Poppy and Rosie’s Story

Poppy and Rosie’s story started with an unexpected pregnancy test. Another baby wasn’t in the plan, but life had different ideas. At first, it was just shock and adjustment, but that changed quickly. A scan revealed not one, but two babies, turning surprise into a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

Everything seemed normal at first. The early scans showed two growing babies, and the family began preparing for life with twins. But at 16 weeks, a routine scan changed everything. The doctors diagnosed Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), a dangerous condition where one baby received too much blood while the other didn’t get enough. It was a life-threatening imbalance, and without intervention, the outlook was grim.

The doctors laid out the options, none of them easy. They could do nothing and hope for the best, attempt a delicate laser surgery to separate their shared blood supply, or make the unthinkable decision to let one baby go to give the other a better chance. There was no time to dwell. Surgery was the only real option.
The first round of laser surgery seemed to help. Then came another complication: Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence (TAPS), a rare twin condition that causes one baby to become dangerously anemic while the other develops thickened blood. More choices, more risks. A second laser procedure was planned, but it didn’t go smoothly. A blood vessel ruptured. The pregnancy, already a rollercoaster, took another sharp turn

At 22 weeks, another devastating diagnosis came. Rosie had severe heart complications, something doctors had never seen in just one twin of an identical pregnancy. The outlook was grim. Specialists reviewed every possible option, but the reality was clear; she wouldn’t survive. That left an unbearable decision. Keep going and risk losing both, or let Rosie go to give Poppy a chance?

On April 30, 2021, Rosie’s heart was stopped. Signing the consent papers felt impossible. The weight of that decision was unbearable, but there was no other way. The procedure itself was agonizing. Lying on the table, knowing what was about to happen, was a pain beyond words. The moment the doctors confirmed it was done, a silence settled in that would never fully leave. Leaving the hospital that day, still carrying Rosie but knowing she was gone, was something no parent should ever have to endure.

For weeks, both girls were still there. One alive, one not. Explaining that to Millie and Reuben, the older siblings, was brutal. They had been excited for two sisters. Now, only one would be coming home.

At 27 weeks, Poppy was born at just 730 grams. Rosie was born too, silent and still. Poppy went to the NICU. Rosie to a tiny coffin.

Life after was a mess of grief and survival. Poppy was labeled “Twin 1,” leading to painful questions. A small purple butterfly on her incubator signaled that she had lost a twin. Meanwhile, her older siblings were dealing with nightmares, anxiety, and the fear that Poppy wouldn’t make it either.

Poppy is three now. She knows Rosie’s name. She plays with her urn, talks about her, includes her in family life. Rosie may not be here, but she’s part of every moment.

Losing a twin and raising the other is a life of contradictions. Joy mixed with grief. Milestones that feel both exciting and unfair. The decision to say goodbye to Rosie will always hurt, but it was made out of love.

For anyone facing something similar, you’re not alone. The grief doesn’t go away, but neither does the love. Poppy and Rosie will always be twins. Always together, in their own way.

To find out more information about Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence (TAPS) please visit TAPS Support, one of our partner charities.