Tapia Twins Story IVF and Premature Twin Babies

by Simi Tapia
(Weston, FL , USA)

My husband and I were married 5 years before we started planning a family. Unfortunately, it was not easy for us. My husband is 9 years older than me and we waited 5 years to start. We were the last of our friends and family to start planning. After 6 months of trying our OB/GYN suggested we both get tested for piece of mind. It turned out that we both had issues. The first Reproductive Endocrinologist we went to see had me leaving his office after the first IVF Transfer questioning if he used my embryos or someone elses. That's when we knew we had to go to someone else! We found a new doctor and he was everything an IVF MD should be and more. We did 5 IVF transfers and on the last one, I decided to keep my mind off of the IVF, I would plan a trip to Africa with my husband.

Well, after three years, 2 different doctors, 6 IVF transfers, and hundreds of thousands of dollars later...we were finally pregnant! When we went for our follow-up ultrasound, the ultrasound tech asked how many embryos do you think implanted. I was emphatic, "Two". The tech said, "let's be happy for one healthy one". And I responded, "no, there are two in this belly, I know it." So when the doctor came in, he asked the same question and I gave him the same response.

He then proceeded to tell me about something called the vanishing twin. I said, "that's interesting, but I know there is no vanishing twin in my belly." As the doctor began the ultrasound I am watching my husband. I have never seen my husband cry, until the tiny little heart popped up on the screen. My husbands face turned red and his eyes started to water. Then the doctor said well, she's right! You're having twins! I looked at my husband, he grabbed the wall to brace himself, his face went completely white and he asked, "Are they girls?" Everyone laughed, but he was not! The whole drive home was in complete silence!

We continued with our follow-up appointments, until one day the ultrasound, and bloodwork showed some chromasomal abnormalities. We were told that we would have to selectively reduce the embryo that was abnormal. I was devastated! They wanted us to fly to New York to perform the procedure. We were told if we kept the embryo it could jeopardize the other embryo, but we said we would take our chances. Let nature run its course! Other than that my twin pregnancy progressed well...until my 24th week! I went into preterm labor. By the time I got to the hospital, I was already dilated 1 cm. The hospital staff thought they were going to have to deliver that day. So they sent in this person to talk to me about babies on life support, twins born this early, and other issues I was not prepared for. I was terrified. Fortunately they were able to stabilize my contractions and kept me in the hospital for 6 weeks on complete bedrest. Finally I was allowed to come home, with a uterine monitor and instructions for strict bed rest. I was told if I did this I could easily make 34 weeks. Three days later at 30 weeks my water broke! At the hospital I started hemmorhaging and an emergency c-section had to be performed! Our twins were rushed off to the NICU and we still didn't have names picked out yet! After 8 weeks in the NICU, with no major premature birth complications, we were allowed to bring our beautiful babies home! We've been in heaven ever since!