Artemis Sophia and Apollo Sevastyan.
Due: Tuesday, 3rd December 2013.
Born: Tuesday, 1st October 2013.
Time: 05.51am and 06.03am.
Weighing in at 3lbs 1oz and 1lbs 9oz. 15.5 inches and 12 inches long.
From the very start of this pregnancy, it hasn’t been the easiest. Apollo was diagnosed with Oligohydramnios at 9 weeks gestation and then he was diagnosed with severe onset symmetrical IUGR at 20 weeks, they also found out he had a single umbilical artery cord. We were told to prepare for a stillbirth or complications after birth. Our goal was to make it to 28 weeks and we did. I was on and off bed rest and fluid hydration for most of my pregnancy is was boring.
Then we were given the choice at 30 weeks to carry on the pregnancy until I went into labour naturally and have a vaginal birth or deliver early to give them both a fighting chance after I went into preterm labour. Both twins grew stronger and stronger, and I’m so proud of them and myself for making it this far.
On Monday, 23rd September, I was admitted to hospital for contractions and pressure in my pelvis and groin. I had an ultrasound which showed Apollo’s fluids were low, I then had a NST which turned out fine, then I was checked over by my midwife; I was 2cms dilated. I was given steroids and Magnesium, and then another shot of steroids the day after. I was kept on Magnesium until Friday when they finally took me off it in the late afternoon. That stuff is vile but it worked my contractions had stopped. We then decided to be scheduled in for a caesarean on Friday, 4th October.
I last until Tuesday, 1st October. When the contractions came, they hit hard and intense; worse than my previous pregnancies. I was crying in pain but refused all pain meds. Within an hour I was 7cms dilated. I wanted to push even though they kept telling me I wasn’t dilated far enough and I could tear, I was advised by both my midwife and consultant but I couldn’t, it hurt too much to fight against it. Within minutes of them checking me again, my waters broke and I was 8cms dilated. I fought against pushing for 15 minutes before giving in.
After 20 minutes of serious, awful contractions Artemis was born screaming, my consultant lifted her up and announced that my daughter was breathing. I cried. My husband cut the cord, she was then placed on my chest, and she was beautiful and so small. She was taken minutes after to be weighed and checked.
During her birth Apollo’s waters broke and the contractions got stronger once more. 10 minutes later, my tiny baby boy was born but he wasn’t crying, he wasn’t making a sound and the sickest feeling hit my chest. I kept asking is he alive, is he breathing? Then we heard the slightest of whimpers as his cord was cut. My consultant granted my wish and lifted him up so I could see him and told me he was breathing, he was then rushed to be checked over.
He still wasn’t crying, and he was moving little. My husband stayed close to see what was happening. Before I knew what was happening he was rushed up to NICU, his sister following. My husband went with them. I delivered the placentas and was checked over and put in the recovery room.
I wanted to be with my children and it broke my heart. I was forever asking my midwife over and over for updates. My father came in to see me and I told him what had gone on then asked him to place the call to my friend to come collect the placentas and cords, he stayed with me and kept trying to calm me.
It was an hour before I was allowed up to see them and I brought with me pumped milk, in case I could feed my daughter at least, or at least donate it to other mother’s on the ward.
Apollo is currently on a ventilator and Artemis is on high flow oxygen.
Let the journey begin...