EARLY ARRIVALS
BTC is a voluntary self help group and this information is intended for interest only. For medical advice, please contact your GP or Health Visitor
Or should that be I said “I’ll have Twins!”? I have said this for as long as I can remember, even though I know of no history of twins in my family or my husband’s.
On finding I was pregnant I joked that twins would be ideal, I’d get it all over in one go. At the first scan I was really pleased to learn that I was expecting twins. Nigel went into shock for about a week.
I, unfortunately, felt ill throughout my pregnancy and finally, after putting away the Christmas decorations, including a heavy tree, I went to Basildon Hospital at just over 24 weeks gestation. I was in labour, the doctors admitted me for complete bed rest and they all kept shaking their heads.
After 10 days, I had just reached 26 weeks when I began to get very strong contractions. I was taken to the largest delivery room and after 27 hours of gas and air and epidurals, about 20 people, all fully qualified at head shaking, joined me and the boys were finally delivered. The date was 16th January. They both weighed 2lb 1½oz, which is a good weight for 26 weeks. They were ventilated and taken to the Special Baby Care Unit. They were there for 3 months; it is an experience I would not wish on anyone. The doctors still shook their heads.
Towards their due date, which was the 22nd April, which was also our first wedding anniversary, it looked as though the boys would come out of hospital at last, but they both caught a liver infection and Shaun had to go to the Kings College Hospital for a liver biopsy. I went with him while Nigel stayed with Adam in Basildon. On our return to Basildon, it was decided that Shaun needed an oral dose of vitamin K each day along with other drugs for his prematurity, but they could both have that done at home. We all finally came home on the 25th April.
We often go back for checks and Adam managed to get himself admitted to Basildon Hospital on Christmas Day last year with Bronchiolitis. Not to be outdone Shaun followed on Boxing Day. They only stayed for 5 days this time. Now we are approaching Christmas again and they are both well. We are hoping to make up for last year.
The doctors still shake their heads when they see the boys but now they smile when they do it.
NB The boys had several blood transfusions each. Without blood donors, they would not be here today.
