Making the decision to end their twin pregnancy for medical reasons was heartbreaking for Becca and George. When Becca found out she was pregnant in January 2022, the happiness was immediate, but so was the awareness that things might be complicated. Both Becca and her husband live with thalassaemia, and they knew that could affect a pregnancy.
Becca said: "We found out we were pregnant in January 2022. We were obviously ecstatic. My husband and I have a blood condition called thalassaemia, and we knew it might be complicated in a pregnancy."
At their eight-week dating scan, they were told they were expecting twins. Becca said: "We were absolutely shocked as we weren't expecting it." Later, they learned the babies had thalassaemia beta, but they were reassured that the twins were healthy. After getting through the tests and the worry that came with them, it felt as though they had made it past a major hurdle.
Many families expecting twins and multiples experience extra appointments and complex information, and it can be hard to know where to turn when things feel uncertain. Twins Trust Bereavement Service has information and support for parents navigating difficult news in pregnancy, including ending a pregnancy for medical reasons and baby loss.
When Becca discovered Twins Trust Bereavement Service, she said she found others who understood her story and a support network that gave a helping hand when she needed it.
When a routine scan brings devastating news
At their routine 16-week scan, a midwife noticed that the babies’ legs seemed to be crossed and a consultant was asked to take a closer look. Becca could sense the change in mood straight away.
Becca added: "The consultant came in and scanned me for a while and told my husband and I to take a seat. As soon as he said that I knew something was wrong. He said the short and long bones weren't growing quick enough for the twins, which meant that their chests and throats weren't developing quick enough.
I asked what our next options were and he said it was really severe. He said we could wait a week and see if anything changes but he thought it was very unlikely. He said he thought we were going to have to terminate the pregnancy.
Only recently, Becca and George had been told they were expecting twin boys. The contrast between what they had imagined and what they were now being told was overwhelming.
"At that point it was like an absolute blow, we weren't expecting it. After having the thalassaemia tests and getting past that big hurdle, we thought it was fine."
Navigating Grief booklet
The journey through grief can be incredibly difficult. Our Navigating Grief booklet is here to support all parents who have lost a baby or babies.
Facing an impossible decision
Becca and George broke down, trying to take in what they were hearing. The next day, they spoke to someone at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London who reviewed the scans and explained the possible outcomes. They were told the twins had skeletal dysplasia, and that they would die before Becca gave birth or would not survive for long afterwards. They were also told the decision, and the timing, would be up to them.
"My husband and I broke down. Then the next day we spoke to someone from Great Ormond Street Hospital who looked at the scans. They explained the twins would die before I gave birth or they really wouldn't survive very long after childbirth. The twins had skeletal dysplasia. They said it was up to us when we wanted to start the termination.
"At that point I just had the horrible feeling that I didn't want to be pregnant anymore. I wanted this all to go away. It was just the most horrible feeling I've ever had," Becca said.
The couple decided to end the pregnancy for medical reasons. Blood tests were taken for genetic testing. Alongside grief, Becca also carried a strong sense that she was not prepared for what the termination would involve, and that lack of clear information added to the trauma.
She added: "A few days later, we went for the full termination. It was absolutely horrendous and I wasn't prepared for it. I wish I had had a bit more information before I went in because I think we went in quite blind to it.
"I asked one of the midwives if I was going to have to push but I was told it was like period pains. But it wasn't like that at all, it was a lot worse.
"The next morning at around 6am I gave birth to the twins. It was a really traumatic experience. My husband was there with me the whole time. He was really emotional but I had zero emotion. I didn’t believe what was happening, I was in pure shock. The midwives were completely amazing and sensitive of our situation. They said sorry for my loss."
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Life afterwards, and finding people who understand
After the twins were born, Becca and George were able to spend time with them. The hospital gave them a memory box with certificates and photos of their 16-week-old babies. In the days that followed, the physical impact continued too. Becca had a retained placenta and was unwell after the birth, prolonging an already difficult experience.
When she left hospital, the reality of what had happened felt even sharper.
She added: "The main thing for me was when I came out of the hospital. I completely broke down coming back to reality. I found it really difficult."
Becca explained what support helped her following the termination and how she found others who understood her grief.
A few months later, the genetic results showed that the deaths were not due to any genetic reasons. Becca found Twins Trust’s Bereavement Service, and with it, the support she had been looking for: people who understood the specific pain of losing twins, and the complicated feelings that can follow.
"Hearing other people's stories and hearing they had successful pregnancies after that really helped. Having that support network with Twins Trust has been absolutely amazing for me."
