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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Brazilian authorities on Wednesday approved the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine, describing it as a “historic” step amid a global surge in cases fueled by rising temperatures. Dengue, which causes severe flu-like symptoms, extreme fatigue, and body aches, hit record global levels in 2024, with scientists linking its rapid spread to climate change. Brazil’s health regulatory body ANVISA cleared the use of Butantan-DV, created by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, for individuals aged 12 to 59.
Until now, the only dengue vaccine available globally was TAK-003, which requires two doses spaced three months apart, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Here’s everything currently known about this single-dose vaccine.
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On Wednesday, November 26, Anvisa approved the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine. The announcement followed the signing of a term considered the final step in registering the vaccine, produced entirely at a national laboratory, during a press conference, as reported by CNN Brazil. The development of Butantan-DV is the result of collaboration between Brazil’s Ministry of Health, the Butantan Institute, and the Chinese lab Wu Xi.
Anvisa stated that the new vaccine uses live attenuated virus technology and is currently approved for people aged 12 to 59—a range that could expand if new studies support it. The Ministry of Health will determine the official vaccination start date and the target age group. The registration request for the vaccine was submitted by the Butantan Institute in January 2025. Anvisa fast-tracked its evaluation, forming a technical panel that included external experts to review the process.
A live attenuated virus is a weakened form of a virus used in vaccines to trigger a strong and lasting immune response without causing the full-blown disease. These viruses are developed in a lab, often through repeated culturing, so they can replicate in the body but only in a limited way. By closely mimicking a natural infection, they prompt the immune system to respond similarly to how it would during a real infection, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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CNN Brazil reported that the Ministry of Health found the vaccine to have an overall efficacy of 74.7% against symptomatic dengue for people aged 12 to 59. This means that nearly three out of four people were protected from the disease. Protection was similar for those who had previously had dengue and those who were never exposed to the virus.
In 2024, over 14 million dengue cases were reported globally, marking a record year, according to ScienceDirect and WHO. The death toll reached more than 9,500. While the Americas reported the highest number of cases, dengue continues to affect more than 100 countries worldwide.
Dengue, often called “breakbone fever” because of its intense symptoms, can in severe cases lead to hemorrhagic fever and even death. The disease spreads through infected Aedes mosquitoes, which are now appearing in areas beyond their traditional habitats, resulting in dengue cases in parts of Europe and the United States where it was previously uncommon.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday lifted the Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi NCR after the region saw a steady improvement in air quality over the past three days. Delhi’s 24 hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 327, and forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology indicate that the air is expected to stay in the very poor range.
Even with this slight relief, the Commission noted that measures under Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the revised GRAP, notified on November 21, will remain active. These curbs will be tracked closely across the National Capital Region to prevent pollution levels from rising again.
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With Stage 3 now withdrawn, the rule that required offices to operate with half their staff working from home has ended, and schools are no longer expected to follow hybrid classes. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed this in a post on X.
Previously, the Delhi government had instructed its departments and private workplaces to keep only 50 per cent of employees on site while the rest worked remotely.
Here is what continues under GRAP I and GRAP II.
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GRAP Stage 1 calls for the following steps in Delhi:
GRAP Stage II involves the use of mechanised road sweepers, anti smog guns, and daily water sprinkling to reduce dust and particulate matter.
These are the curbs under GRAP Stage 2:
Air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas stayed at troubling levels on Wednesday. The morning AQI was 371, which falls in the very poor category. This was an improvement from 420 at the same time on Tuesday, according to readings from the air quality platform aqi.in.
During winter, Delhi NCR enforces GRAP-based restrictions depending on the air quality level. The plan divides pollution levels into four stages. Stage 1 is Poor with an AQI of 201 to 300. Stage 2 is Very Poor with an AQI of 301 to 400. Stage 3 is Severe with an AQI of 401 to 450. Stage 4 is Severe Plus with an AQI above 450. Cold conditions, along with emissions from vehicles, stubble burning, firecrackers, and other local sources, often push the region into unhealthy air quality during this season.
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Health benefits gained from using popular weight loss injection Mounjaro are reversed when patients stop taking the jab, a new study has suggested. The medication, which contains tirzepatide, is often called the “King Kong” of weight loss shots, with earlier research showing it can help people lose up to 25 per cent of their body weight in about 18 months. A new study now reports that once patients discontinue the jab, many put weight back on and also lose other gains, such as lower blood pressure and improved levels of unhealthy cholesterol.
The research, published in Jama Internal Medicine, tracked 308 people who had lost weight and seen improvements in several health markers during their course of tirzepatide.
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According to The Independent, the team found that after the group stopped the medication, 82 per cent of the participants regained 25 per cent or more of the weight they had previously lost. Those who gained weight again also saw their blood pressure and cholesterol return towards earlier levels that had improved during treatment.
“Higher weight regain on withdrawal of tirzepatide was associated with a greater reversal of improvements in cardiometabolic parameters achieved with tirzepatide treatment,” the Surmount 4 researchers wrote. “These findings support the need for continued obesity treatment in adults living with obesity.”
Earlier this year, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said many people tend to regain weight if they do not receive proper support after stopping weight loss medicines. This followed new work published in BMC Medicine that observed a wider pattern of weight returning once treatment courses ended.
Nice stressed the value of building long term habits, using self tracking tools and drawing on different forms of support, from online groups to family based help and local activities. “Successful weight management does not end when medication stops or when someone completes a behavioural programme,” said Professor Jonathan Benger, deputy chief executive and chief medical officer at Nice.
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“We know the period after treatment is vital, and people need steady support to hold on to the progress they have made. This new standard ensures services offer that continuity of care, and it helps the NHS 10 Year Plan move towards a model that places greater focus on prevention instead of illness.”
Excess weight is closely tied to higher blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol trends and weaker glucose control. Professor Naveed Sattar, a cardiometabolic expert involved in earlier phases of the Surmount programme, explained that it is understandable to see these risk factors rise when weight returns. The quicker and more fully the weight comes back, the more these risks tend to climb. In short, tirzepatide does not create a lasting reset. While the medicine is taken and weight is lower, health markers improve. When treatment ends and weight rises again, those improvements fade.
For many people, the findings underline that obesity is a long-term condition rather than a short-term task. Medicines that influence appetite and hormones work while they remain part of treatment. When they are stopped, the body often drifts back towards its earlier weight, especially if past eating patterns and activity levels return. If you are using tirzepatide or a related medicine and are considering stopping, it is important to discuss this with your diabetes or weight management team so that your next steps are supported properly.
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