More of this Feature • Part 1: Preparation • Part 3: Labor • Part 4: The Birth

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From Other Guides • Parenting of Multiples

by Robin Elise Weiss

The weeks immediately preceding the birth were filled with holiday happenings and wonder. We had spent so much time being told that twins were always early, that we began to believe it ourselves. Though we laughed and told people that meant I'd go to 40 weeks, at least. I was always late.

The first baby, Baby A (Owl) was head down, vertex. The second baby, Baby B (Nose) was breech. Because I'd had previous babies, and Nose was not first, it was safe to attempt a vaginal, homebirth.

I'd spent many a night trying to figure out all of the possibilities of potential complications. I weighed risks and benefits. I plotted and planned. I worried. Eventually I simply prayed that there would be a clear sign that I would know where I was meant to give birth. I'd have to trust my body, my babies and my team.

About 2 weeks before my due date a few friends organized an awesome Blessingway for me. It was so empowering. I really needed to feel the uplifting strength of my friends and other women. They even gave me a great necklace with beads that each told a story of a baby.

At 38 weeks and 5 days, I started having contractions. They were painful and I had to work with them, but I knew it wasn't time to call everyone. I called our head midwife, who had a drive ahead of her and I called Denay, our doula for the children to help with them. All night long, Kevin and I worked with the contractions. The next day, no real progress and the contractions ceased. I was horribly disappointed.

The midwife said she'd go with me to my last scheduled ultrasound. Kevin was actually going to go as well. Denay took the kids to school so we could all do this. When we got there, it was the surprise of our life. Our first miracle - baby Nose (B) has turned head down! Those contractions had been helping the baby turn! We were all on cloud nine.

All was quiet, except my horrible cough, until my due date. Again, contractions started in the middle of the evening. We called the midwife and her assistant. They both came and stayed the night along with my sister. Once again, morning light brought an end to the contractions. I couldn't even face work again. I stayed home.

The midwife and my sister joked that they were moving in until the end. I just smiled and wondered if there would ever be an end. I was not as calm and peaceful about being over due as I had been with Lilah, nor as calm as I desired to be.

My sister took the kids under her wings and let Kevin and I go out alone. The midwife went shopping and to the movies. Kevin and I went to the office holiday party. Have you ever tried to attend a holiday party overdue with twins, when you work with a group of OBs? Let me tell you, it was an interesting night. They were all so thoughtful and sweet. It's nice to have people care.

We told them it couldn't be that much longer…

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