By Lizzie Parry Twin brothers who suffered a rare condition which meant they shared the same placenta and blood supply, were saved when doctors performed laser surgery in the womb. Nathaniel and Joshua Cavalier had a condition known as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, which resulted in an unequal flow of blood from their mother Verena's placenta. The condition - which can be fatal - was diagnosed when their mother went for a 21-week scan at Southend Hospital. The 32-year-old, from Rayleigh in Essex, was rushed to London's King's College Hospital where she underwent pioneering laser surgery the same day. Verena Cavalier's twin boys Nathaniel and Joshua were born in February after doctors performed life-saving laser surgery on the boys while they were still in the womb
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At her 21-week scan Verena Cavalier was told her twin sons had a rare condition known as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
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Life-threatening condition causes unequal flow of blood from the placenta
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Doctors rushed the 32-year-old to King's College Hospital in London where they operated on the expectant mother using laser surgery
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Mrs Cavalier and husband Paul told their sons had 33% chance of survival
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Both boys survived but their mother faced nervous six weeks, during which medics said she was likely to suffer a miscarriage
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Nathaniel and Joshua were born on February 12 at Southend Hospital
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Since their birth they have both fought meningitis and blood poisoning
They then went home on March 9 but had to return to @placeholder after catching bacterial meningitis.