Twin Surprise

by Helen Thiele
(Adelaide, South Australia)

Hi, at 37, my husband and I decided to have a child (he has 2 girls by previous marriage)... After 9 months without success, (now July 07)I figured it wasn't going to happen and started planning our next trip overseas. August 07, 4 weeks later...no period, boobs doubled in size, and I had the flu...I did a home pregnancy test and it was positive... GP confirms I am pregnant, and so I can't take anything for the flu...Sept 10 first scan... OB scans our baby takes the photo, and says there it is doing star jumps... we jokingly comment "and there's only 1?" and he says - Yes, only one.

At the 16 week mark, when I am massive, I am booked in for an amnio..(Oct 25, 07)husband, OB and ultrasound lady all set up... she turns on machine and warms it up...Turns to all 3 of us and says, "You do know you're having twins?"
OH MY GOD - my husband and I just burst into tears (mainly shock), our OB runs over, and just says "oh it's been about 10 years since I missed twins"... my husband and I just sat/lay there whimpering...as a result only one amnio could be done, due to the babies positions... we were told, it looked like, identical twins, and possibly boys...(amnio later confirmed boys). We went home and sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV screen, too numb to move or do anything... we laughed and cried and then started to think about the logistics, 2 cots, 2 car seats, 2,2,2...

We eventually called our parents and my mum was in such shock she said, "I have to go to the supermarket, I'll call you later"... she eventually called back, 4 hours later, when it sunk in. We still look back on that day with shock... we cannot believe that it just NEVER occured to us, the possibility never entered our minds...anyway I am rambling...having read some of these stories I realize how lucky I was... NO morning sickness, tiredness average, no contractions till the day they were born, no pains, no spotting, the boobs settled by about 5 months, as did the weight and at 7 months, I looked like I was about 6-7 months pregnant with one child. I was even down 4 kilo's on my pre-pregnancy weight.

I did have severe heartburn, and got carpal tunnel in my wrists...and towards the end massive swelling of the feet. At 5 months I did have a cervival stitch put in, as my cervix had started to dilate. After that, I had to stop work and take it easy at home. I had lunch with friends on Feb 11, 2008, did the last of the baby shopping, and went to dinner at mums... shower and bed at 11pm...up at 12, with back pain...woke hubby, got to hospital, they confirmed that back pain, was labour...steriods could not stop it, at 3.30am Feb 12, 2008 we are all done, 2 beautiful boys...Dylan & Rocky...they were born at 32 weeks, had few minor complications and were home at the 36 week mark.

Now nearly 15 months, they are the most amazing things! I did hit the jackpot...I was hoping for a boy and got 2. Of course it's been hard - but sooo worth it...