The unexpected birthday that changed our lives....

by Jessica
(Ohio, USA)

Well...what a week!!! We are proud to announce, Skyler and Summer are here. They were born at 34wks and 3 days, on September 24th at 1:52 and 1:53am....Skyler first. It was completely unexpected. That day had been completely normal, all that had happened in the week was that my morning sickness returned and I was feeling a little woozy all the time. But I figured that was normal after having my kidney stents put in.

Anyways, that night it was about midnight and I was getting ready to go to sleep in our living room (I sleep on the recliner, its the most comfy place for me to sleep) then I figured I had to go upstairs and brush my teeth, I went up and did that then wanted to go in and say good night to my hubby Clyde who was sleeping in our bedroom. I sat on the bed and just told him that I didn't feel myself, and that I thought something was weird with the babies.

He is such a great guy and always wants the best for me, but he looked so tired that I felt guilty about maybe making a trip to the birthing center. But my belly had been tight all day and I hadn't really felt them move too much which was strange for my little ones, they are extremely active.

He was pretty adamant about me just getting some rest and that I'd done too much that day, but I got all upset and over emotional (pregnancy does that apparently!)and so he said to call the birthing center just in case. I really didn't have a reason to, just that I had this weird hunch something was wrong. We ended being asked to come in just to check since i was worried and they like to make sure all is well with the twins as it is a high risk pregnancy.

Once we got there they hooked me up to a monitor and said I was getting pretty hard & close together (about 3 1/2 mins apart) contractions, but they could just be BH, so she wanted to check my cervix real quick before we were discharged or given a shot to stop them (sorry if that's too much info!). Well she did...as she did her face literally drained, and she looked panic stricken at Clyde and said, "Err....your about 4 to 5 cms...I think I need to call your Doctor...now!"

She left the room, and I looked at Clyde in complete shock, we were both lost for words.... she came back in and said, "you're going to meet your babies tonight"................that was it!?!? I did not know what to think, except in a way I was devastated and so confused about what was happening. This was not the plan! It wasn't the 10th yet!

So I just cried and cried out of complete fear, meanwhile they simply ignored my protests and questions and prepped me for emergency c-section. Poor Clyde was holding on to a bag for me as I just threw up over and over! Seriously it was so terrifying.


My mum had literally left for England the day before after she visited to take care of me after my surgery, if I was having the babies tonight it meant she would miss it too!! I know that really was not a reason at the time to be upset, but for some crazy reason I was thinking of every reason why I shouldn't be having them as if that would stop my labor!!

Half an hour later my Dr arrived and before he prepped for surgery he checked my cervix to be sure I was dilated, it was...now 8cm! It was going crazy fast, they couldn't believe I hadn't felt any pain or anything, it just happened!! But they think because of my endometriosis that I had just gained a high pain threshold in my abdominal area and contractions where not a new feeling for me since BH started early on in the twin pregnancy, so I had simply failed to notice that I was having the real deal!!

I had my epidural which was a breeze, (I really don't know what all the fuss is about!! It's not painful, its just a weird feeling and little daunting) and then went straight on with my c-section, it was beautiful, both my babies started to cry before they were even out! It was amazing to know I was cut up but didn't feel a thing, and that I was able to hear all that was going on.

It was an amazing experience. Clyde got to cut the cords and we were both balling! It was an amazing experience, a really easy delivery and the safest for the 3 of us at the time, as both were in different positions. What a fantastic experience, we were just so proud.

They weighed in at 4lb5oz for our son Skyler and 4lb2oz for our daughter Summer. They were good weights, but their lungs were not developed enough. Both babies were taken to Pittsburgh Childrens hospital in life flight (their fancy first mode of transport!), which was really hard for me to say good bye! It literally ripped my heart out and was hard for Clyde to see too.

The helicopter guys who traveled with our little ones were just the kindest men in the world! They snuggled the two of them together and put in pacifiers for them and brought them in to say goodbye to me. They moved all the equipment in my room, which took about 10mins just so they could push the babies helicopter isolette close enough to my bed that I could squeeze their precious little hands and say good bye.

I really appreciated these men since they could have just left with the babies without any hassle! But they went out of their way and I will never forget that! We know they needed to be there.

They have been there for 6 days now and I miss them loads. I am at least able to pump for them, and so I'm really happy about that! It makes me feel less useless while they are there...My mummy is here making sure I get good meals, drink lots and encouraging me with the breastfeeding. Clyde is very supportive and helps me stay positive. It is extremely draining not being with your newborn babies, and a constant worry. I really can't explain it but we are coping well and being a rock for each other.

We are so in love with our new family, and feel so complete...so now we are just working on doing anything we can to get them home healthy and happy!

We have been able to hold them both now and it was amazing. They are so tiny. We just stare at them in unbelief. We feed them my milk from teeny bottles as they are too preemie to latch on just yet. I have decorated their cribs and taken in sheets and teddies for them both so it feels a little more like home for them. The nurses looking after them are fabulous and we are very grateful for them!

Well, about myself, After my c-section I had surgery to remove my kidney stents (which were placed the week before as the twins were crushing my kidneys!) on Friday and checked myself out about 1-2 hours later so I could go and see my little ones. It has been rough getting back on my feet but the stents being out is a big help! Less pain in my abdomen. But knowing these beautiful babies are here and need me and Clyde is enough to keep us motivated!!!