Twin Birth Story: Kayla Beck

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Name: Kayla Beck

Where do you currently live? Oxford, MS



How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 17 weeks
 
Any issues during your pregnancy? During my pregnancy I continued to work full time as a kindergarten teacher until a week before the girls were born. The main issue I had was heartburn, horrible heartburn!! It made it impossible for me to eat past 6:30 and I slept sitting upright. I took Zantac nightly, yet still battled extreme pain.

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant:  We did not find out I was pregnant with twins until we went in to find out the sex. My husband and our son ( 5 years old at the time) came with me for the big day. The second the sonographer began she gasped, which had me worried. She followed the gasp with " did you know you're having twins?" And then " let me look and see if there are any more". I didn't say anything the rest of the appointment, I believe I started crying. I'm a planner and this threw me into shock.

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self?  Eat! Food tasted so much better when I was pregnant. Many foods that I enjoyed while pregnant, just don't taste near as good now.

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 38 weeks

Baby A's Information: Elsa Marie
March 27, 2012
9:00 pm
5 lbs 7 oz

Baby B's Information: Emerson Kay
March 27, 2012
9:04 pm
5 lbs 11 oz

Are your twins identical? We don't know! The girls had separate placenta and were in separate saks. We would need to do a DNA test to know. I always say they are fraternal, and everyone tells me they are identical.

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery?  Both of the girls were head down the entire pregnancy, which was great because I was terrified of having a c-section. I was induced at 38 weeks because the girls had run out of room. I went to the hospital at noon and the girls were born at 9:00 pm and 9:04 pm. I had an epidural and was worried that baby b would flip. However, everything went wonderfully, I was laughing as I delivered them! The girls were with me immediately after delivery and both began nursing. I could not have asked for a better experience :).

Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? No time in the NICU

Did you have any complications after delivery? The only complication I experienced after delivery was major headaches. I believe it was due to my epidural. The nurses kept me on pain meds and lots and lots of fluids to combat the pain.

How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital?  The girls were born at 9:00 pm on a Tuesday night and we all went home Thursday morning.

Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? Both, my husband stayed at the hospital both nights with me which helped. He would take them back and forth.

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital? 
1. My own snacks!! I didn't eat much the day I had the girls, so by the next day I was happy to have my favorite snacks ( I am gluten free, and I wasn't sure what they would have at the hospital, so this was especially useful ).
2. Camera, computer/ iPad and chargers. I am so glad we were able to document our time at the hospital through pictures and videos. I will treasure them forever.
3. Clothing and blankets for the girls. I am glad we had our own clothes, hair bows, and blankets for the girls. I had picked out clothing beforehand, although not much fit them!
 
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: My favorite moment at the hospital was when our son Maddox met the girls for the first time. He was in awe and in love...my heart smiled. We had picked out names, but let him pick which girl got which name. He studied them briefly and knew 110% which name fit each of them ( it was the opposite of what my husband and I had thought ).

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Don’t compare! As a mom, it is easy to forget that we are surviving motherhood together and to start comparing. It is easy to start comparing our abilities as mothers and even the successes of our children. There are always going to be moms that have it more together than you and children that talk and use the potty before yours. You are an amazing mom ( hey, it is 4:00 pm and my children are still in pj’s playing chase around the couch, we have done 0 pinterest projects, and ate boxed macaroni for lunch! ). Cut yourself and your children some slack. I’ve realized I am a much better mother when I am grateful, not envious.

Kayla's Blog: The Beck Family