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.
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In a significant case, the Supreme Court has allowed the medical termination of pregnancy of a 15-year-old girl who was over seven months pregnant.
Stressing that the choice of the pregnant woman must remain paramount, the SC bench led by Justice B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that a woman cannot be compelled to continue with an unwanted pregnancy merely on the ground that the child can be given up for adoption after birth.
However, AIIMS has sought a review of the order, citing medical ethics and the rights of an unborn child. The institution stated that it would lead to preterm delivery of a deformed baby needing prolonged NICU support.
The apex Court also issued a warning to the Union government of contempt proceedings if it failed to comply with its order, making it clear that the procedure must be carried out without delay.
The SC directed the termination of a fetus over seven months old of the 15-year-old girl, who was in a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old, admitted at AIIMS Delhi since April 10.
In India, medical abortion is allowed up to 20-24 weeks of pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. However, in this case, the medical termination was allowed, giving primacy to the reproductive autonomy of the minor.
The Justices made it clear that “no court ought to compel any woman, and more so a minor child, to carry a pregnancy to full term against her express will.”
“If the pregnant woman carrying an unwanted pregnancy is compelled to continue such a pregnancy, then the constitutional rights of the pregnant woman would be breached,” noted the court.
Also read: Why Miscarriage Needs Emotional Care At Par with Medical Treatment: Doctors Explain
However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing before the court, told the bench that the child could be given up for adoption through CARA after being born. He told the bench that, as per medical reports, termination of pregnancy at this stage may be risky for both the mother and the unborn child.
But Justice Nagarathna warned that denying relief in such circumstances could expose women, especially minors, to grave risks, including resort to unregulated procedures that may cause irreversible harm.
The court also underscored the minor’s psychological distress, including reported attempts to take her own life, observing that forcing continuation of the pregnancy would have “long-lasting repercussions” on her mental health, education, social standing, and overall development, Law Beat reported.
Directing that the procedure be carried out at AIIMS Delhi with all necessary medical safeguards, the court required the minor’s guardian to submit an undertaking consenting to the termination.
AIIMS said the “unborn viable child” cannot speak for itself and depends on the court’s parens patriae jurisdiction to protect its right to life, The Times of India reported.
AIIMS, in its plea, said, “The court’s order proceeds on the premise of termination of pregnancy; however, the medical reality, as disclosed by the post-order assessment, is that a living, viable child will be prematurely delivered into the world.”
AIIMS also cited a fresh medical board opinion, saying the fetus is viable and preterm delivery could cause long-term disabilities and pose a grave risk to the minor mother. It said if the baby is carried to term, the state could care for it till adoption.
Referring to a similar case, AIIMS said a prematurely delivered baby continues to need NICU support, suffered repeated sepsis, and remains dependent on tracheostomy care.
Credit: iStock/Wikimedia Commons
Artificial Intelligence can fast-track better diagnostics, and even a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
In an exclusive interview with TODAY, Altman also announced that the OpenAI Foundation is pledging $100 million to Alzheimer’s research.
“AI has the potential to dramatically speed up how we discover treatments, improve diagnostics, and hopefully get us closer to a cure,” he said.
“This is one of the hardest problems in medicine - and one that affects millions of families. We felt we could help accelerate progress,” Altman added.
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia, causing 60-70 percent of cases. It mostly affects adults over the age of 65 and is a leading cause of death and disability.
In a statement, OpenAI noted that Alzheimer’s is "one of the toughest problems in medicine".
"AI’s ability to reason across complex data could help researchers uncover new insights," it added.
Also read: This Common Vaccine At Higher Dose Can More Than Halve Alzheimer’s Risk In Older Adults
The company will partner with six research institutions to
“The OpenAI Foundation’s Alzheimer’s research initiative represents more than scientific progress. It’s a hope for millions of people, families, and anyone concerned about brain health. We applaud bold investments that prioritize speed and rigor, because every day matters. We must accelerate breakthroughs that change what it means to live with, or be at risk for, Alzheimer’s," said Joanne Pike, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.
While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and social isolation.
Read More: The One Critical Thing You Should Do To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.
There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder, and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition, or infection. These complications can result in death.
About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US, 65 and older, live with the condition, and over 100,00 die from it annually.
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South Carolina, which saw the largest measles outbreak in the United States in decades, has declared the outbreak over, state health officials announced.
The development comes as US cases reach 1,792, raising concerns about the country losing its measles elimination status achieved in 2000.
On Monday, health officials in South Carolina marked 42 days without new measles cases, confirming the outbreak that began in Spartanburg County last October has ended. There were nearly 1,000 confirmed cases over six months, including at least 21 hospitalizations.
On the upside, the outbreak led to a significant uptake in the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations. The state said 81,096 MMR vaccinations were given overall statewide, up 31.3 per cent from the previous year.
According to the public health experts, the increasing vaccination coverage played a significant role in helping to get the outbreak under control.
In a statement, South Carolina’s Department of Public Health’s Interim Agency Director, Edward Simmer, said that there was a 93.6 percent increase in MMR vaccinations during the outbreak.
The MMR vaccine is highly effective. One dose prevents the disease about 93 per cent of the time, and two doses raise that protection to 97 per cent.
“Vaccination – combined with other opportunities for good, solid public health work – really can be effective, even against some of the most contagious viruses,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, deputy director and chief medical officer with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, CNN reported.
Notably, unvaccinated school-age children were the most affected by this outbreak, with 95.3 per cent of case-patients unvaccinated and 90.8 per cent of cases in children 17 years old and younger, CIDRAP news reported.
A total of 33 schools had measles exposures, and seven public school districts were affected. Over the course of six months, 874 students were asked to quarantine.
Also read: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Denies Link To Measles Outbreak At Senate Hearing
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest weekly update, the US saw 44 new measles cases, one more than the 43 new cases confirmed the previous week. The national total now stands at 1,792 cases.
In 2026, 22 new outbreaks have been reported, and 93 per cent of confirmed cases are outbreak-associated. While there have been no deaths in 2026 from measles, six percent of case-patients (101 of 1,792) have been hospitalized this year in the US.
South Carolina also reported an additional measles case this month. However, it was determined not to be associated with the broader outbreak, but the single case exposed more than 40 people.
Utah reported five more cases in the past week, bringing the state total to 410 for 2026. Arizona has seven more cases, raising the 2026 total to 85. The four most recent cases came from Maricopa County.
“The re-emergence of measles in the Americas is a significant setback, but one that is entirely reversible and demands decisive action,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said in a press statement.
With several countries in the Americas, including Canada, Mexico, and the US, seeing a measles resurgence, the PAHO has urged leaders to increase MMR vaccination rates.
Also read: Surging Measles Cases In US Prompting Antivaxxers To Quietly Embrace MMR Vaccine: Report
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause devastating complications, including blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term immune dysfunction.
Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:
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