UPDATE: |’The last image I have was him in his little hat and outfit hugging the teddy bear’ News

When Manchester couple Millie and Tom Smith found out they were expecting twins, they faced an ordeal similar to Little Mix star Jesy Nelson

A couple from Manchester has shared their harrowing experience with a life-saving operation for their unborn twins, similar to the ordeal faced by pop star Jesy Nelson. Millie, 28, and Tom Smith, 31, were filled with joy after discovering they were expecting twin boys during their 12-week scan.

However, at 22 weeks, the couple received the diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The serious and potentially fatal condition affects identical twins sharing a placenta, leading to unequal distribution of blood and oxygen.

After receiving advice that surgery was the best option, mum-to-be Millie underwent emergency laser surgery to split the placenta so the blood flow would be even.

Tragically, the procedure wasn’t successful, and a week later, they learnt that one of the twins no longer had a heartbeat. Millie delivered her twins, Enzo and Elias, at 34 weeks on January 29, 2025, with the devastating news of Elias being stillborn.

Now caring for Enzo at home, the couple are mourning the loss while embracing the joys of their newborn. They also want to raise awareness about TTTS.

Tom, a musician, from Manchester, said: “We had the laser surgery. That was the most surreal thing I’ve probably ever sat in in my life.

“They go through the womb with a camera, and you can see the laser.

“But we actually did get to see both babies on the screen via the camera, which was, quite nice.

“It was a really tough time as we were under the impression that without the surgery we could have lost both babies.

“You still want to be happy as you still have one baby, but you have the heartbreak of losing one baby too.”

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Tom and Millie found out they were expecting a baby in 2024 and at their 12 week scan they found out it was identical twins.

Tom said: “At the 12-week scan, we expected a routine scan but then the sonographer said ‘you know there’s two babies’.

“It was a real mixed bag of emotions. I think Millie was scared but I was absolutely blown away, I was ecstatic.

“It took us a while to process it but later we were both buzzing. I don’t think either of us understood the implications of having a twin pregnancy.”

The couple had weekly scans and had been warned to look for any signs of TTTS – including abdominal pain and being short of breath.

At their 22 week scan their unborn boys were diagnosed with TTTS.

Tom said: “Once we got diagnosed and we looked into it more, it was obviously a very scary time.

“You don’t know if they’re both going to be okay. If one of them is going to be okay. None of them are going to be okay. It was a very weird time.”

The couple decided to go ahead with laser surgery not long after their 22 week scan at Liverpool Women’s Hospital – in the hope it would save both the twins.

Straight after the surgery, Millie felt optimistic as she could feel kicks on both sides of her stomach, but they later found out it hadn’t worked.

Tom said: “A week after the surgery we went back to the hospital and they told us there was no heartbeat for the smaller twin, which was twin two.

“It was very bittersweet.

“We grieved and allowed ourselves to be upset. We needed to get the emotions out, it was important. But we also knew we needed to stay positive for our other baby and for each other.”

The couple also had to go for an MRI on Enzo’s brain to make sure he hadn’t got any brain damage from the surgery, and found out on Christmas Eve he was OK.

Millie carried both twins to 34 weeks and gave birth on January 29, 2025.

Tom said: “It was a real rollercoaster journey. I was just waiting for that first cry. Enzo was rushed to NICU as he needed help with his breathing.

“I knew I needed to see Elias and spend time with him. The midwife dressed Elias and placed him in a cold cot in our room and we spent about eight hours with him.

“We did handprints and footprints. It was nice to have that time and make memories. I can understand why some people wouldn’t want that but in the same instance, you can never get that time back.

“The midwife dressed Elias and she had this really small teddy bear, which she put in between his hands and he was hugging it.

“The last image I have before the funeral director took Elias away was him in his little hat and outfit that the bereavement midwife got for us. He was hugging the little teddy bear. I’ve always got that in my head now. We will never forget that – it was a beautiful memory to have on such a difficult day.

“Even though we had such a negative outcome by losing one of our babies, the support and care from the people in there just made it as easy as it could have been.”

Tom wrote a song to remember Elias, ‘Lullaby In The Sky,’ which he started writing at hospital visits and the night before the birth.

The couple played the song at Elias’ funeral.

Tom said: “I couldn’t find the words to say goodbye to him in a song that was already out there. So, I wrote that for him.

“It’s just nice to know that other people can resonate with what we’ve been through.”

He teamed up with the charity Twins Trust to release it.

Shauna Leven, Chief Executive of Twins Trust, said: “We are really grateful to Thomas for choosing to support Twins Trust on the release of his debut single.

“Thomas and Millie have faced an incredibly difficult time and we want them or any families in a similar situation to know that we have a bereavement service too.

“We offer compassionate support to families experiencing the loss of one or more of a set of twins or triplets.

“We can give a lifeline to parents and families coping with the unique challenges of loss from a multiple births. It’s a community where you will feel listened to and understood.”

Find out more about the Twins Trust Bereavement Service here.