Have you heard of twin to twin transfusion syndrome?
Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a condition that occurs only in monochorionic pregnancies — ones in which two or more genetically identical babies (usually twins) share the same placenta. Although all identical twins share a placenta, TTTS develops in about 10 to 15 percent of those pregnancies.
Today’s guest experienced a stillbirth at 32 weeks, an early miscarriage, and a 22 week pregnancy ending in twin to twin transfusion. Ebony Ford has a story to tell after moving forward with her adoption journey she found out she was pregnant with her rainbow baby girl. That pregnancy was uneventful until 26 weeks where she came back from vacation and discovered she was in complete kidney and liver failure due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Her micropreemie Reign Victoria was born at 26 weeks weighing 1lb 15oz and spent time in the NICU while Ebony was fighting for her life through dialysis, intubation, ventilation and more.
In this episode Ebony shares her journey through stillbirth, miscarriage, and losing twins due to twin to twin transfusion. She also shares the day she almost lost her life and her 3 month NICU journey with Reign Victoria. Now Ebony has turned her pain into purpose by advocating for prematurity, traumatic birth, medically fragile children and maternal health.
This episode is for you to listen to if you want to know how it is to raise a micro preemie and medically fragile child. You should listen to this episode if you experienced a stillbirth, miscarriage, twin loss, or preeclampisa and HELLP syndrome.
Ebony Ford’s Bio
I am a native of Washington DC, wife of 8 yrs, mother to 4 angel babies and 1 earth side Micropreemie named Reign Victoria. We are ambassadors for March of Dimes and appear in MOD’s #ItsNotFine commercial & print campaigns for maternal health. I launched my website and blog to also help advocate prematurity, traumatic birth, medically-fragile children as well maternal health. AndSheShallReign.com
Tell me about your journey to motherhood? What obstacles have you overcome?
In building our family, my husband & I have had a 32 wk stillborn, an early miscarriage and a 22 wk pregnancy ending in twin to twin transfusion. After giving up all hope and deciding to adopt we found out we were pregnant with our daughter just 2 days shy of our appt with an adoption lawyer. Despite an uneventful pregnancy, I became gravely ill while on vacation and rushed back to my hometown. I soon found out that I was in complete kidney & liver failure as a result of preeclampsia & HELLP syndrome. My daughter was born at 26 wks weighing 1lb 15oz and spent her first few days in the NICU fighting for her life while I was in the ICU fighting for mine through dialysis, intubation, ventilation and more. We both turned the corner and she left the NICU after 3 months. Shes continued to experience prematurity related complications and is currently undergoing radiation for lung tumors.
Any books, tools, resources that have helped you on this journey that you want to share with the audience?
March of Dimes My NICU Baby App & mentoring, Project NICU’s mentoring program and connecting to others with traumatic births
Become a Sisters in Loss Birth and Bereavement Doula Here
Living Water Doula Services
Book Recommendations and Links Below
You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations
You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social
Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community
