Twins born after risky surgery doing fine in Nashville

Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 8:01 pm

NASHVILLE (AP) — Nearly three months after a risky surgery saved their lives, identical twin boys are thriving and have gained seven pounds since birth.
Sammy and Henry Riggs had slim odds of survival after they were diagnosed in the womb with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, a blood vessel disease in the placenta. The Tennessean reports that nearly 90 percent of the cases end in loss of the infants.
The boys’ parents, Natalie and Henry Riggs, decided to travel to Texas for a risky laser surgery that could have ended in the death of the boys or their mother. Only about 15 centers in the country are equipped to do the laser surgery.
Natalie Riggs was on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. She delivered the boys in Nashville on June 12.
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Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com
Published in The Messenger 9.9.09