Twins Sharing One Placenta (Photo : Facebook)
In a rare case involving identical twin brothers, a Washington state couple is waiting for the birth of their second twin son in the womb, whose birthday will be about four months after the first twin's birthdate in September. The newborn was so weak when he was born that his parents are still not allowed to hold him.
The twin's mother is Holli Gorveatt. She first arrived at Evergreen Health Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington when the twins showed an utero condition known as "twin to twin" syndrome.
It is a medical situation in which one twin takes blood from the other one in utero, which can result in both twins becoming sick. One is bloated with too much blood. The other is weak due to a low blood supply.
Dr. Martin Walker is the hospital's director of fetal medicine. He explained that treatment is critical as the syndrome becomes fatal in 90 percent of cases.
Due to the pressure that the twins caused their mother, Walker's team had to deliver Link at 23 weeks into the pregnancy. He weighed 1 pound (.45 kilograms), which is 1/7 lighter than the average newborn, according to New York Daily News.
Link is so small and weak that he needs help to eat. His parents cannot pick him up, and can only watch him in his incubator.
Walker explained that the procedure halted the "twin to twin" syndrome by closing Gorveatt's cervix. Thus, the second baby boy Logan could stay healthy in the womb.
The doctors might have given Logan a better chance to avoid major health complications due to premature birth. If he were born now at week 25, he would have a 50 percent chance for a normal development, according to ABC News. Two weeks ago that figure was just 10 percent.
Gorveatt reported that Logan's status is good. He is growing and kicking, and is now able to move around.
This video explains the difference between fraternal and identical twins:
