A nurse in Nottingham has been diagnosed with one of the rarest pregnancies in the world after finding out that one of her “twins” was actually a tissue that can develop into cancer. Lara Eastwood, 36, shared her story to raise awareness of the risks associated with such pregnancies. Lara was initially told she was pregnant with twins at six weeks but received the heartbreaking news of losing one of them at her eight-week scan.
At 12 weeks, Lara and her fiancé, Daniel Turner, 43, learned that the dead foetus hadn’t dissolved, indicating a twin molar pregnancy. This condition occurs when there is a problem with the fertilised egg, leading to abnormal development of the baby and placenta. Although advised to terminate the pregnancy, Lara’s intuition led her to seek a second opinion. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with a partial molar pregnancy with a co-existing twin, a rare occurrence with only 44 reported cases worldwide.
Despite the risk that the tissue from the dead placenta could develop into cancer, Lara decided to continue with the pregnancy. Now 36 weeks pregnant, she faces uncertainty about potential health impacts until the birth. Lara, who works as a nurse, expressed her determination to give her baby the best possible chance of survival. She acknowledged the challenging journey but remains hopeful for a healthy outcome.
Lara’s experience began when she and Daniel were overjoyed to discover they were expecting twins, following three previous losses. Despite encountering bleeding and pain early on in the pregnancy, their scans initially showed two heartbeats. The devastating loss of one twin at the eight-week scan led to a period of grieving while trying to focus on the remaining baby. However, at the 12-week scan, Lara was informed of the twin molar pregnancy diagnosis, adding further emotional turmoil to their journey.
Facing the difficult decision of whether to terminate the pregnancy, Lara’s determination and medical knowledge as a nurse prompted her to seek alternatives. After receiving confirmation of her diagnosis through a procedure, she chose to continue with the pregnancy despite the risks involved. Lara’s ongoing monitoring and uncertainty about her baby’s health underline the emotional toll of her unique situation.
As Lara nears her expected delivery date, she remains vigilant about potential health implications for both herself and the baby. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by individuals experiencing rare medical conditions during pregnancy. In sharing her journey, Lara hopes to raise awareness about twin molar pregnancies and provide support to others navigating similar paths.