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.

Potential Risks of TTTS

If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:

• 90% of the cases of untreated TTTS lead to loss of one or both twins.
• Despite treatment, only a 70% survival rate for both twins is assured.
• Severe forms can result in preterm labor, cardiac failure in the recipient twin, and organ failure in the donor twin.
• Complications in long-term survivors include neurological damage and developmental delay in surviving infants.

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.

Why Identical Twin Pregnancies Are More Complicated

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.

Other Twin Pregnancy Health Risks

Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:

1. Premature Birth

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.

2. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

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.

3. Anemia

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.

4. Birth Defects

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.

5. Amniotic Fluid Imbalances

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.

6. Postpartum Hemorrhage

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.

Florida aims to become the first US state to strike vaccine mandates from its laws, including long-standing childhood immunisation rules that cover conditions such as polio for entry into public schools.

The proposal drew sharp criticism across the country, prompting the DeSantis administration to slow its plans. After calling for vaccine requirements to be removed from Florida statutes, officials announced that a public meeting will be held in Northwest Florida so residents can respond.

Public Meeting Scheduled On Proposed Rule Changes

The state’s Department of Health has organised a three-hour session in Panama City Beach on 12 December to review possible changes to the rule governing vaccination requirements for public and private schools. The discussion will cover preschools, grades K-12 and adult education programmes, as per BBC.

Officials have not yet explained what revisions they are considering. In September, Surgeon General Dr Joseph Ladapo said he intended to withdraw the vaccines under his department’s jurisdiction. These include shots for Hepatitis B, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal disease. Other vaccines, such as those for polio, diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, pertussis, mumps and tetanus, can only be repealed by the state Legislature. As of 26 November, no bill seeking to overturn vaccination requirements had been introduced.

Surgeon General Compared Mandates To Slavery

During a 3 September press event in Valrico, Hillsborough County, Ladapo appeared alongside Governor Ron DeSantis, Lt Governor Jay Collins and other state leaders, including Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas. They declared their intention to remove all vaccine mandates in Florida, as per BBC.

“Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery,” Ladapo said at the time.

The announcement accompanied the launch of a state version of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which will be led by First Lady Casey DeSantis. At the national level, the MAHA programme is overseen by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has been assigned to study chronic illness and develop an action plan for reducing childhood diseases, as per Kennedy has previously been linked to vaccine misinformation.

Casey DeSantis expressed her support at the same press conference. “A lot of these drugs, you don’t need them if you live a healthy lifestyle. If you’re eating fruits and vegetables, you can reverse a lot of these chronic conditions,” she said.

Doctors Raise Concerns Over The Plan

The announcement drew immediate criticism from national medical bodies and clinicians throughout the United States.

“We are concerned that today’s announcement by Gov DeSantis will put children in Florida public schools at higher risk for getting sick, and have ripple effects across their community,” said Dr Susan J Kressly, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, speaking on behalf of the American Medical Association, urged the state to reconsider. “While there is still time, we urge Florida to reconsider this change to help prevent a rise of infectious disease outbreaks that put health and lives at risk,” she said.

Florida’s Declining Vaccination Rates

Florida’s kindergarten vaccination rate dropped to 90.6 percent in 2024, the lowest level in more than ten years. Public health experts say that for highly contagious infections such as measles, communities require a rate of at least 95 percent to prevent outbreaks.

Cases of whooping cough have increased sharply. From 1 January to 15 November 2025, the state recorded 1,415 cases, compared with 577 in the same period the previous year, according to the Department of Health’s Reportable Diseases Frequency Report.

Children entering public schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade are currently required to have at least four doses of the TDAP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Religious exemptions are permitted if a family states that immunisation conflicts with their beliefs, as per Herald Tribune.

As of April 2025, the Department of Health estimated that 6.39 percent of children aged five to seventeen held religious exemptions. The true figure may be higher, since parents may withhold data from the Florida SHOTS system, the state’s secure online immunisation database used by healthcare providers.

Tineke “Tini” Younger shared some devastating news on Wednesday, November 26. The 24-year-old TikTok chef and Next Level Chef alum revealed that one of her twin daughters with husband Antoine Wright Jr. had tragically passed away.

Tini Younger Announces Loss Of Her Baby Girl

Younger said that their daughter Arya, known as Baby A, died just before reaching 36 weeks of pregnancy. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, "This isn’t the post I ever imagined I would share once the twins arrived. Unfortunately, earlier this week we lost our sweet girl Arya." She explained that despite being so close to full term, she experienced a placental abruption that caused the loss of her baby.

The surviving twin was born safely and is reportedly breathing independently, according to Younger. She has not shared the name of the second daughter.

What Is Placental Abruption?

Placental abruption, medically referred to as abruptio placentae, is an uncommon yet serious complication during pregnancy. The placenta develops inside the uterus and attaches to its wall, providing essential oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby.

Placental abruption happens when the placenta partially or fully detaches from the uterine wall before delivery. This separation can restrict or completely cut off the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients while also causing significant bleeding in the mother. According to the Mayo Clinic, the placenta is an organ that forms in the uterus during pregnancy. When placental abruption occurs, the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth, which can deprive the baby of vital oxygen and nutrients and lead to heavy maternal bleeding. In some situations, early delivery may be required to protect both mother and child.

Placental abruption often appears suddenly, and if it is not treated promptly, it can pose serious risks to both the mother and the baby.

Symptoms Of Placental Abruption

Placental abruption is most likely to develop in the last trimester of pregnancy, particularly in the final few weeks before delivery. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Vaginal bleeding, though sometimes there may be none
• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Uterine tenderness or rigidity
• Uterine contractions, often coming one immediately after another

Abdominal and back pain often start suddenly. The amount of vaginal bleeding can vary widely and does not necessarily reflect how much of the placenta has detached from the uterus. Blood may become trapped inside the uterus, so even in severe cases of placental abruption, there might not be any visible bleeding.

In some instances, placental abruption develops gradually, referred to as chronic abruption. This may cause light, intermittent vaginal bleeding. Babies might grow more slowly than expected, and there could be other complications, such as low amniotic fluid or additional issues affecting fetal development.

What Causes Placental Abruption?

The precise cause of placental abruption is often unknown. Healthcare professionals can, however, identify certain factors that increase the risk. For example, abdominal trauma, including falls or accidents, can raise the chances of experiencing a placental abruption.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is strongly recommended to seek medical care immediately to ensure both your safety and your baby’s.

A college in Devon, UK, has issued a public health notice after confirming an outbreak of a disease often tied to the Victorian era. It is not something most people come across today, yet reports show that this old skin condition is appearing more often in modern settings. Although it is usually linked with unclean surroundings, anyone can get it, no matter how carefully they maintain personal or household hygiene.

One woman described her nine-month struggle with the illness. At first she dismissed it as an allergy but soon noticed her son had developed a similar rash and persistent itching. Amanda Rushton from Accrington in Lancashire told The Daily Mail she felt as if her “skin was crawling” once she learnt what she was dealing with.

What Are Victorian Diseases?

In the UK, 'Victorian diseases' refers to illnesses that were widespread during the 19th century and are now returning due to factors such as poverty and limited access to care. These include tuberculosis, cholera, scarlet fever, and scurvy. Many of these conditions are tied to poor sanitation or nutrition.

Tuberculosis was once known as “consumption,” and infections like scabies and measles have also been seen more frequently in recent years, according to the official UK government website.

Victorian Disease Warning In UK

Specialists have raised concerns that more parents choosing to skip routine childhood vaccinations are placing infants and other high-risk groups in danger. The illness circulating at the Devon college is scabies.

“We have been notified of seven confirmed cases of scabies amongst our student community,” read an email from South Devon College in Paignton, reported by DevonLive. “These cases have been diagnosed by a health professional.”

What Is Scabies?

Scabies is a very itchy skin infestation caused by tiny mites known as Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites burrow into the upper layers of the skin to feed and lay eggs. The body reacts to this by producing a rash of small bumps and intense itching, which often becomes worse at night. The condition spreads easily through close and prolonged skin contact and can also pass indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels, according to Mayo Clinic.

Scabies tends to spread faster in crowded environments or shared living spaces such as child-care centres or nursing homes. Pets cannot give scabies to humans, as animals carry a different type of mite that causes mange, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.

Scabies Symptoms To Look Out For

The most common sign of scabies is a fierce, unrelenting itch that worsens at night, along with a rash. You may also notice thin, raised, curved lines called burrows and small bumps or blisters. These usually appear in warm or folded areas of the skin, such as between the fingers and toes. Continuous scratching can break the skin, causing sores or scabs.

Scabies Common Symptoms

Intense itching: This is the leading symptom and often disturbs sleep because of how severe it becomes at night.

Rash: The rash may look like small bumps, pimples, or tiny blisters.

Burrows: These appear as narrow, winding lines created by female mites as they tunnel through the skin to lay eggs.

Sores: Scratching can result in broken skin and crusts.

Common Locations For The Rash

• Between the fingers and toes
• Wrists, elbows, and knees
• The genital region
• Around the breasts or nipples
• The waistline and belly button
• Under the fingernails or watch straps
• In babies and young children, the rash may spread more widely and can show up on the face, head, and neck.

Scabies Cases Rising In The UK

London saw a noticeable increase in scabies toward the end of last year, and similar spikes were reported across northern England, especially in care facilities, nursing homes, and university housing. With cases climbing, doctors are urging people to stay alert to common signs.

Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, explained to Women’s Health last month that although there is no single clear cause for the rise, several factors may be contributing. He told The Independent that this period of the year allows scabies to spread more easily, with children returning to school and students moving into shared accommodation, both of which involve frequent close contact.

He added that scabies is often confused with other skin problems, especially eczema or allergic reactions.

Doctors note that the condition is usually not dangerous, but it must be treated because it passes from person to person so easily. Symptoms may take up to eight weeks to appear after the mites enter the skin. Anyone who suspects they might have scabies should speak to a pharmacist. Every person in the household needs treatment at the same time, even if they do not have visible symptoms.