Mrs. T.T.T.H. and her husband from Khanh Hoa recently celebrated a special spring at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Prior to this, they endured a challenging journey with their two extremely premature babies fighting for survival.
At 11 weeks into her pregnancy, Mrs. H. was overjoyed to discover she was carrying twins (monochorionic diamniotic). Initial screening for fetal abnormalities showed no signs of any issues.
At 21 weeks, an ultrasound at a provincial hospital revealed that the twins were only 50 grams apart, within the normal range.
The twin babies of Mrs. H. (Photo: Hospital)
However, two weeks later, Mrs. H. began experiencing abdominal pain and discomfort. During a follow-up visit, doctors discovered that she had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, with the twins now weighing 100 grams apart and accompanied by polyhydramnios.
Following the doctor’s advice and recommendations from others, Mrs. H. decided to seek treatment at Tu Du Hospital for the best chance of survival for her babies.
After multiple consultations, the pregnant woman was diagnosed with twins at 25 weeks, suffering from moderate twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and intrauterine growth restriction. The medical team decided on an intervention using laser photocoagulation to seal the vascular anastomosis and performed amnioreduction, removing 3 liters of amniotic fluid. A week after the procedure, polyhydramnios reappeared rapidly, requiring the removal of an additional 2 liters of fluid.
In late October 2024, Mrs. H. experienced labor pains and was admitted to the hospital, where she gave birth to two extremely premature babies weighing 850 grams and 700 grams respectively. After birth, the infants received intensive care and were transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the golden hour of treatment.
The tiny newborns held by their parents (Photo: Hospital)
The babies spent more than a month in incubators, receiving extended antibiotic treatments, intravenous feeding, and breast milk to stabilize their respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems. On November 19, 2024, the first baby was taken out of the incubator and placed in kangaroo care with the parents.
“When I held my baby for the first time, I cried because he was so small, I was afraid he would slip out of my hands. Thanks to the support and encouragement of the nurses and my husband, 10 days later, the second baby also joined us for kangaroo care,” Mrs. H. recounted emotionally.
After 81 days of care and treatment, the twin babies were finally discharged from the hospital.
Now, both babies are healthy, weighing 2,500 grams and 2,300 grams respectively. Although they have been discharged, Mrs. H. and her husband have rented a house near Tu Du Hospital for easier care and regular check-ups. They will only return home once the babies are fully recovered.
Healthy babies after 81 days of treatment (Photo: Hospital)
“Looking back at our journey, it feels like we’ve known each other for a long time. While most people carry their babies for nine months, ours were born after just 100 days – two incredible little warriors.
The cool spring weather in Saigon adds a special touch to our celebration. This is the first spring we’ve spent away from home, away from our families. But our little family is truly bustling and warm, with two adorable babies who brought joy without having to choose which one to save,” Mrs. H. shared.
