The Birth Interview Project consists of 17 simple questions designed to help mothers process their birth story & share it with others. All mothers are invited to take part in this project. Born out of Joy’s desire to help women discover, process and express the feelings surrounding their birth experiences, The Birth Interview Project strives to offer a platform for mothers and readers alike to share and be heard, to search and to discover, to identify and to heal, and to exhort and remember. The views and opinions expressed here are unique to each woman who takes part in the Birth Interview Project and may not reflect the values of the blog author.
Beth, thirty weeks pregnant with her twin girls.
Please give a brief description of yourself, and what number baby/birth you’re sharing with us.
I am a stay-at-home mother of three young children with another baby due in May of 2012. I keep myself from going insane by attending my local MOPS group, playdates, and nap times. I am excited to share with you the birth of my twin girls.
What was your due date, and what was Lily’s and Cara’s birth date?
My due date with my twin girls was Jan 27th of 2009 but they were born nine weeks early on Dec 1st, 2008.
Please give a brief, one paragraph synopsis of your birth.
The birth of my twins was unexpected because I went into labor nine weeks early. My labor lasted six hours total, from calling the Dr. to the delivery of the second twin.
What did you do to prepare for your labor and birth? Did it help?
I had prepared to have a natural, unmedicated birth with the twins but because of preterm labor and having to deliver in the OR, I was highly advised to have an epidural in case of emergency C-section.
What did you like about your birth experience, if anything?
Since this was my second birth experience, I was so thankful that I knew how to stay ‘in tune’ with my body and that I was able to work with the contractions using relaxation techniques such as breathing, focusing on an image, and imagining the babies working through the birth canal in order to help quicken my labor.
- Baby Lily, 9 weeks premature. 3lbs 10oz
- Baby Cara, 9 weeks premature. 4lbs 3oz.
What did you not like about your birth experience, if anything?
I did not like the fact I did not have control over my medication options. It resulted in an allergic reaction which is the reason I will labor without medications in the future.
What surprised you about your contractions/labor?
I was surprised at how speedy my labor was. I was preterm so they had tried to slow/stop my labor by pumping me with Magnesium Sulfate. That did not work, and my labor continued to speed up.
In reflection, would you do any differently, either before the birth, during or after?
In this birth instance, I do not think I would have done anything different except for refusing the epidural.
What do you remember the most about your birth?
Knowing that my body could handle pushing two babies out back to back was amazing and powerful.
- Feeding Cara in the NICU
- Feeding Lily in the NICU
How has your perspective of your birth experience with Lily and Cara changed in the last three years since the first week of having them?
I think looking back on the day of their birth, my husband and I were scared of having two premature babies. God really watched out for us. I never prepared myself for reading about if my twins would arrive early, but God gave us a huge sense of peace about it. Coming up to 17 weeks in this next pregnancy, I feel prepared to handle whatever may happen. The fear of the unknown is gone. I just pray that I don’t end up two weeks overdue!
Would you recommend having a natural childbirth or medicated childbirth to other women?
I would recommend that if you wish to have an unmedicated birth, you need to do your research and have a great support system with a midwife/doula team. Attend a birthing class, if possible.
Any further thoughts, comments or advice you would like to share?
I would love to advise women in labor that if you get to a point where you need to change your birth plan for your child’s safety or your own, then do it. Things may not always happen as you plan..and you need to be ok with that.
Also, I would like to share with moms who are pregnant with twins that breastfeeding is possible! After my twins came home after a month in the NICU, it took another month to get them solely breastfeeding. After two bouts of mastitis, a bad latch which led to a cracked nipple, and a round of thrush within the first 6 months, we continued to nurse till 2 1/2 years! So many times I wanted to give up. I would set myself up with one month goals. If I can do it for another month, I won’t give up! If you can get a great support system within your family, or a local La Leche League group, you can be successful in your breastfeeding journey.
Elisabeth and her family, with one more on the way!
The Joy of This 
Wow! You are fierce!
amazing, what a beautiful family!