Norwalk Hospital, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital

Children’s Names: Mila, Liv and Alya

Hospital: Mount Sinai Hospital

Gestation:   28 weeks

Weight: 1 lb 5 oz and 2.2 oz

Days in Hospital: 129 and 180 days

Date of Birth:  2017

  Tanya’s identical twins, Liv and Alya, were born prematurely at 28 weeks due to a pregnancy complication called Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). TTTS is a condition where blood flows unequally between twins sharing a placenta, and it affects about 10 to 15 percent of monochorionic twins. At birth, Liv was in moderate heart failure, and Alya was severely growth-restricted. The doctors feared that if they didn’t perform an emergency c-section, one or both of the twins might not survive. Once they were delivered, Tanya and her family embarked on a complicated and emotional NICU journey. Both twins had existing breathing issues, which were exacerbated by the PDA ligations (heart surgeries) they underwent. Complications from the surgeries led to permanent paralysis of their left vocal cords, further intensifying their breathing and eating challenges. They required prolonged breathing support (ventilator, CPAP, and low flow oxygen) for 100 days and 210 days, respectively, and needed feeding assistance via NG tubes. The twins were also diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), an eye disease that can occur in premature babies. One of the twins faced a significant setback after the heart surgery when her breathing declined further, necessitating a bronchoscopy. It was during this procedure that the paralyzed vocal cord, which had closed over her airway, was discovered. After 180 days in the NICU, she was finally discharged with an NG tube and low-flow oxygen, and Tanya had to learn how to manage her care at home. At one point, between both twins, Tanya managed 29 therapy sessions per week, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy, and physical therapy. Despite the challenges, Liv and Alya are thriving today and are the most rambunctious humans you will ever meet. Tanya wishes she had had a mentor to guide her through this harrowing journey, but instead, she navigated it on her own, learning through every challenge and triumph. This is why Tanya is so passionate about supporting other parents through Tiny Miracles. What Tiny Miracles provides for parents is truly a gift, and that’s why she’s committed to being a part of it—to give others the support she once needed herself.