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Dr Odile Bagot (Gynecologist-obstetrician)
In a statement posted on their Instagram accounts, the couple announced the death of one of the twins. More explanations on this type of high-risk pregnancy with gynecologist Odile Bagot, member of the Doctissimo expert committee.
This is sad news announced by Cristiano Ronaldo and his wife on their Instagram accounts. While the couple was waiting for the arrival of twins, a girl and a boy, the second unfortunately did not survive during childbirth. “It is with deep sadness that we announce that our baby boy has passed away”, can we read in the Instagram post published on Monday, April 18. “We are devastated and kindly ask for our privacy”they added.
The couple, together since 2016, announced at the end of October that they were expecting twins. This pregnancy came to enlarge the family already composed of four children. The Portuguese footballer became the father of Cristiano Junior in 2010 without ever revealing the identity of the mother. Seven years later, he becomes the father of Mateo and Eva, born through a surrogate mother. In the same year, he welcomed his granddaughter Alana, born of his union with his current wife, Georgina Rodriguez.
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Pregnant with twins: a higher risk pregnancy
This type of tragic event is more common in twin pregnancies. “Pregnancies with twins are more risky pregnancies”says Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist. “When there is a single pouch and a single placenta, there is immediately a very high risk during pregnancy and sometimes even during childbirth, particularly vaginally, where an obstetrical accident can be encountered.. In general, we lose one of the twins in utero before delivery if we are close to the term or at delivery”, says the gynecologist.
As for a pregnancy fake twinswhich has two pouches and two placentas, this one is less at risk and the mortality rate is lower.
When one of the two twins dies, the consequences for the surviving child can be multiple. “There are bound to be psychological consequences for the surviving twin who may feel guilty for example”, explains the gynecologist. This feeling of guilt may be associated with a feeling of loneliness and of fear of death. These symptoms reflect a syndrome called the lost twin syndrome. To limit these feelings, the gynecologist advises parents to talk about it with the child as soon as they feel he is ready. “There is nothing worse than a family secret”, she reports. The ideal is to consult a pediatrician and/or a psychologist with the child so that he can live as well as possible with this trauma.