Twin Talk Blog: Twin Birth Story: Meagan Clanahan

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Name: Meagan Clanahan

Where do you currently live? Houston, TX

How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? Six weeks. We did IVF so we knew really quickly that we were pregnant and with my HCG levels, the chances of twins were high. But we got the confirmation at about six weeks along. I was still shocked even though I knew it was very much in the realm of possibility. One of the best (and scariest) days of my life!

Any issues during your pregnancy? My cervix started thinning out at around 16-17 weeks so my OB placed a cerclage. After that, I was on moderate home bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy. We also found out during an appointment to check my cervix that there was something wrong with Baby B's (my little girl) heart. After multiple fetal echocardiograms and consults with high-risk doctors, it was determined that she had a complex congenital heart defect - actually a combination of 4 different defects (Double Outlet Right Ventricle with Pulmonary Stenosis, a Ventricular Septal Defect, and Atrial Septal Defect). It was a horrible time to not know if one of our babies was going to make it - and if she did, we knew she would face major open heart surgery in the early months of her life. Thank goodness she is a fighter! She's doing amazing now.

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: I had horrible pregnancy brain. I mean, I would start speaking and just gibberish would come out. I was seriously scared I was having mini strokes! Anyway, my brain wasn't firing on all cylinders clearly. One night I decided that I just HAD to have a Sonic drink so I jumped in my car and backed out of the driveway. Then I realized that I had forgotten my cell phone so I jumped out of my car and ran back into the house. Moments later, there was a huge boom and our house shook. Yup, I got out of my car IN DRIVE and it must have followed me up the darn driveway right back into the garage and pushed a huge hole into our guest bedroom. Awesome. I've never been so horrified at the moment but now we can laugh about it.

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? Enjoy it more! I should have indulged in more of my favorites like chicken fried steak :) I would tell my pregnant self to take more pictures pregnant, even if you don't feel beautiful and glowing. I only have a handful and I truly regret it, especially given that it was my first and last pregnancy (I didn't know that at the time).

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 35 weeks, 5 days

Baby A's Information: Ryan David
June 3, 2010
6:55 pm
5 lbs 2 oz
16 1/2 in

Baby B's Information: Quinn Eugenie
June 3, 2010
6:56 pm
3 lbs 13 oz
17 in

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? I had a c-section. Quinn (Baby B) was breech most of my pregnancy. My high risk ob told me that I could try for vaginal and perhaps she would flip but there was a 40-50% chance that she wouldn't, and I would end up with a vaginal delivery and c-section. Knowing that I needed my strength as much as possible after birth AND wanting to get Quinn into the hands of the doctors as quickly as possible, the decision was made to do a c-section after her amniotic fluid was pretty much depleted.

Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? No NICU time for Ryan. Although small and early, he was perfectly healthy and with me an hour after delivery. Quinn was in the NICU for 7 long weeks. She had issues with apnea (both prematurity and obstruction), plus all the issues with her heart. She ended up needing a feeding tube and then eventually oxygen, which she came home on. She had the oxygen and pulse ox monitor for a good 2 months and then we FINALLY got to get rid of all her cords and tubes and see that beautiful face!

Did you have any complications after delivery? Nope. I was up and moving as soon as possible so I could get to the NICU to see Quinn.

How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital? 4 nights (I begged for the last night because I wasn't ready to leave Q yet and shockingly, I loved being in the hospital just cuddling all day with my baby boy)

Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? Q was in the NICU and Ryan slept in the nursery at night on the advice of some other twin mommas :)

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
1) My friends and family, who were such amazing supports to me.
2) My robe
3) I wish I'd had dry shampoo! I didn't feel like washing my hair but it was time for a little freshening.

Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: When the babies were a week old, I finally got to hold both of them in my arms at the same time. I couldn't stop crying. My cup runneth over.

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Schedule, schedule, schedule. That's the only way we survived. I pored over multiple sleep books, some geared towards twins, to figure out how to get them on the same schedule. By 9 weeks, they were both sleeping through the night, napping, and eating at the same time. It was the only way I was going to be sane. If I'd just had a singleton, I probably wouldn't have been so strict about it but momma needed rest (so did Daddy!)

Meagan's Blog: The Clanahan Family