I watched a program the other night about a woman who has quintuplets and it got me thinking........how on earth did she manage to carry them! I struggled with my pregnancy and I was only carrying 2 - that lady deserves a medal!!!!
When I found out that I was expecting my first baby I was super nervous. I've known a number of women around me who have suffered miscarriages and as it was my first pregnancy I was concerned that it would not work out. We went to the scan with hope, but if I'm honest I think that I'd convinced myself that it would be bad news. Then the best happened, it was twins, with 2 very healthy heart beats. I burst into tears. I had never felt so much joy, I couldn't even begin to tell you how wonderful that moment was.
The lady carrying out the scan had informed us that she could not see a membrane separating the twins so it was possible that they were a type of identical twins called MoMo (Monochorionic-Monoamniotic), we would need to go straight to the Antenatal department to make an appointment to see the consultant. We did this and while we were there had an informal chat with a midwife, she informed us that MoMo twins occurred in around 1% of twin pregnancies, and meant that the babies not only shared the same placenta but would also share the same amniotic sac. She also told me that carrying twins would mean double the everything and boy was she right!
Jamie and I hadn't realised that there were different types of identical twins and we made the huge mistake of doing a bit of research online before seeing the consultant. The majority of things that we found re MoMo's was not positive and our hearts sank. Not only were there normal risks as in any pregnancy but there was also a high chance of other complications such as cord entanglement, cord compression and twin to twin transfusion syndrome. My feeling of blissful happiness soon turned into worry.
Two weeks later we had our first appointment with the consultant and luckily he found a membrane separating the babies. He informed us that I was carrying MoDi (Monochorionic-Diamniotictwins) twins and that although it isn't as complicated there was still a high chance of complications, mainly twin to twin transfusion syndrome, therefore I would be scanned every two weeks in the hope that if things began to go wrong then it would be caught in time.
Up until around 4 months into the pregnancy I experienced no pregnancy related feelings or issues but at 4 months the morning sickness began. Morning, noon and night I was ill and nothing helped. My poor hubby couldn't even mention food without me looking at him with pure terror in my eyes while I tried my best to get to a bathroom pronto!!! Then I began at around 5 months to experience a horrible intense pain in my pelvic area whenever I moved. This worried me but the midwife assured me that everything was fine and that I was suffering from SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) which is caused by a misalignment or stiffness of the pelvic joints. I was told that as I was carrying twins there was nothing they could do other than provide pain killers, I didn't want medication though as it would be passed through to the babies and well things were tough enough for them as it was. It got to the point that I could hardly walk, could not dress myself without help, going upstairs was slow and painful and climbing into the bath to use our shower brought tears.
Things with the babies though were going so well, which helped to keep my spirits up, the consultant said it was better than textbook. They were growing well and were extremely close in size, we also found out that we were expecting boys, we were so excited! At 32 weeks I went to my routine consultant appointment with my mum and for the first time things weren't perfect. I was told that twin 1 had stopped growing which is normally a sign of things going wrong, however there was no obvious signs of what that could be. I was told that I'd keep my fortnightly appointment but that if I felt differently in anyway I was to go straight to labor ward. I was feeling very nervous and called Jamie to let him know, he was so calm and it was obvious that he thought that I was mistaken to be concerned and that perhaps I'd misunderstood.
At 34 weeks Jamie came with me to see the consultant who informed us that twin 1 had not grown now for 4 weeks and that twin 2 had also stopped growing, so we needed to act with caution. He also informed us that we would have to have a c-section as it was his opinion that twin 1 would not cope with a natural child birth. Poor Jamie went white and for a few seconds looked like his whole world was about to collapse. They said that the best outcome for the twins, as there was no obvious reasons as to why their growth had stopped, was to get me to 36 weeks and that I was to immediately start a course of steroid injections to help their lungs develop, and prepare us for a premature birth.
For the next 10 days were were in the hospital getting injections, scans, doppler scans, and I spent a couple of nights on the ward for constant monitoring. Then 4 days before I reached 36 weeks (I'll never forget that it was a Friday) the consultant advised us that it was time to step in and that the twins would need to be delivered. At first I thought he meant immediately but he said that as long as I went into hospital to be monitored everyday, I could be an outpatient, and the twins would be scheduled for delivery on the following Tuesday, at 36 weeks.
Those 4 days were a blur of hospital appointments and scared silences. Then the big day arrived and we headed to the ward to await my c-section. As we were classed as a high risk pregnancy we went first. Nobody could tell us if the twins would be well or if they needed help so when we arrived at theatre they each had their own pediatricians and a team of nurses and midwifes to provide immediate care. There were 17 people in theatre with us and everyone was so upbeat and excited for us it helped a little to settle my nerves.
The boys were born within a minute of each other and we named them David and Stephen after our fathers. Stephen was brought over to Jamie almost immediately and we were told that he was little at 4lbs 10oz but that he was perfectly healthy, we were so relieved! A little while later we were introduced to David who had needed oxygen for a short time, even though he had been the main cause for concern he weighed more at 4lbs 15oz and again was in good health. At last our family was complete and we were all allowed to go back to the ward together. The next day our consultant visited and advised that the right decision had been made and that the twins were born at exactly the right time. A little later we learned that when David was born his umbilical cord had began to clot, this is a cause of still birth. I dread to think what would have happened if he had been born only a few minutes later.
Even though I had had a c-section I had been eager to get back on my feet so 2 days later we were allowed home. That first evening of being at home, just the 4 of us, was a very surreal feeling. We had literally doubled our numbers and it felt fantastic! All the worry and pain I had experienced had been more than worth it. There I was, sitting in my livingroom with two beautiful and strong baby boys and I felt like the luckiest mummy in the world.
The picture that I've attached are of the boys at 1 day old, even their premature baby hats were too big - so cute!!!!
When I found out that I was expecting my first baby I was super nervous. I've known a number of women around me who have suffered miscarriages and as it was my first pregnancy I was concerned that it would not work out. We went to the scan with hope, but if I'm honest I think that I'd convinced myself that it would be bad news. Then the best happened, it was twins, with 2 very healthy heart beats. I burst into tears. I had never felt so much joy, I couldn't even begin to tell you how wonderful that moment was.
The lady carrying out the scan had informed us that she could not see a membrane separating the twins so it was possible that they were a type of identical twins called MoMo (Monochorionic-Monoamniotic), we would need to go straight to the Antenatal department to make an appointment to see the consultant. We did this and while we were there had an informal chat with a midwife, she informed us that MoMo twins occurred in around 1% of twin pregnancies, and meant that the babies not only shared the same placenta but would also share the same amniotic sac. She also told me that carrying twins would mean double the everything and boy was she right!
Jamie and I hadn't realised that there were different types of identical twins and we made the huge mistake of doing a bit of research online before seeing the consultant. The majority of things that we found re MoMo's was not positive and our hearts sank. Not only were there normal risks as in any pregnancy but there was also a high chance of other complications such as cord entanglement, cord compression and twin to twin transfusion syndrome. My feeling of blissful happiness soon turned into worry.
Two weeks later we had our first appointment with the consultant and luckily he found a membrane separating the babies. He informed us that I was carrying MoDi (Monochorionic-Diamniotictwins) twins and that although it isn't as complicated there was still a high chance of complications, mainly twin to twin transfusion syndrome, therefore I would be scanned every two weeks in the hope that if things began to go wrong then it would be caught in time.
Up until around 4 months into the pregnancy I experienced no pregnancy related feelings or issues but at 4 months the morning sickness began. Morning, noon and night I was ill and nothing helped. My poor hubby couldn't even mention food without me looking at him with pure terror in my eyes while I tried my best to get to a bathroom pronto!!! Then I began at around 5 months to experience a horrible intense pain in my pelvic area whenever I moved. This worried me but the midwife assured me that everything was fine and that I was suffering from SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) which is caused by a misalignment or stiffness of the pelvic joints. I was told that as I was carrying twins there was nothing they could do other than provide pain killers, I didn't want medication though as it would be passed through to the babies and well things were tough enough for them as it was. It got to the point that I could hardly walk, could not dress myself without help, going upstairs was slow and painful and climbing into the bath to use our shower brought tears.
Things with the babies though were going so well, which helped to keep my spirits up, the consultant said it was better than textbook. They were growing well and were extremely close in size, we also found out that we were expecting boys, we were so excited! At 32 weeks I went to my routine consultant appointment with my mum and for the first time things weren't perfect. I was told that twin 1 had stopped growing which is normally a sign of things going wrong, however there was no obvious signs of what that could be. I was told that I'd keep my fortnightly appointment but that if I felt differently in anyway I was to go straight to labor ward. I was feeling very nervous and called Jamie to let him know, he was so calm and it was obvious that he thought that I was mistaken to be concerned and that perhaps I'd misunderstood.
At 34 weeks Jamie came with me to see the consultant who informed us that twin 1 had not grown now for 4 weeks and that twin 2 had also stopped growing, so we needed to act with caution. He also informed us that we would have to have a c-section as it was his opinion that twin 1 would not cope with a natural child birth. Poor Jamie went white and for a few seconds looked like his whole world was about to collapse. They said that the best outcome for the twins, as there was no obvious reasons as to why their growth had stopped, was to get me to 36 weeks and that I was to immediately start a course of steroid injections to help their lungs develop, and prepare us for a premature birth.
For the next 10 days were were in the hospital getting injections, scans, doppler scans, and I spent a couple of nights on the ward for constant monitoring. Then 4 days before I reached 36 weeks (I'll never forget that it was a Friday) the consultant advised us that it was time to step in and that the twins would need to be delivered. At first I thought he meant immediately but he said that as long as I went into hospital to be monitored everyday, I could be an outpatient, and the twins would be scheduled for delivery on the following Tuesday, at 36 weeks.
Those 4 days were a blur of hospital appointments and scared silences. Then the big day arrived and we headed to the ward to await my c-section. As we were classed as a high risk pregnancy we went first. Nobody could tell us if the twins would be well or if they needed help so when we arrived at theatre they each had their own pediatricians and a team of nurses and midwifes to provide immediate care. There were 17 people in theatre with us and everyone was so upbeat and excited for us it helped a little to settle my nerves.
The boys were born within a minute of each other and we named them David and Stephen after our fathers. Stephen was brought over to Jamie almost immediately and we were told that he was little at 4lbs 10oz but that he was perfectly healthy, we were so relieved! A little while later we were introduced to David who had needed oxygen for a short time, even though he had been the main cause for concern he weighed more at 4lbs 15oz and again was in good health. At last our family was complete and we were all allowed to go back to the ward together. The next day our consultant visited and advised that the right decision had been made and that the twins were born at exactly the right time. A little later we learned that when David was born his umbilical cord had began to clot, this is a cause of still birth. I dread to think what would have happened if he had been born only a few minutes later.
Even though I had had a c-section I had been eager to get back on my feet so 2 days later we were allowed home. That first evening of being at home, just the 4 of us, was a very surreal feeling. We had literally doubled our numbers and it felt fantastic! All the worry and pain I had experienced had been more than worth it. There I was, sitting in my livingroom with two beautiful and strong baby boys and I felt like the luckiest mummy in the world.
The picture that I've attached are of the boys at 1 day old, even their premature baby hats were too big - so cute!!!!