Our Birth Story
Chapter 1 ~ At the end of week 37 of the pregnancy, Katie started showing symptoms of cholestasis, a common liver disease associated with elevated hormone levels when carrying multiples. After consulting with our midwife, Mary and OBGYN, Dr. Marback, we decide a scheduled induction would begin 11/1/08 at 9AM.
Chapter 2 ~ Saturday, 11/1/08 We arrive at Providence Hospital & the water is broken for Baby A (EVA). Katie’s body tries to get in a rhythmic pattern of labor contractions, but after 5-6 hours a suggestion is made to introduce a very small amount of pitocin to get the party really started. After much prayer & deliberation, we agree. Around 7PM, Katie’s body takes the hint from the pitocin & things get moving. By 10 PM, we are fully dilated & move to birth in the OR. Hospital policy dictates that all multiples must be born in the OR ~ just in case there is a need for an emergency c-section. A huge crowd of doctors & nurses accompany us to participate in the birth, if the need arises. Our midwife Mary negotiates to allow Katie to deliver in her hospital bed, as opposed to the standard procedure on the OR table. Phew! What a relief to be in a comfortable bed to give birth.
Chapter 3 ~ Eva is born al~natural on 11/1 at 11:35PM!! She weighs in at 6lbs 13 oz and is 20 inches long. Wesley accompanies her to the warmer to get her stats & welcome her to the world. Shortly after an initial evaluation, she is on Katie’s chest & the wait begins for brother Eli to enter the world!
Chapter 4 ~ Eli quickly slides right into place, head down and directly above the cervix. His heart beat continues to be strong & healthy. Suddenly we begin to realize that he is not going to be born before midnight! We all laugh & joke in the OR about the twins having separate birthdays. As the clock strikes twelve, our midwife Mary suggests that we go back in our labor & delivery room to birth Eli. Dr. Marback agrees that we can get out of the OR because all is going well with Baby B! YEAH!!! We go back to our little ‘birthing cave’ and start working hard to help Eli be born.
Chapter 5 ~ On Sunday, 11/2, at 1:25 AM Eli joins us peacefully and naturally!! We all laugh about having these twins in two different places on two different days! Both placentas detach fully and we all breathe a huge sigh of relief! Eli weighs in at 7 lbs 6 oz and is 20.5 in. long.
Chapter 6 ~ Around 2:30 AM the room is finally quiet and both babies are happily nursing in tandem. Wes & Katie both stare into each other's eyes. What a night! What a journey! What a blessing! Every prayer has been answered and there is no doubt that angels are present in abundance. We offer a very humble prayer of gratitude and try to get some rest! We are certainly going to need it.