Twin Birth Story: Claire

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Name: Claire

Where do you currently live?  East Prairie, Missouri



How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 6 weeks

Any issues during your pregnancy?  I had an emergency cerclage placed at 21 weeks do to an extremely shortened and incompetent cervix. I was on home bed rest from 21 weeks until 35 weeks, and on hospital bed rest from 35 weeks until I delivered at 36 weeks, 5 days. I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia at the end of the pregnancy, and was induced due to my blood pressure. I was on magnesium during the labor and delivery and for 24 hours after delivery.

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: The most memorable moment was finding out the gender of our boys. We prayed for two boys, and the look on my husband's face when he found out it was true was priceless! My boys were also CRAZY active during my pregnancy. Even the ultrasound techs and MFM doctors would comment they had never seen such active babies in the womb. They loved to kick the ultrasound wand or heart/contraction monitors every time I monitored!

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self?  Relax and slow down - let yourself be pampered!

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 36 weeks, 5 days

Baby A's Information:  Archer Robertson
2/22/14
12:18am
5lbs 13oz
19 1/2in

Baby B's Information: 
Beckett Tinsley
2/22/14
12:19am
6lbs 10z
19 1/2in 

Are your twins identical? Nope!

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery?  On Wednesday, February 19, my OB came in to check me. I wasn't dilated but A's head was extremely far down and I was completely thinned. At this point, the cerclage to stitch my cervix shut was still in place. With all the pressure I was extremely uncomfortable. We decided that the best thing to do would be cut the cerclage stitch and see what happened. I immediately dilated to two and started contracting. We thought that was the beginning! However, overnight my contractions slowed and I didn't dilate anymore. By Thursday, my blood pressure was very high and I knew induction was on the table. I requested she strip my membranes to see if that would naturally start labor, but no such luck. My OB decided to induce me with pitocin at midnight, Friday February 21st. The pitocin was slowly increased and I began to have some fairly steady and strong contractions. About 4:00 am on February 21st, I decided to get the epidural and get things moving. IT WAS THE BEST THING THAT HAD EVER HAPPENED to that point.  However, the magnesium drip began at that point. I have vague recollections after about 8:00am Friday morning. I labored all day long but because of the magnesium, I was pretty incoherent. The magnesium counter-acted with the pitocin, and my uterus eventually stopped contracting. After laboring almost 24 hours, my OB decided the safest route for both myself and the babies was a c-section. It happened quickly, but the boys were born healthy and safely!

Any NICU time?  If yes, for what reason and how long?  No! Thankfully, the boys were both healthy and strong.

Did you have any complications after delivery? My blood pressure would not return to normal even after delivery. Additionally, because of the magnesium drip, I could not get out of bed. Combine that with the c-section, and I was very sick for the first 48 hours. Eventually, with medication to lower my blood pressure and the magnesium out of my system, I was able to perk up.

How long did you stay in the hospital? 4 days

Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? They stayed in the nursery.

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital? 
I was in the hospital for almost three weeks. I was SO glad I had my own pillow and blanket, my iPad, and chapstick (the air is DRY).

Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital:  The moment our parents came into my hospital room after the c-section to meet their grandbabies for the first time is a moment I will never forget. Even in the fog of post-delivery, the look on their faces was amazing.

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Remember, "this too shall pass." Those first few weeks are all about survival. Just try to make it through one feeding, one nap, one diaper change before you worry about the next. Everything will work itself out, but it takes time and patience. If you have any help - take it!

Claire's Blog: A Chord of Three