Name: Crystal Duffy
Where do you currently live? Houston, TX
How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 7 weeks
Any issues during your pregnancy? Yes! I had the most crazy high risk pregnancy my OB had seen in 30 years of practice.
23 weeks--diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, baby A was in heart failure 23 weeks, 3 days-- had Laser Ablation surgery at Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston's med center 24 weeks--- septostomy as a result of the ablation 25 weeks-- diagnosed as mono-mono twins because one of the twins had ripped the inner twin membrane. Would be placed on hospital bedrest for the remainder of pregnancy. 26 weeks-- Went inpatient at Memorial Hermann Antepartum unit 30 weeks-- Babies were born, had a placental abruption at birth
Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: "What?! TWINS???" "Are you joking???"
Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? Well for me personally since my pregnancy was so scary and high risk I would tell my pregnant self that everything my husband and I went through is so worth it for our beautiful healthy baby girls.
How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 30 weeks, 4 days
Baby A's Information: Katherine
June 19, 2014
12:53 pm
Baby A's Information: Katherine
June 19, 2014
12:53 pm
3 lbs, 2 oz
Baby B's Information: Lauren
June 19, 2014 12:54 pm
3 lbs, 1 oz
Are your twins identical? yes
Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? On the evening of Wednesday June 18th I started to not feel well. I felt as if something wasn't right. I told my night nurse Kami that I wasn't feeling well, I felt like I couldn't breathe and like something was wrong. Kami assured me that my babies looked great on the fetal heart monitor and that I was having some uterine irritability but these were not your typical textbook contractions. After being in the hospital at this point over a month, nurses know their patients really well and she knew that I never complained about pain so that something was definitely up.
I told her to call my doctor, he told Kami to start me on an IV. I was barely able to sleep that night because I was so worried something was wrong. In the morning I was in a lot of pain and was no doubt having full blown contractions. They started me on magnesium to stop the contractions (and for brain protection). I kept thinking the whole time the magnesium was going to work and this was going to be another scare (one of many I had while inpatient). My doctor came in to check on me and I was a few cm dilated. The magnesium clearly wasn't working. "It's time, we are having some babies today." he said. I had never expected that Thursday, June 19th we would be having babies. I was only 30 weeks, 4 days. But I reminded myself I'm 30 weeks, 4 days!! When we got diagnosed with TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome), I was only 23 weeks and reminded myself that we are a special case and have been preparing for this all along. I had strong faith that everything would be great! Well they prepped me for surgery and since I'd had a C-section with Abby this was not my first rodeo and I pretty much knew what to expect (spinal tap, anesthesia). Before I knew it they had started the surgery. Katherine (Baby A) came out first and I let out a huge cry of relief just to hear her crying (or screaming rather), phew I thought there is nothing wrong with her lungs thats for sure. Seconds later Lauren (Baby B) came out, both babies whisked away by the NICU team of nurses and doctors. It was so difficult and painful not to be able to see and hold my babies right away. It was after the babies were born that the OR vibe changed drastically. There was something wrong again I could sense it. Ed was asked to leave because I was bleeding out a lot. I heard them say, "We need to clear this area out for blood transfusion." WHAT was going on?? With Ed out of the room no one was by my side or telling me what was happening. I felt tugging and pulling and all sorts of bizarre sensations. It wasn't until it was all over that they told me what had happened. My placenta had abrupted. What did that mean exactly? Well my OB Dr. would come to explain to me and Ed that my placenta had literally deteriorated, completely detaching itself from the uterine wall. This is also something that is rare - it only happens in about 1% of pregnancies after 20 weeks gestation. It is one of the more common causes of maternal mortality or event resulting in a hysterectomy. The thought of that was absolutely terrifying. And of course throughout this whole journey I never ever thought my life would be in danger. I was always so worried about my babies' lives. We had the Lord protecting us that day, as well as people praying for us all over the world and an amazing team of nurses and doctors that worked tirelessly that day to save me and my babies' lives
I told her to call my doctor, he told Kami to start me on an IV. I was barely able to sleep that night because I was so worried something was wrong. In the morning I was in a lot of pain and was no doubt having full blown contractions. They started me on magnesium to stop the contractions (and for brain protection). I kept thinking the whole time the magnesium was going to work and this was going to be another scare (one of many I had while inpatient). My doctor came in to check on me and I was a few cm dilated. The magnesium clearly wasn't working. "It's time, we are having some babies today." he said. I had never expected that Thursday, June 19th we would be having babies. I was only 30 weeks, 4 days. But I reminded myself I'm 30 weeks, 4 days!! When we got diagnosed with TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome), I was only 23 weeks and reminded myself that we are a special case and have been preparing for this all along. I had strong faith that everything would be great! Well they prepped me for surgery and since I'd had a C-section with Abby this was not my first rodeo and I pretty much knew what to expect (spinal tap, anesthesia). Before I knew it they had started the surgery. Katherine (Baby A) came out first and I let out a huge cry of relief just to hear her crying (or screaming rather), phew I thought there is nothing wrong with her lungs thats for sure. Seconds later Lauren (Baby B) came out, both babies whisked away by the NICU team of nurses and doctors. It was so difficult and painful not to be able to see and hold my babies right away. It was after the babies were born that the OR vibe changed drastically. There was something wrong again I could sense it. Ed was asked to leave because I was bleeding out a lot. I heard them say, "We need to clear this area out for blood transfusion." WHAT was going on?? With Ed out of the room no one was by my side or telling me what was happening. I felt tugging and pulling and all sorts of bizarre sensations. It wasn't until it was all over that they told me what had happened. My placenta had abrupted. What did that mean exactly? Well my OB Dr. would come to explain to me and Ed that my placenta had literally deteriorated, completely detaching itself from the uterine wall. This is also something that is rare - it only happens in about 1% of pregnancies after 20 weeks gestation. It is one of the more common causes of maternal mortality or event resulting in a hysterectomy. The thought of that was absolutely terrifying. And of course throughout this whole journey I never ever thought my life would be in danger. I was always so worried about my babies' lives. We had the Lord protecting us that day, as well as people praying for us all over the world and an amazing team of nurses and doctors that worked tirelessly that day to save me and my babies' lives
Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? Yes, My girls were in the NICU for 38 days because they were born at 30 weeks due to a placental abruption--a result of the laser ablation surgery for TTTS.
Did you have any complications after delivery? Yes, at birth I lost a ton of blood. Then afterwards I didn't bleed at all after my c-section. Then about 2 weeks post surgery I had a placental sub-involution---where I had my scab fall off and a lot of blood came out all at once.
I also had a fever a few days after the surgery so I had to stay a few extra days for antibiotics.
How long did you stay in the hospital? 7 days
Did your twins stay with you or the hospital nursery at night? NICU
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
1. Comfy soft blanket 2. Lots of junk food and snacks---in particular Tiffs Treats--cookie basket from a friend 3. My husband and lots of family and friends around
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: When my daughters were born they were pretty much whisked to the NICU right away. They were very fragile at birth weighing only 3 lbs, so we couldn't hold them right away. It wasn't until almost a week later that my husband and I were able to hold them. The Kangaroo hold skin-to-skin when we heBlogger: Twin Talk Blog - Create postld the girls for the first time was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? No matter what happens always remain strong in your faith that the good Lord will deliver your babies into your arms.I also had a fever a few days after the surgery so I had to stay a few extra days for antibiotics.
How long did you stay in the hospital? 7 days
Did your twins stay with you or the hospital nursery at night? NICU
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
1. Comfy soft blanket 2. Lots of junk food and snacks---in particular Tiffs Treats--cookie basket from a friend 3. My husband and lots of family and friends around
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: When my daughters were born they were pretty much whisked to the NICU right away. They were very fragile at birth weighing only 3 lbs, so we couldn't hold them right away. It wasn't until almost a week later that my husband and I were able to hold them. The Kangaroo hold skin-to-skin when we heBlogger: Twin Talk Blog - Create postld the girls for the first time was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
Crystal's Blog: The Duffy Diary
I also had a placental abruption. So scary. I had the transfusion too and almost lost my uterus. I didn't know anything about it until it happened. And it was extremely scary. I fear it would happen again if I have more children. My identical twin girls are 9 months (tomorrow).
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