Twin Birth Story: Jenna

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Name: Jenna

Where do you currently live?  Coeur d'Alene, Idaho



How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 7 weeks! I was spotting so my doctor said to come in for a quick ultrasound and that's when we heard TWO heartbeats. We were in shock! Turns out, spotting in early twin pregnancy is not uncommon because the uterus expands so quickly it can easily break blood vessels causing spotting.

Any issues during your pregnancy?  I was so blessed with the easiest pregnancy. No morning sickness, no complications, no back aches. Just a very heavy belly to carry around and some swollen ankles :)

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: Most memorable moment is seeing the babies move in my belly. Feeling their kicks made my day.

Funniest moment was when I was shopping at Costco and all I had in my cart so far was a watermelon. An older man came up to me and said, "I see you are trying to steal a watermelon" and I instantly panicked and explained I was going to pay for it. He was talking about the 'watermelon' under my shirt. I was only 6 months pregnant and he thought I was due any day!

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self?  Relax. It doesn't matter if the nursery is done or the carpets are cleaned. Enjoy the time you have to yourself.

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 39 weeks, 1 day

Baby A's Information:  Kallie Ann
October 29, 2013
1:45 pm
6 lbs, 13 oz
18.5 in

Baby B's Information:  Maya Elisabeth
October 29, 2013
1:56 pm
5 lbs, 2 oz
18 in

Are your twins identical? No

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery?  Both. I was induced at 39 weeks because the doctors didn't want me to go any longer so they started pitocin at 6am on Tuesday, Oct. 29th. I was already dilated 4cm for two weeks before I was induced and it only took a minimal amount of medicine before the contractions were in full force. At 11:45 I was fully dilated and nurses rushed to get Keith (the hubs) into scrubs and me to the OR (routine procedure when delivering twins). I pushed for nearly two hours before meeting my first beautiful baby girl. I got to have her on my chest for just a minute before I had to concentrate on delivering another baby. They broke the water of baby B and at that moment her umbilical cord prolapsed. This means that the cord drops below the baby and blocks the exit of the uterus. This is an emergency situation because the baby can quickly lose oxygen and blood if pressure is put on the cord. Unfortunately, they had to put me under anesthesia and take her out via c section within minutes. She was unconscious upon birth but was quickly revived before being brought to Keith while I was in recovery. A few hours later I got to hold my two precious girls and it was the best moment of my life.

Not for one moment did I feel sorry for myself about delivering both naturally and c section. Many people say, "Oh poor you" but I don't see it that way. I got two healthy babies and that to me is the greatest gift. I would do it 100 times over if I had to.
Any NICU time?  If yes, for what reason and how long?  No NICU. Both girls were full term and perfectly healthy.
  
Did you have any complications after delivery? Not at all. Healing from both deliveries was the biggest challenge.

How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital? 5 days

Did your twins stay with you or the hospital nursery at night? With me. The hospital I delivered at does not have a nursery- babies are with parents 24/7

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital? 
1) Nursing tank top
2) Boppy nursing pillow
3) Flip flops/slippers

Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital:  My best friend, Tara, and her husband wrote Keith and I the sweetest letter I've ever received in my life. She talked about becoming a parent, struggles, joys, how full your heart feels and what amazing parents we are going to be. Keith and I were both holding a baby, laying in my hospital bed, and in tears while reading this 5 page letter and it was such an incredible bonding moment for our new family.

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be?  Remember how much of a rock star you are. Being a twin mom is the best gift you could ever be given. To carry two babies in your belly is amazing. Enjoy every kick, every moment. And ask for lots of foot rubs :)