Christian and Aidan's Story

In May 2003 my husband Jonathan and I found out we were having twins. Our doctor advised us that they were most likely identical twins. At 19 weeks we found out their sex. Twin boys. That day was so exciting because it made it so much more real to us that we were having two babies. Upon leaving, the doctor in passing asked me when was the last time my cervix was checked. In all the excitement I couldn't remember so he thankfully advised me to come back in 2 weeks to have it checked out. Two weeks later (21 weeks) I went for the ultrasound, which was the first appointment I went to without my husband. Big mistake. This time my usual doctor wasn't available so the Director of Fetal Medicine saw me instead. The exam was long and quiet. I knew something was wrong. After the exam, the doctor asked me to come into her office and asked me if I knew what Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome was. I answered her by immediately beginning to not cry but sob. My mother was with me but she had no idea what TTTS was or why I was hysterical. My doctor consoled me the best she could and I just waked out of there in shock. I was in Stage 1.

That night we logged onto every website pertaining to TTTS. We were on-line for over two hours reading every single detail about TTTS. We were scared out of our minds. We read both comforting stories and stories that made me cry even more (if you can imagine that). We wrote to Mary Allen to get more information about Dr. Quintero. The next few days were so intense. I don't remember a moment where I wasn't crying. I cried myself to sleep and woke up with tears in my eyes. We had tried for a year and a half to get pregnant. I had carried them for 5 and 1/2 months and I just couldn't believe what was happening.

Three days later we went back for a follow up sonogram. TTTS was still progressing and we were given our options: to terminate, aggressive amnios, or the surgery. In our hearts and minds we only had one option, as scary as it was. We wanted to give the babies the best chance possible. Thankfully our doctor was very familiar with Dr. Quintero and his practice in Florida and advised him that we were candidates for the surgery. That was a Friday.

Monday morning we flew down to Tampa. Mary Allen was our angel. She took care of everything. She really let us focus on what we were there to do. To save our babies. We didn't have to deal with any insurance calls or paperwork. I don't know how we would have managed without her. Tuesday I had the extensive sonogram and Wednesday I wheeled into surgery at 22 weeks. I felt assured that I was in the best hands. The surgery went well. I did go into labor afterwards but thankfully the doctors and nurses were able to stop them. The procedure was a success.

Everything was going great for about 4 weeks. The doctors back in NY were amazed how everything had equalized. But unfortunately, the story doesn't end there. At 26 weeks and 6 days I went into labor. I couldn't believe it. I honestly thought I'd go into the hospital and they'd say it was false labor or that they'd give me medication to stop the contractions but they didn't stop. My boys wanted out. The doctors knew from blood work that I had an infection but they didn't know where. Finally they decided to give me an emergency amnio, which is not particularly fun when you're having contractions. It was almost scarier than the surgery in FL. Within minutes they discovered I had developed a post-operative infection in the amniotic fluid. Within minutes I was in the operating room getting a C-Section. After everything we'd been through my babies were going to be born at 27 weeks. October 17, 2003, Aidan Louis came first at 2 lbs. 4 oz. and then Christian Santino at 2 lbs. 2. oz. They cried for a second and then stopped breathing. Now it was time for their journey to begin.

I basically watched my last trimester through their isolettes. They were on ventilators 2-3 days. CPAP for 2-3 weeks and then room air with a canula for the rest of their hospital stay. They dropped down to 1 lb. 12 oz. But after two long months they came home and just in time for Christmas. Christian came home first and then 5 days later Aidan came home. They are now two adorable and very healthy big boys.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't think back on everything we've been through. There is not a day that goes by without thanking God for my miracle boys. For anyone who is going through this, know that you are not alone. Others are going through or have gone through the same thing. Reach out because it helps. Get as much information as possible and act as fast as you can because EVERY MOMENT COUNTS.

I pray that in reading this it gives you some hope.

Giovanna