Thsi is a rare condition, affecting less than 10% of monochorionic (identical) twins. Identical twins share a placenta, and blood vessels can run from one twin to the other across the surface of the placenta. When this happens, one baby is effectively connected to the other one. In certain situations, one baby can ''bleed'' into the other; the one that loses blood becomes the donor twin and often becomes small, with very little amniotic fluid around it. The one that receives the blood is called the recipient, and becomes large and bloated, with a lot of amniotic fluid around it. The condition is potentially very risky for both babies and can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or preterm labour. Treatments include draining off the excess fluid, or in-utero laser treatment to burn the communicating blood vessels. Both approaches are also not without risk. The condition can resolve itself, without any outside help, however.
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