Wyatt and Owen’s Story

Site created on April 19, 2020

When Ross and I found out that we were having twins in November we were both shocked and overwhelmed (to say the least). Once we had an opportunity to embrace our destiny, we were overjoyed that we would be adding two more boys to our family. My pregnancy was mostly underwhelming and uneventful...I mean aside from being 36, pregnant with twins, two kids at home, working and a husband that travels more often than not! However, at 21 weeks and 6 days, that all changed. After some bleeding, I was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with a Marginal Placental Abruption -our Baby B's (Wyatt) placenta had slightly torn away from the uterus. The morning of 22 weeks I started having contractions. Because it looked like labor was coming, one of the NICU Neonatologists came to discuss what having 22 week twins look like-and the outcome was not positive. It was a highly emotional morning for both Ross and myself, but thankfully they were able to control my contractions ultimately halting them. After 9 days in the antepartum unit, they felt my symptoms were controlled enough to go home...on strict couch potato status. I was thrilled to be going home to see my kids and husband since Covid prevented any of them from visiting. Three days after being home, I went in for a follow-up appointment to monitor the babies and they noticed that Wyatt's amniotic fluid was low, so the plan was to continue to monitor me closely. That evening (I was now 23 weeks 3 days), I woke with painful contractions and bleeding that sent Ross and I flying back to the hospital. When we arrived, they determined that Wyatt's sac had ruptured. This now opens the baby to the risk of infection, which means it was another admission to antepartum with no hope of going home until the babies were born. An  NP (Nurse Practitioner)  from the NICU came to talk to us again about what to expect and the difference of the likelihood of survival from 22 weeks to 23 weeks and 3 days was astounding and left Ross and I feeling far more hopeful for our sweet boys! The NP also shared that every day that I was able to stay pregnant saves the boys two days in the NICU. I settled in for what I had hoped was the long haul, even though because of Covid it meant no physical contact with my family, but what was best for our boys was most important. Well, that didn't last long..the evening of 24 weeks, the boys decided they had had enough! Contractions started and within 30 min we were in the OR for a c-section to bring these boys into the world. We had quite the crowded OR, with anesthesiologists and doctors and nurses for me and a team of NICU doctors, nurses and NP's for each of the boys. At 8:48pm on April 7th, Wyatt our one time Baby B turned Baby A (I know..confusing) was born first and one minute later our Owen was born. Wyatt needed a ventilator from the start (very normal), but Owen was breathing on his own and only needing the assistance of a CPAP! Although incredibly tiny coming it at 1lb 4oz and 1lb 6oz respectively, our boys are fighters ad we are filled with hope that our boys will be coming home in July, when originally expected, to complete our family and finally have us all under one roof!

Newest Update

April 07, 2021

Journal entry by Molly Halsne —

One year. What a paradox-the longest year of my life and yet time moved so quickly! I was surprised at the PTSD anxiety that came on suddenly last night, tightening my chest and bringing on a flood of tears.  My mom reminded me that I have repeated over and over again that I just had  to get them to a year and then I could begin to process this trauma.  I guess my body was holding on until it just couldn’t any longer. I can still see those frighteningly fragile little 1 pound bodies. Then all the manic days that came after...the tubes, the beeping monitors, the blood draws, the surgeries, the recovery, then rinse and repeat that scenario two more times. The tears, the anxiety, the fear, the waiting and waiting and waiting for someone to come and tell us what is happening. And then the celebratory days-holding them alone and then together for the first time, witnessing them learning to eat and then the ultimate joy...coming home,one at a time,  to be a family after 119 and 156 days in the NICU. Our days following getting discharged have been filled with follow up appointments and craziness as we adapt to our new life with preemie twins. Our lives forever changed by these beautiful, strong, joyful and loving boys. As hard as this year has been with a global pandemic, sick babies, riots and a move, I can’t say I’d change it. Of course I wish my boys would have had more time to grow, but these miracles in the flesh have changed my perspective on life, faith and love. Happy Birthday to my warrior boys. I will always be in awe of you💙💙 

In honor of my boys, please consider donating to the potato head project. The support that their community has provided to my family during this challenging time has been invaluable. Your donation will help support more families and their journey through the NICU and beyond. The Potato Head Project
https://www.thepotatoheadproject.org/donate
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