inconceivable twins our story

by candi
(augusta ga, usa)

I got pregnant and miscarried the first time at 14 years old, this would be where my trouble to remain pregnant would begin. Five years later I married my husband, we suffered 3 pregnancy losses in four years. I had a fertility study done to determine why I couldn't go full term, after months of tests, charts, work ups and drugs I was told that my uterus would not support the weight of a pregnancy past 12 weeks. Devastated I decided to buy a dog to nurture my motherly instict. I became one of those crazy pet people, whom treated an animal like a child. Round abouts a year after they news of not being able to bear children I conceived twins. I knew almost immediately after confirmation that I was pregnant that it was twins. I had gained 10 lbs in the month from menstruation to pregnancy test. Another 10lbs the next month, aside from the weight gain, intuition was my only reason to think twins. Now bearing in mind my history My husband and I planned the loss figuring it would be sooner the a single pregnancy.

The weeks hurled forward. Every morning I would wake up to the heartache wondering if today would be the day I miscarried. I went about my regular day not altering a thing in my life or day today habits to accompany the twin pregnancy. I guess in some dark corner of my mind I just wanted it to happen so it would be over with and I wouldn't be left to wonder when. I didn't receive prenatal care, I smoked, I moved furniture, drank dr. pepper constantly, and the weeks crept on. 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 14 weeks it wasn't until 16 weeks did I begin to have hope that I would deliver children. At 17 weeks I took myself to the doctor, pregnancy was quite obvious then by my round protruding belly. I was tested anyway and set up with an obgyn. At my very first appointment they did an ultra sound since I had no prior prenatal care. It was then confirmed I was having fraternal twins. To safeguard our families we kept quiet until the point of viability, 24 weeks. I then shared the news and altered my life style for pregnancy. There was hardly any complications with the pregnancy, aside from my hormone surges, weight gain, and insatiable desire for fruit you'd never known I was pregnant.

At 32 weeks I went into preterm labor, I was given a steroid shot to ensure the health of the babies' lungs, and given various treatments to stop my labor. I was told if I could go another week into the pregnancy the twins would survive. After a week in the hospital, with no labor insight I was released on bed rest. Once at home I ignored the bed rest order for two reasons, it was very uncomfortable to lie in bed and with the reassurance that the children would survive my husband and I had much to prepare for. Up until this point we had NOTHING that babies needed. Thank God my husband had received his re enlistment bonus at that time. We managed to get everything done in 2 weeks. At this point I was huge and miserable I wanted the boys ( yes, intuition told me this also) to be born already. I tried jumping jacks, walking, sex, and everything i had heard that could trigger labor to no avail. Finally at 38 weeks I went into labor, ultra sound had determined I needed a c section as both babies were breach. only hours later Connor was born weighing 7 lbs 11oz two minutes later Caleb was born weighing 7 lbs 9 oz. Both perfectly healthy. Which led me to think what do doctors really know? Nine months later while on birth control and using spermicide I was pregnant again, At 37 weeks delivered a perfectly healthy baby boy weighing 8 lbs 3 oz. Since then my life has been hectic, unpredictable, and wrapped in diapers but I would'nt trade it for the world!