We learned at about 7.5 weeks that we were pregnant with twins, but that they (doctors) did not see a membrane separating the two babies.  Having had two very easy singleton pregnancies before, I had no idea that two babies could even be in the same sack.  We were referred to a specialist and were told that we should wait at least 12 weeks to allow for a membrane to present itself.  So we went for weekly ultrasound appointments and were lucky enough to see a separating membrane at 9 weeks gestation.  This was a good sign.  However, we quickly learned that the babies shared a placenta and that our babies could develop TTTS at any point within the pregnancy. 

At 12 weeks the nuchal folds between the two babies were significantly different, Baby A was 3.2 and Baby B was 1.2.  We were told that since they were identical twins more than likely there was not a chromosomal issue, but it could be an indicator of congenital heart problems in Baby A.  Since we already had a 4 year old and a 2 year old, we decided to get a CVS done to allow us to better understand what we may be dealing with. 

To complicate things more, I had a low Pap-A, which my doctor said he had never seen to this point in his career in a mom of twins.  I was put on baby aspirin to help that situation.  We had weekly doctor appointments with the specialist and at least bi-weekly doctor appointments with my OB.  We just did not want to make any life or death decisions, we wanted God to handle every decision along the way and we were at peace as long as that could happen.  During our weekly visits, our specialist, Dr. Sabin, was very concerned since Baby B had very low amniotic fluid as compared to Baby A.  We closely monitored this situation. 

At about 12 weeks, I had my first conversation with Lonnie and he provided me with a ton of practical information.  He was able to give me statistical information, emotional support, explanations to ALL of my questions as well as medical contacts.  I went ahead and talked to some nurses and doctors who specialize in the laser surgery to help correct TTTS just in case that is a situation we would be faced with.  All of them said it was so early and that time would tell what, if anything, we had to be concerned about. 

By about 15 weeks, my specialist, Dr. Sabin was extremely worried and told us that we needed to see one of the highly specialized doctors that deal with the TTTS laser surgery.  We decided to see Dr. Quintero in Florida.  So, within about 5 days, the arrangements had been made for us to fly out to Florida.  I had my parents fly in from southern California to stay with our other two kids while we fought for the lives of our two baby girls (we had learned the sexes through the CVS procedure).  And that is what we were doing since they had no voice of their own as of yet.  We contacted our church, Cherry Hills Community Church, and a group began praying immediately for our situation.  They prayed BOLDLY for both babies to be fine.

After a very long flight, we went to See Dr. Quintero in Tampa and after a 2 hour ultrasound, and a 2 hour wait, he met with us to discuss the results.  He was very pleased at what he saw and thought that the babies looked pretty good, despite that the fluid around Baby A was about 7 and Baby B was just under 3.  He did find that Baby B had a velamenous cord insertion which may explain why she was a bit smaller and had less fluid.  Over the next 10 weeks we saw Dr. Sabin weekly and Dr. Dorr bi-weekly. 

At about 20-22 weeks they could see that the heart looked great.  Each week the fluid levels hovered around 4 and 5 for Baby B and A respectively, each week improving or staying the same which was a good sign.  The babies were doing good as compared to the singleton growth curve.  Mind you, each week I would leave the doctor feeling hopeful that I got to be pregnant with them for another day and hopefully another week.  The feeling would last a couple of days and then fear would set in and a call to Lonnie would ease just about everything. 

I counted each day as I hit the big time markers, first 24 weeks, then 28, then 30, 32, 34 and 35, knowing each week would allow for them to grow and thrive.  We met at week 35 and both of my doctors decided that we would have a c-section at 36 weeks and 2 days since Baby B was breach and had a velamenous cord. 

At 35 weeks and 4 days, during a routine check-up, Dr. Sabin thought that Baby A might be getting anemic and that I should go to the hospital for observation since they were showing signs of late TTTS onset (their sizes started to drift apart as well).  Perhaps due to the stress, I began to have contractions and somewhere around 5-7 pm they checked and I was 5 cm dilated.  Change of plans, c-section would be tonight.  But, I was warned that Baby A might need a blood transfusion and had to sign papers prior to delivery. 

At 9:37 Baby A, Kennedy Grace was born and Dr. Dorr and Watson sang Happy Birthday.  At 9:39pm, Baby B, Kate Taylor was born and they again sang Happy Birthday.  Both babies were fine and Kennedy did not need a blood transfusion, thank goodness.  They had intermittent oxygen over the next few hours and came to stay with me on the well-baby floor of Littleton Hospital for the next 5 days until we were all released to go home to our now big family.  Kennedy weighed 6 lbs 1 oz., and Kate weighed 4 lbs 15 oz.   If I only relied on the internet for information, I am not sure that I could have endured the situation.

As stressful as the situation was, it would have been unbearable without the encouragement of Lonnie and his wife.  At that point in time, they were the only ones who we felt really understood what we were going through both situationally and emotionally. 

At 25 weeks pregnant, I watched as my husband ran the TTTS Fetal Hope Race as he pushed our then 4 year old daughter.  I hope and prayed that the following year I would be pushing a stroller with two baby girls right next to him.  God has blessed us richly and this year my 5 year old will ride her bike, my husband will push our 3 year old in a stroller and I will run with Kate and Kennedy.

I have to say the most unfortunate and brave thing in all of this is that after the birth of our twins is that I went to thank Dr. Sabin and her team in person for all of their help and learned that Dr. Sabin had been suffering from intestinal cancer.  She has since recently passed away.  Here she gave our babies life while fighting for her own and never, ever letting that get in the way of saving our daughters.

I am thankful for the fact that our doctors had the resources to guide us to make educated, well-thought out decisions based on scientific data.  It is so important in the midst of all the emotions to have solid information and a support structure in place.  This is why I will be running the TTTS race in 2009 and every year thereafter.