Medical Procedures Pre and Post-Partum
- Conjoined twins can be diagnosed using standard ultrasound equipment during mid-pregnancy.
- Treatment of conjoined twins varies largely depending on the type of union and the circumstances of the twins.
- Many parents make the difficult decision to terminate pregnancy due to the prognosis and quality of life issues that the twins would have to deal with. Also the likelihood of a successful separation can vary a parents likelihood of terminating pregnancy.
- If the parents choose to continue the pregnancy, mother and babies will be closely monitored throughout the pregnancy. In almost all cases a surgical procedure (C-section) delivery is planned often two to three weeks before the due date.
- After the twins are born, parents and doctors decide whether or not separation surgery is possible weighing in many things such as if the twins share vital organs, are the twins healthy enough to withstand surgery and how good the odds are. The doctors also most consider the possibility of reconstructive surgery and the social and learning issues the twins may have to face after they are separated.
- DOC Band® treatment
Read more about this topic: Craniopagus Twins
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