A DAD of triplets has written an open heartfelt love letter to his partner this Valentine’s Day to raise awareness of a rare and potentially-fatal condition.

Martyn Halliwell wrote about his fiancée Laura’s pregnancy and how well she coped when the couple’s babies were diagnosed.

MORE TOP STORIES:

While they were still in the womb they were discovered to have twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which occurs when blood passes between foetuses.

In most cases the donor twin becomes smaller and anaemic and they also usually have a reduced amount of amniotic fluid and can become ‘stuck’ to the side of the uterus.

The recipient baby becomes bigger and the higher blood volume puts a strain on their heart.

Mr Halliwell, 31, and Laura Slinger, 29, of Burnley and are parents to triplets Elsie, Eilah and Erin, who are two-and-a-half years, and the couple’s son Maddox, eight.

Elsie and Eilah were diagnosed with TTTS but survived after doctors performed laser surgery before they were born.

In the latter Mr Halliwell said: “I’ve always known you were perfect. But then when our three precious girls showed up on the scan picture and later when we were told we could lose them all, that’s when I realised all over again just how amazing you are.

“While I watched on in a daze, not really understanding what was happening, you seemed so quietly confident even though I knew you’d be hurting inside.

“I remember you breaking down in tears in the waiting room and everyone was staring at us. I felt helpless that I wasn’t a doctor and could fix things for you. Knowing I could do nothing to help was the hardest part. We went to St George’s in London and the doctors performed laser surgery while the babies were still in the womb.

“Our three little ladies were in there and you were so focused on being relaxed for the operation.

“You knew what you had to do and you just went for it – I’ll never forget how incredible you were.

“Thank you for showing me how to be strong when it’s the last thing I felt like doing.”

Mr Halliwell hopes his letter will inspire people to donate to the TTTS Registry, a scheme set up by Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association), to research the condition. The registry is used by doctors to collect data on cases.

Keith Reed, CEO of Tamba, said: “Without amazing doctors learning about this awful condition, Martyn and Laura’s triplets may not be alive today.

“Without treatment, 90 per cent of TTTS babies will die. We want to see more success stories in future, which is why funding for the registry is so important.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Tamba’s Appeal can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TTTSAppeal.