Leslie's story - IVF and having premature twins

Leslie's story - IVF and having premature twins

Our IVF journey to having premature twins is amazing.

Going through over 5 years of different and every infertility option, we were blessed via IVF with twins in the spring of 2002. Honestly I couldn't believe it. Hoping for an "OK" kind of pregnancy, we started on our journey. What a joke, I was sick from day one.

The day of Aug 8th 2002 – I remember going to work, then to the chiropractor then to my doctor appointment. We were at 20 weeks gestation. I loved my doctor – Dr Mark Taylor – we did the normal physical checks, blood work and such and Dr Taylor thought just to check me. I was dilated to 2 cm completely effaced. I was taken by ambulance to the Methodist hospital in Rochester. There began my 57 day stay at the Mayo facility.

Yes – 57 days – tipped on my head!

I live about 2 hours from Rochester, but grew up close by. I had amazing support of family and friends who would give up time and stay with me. I was never alone. My husband had to come home and work – making the realization of life going on – very real. I had my job to do, keep two babies inside me for as long as possible. Premature twins can have many complications. Little did we know, how hard they wanted to come out.

First being admitted – I recognized the doctors voice. Oh, he was 2 years younger then me in high school. Embarrassing at first – but I am so glad he was there. Thank you Dr Beyer. I hadn't started the birthing classes and so most of what they were saying “I didn't understand” and I guess I never asked. We all had a job to do.

I was started on Magnesium Sulfate to stop the contractions. Which I never felt a single contraction. Magnesium sulfate leaves a metal taste in your mouth, and makes you really hot, and nauseous. You are unable to eat also, so I would have lemon drops to suck on which helped. This was an extremely effective medication for stopping contractions. I also received the steroid shots to help with lung development. Those shots hurt!

The next day I was moved to the anti-partum ward. I never knew there was a entire floor dedicated to women in my similar condition. ( preventing premature twins and other babies.) My family was told to make it look like home. I still don't know what the floor looked like. I remained here for two weeks. I remember the physical therapy staff would stop in to say “HI” and I was always having contractions so I never received any therapy.

There were two times I was able to enjoy the group activities – yes, each of us whether in bed or able to sit in a chair, were taken to a room to do crafts or chat. It was nice to have the realization you were not alone.

I want to say a little about the staff. Simply amazing and wonderful people.

I remember the day my in-laws, husband and my lovely niece Emily came to visit. I wasn't feeling too great that day, and we later found out why. I had dilated to 6 cm and my water bag was bulging. I am sorry I do not remember the specifications of what happened, simply nurses running in every direction and my family crying. I was in labor – I was taken down to the labor rooms – I was placed close to the operating rooms. These rooms had no windows.

I actually was able to be stabilized, and received a second series of steroid shots. I am a believer of the power of prayer. I am so thankful for all the people who were praying for me. Even the food staff. They do not often deliver meals to someone in a labor room. I remained in this room for about 4 weeks. This time was extremely vague. Magnesium Sulfate makes life a little fuzzy. I was having contractions again all the time. But we were able to stop them.

Amazingly my cervix closed back to 2 cm. And I was again able to move back to the anti partum floor.

This only lasted for a short time. I lasted about 10 more days and then back to the labor room. This time at 8 cm dilated with my one child's head in my cervix. Being a patient this long, my nurses alerted the doctors that I wasn't my self. I only cried a few times. I guess, that really couldn't help and why make it hard on everyone else. But I was really emotional at this point. And my body was developing toxemia.

So on the morning of October 2nd 2002 – I was taken in to the operating room for delivery of my premature twins after 57 days in the hospital. I was blessed to have Dr Beyer there along with my Mom and husband. And lots of other staff.

Our premature twins daughters, Elizabeth Rose – 2 lbs 2 oz and Abigail Marie 2 lb 7 oz entered the world both screaming. They were taken into another room and I finally say them about 2 hours later before they were transferred to St Marys Hospital, 6 blocks away. Both girls fit in a container the size of a shoe box.

Nothing can prepare you for the NICU. I was able finally able to see them after two days. All the wires, computers, staff and the tiny little babies. Oh I cried. Our daughter Abby had to be intubated and she simply was laying there. Oh, but Lizzy had her arms sticking up and moving all the time. They really looked like chickens. Oh such thin skin on these premature twins!

I was discharged 4 days after delivery, I stayed with my parents since I was unable to drive, walk long distances and really take care of my self. We had decided to breast feed and so I was pumping.

I would say our girls were amazing. They handled being in the NICU rather well. Again simply amazing people.

The girls were moved the a level 2 hospital on Oct 31st. And both were home the day before Thanksgiving.

You can see in the picture how beautiful they are now!

From Premature Twins back to Raising Twins