Singer Jesy Nelson recently shared an emotional update regarding the complications she is experiencing in her pregnancy with twin babies. Former Little Mix singer Jesy, who is having twins with partner Zion Foster, announced that she has been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (pre-TTTS). The condition, which is present in pregnancies involving twins with a shared placenta, has serious risks involved and needs intense medical supervision. As Nelson embarks on this difficult journey, her story enlightens us about a rare but dangerous condition many expectant parents may not know much about.
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but dangerous condition that arises in monochorionic twin pregnancies, in which identical twins share a single placenta. The placenta supplies the developing babies with oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow, but in TTTS, there is an imbalance of blood vessels that interconnect the twins, and thus the vital resources are not evenly distributed. One twin, or the donor twin, shares excess blood with the other, referred to as the recipient twin. This leads to one baby becoming malnourished and possibly anemic, and the other in danger of heart problems due to too much blood.
Nelson described her diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram video, explaining that she is currently in the pre-stage of TTTS and undergoing frequent monitoring. "I am being scanned twice a week, and each time, things have gotten a little worse," she shared, expressing her fears and hopes for the health of her babies.
If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:
TTTS usually advances in stages, beginning with minimal changes in fluid levels and worsening as one twin continues to get an unequal share of blood. In extreme cases, fetal laser surgery, referred to as the Solomon technique, can be employed to divide the blood vessels and balance the twins.
Identical twins may develop differently, and their own unique form of placental sharing can have a dramatic effect on pregnancy risk. Jesy Nelson's twins are considered monochorionic diamniotic (mono/di), which means they share a placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This is the type of pregnancy in about 70% of identical twin pregnancies and carries an increased risk of complications like TTTS, umbilical cord entanglement, and growth restriction.
Conversely, dichorionic diamniotic (di/di) twins both have a separate placenta and amniotic sac, which greatly diminishes the threat of TTTS. Twin pregnancy type is normally identified by early ultrasound, with physicians being able to track future complications from inception.
Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:
Over 60% of twin pregnancies end in premature delivery, with birth usually taking place before 37 weeks. Premature infants can have immature organs and need neonatal intensive care (NICU) assistance to assist with breathing, feeding, and infection fighting.
Pregnant women with multiples are at increased risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy. This, if left untreated, can result in preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in damage to organs, preterm labor, and in some cases, maternal or fetal death.
Pregnant women carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and complications during delivery.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities compared to single births. These can include heart defects, neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal issues.
When twins have to share a placenta, they are more likely to have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). Both result in distress to the babies during fetal development and can result in premature labor.
Twins are at increased risk of excessive postpartum hemorrhage because their uterus is larger and there are greater blood supply needs.
Jesy Nelson's openness about her challenging experience is raising awareness for TTTS, a condition that few individuals—let alone expectant mothers and fathers—might be aware of. Through her tearful video, Nelson stressed the significance of knowing about twin pregnancies aside from the thrill of having multiples. "We had no idea that this type of thing occurs when you're having twins. We just desperately want to make people aware of this because there are so many people who aren't aware."
Her case reminds us of the intricacies involved in twin pregnancy and the significance of early identification and medical management. For mothers carrying twins, frequent ultrasounds and vigilance can become a life-and-death issue for early detection and better outcomes of both babies.
Through constant medical attention and care, she and her partner Zion Foster remain positive and get ready for their babies to be born. In other parents whose situations are no different, the story of Nelson highlights awareness, medical progress, and emotional encouragement in handling complicated pregnancies.
The expecting parents of twin siblings are advised to discuss TTTS screening and possible interventions with their physicians to give their babies the best chance.
Credit: AI
One of New York City's most iconic cultural landmarks has unexpectedly become part of an ongoing disease investigation.
Amid the current Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the officials flagged Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum after Legionella bacteria was detected in its rooftop cooling tower.
While the discovery has raised concerns, authorities stress that the museum has not been identified as the source of the outbreak.
The investigation began after a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases were reported in the Upper East Side neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville.
Since then, the New York City Department of Health has expanded testing across the area, identifying 31 buildings with cooling towers that tested positive for Legionella bacteria. The world-famous museum is among those properties.
Despite the positive test, officials emphasize that detecting Legionella in a cooling tower does not mean the building caused the outbreak.
Further laboratory testing is required to determine whether the bacteria found in a particular cooling tower genetically match the strain infecting patients, a process that can take several weeks.
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The museum acted quickly after receiving the test results, disinfecting and cleaning its cooling tower in accordance with city regulations.
Health officials said the building does not pose an ongoing risk to visitors, and the museum has remained open to the public.
A Guggenheim spokesperson said, “The city has confirmed that there is no additional action needed at this time, and this poses no risk to anyone inside the building,” adding that the museum conducts monthly cooling tower testing and treatment.
The spokesperson added, “The safety of our staff and the public are the utmost priority, and we are continuing to follow all city guidelines.”
As per NY Post, at least 46 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires, including 22 who remain hospitalized. New York City Health Commissioner Alister Martin said the bacteria were detected in 31 towers and 19 had already been disinfected.
Martin said, “What we have in front of us is 160 cooling towers across this region that we are looking at, and we are not waiting.”
Cooling towers have been recognised as one of the most common sources of large Legionnaires' disease outbreaks as they contain warm water that can allow Legionella bacteria to thrive.
Fans in these systems can release fine mists into the surrounding air, exposing people nearby if the water becomes contaminated. This is why New York City requires routine inspection, testing and disinfection of cooling towers, regulations that were strengthened following previous outbreaks in the Bronx and Harlem.
Also read: At 2026 NATO Summit, Trump's Neck Rash and Bruised Hand Draw Attention; White House Responds
Besides Guggenheim Museum, here are the other prominent buildings that are currently compromised due to Legionnaires' Disease:
Symptoms typically develop two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, muscle aches, chills, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, pneumonia.
Health officials continue to investigate the Upper East Side cluster and are urging anyone who visited the affected area and develops flu-like symptoms or pneumonia to seek medical attention promptly.
Credit: X
Martha Lillard, the last person in the United States to rely on an iron lung for breathing, passed away, making the end of a chapter in American medical history that goes back to the devastating polio epidemics of the 20th century.
According to her kin, Martha Lillard, 78, died on June 26, 2026, at her home in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
She had spent close to 73 years living with the effects of paralytic polio, a disease that permanently damaged the muscles needed for breathing, leaving her dependent on an iron lung, a medical device that has now become obsolete.
According to reports, chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome were listed among the causes of her death. Her family also said she experienced long COVID, which further worsened her lung function, increasing the amount of time she needed to spend inside the iron lung.
Lillard contracted polio in 1953 when she was just five years old, during one of the worst outbreaks in U.S. history.
Before effective vaccines became available, the virus infected tens of thousands of Americans each year. While many people recovered, some developed paralytic polio, in which the virus attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis and, in extreme cases, respiratory failure.
Doctors placed Lillard inside an iron lung, a large cylindrical machine that uses negative air pressure to help patients breathe by expanding and contracting the chest.
Although hospitals gradually replaced iron lungs with ventilators in the 1960s, Lillard continued using the ancient device because it proved to be the most effective method of respiratory support for her.
Her family said maintaining the iron lung became increasingly challenging as replacement parts and technicians familiar with the obsolete technology became hard to find. Still, Lillard continued using the machine well into her seventies.
Despite spending most of her life inside the machine, Lillard refused to let it define her. According to her family members and previous interviews, she attended school from home through an intercom system connected to her classroom.
She also became fond of painting, writing poetry, composing music, and caring for rescued animals. She also volunteered with community organizations, including the Humane Society.
Lillard's passing comes more than 70 years after Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, followed by Albert Sabin's oral vaccine in the early 1960s. Widespread immunisation campaigns in the US significantly polio cases. The epidemic was eliminated from the country in 1979.
As one of the last survivors to depend on an iron lung, Martha Lillard's life serves as a reminder of both the devastating impact of vaccine-preventable diseases and the extraordinary developments made in public health.
Credit: X
At 80, Donald Trump is the oldest person to serve as president of the United States. Scrutiny surrounding his physical and cognitive health has received heightened attention in recent years, particularly following former President Joe Biden's decision to end his 2024 reelection campaign due to age and fitness.
Trump's recent post on Truth Social has sparked concerns about his health again.
In a recent post, US President Donald Trump said that his latest physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center came out clean, renewing public attention on his health and wellness.
Trump wrote, “I just finished a perfect physical at Walter Reed... I do it every six months, and I requested another Cognitive Test... I aced them all. Got every question right.” He also reiterated that “everything checked out perfectly.”
After Trump's post sparked confusion over whether he had undergone a medical checkup recently, the White House clarified that he was referring to the physical examination conducted in May.
Following the May examination, White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella released a medical memorandum stating: “President Donald Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function.”
According to the report:
The report noted improvement in previously observed lower-leg swelling associated with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition the White House disclosed last year.
The White House attributed the visible bruises on Trump's hands to frequent handshaking while taking aspirin for cardiovascular prevention. They physician further stated that Trump is currently on medication to manage his cholesterol levels.
“The President remains up to date on all appropriate preventive screenings and immunizations,” Barbabella stated. “Routine cancer screenings, cardiovascular risk assessment, and metabolic evaluations are current and within recommended intervals. Preventive counseling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss.”
Trump's post come weeks after New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan’s new discussed concerns raised by some aides about his age, stamina, and endurance. In the post, Trump dismissed those claims, bashing Haberman.
The president's health has also drawn scrutiny in recent months. He was recently seen with a visible neck rash and a bruised right hand that appeared to be covered with makeup during the 2026 NATO Summit in Türkiye.
Trump also appeared unsteady on his feet, particularly while using stairs. During the summit's welcome ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 72, was seen taking Trump by the arm and guiding him into position.
The White House has repeatedly dismissed concerns, attributing the bruising to the physical demands of Trump's public schedule.
“President Trump is the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement provided to The Independent. “The President is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history.”
The White House previously said the swelling in his legs was due to chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition affecting blood flow in the legs.
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