DOUBLE laser surgery brought twins back from the brink during an incredibly traumatic pregnancy.

In February 2016 Kevin Rose discovered his wife Sarah was pregnant with twins at a 12 week scan.

Several weeks later the couple found out the twins were identical, a surprise that was eclipsed by a diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) - a rare condition in which the fetuses share a placenta, causing an imbalance of blood that effectively starves one baby and puts massive strain on the heart of the other.

Their chance of survival was put as low as 10 per cent.

The Rose family rushed from their Bracknell home to St George's Hospital in Tooting where doctors confirmed the worst. The unborn twins could be dead in a matter of weeks.

On March 23 Professor Basky Thilaganathan performed laser ablation, an intricate surgery that uses high power beams to coagulate blood vessels connecting the twins into solid form.

Bracknell News:

Baby Isaac in intensive care.

Although the procedure was a success, later inspections discovered a heart defect in one of the twins and a diagnosis of twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) - another rare, potentially deadly condition that required further laser surgery.

But again, the little fighters survived and further scans showed the TAPS was improving.

On July 2 at 4am Mrs Rose's water broke. At Frimley Park Hospital’s labour ward she had an emergency c-section and two little boys were delivered. Lucas was born at 11.33am weighing 3lb 11oz. Isaac was born at 11.35am weighing 4lb.

Three weeks of intensive care later and the boys were out of hospital, alive, kicking and having dodged the potentially life altering effects of TAPS and TTTS.

Bracknell News:

The Rose family, together and healthy. 

Keith Reed, CEO of Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association), said more needs to be know about both conditions He said: “It is incredibly pleasing when a set of little twins go through so much and go on to live happy, normal lives.

“But sadly this isn’t always the case for TTTS and TAPS families and unfortunately there are still many twins who are left with disabilities, often life-altering ones, or don’t make it at all.

“This is why we set up the TTTS Registry – so that data entered into the registry can be used to study the conditions of TTTS and TAPS. This means doctors can learn more about the conditions and hopefully develop treatments to improve outcomes in future.

“We’re confident our registry is going to save many tiny lives in future. But like most things in life, it comes at a cost. We need funding to keep the registry running.

“We urge people touched by the story of Lucas and Isaac to give what they can at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TTTSAppeal."