Cristiano Ronaldo & Georgina’s loss: Why stillbirths are greater for twins
As tragic as Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s loss is, it’s not unusual in twin pregnancies, claim medical reports.
As we’ve seen with Cristiano Ronaldo and his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, the loss of infants in utero or during labour can occur to anyone, irrespective of how rich or influential you are.
On Monday 18 April, the couple announced the sad news that one of their twin babies; a boy, had died, reportedly during childbirth. Cristiano described the tragedy as the “greatest pain any parent can feel”.
The remaining twin, a girl, survived. According to the couple, their baby girl is giving them “strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness”.
Whilst details remain unknown due to the family grieving, many have speculated the tragedy occurred as a result a stillbirth.
CRISTIANO RONALDO & GEORGINA’S EXPERIENCE IS COMMON AMONGST TWINS
According to a study by the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG), twins have an increased risk of intrauterine and neonatal death.
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The study finds that compared with singletons, monochorionic twins (twins that share a placenta) have a 13-fold increased risk of stillbirth . Dichorionic twins (with individual placentas) have a five-fold increased risk. Twin pregnancies account for almost 6% of all stillbirths and 18% of neonatal deaths. Twins also have a 20% of preterm births, many of which occur before 28 weeks gestation.
If those stats are not frightening enough, an eLife report found that the surviving twin is often at higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life.
ALSO READ: Georgina: 5 things to know about the mom of Cristiano Ronaldo’s late son
WHAT IS A VANISHING TWIN?
Another in utero condition affecting twin infants is what is known as the “vanishing twin syndrome”.
This phenomenon – which occurs in between 10- 40% of multiple pregnancies – takes place when fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, multiple, placenta or the mother.
This gives the appearance that one of the twins have “vanished”.
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