Bridgette and Grace: A Journey Through Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

When Jackie and Trevor first learned they were expecting twins, they were overwhelmed with joy. But that happiness soon gave way to fear after doctors discovered that their daughters were facing twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a rare and life-threatening condition that disrupts the blood flow between identical twins who share a placenta.

At just 12 weeks into the pregnancy, an ultrasound raised red flags. By week 15, their worst fears were confirmed: Bridgette and Grace had Stage 3 TTTS, placing both of their lives at serious risk. Jackie recalls, “We had just started to process the news of having twins, and suddenly we were told that we could lose one or both of them.”

Turning to CHOP for answers

With TTTS, timing is everything. The couple was referred to the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the leading centers in the world for this condition.

Just three days after the diagnosis, Jackie and Trevor traveled from New Jersey to Philadelphia. They were welcomed by Fetal Therapy Coordinator Jennifer DiBenedetto, BSN, RN, who guided them through a full day of tests and consultations.

Later that day, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist Dr. Shelly Soni sat down with the couple to explain the condition. In TTTS, one twin (the donor) transfers blood to the other twin (the recipient) through abnormal blood vessel connections on the placenta. Grace, the donor, was dangerously undernourished with too little amniotic fluid, while Bridgette, the recipient, risked developing heart failure due to fluid overload.

Choosing surgery in a moment of crisis

Dr. Soni explained that the only real chance of saving both babies was through a high-risk fetal surgery called fetoscopic selective laser ablation. For Jackie and Trevor, the decision was agonizing. “No parent should ever have to make that choice,” Jackie said. “But the CHOP team walked us through every detail with so much compassion. We knew we had to try.”

One week later, the procedure was performed. Using a laser, surgeons carefully sealed off the blood vessel connections causing the imbalance. Jackie vividly remembers Dr. Soni’s reassuring words in the operating room: “Look at the screen, Jackie. That’s forward flow. That means it’s working.”

The following day’s ultrasound confirmed the outcome they had been praying for: both Bridgette and Grace had survived. Their heartbeats were strong, and Grace’s amniotic fluid had already begun to return.

The long road to birth

Although the surgery was a success, the journey was far from over. Jackie was placed on strict bedrest for several weeks, and the couple made frequent trips back to CHOP for monitoring. At 20 weeks, her care was transitioned back to their local hospital in New Jersey, though CHOP remained closely involved.

When it came time for her final visit to Philadelphia, Jackie was overwhelmed with gratitude. “We wrote long cards to the team trying to thank them, but words didn’t feel like enough,” she said.

At 33 weeks and 3 days, Jackie delivered via C-section. Bridgette weighed 5 pounds 6 ounces, while Grace weighed just 3 pounds 10 ounces and required immediate intubation. Both girls spent weeks in the NICU—Grace for 51 days and Bridgette for 31—before finally coming home. Despite setbacks, including a blood transfusion for Grace, both twins gradually grew stronger.

Two thriving miracles

Today, Bridgette and Grace are healthy, energetic toddlers who have exceeded developmental milestones. Grace is fearless and constantly in motion, while Bridgette is calmer and more reserved, creating a perfect balance between the two sisters.

Looking back, Jackie is still in awe. “It’s unbelievable,” she said. “Not only are they here with us, but they’re thriving. We’ll never forget what CHOP did for our family.”

The family continues to stay in touch with Dr. Soni and the CHOP team and looks forward to reuniting with them each year at the hospital’s Lori J. Howell Fetal Family Reunion.