She had to undergo the procedure

Danielle explained, “Prof Nicolaides ­explained the twins were not in a good condition. If we wanted to save one of the babies, I had to have the laser procedure.”So she had it there and then. She said: “It was so painful. An incision was made in my stomach. A laser and a camera were inserted. “

A small ray of hope…

“I watched on the screen as the ­camera passed Ronnie. Then I looked away but I could hear the laser beam as it sliced through blood vessels”, Danielle recounted. The procedure arrested the nutrients and excess blood flow to Ronnie. It gave the family had some hope, however small it was.  But the heartbreaking truth was it was, they still might lose Teddy because he was just so small.

…but it only lasted for so long


The procedure was a success and bought Danielle some much needed time. She was able to carry out her term to 21 weeks, which meant the twins made it to 29 weeks. But at that point, Danielle’s consultant announced that the TTTS had returned and a ­emergency cesarean was required.

The twins were born

Teddy weighed less than a kilo at birth, which was dangerously small, but it was the only way to save Ronnie. Danielle said, “When the twins arrived at Portsmouth Hospital, Ronnie was small and Teddy even smaller.” Both siblings were put in incubators. They had to be provided oxygen and had phototherapy to combat jaundice.

They made amazing recovery

Teddy had blood transfusions to supplement his health, and both had sight and hearing tests to check the result of their premature arrival. Incredibly, Ronnie was ready to join his parents in Bracknell, Berks, after six weeks. In December, Teddy followed after. 

Their amazing personalities

Danielle said: “Teddy has a hernia that’s just been operated on and they’ve both suffered from reflux. Teddy’s still on oxygen. But they’re starting to smile and are both strong. Ronnie is 10lb and so chilled. Teddy’s 7lb and very feisty.”