The Day My Twins Were Born
by Carmel Shore
My obstetrician had commented at my final ante natal appointment that he would need a new tape measure if I got much bigger as I was now measuring 52 weeks pregnant!!! I was delighted therefore when the doc agreed a date for the big day. At last my husband and I would meet our first children; and I would see my feet again and also take a bath without the aid of block and tackle.
The night before the delivery I found it impossible to sleep. A mixture of excitement, fear (of the spinal anesthetic) and probably too many hormones led to a restless night. Having twins did carry its own privileges however. I got a single room on the ward so at least I could watch tv to pass the hours; even if it was reruns of Countdown. By 5am I could stand no more of the countdown “diddly dee dee diddly dee” clock and went for a shower.
Upon returning from my shower I was greeted by the first of a number of pre theatre delights. Being diabetic, I had to be plumbed into an insulin and glucose drip to regulate my blood sugar. Remembering to put on my theatre gown before they put the drip up (have you ever tried getting a drip bag through your nightie sleeve when you have forgotten?) I realized that these gowns had not been made with pregnant women in mind, let alone one expecting more than one.
OK, my bum may have been the size of a small European nation before I got pregnant, but my huge belly certainly made sure my bum was going to stick out of this gown in great style. Needless to say, I insisted on wearing my dressing gown to the theatre to cover my embarrassment.
Next on the agenda came a rather short sighted midwife with a razor and washing kit. “Do you want to do it or should I?” she asks. “Yeah right, like I’ve seen anything past my navel for 4 months” is what I thought. I quickly weighed up the situation and came to the conclusion that a dippy midwife with a sharp instrument was still safer than me attempting to beautify my nether regions.
After my brush with Sweeny Todd came a concoction of drugs. Not sure what they all were but I was told to take several rather large tablets with a thimble full of water. I wouldn’t mind, but some of them looked like they should have been inserted somewhere and not swallowed. I was then given a strange drink that apparently dried out the stomach……more like turned out the stomach. The less said about that the better I think.
When my husband arrived we were escorted to the delivery theatre. As we walked through the ward, several people wished us luck. I had become a minor celebrity on the ward. Not just because I was having twins, but because I was the winner by miles in the biggest belly competition.
We arrived at the theatre, a small room which was buzzing with staff. I remember thinking my obstetrician must have been selling tickets as there were so many people in there. At a quick count, there was my obstetrician, his second, two midwives, two midwife assistants, two pediatricians, a theatre sister, two anaesthetists, oh and the compulsory student. It’s a good job I had a reserved seat!
Meanwhile hubby was whisked off to be fitted into his “blues”. He looked a right sight when he came into theatre, a cross between a “carry on” surgeon and an ice cream man. Not the outfit I would have chosen to meet our children for the first time, but let’s face it I wasn’t at my best either.
I was worried my husband might feel a bit unwell watching the c – section, so I told him not to look too closely when they start. “What do you mean, when they start? He is already half way in there” came his reply. I had worried for weeks about being awake through the operation and when it came to it I had not even noticed them start. Shortly after this conversation I could feel them pulling and tugging. I remember telling my husband I now knew what it felt like to be a washing machine having the load taken out.
A few minutes after the operation started, out came the first baby and a cry of “it’s a girl” from the obstetrician. The second baby was laying high up towards my ribs and no sooner had he delivered one then the next one came with a gush of water. “Another girl” said the doctor again. I remember saying “oh that’s better” as they pulled out the second baby. The sense of relief from carrying such a weight was wonderful.
Within a few minutes we were presented with our two bundles. Hannah Sophie born at 9.54am and Francesca Katie at 9.55am weighing 6lbs 15oz and 7lbs 3ozs respectively. What a day…………………and it had only just begun!