Aahh, She Survived – The Story of My Big Twin’s Survival

My Twin Z almost died because she didn’t know how to eat, but she survived. Her survival taught me that anyone can learn something new and important. 

My Twin Z was seven pounds seven ounces when she was born. Her sister was five pounds five ounces. My twins were born at 36 weeks when I was 40 years old. This was a high-risk pregnancy for many reasons. The reasons included my age, the fact that I was carrying twins, and my previous Cesarean section. It was a miracle that I carried my twins inside me for 36 weeks.

That is a miracle because most people that age, do not carry twins for that long. It was also a miraculous situation because of how big each of the girls was at birth. I almost died due to complications with the Cesarean delivery but the twins were perfectly healthy and fine. The girls were strong, healthy, happy, and wonderful in every way.

After I recovered from the delivery the twins were brought to me. I began what would soon be a new habit – breastfeeding twins at the same time. It took a while to get used to feeding both girls at the same time. But, it was one of those things, it has to be done, so you do it. During those first few days, it seemed as if all I did was nurse the twins and change diapers. I do not remember showering, eating, or changing clothes.

Sometimes you can’t put our finger on it, but you know something is wrong.

Despite what seemed to be feeding babies almost 24 hours per day, something was wrong. After being home from the hospital for one week, the big twin was down to five pounds three ounces.  We had been going back and forth to the pediatrician’s office every day for the first week. The big twin was losing more and more weight and we were afraid.

Finally, on Saturday morning, our pediatrician told us some bad news. Twin Z would have to be admitted to the hospital because she had lost so much weight she was in danger of dying, that day. At the hospital, she was admitted to the NICU, neonatal intensive care unit and underwent so very many tests.

If you want to read more about happy families, check out the following:

A Family Game – You can find serenity in learning that it can be really fun to create a family game. Click here to read more.

and

Best Pick-Up Line Ever and The Communist Manifesto – I never would have thought that I would hear the best pick-up line ever while reading the Communist Manifesto.  Click here to read more.

She was on the breast and eating almost constantly. However, she kept her tongue in the way and so was not getting all the milk she should have been. The therapists spent hours pushing her tongue out of the way so she could learn to eat properly. After being in the hospital for a week, learning to eat, and gaining weight. It was time for my big twin to come home. As I packed up the hospital room and prepared to go home, I looked at my even tinier little baby and said, “aahh, she survived.” 

So the question for you this magnificent day is what is your favorite story about survival?