As I sit down to write this, it’s hard to believe that it has been almost two weeks since our little ones made their way into the world. I can, on the other hand, believe that it’s taken me this long to write our twin birth story. It has been a much different experience than I thought it would be, and I have struggled to put into words what happened because the whole thing is still pretty traumatic for me to look back on.
If you have been following our twin pregnancy updates and all the pregnancy posts I have done, then you will already know that I was willing to do pretty much anything to get a natural labor/delivery and it is something that I wanted with all of my being. I wrote this piece on a woman’s right to choose her labor and delivery path, and I really believed that I was going to be able to get the beautiful, natural delivery that I so desired for our twins.
These babies had other plans…
Twin Birth Story
Nearing 38 weeks of my pregnancy, we decided to get a membrane sweep done to try to kick-start labor. I knew that my OB wanted me to deliver at or near 38 weeks and I really wanted to go into labor as naturally as possible. The membrane sweep was done on Friday and we waited around all weekend for something to start happening. But, the babies were not ready to come out yet.
On Monday, our OB decided that he wanted to induce that next morning and we were to be at the hospital at 2:45am to start our induction. I was slightly panicked at the thought because I was hardly agreeable to an I.V., much less a very invasive and medical induction of Pitocin.
By the time we got there and they started monitoring the babies and me, my body had started contracting on its own! The answer to my first prayer right there.
My OB had come in to check on me at around 6 AM and I was dilated to a 6 and about 90% effaced. He did another membrane sweep to get things moving a little more but no Pitocin for me! Yay! I was going to be able to do this on my own, I could just feel it. However, the staff there had other things in mind…
I could tell from the minute we walked in that I was the patient that no one really wanted. I had 5 doctors come in to introduce themselves and let me know they were going to be there for the pushing. I was known as the “breech twin mom” and was apparently a very high risk and unheard of situation.
They all questioned why I wanted to attempt a vaginal twin breech delivery, why I did not want an epidural in case something went wrong, and why I would put myself through all of the pain when I didn’t have to. It was to the point that I was almost ready to cave and just get the dumb epidural because they were freaking me out so much about it.
Obviously, this wasn’t the most supportive of atmospheres, but I had my wonderful husband there who was such an amazing birth partner.
I could not have gone through this without him.
Then, our new nurse walked in at shift change. It was the sweetest nurse ever who we had taken our birthing classes from when I was pregnant with my first daughter. She was a HUGE advocate for natural birth and labor and really fought hard for me to have all the things that I wanted. She got me unhooked from the heart monitors and everything and I was free to move around and just let my body labor on its own.
I was progressing just fine. My husband and I were laughing and joking in-between contractions, I was breathing through them, and this labor seemed to be one of the easiest one’s yet! The babies were looking great every time we did monitor them and everything was going smoothly.
When I hit transition, I knew that the babies would not be far behind. My contractions were about a minute or less apart and they lasted for what seemed like forever.
My OB came in and checked me at around 11:45 AM and I was at 9.5 cm and fully effaced. When he checked me, my water broke for little Annabelle. I was excited for a moment because that usually meant my babies were on the way within 30 minutes. The look on my OB’s face quickly took away that excitement.
Our little Annabelle had decided she was no longer coming butt first. She had kicked one foot out of my cervix and was dancing her way into the world.
The atmosphere in the room changed from relaxed and ready to push to an emergency situation. This was the only breech position my OB would not try to deliver because he had no idea where her other leg and foot were or what position her cord was in. My dreams of a natural deliver were over and the safety of our babies was now the thing on everyone’s mind.
I was going to have a c-section. To some, that may not seem like a big deal at all. To me, even writing this and saying the words now brings back the same terrible anxiety and panic that I felt in those moments at the hospital.
I had to sign all of the forms that I had refused to sign earlier for the c-section and they took me out of the room. I was, of course, scared out of my mind for what was about to happen and even more so since my husband could not be there with me.
My OB is seriously one of the best doctor’s out there and I knew that the babies would be okay. He had his team ready to go by the time we got into that room, which allowed him enough time to call for a spinal so that I could be awake to see my little boy and girl be born.
I was contracting every 30 seconds still, so having three nurses hold me down while my spinal got injected was probably the most painful thing EVER. I threw up all over them, so I guess that sort of made us all even.
When I was finally numb, they let my husband back in and I have never been more happy to see him in my life. The look on his face was so worried, but all I could do was be thankful he was there to hold my hand.
Our little Annabelle came out first, wide-eyed and so little, at 5 pounds 15 ounces and 17.5 inches long. Really, she was a great size for twins but to me she looked so tiny. Then, they pulled out Oliver who was screaming and so mad that they took him out of his warm, cozy space. He was 6 pounds 10 ounces and 18.75 inches long. I saw both of their sweet faces for a second over the curtain.
I was shaking so bad from all the medications I had pumping through me that when my husband brought Oliver to me I could hardly hold him without help. But I did, and I held onto him with every bit of strength I could muster because I was determined not to lose that moment. I didn’t know until then that Annabelle was struggling to breath. They had her bagged and were whisking her away to the NICU. I told my husband to go with her (he was torn leaving me). Oliver was taken to the recovery area while I was being put back together. The whole procedure from start to finish only took about 20-30 minutes I think. They were born at 12:26 and 12:28 PM.
I was thankful that I got the chance to labor on my own because the contractions allowed the babies some extra time preparing for their somewhat traumatic birth.
After it was over, I was so out of it that I hardly knew what was going on. Worst feeling ever. Oliver was next to me in his little bassinet because I was still shaking so much. My best friend had made it there right as they were taking Annabelle to the NICU so for the 10 minutes Oliver was without mommy and daddy, she was there, which I am so unbelievably thankful for. Two hours later, I was finally reunited with my sweet Annabelle.
We spent the next two days in the hospital fighting to get Annabelle’s sugar levels stable and making me mobile enough to go home, which I was so longing to do. Our girl’s came to visit us and meet their new brother and sister. Seeing them was the boost that I so desperately needed!
We finally got to go home 48 hours after their delivery.
Through all of the panic and fear of my delivery experience, I can only thank God for his protection and for two beautiful little ones.
I’ll be sharing all about our difficult road to recovery and how this particular delivery and recovery has affected me in an upcoming post. It is an entirely different story in itself.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. Your sweet words when the twins were born meant so much!
*Here’s to having two healthy babies*
I am so glad that Oliver and Annabelle are here and are healthy. Delivery plans are so personal and anything that does not go according to how we plan them is unnerving even to the most adaptable person. Congratulations on two beautiful babies. They are here, they are healthy, they are home and they are loved.
They are SO loved and they can’t wait to meet more of their family:)
I’m sorry that you didn’t get to have the natural birth that you had planned and prepared for. Good luck in your recovery. I think your babies are just beautiful.
Aliza B recently posted…Bloggers Brags Weekly Pinterest Party – 7/6
Thank you so much Aliza!
So glad those beautiful babies are home and healthy! Prayers for you during this healing and recovery. Neither of my boys births were any of my control – so I know how you feel. It’s hard to plan and dream and none of it works out the way you want! Hope you heal quickly!
It is really hard… much harder than I thought! Thank you:)
Thanks for sharing!! I’m so glad to hear they are safe but you are right it doesn’t take away the feelings we have of having a natural birth. I was so set on delivering caginalk ya bs ended in a c section as well. I was devastated. It gets easier! You did everything you could! They are beautiful! Congrats! You can read more about my experience on my blog.
I will definitely do that! Thank you for sharing:)
I’m sorry you didn’t get the experience you were hoping for but I am so glad all 3 of you are ok. The babies are beautiful and you are SO strong.
Samantha recently posted…Making Mommy Friends
Thank you so much lady! I appreciate those kind words:)
Glad the babies are home and healthy! Pregnancy and delivery is so unpredictable, sorry delivery wasn’t how you wanted it, but I’m glad everyone is okay. They are precious!
Kristie Hill recently posted…It is crucial to repin other blogger’s pins from group boards.
Thank you! I am really glad that the babies are safe and healthy now.
I am so sorry that the plan did not go accordingly, however, as you said, sometimes God has other plans <3 And, look what absolutely BEAUTIFUL miracles come out of the situation. I am so glad you are all healthy and well. Congrats again to your beautiful family of 6!!!
ashley recently posted…I Cracked Today
Thank you my sweet friend!
I’m sorry you didn’t get to have the natural birth you really wanted but so thankful you have two absolutely beautiful babies! Praying for your recovery and the adjustment to being a family of 6!
Julie @ Girl on the Move recently posted…Be Inspired: Devin
Thanks lady! Saying “family of 6” is still so strange to me.
Babies have this uncanny ability to turn your life upside down and make things go against your plans! I’m so sorry you weren’t able to have the birth you wanted. I wasn’t even able to start labor; my daughter was 13 days overdue and had no signs of coming out, so I had to be induced. I knew I wanted an epidural anyway, so it still worked out, and I just told myself that I have a healthy baby and that’s all that mattered. I’m so glad everything worked out for you in the end and you have two beautiful babies!!!
Jaime recently posted…Goals for This Week 7/6
They are our sweet blessings:)
I’m glad you had a nurse that was such a great advocate for you. Just wish things could’ve gone the way you wanted. I hope you take the time to come to terms with that so you can move forward. Enjoy those new babies!
Valerie @ Occasionally Crafty recently posted…In Defense of a Stay-at-Home Summer
I am going to have to. It’s going to take some emotional healing, that’s for sure:)
I’m so sorry that you didn’t have the birth that you wanted, but so glad that your little babes are ok! You are so brave to have gone naturally as long as you did Momma! Congratulations on your babies and all the best!
Thank you for those sweet words:)
Congrats on the arrival of your two precious little ones. Sorry to hear they didn’t make their entrance into the world in the way you had hoped, but yay for healthy babies. I look forward to reading your post about your recovery. Enjoy this time bonding.
I am trying to just be thankful and soak in all of the sweet moments.
Congratulations, Mama! I’m so relieved that all 3 of you are well and healthy! You’re two little ones are beautiful! xoxo
Colleen Cadiz recently posted…Happiness Project Recipe #65: Rainbow Cheerio Yogurt Pops!
Thank you so much:) We are lucky to have them!
Wow! What a crazy experience!!! You are so strong! So grateful that everything went okay and you are on the mend! Good luck with those sweet babes. Cant wait to see more pictures.
Thank you! I’m sure there will be plenty of pictures:)
Whew scary! I am so glad everyone is safe and healthy! They are beautiful:) Hugs to you and those babies and the big sisters too. Hope can get some rest! I had 4 c-sections, there is some pretty intense healing time at first.
Jen recently posted…Back To The Best Of JENerally Informed
Much more intense than I imagined it would be!
Omg what beautiful babies! And they look so little and sweet in their car seats! Congratulations – so glad all of you are ok 🙂 Good luck with your recovery. Those babies are gorgeous 🙂
annabelt recently posted…A Year of Geeks Diets: It’s my Blog Anniversary!
They seem so small to me still considering my other girls were a few pounds heavier than both of them when they were born.
Congratulations dear. Your babies are beautiful. I can somewhat relate with your story. Just like you I too wanted a natural normal delivery but my son’s heartbeats were dropping so I had a c section one month before my due date, so I didn’t get the chance to go into labor, I didn’t even get to experience the contractions 🙁
But all is well that ends well, my son is 3 years old now, the best gift from god 🙂
Good luck with your recovery.
Richa recently posted…July 4 Weekend
Thank you so much! So glad that you have a healthy and happy boy:)
I’m so glad it worked out well for you! I’m a twin and we put our mom in a coma for three days after delivery. She tells us how hard it was raising twins. I wish you the very best!
Thank you!
I am so so sorry you didn’t have the twins birth go as your had hoped… It sounds like a very stressful experience. At least you have those two sweet additions to your family.. they are perfect!!
Lauren recently posted…My Advice For New Bloggers
Thanks lady:) We are thankful that they are healthy and home with us.
I’m so glad Oliver and Annabelle are healthy and home with you. Also, great job going 38 weeks with twins!! I’m am sorry to read that you didn’t get the delivery you were hoping for. I know how hard that can be. But at the end of the day, you and your babes are safe and at home with the rest of your family. I hope you are recovering well and feeling better!
Ashleigh recently posted…Why I Travel + Yay! It’s a Wednesday Linky
So glad your babies are home with you! They are beautiful. Sorry things didn’t go exactly as planned and thank you for sharing your story.
Melissa (Wading Through Motherhood) recently posted…4 Things Parents Can Learn From Mary Poppins
🙂 Thank you for reading!
Sorry to hear that the birth didn’t go according to plan, but when do plans ever go the way we want them? I am happy to hear you, Annabelle and Oliver are doing well. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Jeannine recently posted…Living Room Transformation – Phase 1
Thank you Jeannine!
I SO felt your pain in the story as you and I share the same views on birth, but so incredibly happy for you that you are all happy and healthy and your hubby was able to be there with you through the fear and triumph!
sara recently posted…Cry Me a River
Thank you lady! He was truly my rock throughout the whole thing.
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Your babies are absolutely beautiful! I had an emergency c-section (also for a breech), and it was incredibly intense. I didn’t have any idea what to expect with my delivery, and was open to natural and medication beforehand, but not ending up having a choice was hard. Wishing you all the best in recovery and the first weeks with your precious new twins!
Thank you so much mama! I appreciate your kind words:)
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Cute times 2!! Congrats on your new babies