Birth Story – Twins! « Spearmint Baby

Birth Story – Twins!

My daughters, Mia and Alexa, were born by c-section on December 28th, 2010. I’m submitting my birth story to Spearmint Baby, which I love and read every day. I’m also attaching two photos. The first is my husband, Matt, and I waiting in pre-OP. The second is a few hours after my girls were born. My birth story is also featured on my blog: cherrypietwins.blogspot.com.
Thanks!
~ Samantha

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My OB is the head of the maternal/child unit of our local hospital. He’s a high risk doctor and so I did not see a maternal fetal medicine specialist like many other twin mammas. I was closely monitored by my OB and despite my anxiety, my near constant Braxton Hicks contractions and months of pain and discomfort (all resulting in a few too many trips to L&D), I had an uncomplicated pregnancy. I gave birth at 37 weeks and 0 days, which is considered exactly “term”.

When we first met my OB, he recommended a c-section based on current research which indicates that vaginal births can be dangerous to twins, particularly the second twin. I’m risk averse by nature and was already anxiety-ridden by the thought of carrying and delivering two babies, so I elected to have a planned c-section. The OB didn’t push me into having a c-section but he was definitely pro c-section. My c-section was scheduled for 38 weeks and 5 days. I always felt like I would give birth sooner than that date.

Once I hit 36 weeks, my discomfort turned to real pain. I started having sharp, shooting pains in my vajayjay in addition to the Braxton Hicks. I also started to throw-up several times a day. I knew something was happening. I had a routine non-stress test at 36 weeks and 6 days. The on-call OB told us that I was in the early stages of labour and would not make it to my planned c-section date as I was already fully effaced and a fingertip dilated. He sent us home with instructions to return if my contractions started coming 10 minutes apart. That night we did all of our last minute pre-baby tasks although I think my husband wasn’t fully convinced that I was so close to giving birth!

The next day, I saw my OB at an already scheduled 37 week appointment. We updated him and he examined me, confirmed I was then a few centimeters dilated and sent me to the hospital. It seemed surreal when he told us our babies were going to be born “today”!

The c-section itself was uneventful and I had an easy recovery. Because I wasn’t scheduled for that day we had a few hours to wait in pre-op before I was brought into the OR. We called our parents and siblings to let them know to get to the hospital. I had a wonderful nurse that got me ready, set up my IV and catheter. I was surprised when she told me that I had to walk myself into the OR!

The OR was full of people: the OB, another surgeon, a pediatrician, my nurse, nurses for each of the babies and an anesthesiologist. They had me lean forward and hug my nurse as the anesthesiologist gave me the spinal. It made me feel warm and tingly. It wasn’t what I expected. By the time my husband was in the room things started to happen quickly. He got to stand and peak over the curtain to watch the girls being born and take photos. I remember feeling really nauseous during and after surgery. The anesthesiologist was the person that I had the most contact with during the surgery. He was very attentive and made sure I was okay.

And then just like that…. our daughters came into our life and changed everything. Both girls, though teeny tiny, were completely healthy and did not spend any time in the NICU. Mia was born first weighing 5 pounds 5 ounces and Alexa followed weighing 6 pounds 1 ounce. I wish I could have held them in those first few minutes after they were born but I could catch glimpses of them in their warmers. I was instantly overwhelmed with love for them, and also for Matt. He and I dreamed about that moment for a very long time.

I don’t know what the babies scored on the Agpar but they must have done well because they were moved to the recovery area with my husband. He was given about 40 minutes alone time with them while I was stitched up. Once I was wheeled into recovery, I got to have skin-to-skin contact with both girls and we tried to get them to nurse. I don’t remember how long we were in recovery but I do remember being wheeled to my room. As I was wheeled out, with a baby in each of my arms, we were met by our parents and siblings. And we were showered with love.

By the next morning, the nurses removed my IV and catheter and I was walking around, and even showered. We went home after 3 days in the hospital. I was lucky to have a very easy recovery.