cause one twin to receive a smaller share of the placenta than the other resulting in even less blood flow and nutrition to the donor twin. In the Dewars case the donor twin only has access to 5% - 10% of the placenta.
On August 9th they flew to Toronto with the intent of receiving laser therapy in attempt to save both of the twins. The medical professionals thought they were stable enough to wait as the procedure can be dangerous so they flew home. On August 13th at their next appointment they discovered the condition had worsened and they would have to go back to Toronto for treatments.
The cost of flights, hotels and general needs while away from home will be hefty. Its likely that when they return home from Toronto they will be traveling to Halifax to be monitored and possibly deliver. All of this is unclear and they wont know more until after therapy.
Lets come together to help the Dewar family get through this difficult time.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Jenessa Cook
Organizer
Lepreau, NB
