Twin Birth Story: Kiersten

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Name: Kiersten

Where do you currently live? Philadelphia, PA



How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins?  10 weeks
 
Any issues during your pregnancy? I worked up until 36 weeks and then put myself on voluntary bed-rest until d-day. I basically just wanted to catch up on all my TV binging: Law & Order SVU, Broadchurch and Orange is the New Black.

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant:  It was definitely during our first ultrasound. We were a) surprised to even be pregnant since we were not really trying b) nervous to be pregnant because we had just moved to a one-bedroom condo/started a new job c) I had a dream at 6 weeks that I was expecting twins!

At this first doctor's appointment, my OB was great and kept talking about "this baby" during the first few minutes pointing us different things on the screen. Then she moved the paddle to the other far side of my belly and said, "but we can't forget about this OTHER baby." She also made my husband videotape the whole thing so it's hilarious now to see our reactions.

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? It's okay to say no. I still have this problem but I know there were a few parties/events/job-related activities that I just should have said, "I can't, I'm pregnant with twins and I need to rest." But instead I kept up my calendar despite my growing belly.

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 38 weeks/5 days

Baby A's Information:  Taylor Kate
September 5, 2013
8:52 AM
5.14 lbs
18 3/4 in

Baby B's Information:  Madison Karen
September 5, 2013
8:54 AM
5.12 lbs
18 1/2 in

Are your twins identical? No but since they were spontaneous Di/Di - there's a chance they could be! We may do the DNA test to confirm because we often can't tell them apart!

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? We knew it was going to be a c-section since Baby B (Madison) was breech and refused to flip. Plus, since this was my first pregnancy/delivery, my OB recommended a c-section. I loved my doctor and wanted her to perform the surgery but the only day she had available since it was the week of Labor Day, was MY BIRTHDAY. She wasn't sure if I would even make it that far but turns out I did! At first, I wasn't thrilled about being cut open on my 31st birthday but now I am psyched we all get to celebrate together! (But my poor husband now has THREE Virgo women to deal with!)

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

Did you have any complications after delivery? No serious complications, but I was an avid runner before getting pregnant. Around 8 weeks PP, I tried to start running again BUT I felt like my vagina was going to literally fall off during exercise. No lie. I quickly saw my doctor who just reminded me to SLOW DOWN. 7 months later, I'm running/exercising pain-free!

How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital?  3 nights/4 days

Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? With us!

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?  
1. The hospital ice - it is silly now but I was anemic during pregnancy and couldn't get enough of ice. Our hospital had the best crunchy, nugget ice and I swear I could have eaten it for meals.
2. Stretchy tanks - nursing bras were just not for me so I threw it back to the 70's and went braless those first few weeks. It was so convenient to just pull down a strap and not worry about another button/snap to deal with.
3. Eyemask - they say "sleep when the baby sleeps" but if that's at 11am, chances are the sun is bright and in your face. I brought my eyemask to squeeze in some shut-eye when possible.

Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: It was our second night at the hospital and both girls were s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g; nothing we were doing helped. I just wanted to wave the white flag. I was on the verge of exhaustion, pain from the c-section and frustrated that we were unable to fix their problem. In a moment of desperation, I told my husband, "I'm calling the nurse. We can't do this. I don't know what to do. We need help." And he told me "No, we have to work together, we have to figure this out, because we can't call the nurse in a few days, or next week or in a month." And just like that, both girls quieted down and fell asleep as we rocked them. It was that confidence boost I needed to know that it was going to be (extremely) hard, but we were going to be okay.

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Relax! My husband I are both laid-back by nature and I think the girls reflect this. We don't fuss or stress or freak out in front of them. Maybe because there are two of them? We just don't have time to be anxious? I see so many singleton parents who are a ball of nerves and you can see how their baby embodies the same energy. Just chill. Ruined clothes, blow-outs, rashes for days - it's not the end of the world!