A child’s unique entrance to the world is always a sign and a wonder! It’s a story worth remembering and retelling again and again. A stone of remembrance that marks you as a mother, unveils God’s fingerprints, and is the first of a lifetime of memories made with your child.

So, with joy, here’s the birth story of our twins:

• Babies Usher In God’s Blessings
• Planning a Home Birth
• The Mystery
• The Ultrasound Cracks the Case
• Who’s In My Womb?
• At Risk for Early Labor
• Labor Starts at 30 Weeks
• Full Bed Rest with 3 Children-You Got to be Kidding Me!
• The Physical & Spiritual Battle
• This Is It
• Supernatural Labor
• Walking by Faith for a Vaginal Delivery
• The Operating Room
• The Twin Nursing Adventure Begins
• 24 Hours in the NICU
• Nursing Dilemmas

I always thought I might have twins. My mom is an identical twin. I’d grown up hearing the prediction that twins usually skip a generation. Since my mom never had twins, I reasoned, my brother and I could be the next ones in line. (I’ve come to learn that identical twins are not hereditary, only fraternal twins.) I even saved an extra backpack carrier we were given, just in case, one day, we had twins.

With my first three pregnancies, at every first ultrasound, I always thought in the back of my mind we just might find two babies growing safely in my womb. However, with our fourth pregnancy and the choice of a home birth, an early ultrasound never came. In fact, I never thought much about it. The idea of twins never popped into my head with this pregnancy…until late in the game! I think I reasoned that if and when I became pregnant with twins, I’d just know it. I’d probably eat more or feel ten times bigger or something. On the contrary, I had little indication until I was 7 months pregnant that we were expecting fraternal twin boys. Days later, as I was adjusting to the news, I went into early labor.

Babies Usher in God’s Blessings

A pregnancy test taken in December confirmed that our 4^th baby was on its way. To announce the pregnancy, I surprised my husband with a little box of baby booties and a card that said “Do not open until Christmas (or 9 months after to be exact)!” I usually don’t get this creative when announcing my pregnancy so I was pretty proud of myself.

Our youngest was 18 months at the time and my husband was looking for full-time work. We had recently moved to be a part of an incredible church and had entered a 5 month interview process for a job with a full-time salary and benefits. But while we were waiting, our finances were running out. Three weeks after we found out we were expecting, my husband was offered the job!

Now, worldly wisdom would say get the job first and then get pregnant. But, on the contrary, we’ve learned that babies usher in God’s blessings! They are not a financial burden but they call down more of God’s abundant provision on a family! The job came and the necessary medical benefits with it! The double portion of twins has really begun to teach us the reality of this truth about God’s faithful and sufficient provision.

Planning a Home Birth

After 2 overseas births and a water birth, I felt I was ready to venture out and have this baby at home. With my first baby, I never considered it. Too many risks, I thought. I didn’t know what to expect. Somehow, the beeping of machines and the sterile environment of a hospital seemed to reassure me of a safe delivery. Three hospital deliveries later, I was confident in my body and God’s hand. I felt ready to trust a certified midwife to deliver a baby that seemed on automatic pilot out of my body and into the world.

I had some reservations. But I figured a home birth provided the freedom in labor I desired and was a safer alternative to a hospital birth with its many unnecessary medical interventions-some I’d experienced and others, thankfully, I’d only heard about.

My husband and I struggled to find a midwife we both felt comfortable with. This process proved stressful with disagreements about the baby’s safety and the midwife’s qualifications. In the meantime, I kept dreaming of a peaceful home birth with no medical intervention and lots of support during my labor.

Finally, I started seeing a midwife in her home for my monthly appointments (although my husband was not yet completely won over). I loved it! I’d bring my three kids and they would sit on the floor in her office and play with blocks and dinosaurs while she asked me questions about what I ate the night before and how I was feeling. The kids were there when I first heard the baby’s heart beat! Her care was so geared to involve the whole family in this baby’s entrance to the world. I was delighted.

The Mystery

At one visit, my midwife said I was measuring a little big for being 6 months along. I innocently asked what that might mean. She said it could mean I had too much amniotic fluid or that I could be pregnant with twins. My heart leaped upon hearing the second possibility. She said she would measure me again on my next visit and that if I was growing exponentially, she would recommend an ultrasound. I hadn’t yet had one with this birth. Typically, when seeing a midwife for a home birth, ultrasounds are only given when deemed medically necessary.

The month prior to my next visit seemed to pass slowly. In the meantime, I phoned my mom and told her of this exciting possibility. Undoubtably, news like this travels quickly and soon my grandmother (who carried my mom and aunt for 3 weeks past her due date giving birth to a total of 15 lb. babies-three cheers for Grandma) was calling me excited about what she’d heard. I knew a couple women who had had twins and asked them to tell me about their experiences. Both had been so much bigger than I was mid-pregnancy that I began to have my doubts. I was only measuring 1 cm bigger than normal. Maybe having twins was just wishful thinking.

I went to see my midwife for my 7 month visit and she didn’t seem to think my growth rate merited an ultrasound. She speculated it was only extra amniotic fluid. I was so disappointed.

After a month of dreaming and anticipating twins, I wanted to hear that there were two babies in there. People were already making comments when I was out running errands. They’d ask me when I was due. Their jaws would drop when I’d say I still had 3 months to go! They said I looked like I was due any day. Someone even said I looked so big that I must be expecting twins. Who did all these people think they were that they had free license to make any comment they wanted about a pregnant woman’s shape or size? I began to joke with my husband that we should have an ultrasound soon so I could have an answer to give my public when they made unsolicited comments about my nearly bursting body!

My midwife told me that extra amniotic fluid sometimes can indicate an abnormality in the baby. Upon hearing this, I felt like I needed to press for an ultrasound so I was better prepared for the birth of this baby or babies. It was tricky taking captive my thoughts so they wouldn’t run wild with all the “what if” possibilities. I tried not to think much about it until we knew more. Finally, a few weeks passed, and I was scheduled to have an ultrasound which would shed some light on the subject! The morning of my appointment, I decided to come boldly before the throne and tell the Lord that I really did want twins!

The Ultrasound Cracks the Case

Because my husband had to work that day, two dear girlfriends found childcare for their kids and hopped in the car to accompany me to the doctor’s office. They wanted to be there to support and comfort me as I approached the great unknown! I was thankful for their company.

Before I left, my husband placed his hands on my belly and we prayed about the outcome. As he did, the baby kicked. I felt it high up on my right side and low down on the left. I joked that if this wasn’t twins, that baby had quite a wing-span! It was time to find out!

I laid on the examination table with the cold gel on my belly. The doctor placed the ultrasound instrument on my tummy and with trembling anticipation, I watched the screen. Immediately, I thought I saw two round heads side by side. The screen went black and the doctor looked at me. He said, “I don’t usually do these kinds of ultrasounds. I don’t know if anyone has told you but you are having twins.” I screamed. My girlfriends screamed too. That poor doctor probably wasn’t sure what kind of reaction he’d get when he told me. But I couldn’t stop smiling! I was ecstatic and had a hard time remaining still for the remainder of the ultrasound. I had so many questions! How was I to take all this in at 7 months pregnant? It was one of the most exciting moments of my life!

Who’s In My Womb?

I had convinced my husband that if we were having twins, it was a necessity to find out their sexes. Already with too many wonderful surprises, I needed some more concrete information to help me prepare for this incomprehensible life change! If we were having a girl, I anticipated, she would definitely come home wearing pink! Since I was the only one who wore pink in our family, I’d have some shopping to do.

With our first two boys, we chose to be surprised about their sex. The surprise always served as extra incentive for me to get through natural labor! With our third, I really wanted to know if the baby was a boy or girl. Through an ultrasound, we found out God had given us a third son! I had always dreamed of having more boys than girls. So far, so good. But naturally, I was eager to know if it was now time to welcome a little girl to the family.

The doctor announced to me that one twin was a boy. I was delighted! I love boys. The room filled with silence as he searched to find the next baby. I marveled at how he could find anything in the midst all those limbs! I was thinking there has to be a girl in there somewhere. The odds were in my favor, right? Then he announced another boy.

For a brief moment, my heart sank at the realization that the time to have a baby girl had not yet come. Later, I had a good cry (fighting back the mommy guilt) as I faced my brief feelings of disappointment. I have never pined away for a daughter. But my husband and I had been thinking that 5 children might be a full quiver for us! All of a sudden, it seemed we had jumped to having 5 children sooner than I thought. Was our all boy family complete? I just had to be real with my own heart and share these feelings with my husband or they would eat me up inside.

Soon after admitting my brief disappointment, I began to revel in the uniqueness of having all boys in our family. Having always dreamed of having more boys than girls, I realized God was giving me the desire of my heart.

I will never forget the phone call to my husband at work. I was practically screaming with joy! “We are having twins. Aaah! And guess what? We are having two more boys! Aaah!” His reaction was my favorite part. I could hear his beaming smile as he laughed through my proclamations! He was as thrilled as I was. I am so blessed to have a husband like him!

At Risk for Early Labor

I was now on the twin fast-track. I had to start thinking of everything in twos. Since we are fairly thrifty, I’d saved most of my baby clothes and gear. Prior to the ultrasound, I felt I had everything I needed for our fourth baby. Now, it felt like I was starting all over. I’d need another car seat, bouncy seat, double stroller. How many sleepers could I get away with? Did I have enough? What about diapers? All these questions and plans began to swirl in my head.

Shortly after hearing the news, I decided to switch from having a home birth to a hospital birth. Technically, having twins was classified as “high risk.” I know many twins have been born at home without any complications. I just felt I needed more specialized care. Disappointed with my midwife’s casual misdiagnosis, I felt it was time for a doctor to step in who would help me weather the unknowns ahead.

At my first appointment with the doctor who’d preformed my ultrasound, I was given a fetal fibronectin test . He simply swabbed the secretions inside my vagina to measure the amount of fetal fibronectin present. Fetal fibronectin is a protein that acts like a glue, attaching the fetal sac to the uterine lining. If more than the normal amount of fetal fibronectin is detected, it is an indication the “glue” is disintegrating and the mom is at high risk of having a premature birth. More accurate if the test turns out negative, it ensures mom she won’t go into labor for 2 weeks.

The next day, the doctor phoned to tell me my test had come back positive. I was at high risk for going into labor prematurely. All of a sudden, I was hurdled headlong into his overwhelming instructions for a shot of corticosteroids, a prescription for muscle relaxers and full-time bed rest. It was too much at once. My stomach dropped out from under me and I began to shake. Fear for the lives of my babies at 29 weeks gripped me and I didn’t want to put all those medications in my body. The dangers of a premature birth were scary but the side effects of those medications on my babies while in the womb also frightened me. Was full bed rest really necessary? How do you do that when you have three other children?

I called a pastor from our church. Clearly fear had moved in and I felt paralyzed to make any rational decision. She prayed for me and as the fear subsided, I was able to think more clearly. God restored peace to my mind, body and soul.

It was time to do some of my own research. I needed to learn more about the test and treatment he prescribed. I phoned him again but was shocked and dismayed at his response. More of less, he coldly told me I was infringing upon his time and bothering him with my questions. After hanging up, I was stunned by his condescension. If he was treating me like this now, what would happen in the operating room where I would entrust him with major split-second decisions?

After Internet searches and conversations with friends who were in the medical field, I decided to get a second opinion.The test indicated I was only “at risk” to go into early labor. Wasn’t it premature to treat me like contractions had already begun?

A friend’s husband in residency pulled some strings and I was scheduled to see one of the top obstetricians in town the next week. Now that’s God’s favor! Only my body didn’t wait until then. In fact, I first met my new doctor face to face while in labor in a hospital bed at 30 weeks pregnant.

Labor Starts at 30 Weeks

I was trying not to lift anything (which was upsetting for my almost 2 year old whom I had still managed to carry from time to time). I was also trying to limit the time I spent on my feet by staying around the house instead of out on the go.

Regardless of my little changes, the contractions started coming. Not terribly strong or regular, I’d notice them when I’d change position or had spent too much time upright. I was starting to get worried but tried to reason they just must be Braxton-Hicks.

I called my friend’s husband who was a doctor to ask his advice. He asked good questions and I was trying not to jump to extreme conclusions. However, over the course of our 10-minute phone conversation, I had 4 contractions. That was enough to help me decide to have this checked out at the hospital. I reassured myself that I’d probably just feel silly when they hooked me up and announced it was a false alarm. But how wrong I was!

Thankfully, I didn’t have to go to the hospital alone. Around 9:00pm, a dear friend and her mom drove up to take me to the maternity ward. My husband stayed with our 3 boys and I called him with updates during my visit. I was extremely nervous but tried to make small talk to divert my anxious thoughts.

Once I settled in a room, they attached 2 fetal monitors. With all the cords attached, I felt like I was entangled by an Amazon python. Despite the jungle experience, it was exciting hearing both heartbeats at the same time. They accessed the situation and checked my cervix. I had dilated 1 cm. and the contractions were becoming rhythmic. I was given a shot of terbutaline to stop contractions. It didn’t work.

They had one more trick up their sleeves- a muscle relaxer in pill form. Both medicines were given to allow me time to receive a double dose of steroids, given 24 hours apart, to help the babies’ lungs develop and decrease the chances of breathing problems if they were born prematurely.

After swallowing the muscle relaxer, I asked what they would do next if it was ineffective. There was no plan B. I would progress into full blown labor and deliver the babies. My precious friends covered me with prayer as we waited to see if the muscle relaxers would indeed post-pone labor.

I felt I was hanging in the balance but in hind site, I was really resting in the loving palm of Father God’s hand. My contractions subsided. But just in case, they kept me overnight. In the morning, I consented to a steroid shot right in the butt! Ouch! When my doctor came to examine me, he checked my cervix and it was hard, raised and totally closed! The medicine wasn’t designed to have this effect. I believe that God reversed the work of the contractions!

Soon after, my husband came to get me. Although first, I had to endure another shot. I was “sentenced” to full bed rest. With three young children at home under the age of 6, it was time to get creative!

Full Bed Rest with 3 Young Children-You’ve Got to be Kidding Me!

When I’d listen to other mothers share about their bed rest experiences, I’d shake my head in awe. I didn’t think I would ever be able to handle that! I’m a go-getter, a doer and the thought of being constrained to a horizontal position freaked me out! The health of my twins would be greatly enhanced if I obeyed my doctor’s orders! My husband jumped into action. I came home from the hospital on a week-end and set up camp in our bedroom.

We scrambled to hire some in-home help: someone who could be my hands and feet while I laid flat. We found a college student who was willing to come 6-8 hours a day for very affordable pay. I am so thankful for her. We dug into savings and family members stepped in to make this financially possible.

She sowed into the well-being of our entire family during this trying season. She cleaned, did laundry, prepared 2 meals a day and kept my boys’ daily routine running. Our church generously stepped in and brought us dinner during this time of bed rest and for 1 ½  months following the twins’ birth.

I used this time to start homeschooling my oldest son in kindergarten. This was a wonderful diversion for everyone. I had plenty of time to plan lessons on my bed. For one hour each morning, all 3 boys would climb on my bed and we’d read and do a school activity. I wanted to get some homeschooling under my belt before the babies were born. I knew I would never be ready to start school first thing in the fall. (They were born July 16^th!)

Since I knew the babies could arrive any day, I needed to let my fingers do the walking and started researching on-line for twin gear. With help from family, I immediately purchased a second infant car seat. Next, I found a double stroller, baby hammock, nursing bras, baby carriers, and adorable preemie sleepers. A friend coordinated a shower for me. I hung the invitation by my bedside and aimed to be there, still pregnant, 4 ½ weeks from the day I started bed rest.

The Physical & Spiritual Battle

Being dehydrated can lead to premature labor so I tried to always have a glass of water by my bedside. I had recently visited the dentist a few weeks prior to going into pre-term labor. My gums were swollen and they warned me about the risk periodontal disease poses to pregnancy. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby born too early and too small. So, I was brushing my gums 10 minutes every night in addition to brushing my teeth 2 times a day. I tried to only get up to go to the bathroom.

Not only was I fighting a physical battle to keep my babies in my womb, but a battle in my mind as well. Fear wanted to consume my every thought about the babies. But I had a choice. I could meditate on all the “what ifs” and read in my “twin books” about all the horrible complications that might result if I gave birth early.

Or, I could meditate on my Jesus, loving my babies, His ability to guard them and keep them and His perfect will for their birth. I posted the scriptures on my wall the Lord gave me concerning the twins.

When a fearful thought would come, I would take it captive by confronting the lie that fear was spouting with the truth of the scriptures. It was amazing to experience the victory and freedom that came from believing God’s truth!

My husband and I also prayed and asked God for the names of our babies. When we had decided on Joseph and Stephen, we began to pray over the babies by name and asked others to do the same. I even prayed over my body and spoke life-giving words about its God-given ability to carry these babies in my safe womb. I was feeling that my body wasn’t doing its job and wanted to take the authority God has given me over it so it would line up with God’s design for its function and creation.

Each night I went to bed, I thanked God for every day I held those babies in. A dear friend rejoiced with me with each passing week. She and her mom even bought me little baby outfits as celebratory gifts! This focus helped me be grateful for the time God was keeping them in the womb instead of focusing on the fear of a premature delivery.

This Is It

Having been pregnant before, I was aware of the increasing strain and pressure a baby puts on mom’s body. It only multiplied with twins! I was constantly up in the night going to the bathroom. Rolling over felt like moving a beached whale. The frequent kicks in all directions made for light sleeping!

I asked the Lord where Stephen and Joseph were placed in my womb. I had a sense that Joseph was to be the first born. I felt that Joseph was on my right and Stephen on my left. With each kick, I pictured that individual baby. It was the beginning of distinguishing their differences!

I recorded the contractions that began in the night but come morning, just as I was thinking this was it, they stopped. I went through the entire next day without a single contraction. Once again, when night hit, the contractions began. I switched on the light because I couldn’t sleep. I tried to read a book while laboring but couldn’t focus. I was definitely in active labor. Yet, my contractions were irregular in frequency and length.

By 6 a.m. I felt it was time to make for the hospital. The childcare I had lined up weeks in advance was suddenly unavailable. I phoned several friends, scrambling to find someone awake who could come stay with our three sons. In the end, the boys got shuffled between 4 different families to cover the long day we spent in the hospital. I am so thankful for those who stepped in on such short notice!

Supernatural Labor

The intensity of contractions waned as we approached the hospital. Eric wheeled me into the elevator and with excitement and nervousness about the unknowns ahead, we made the climb. I was talking and breathing normally. None of the nurses believed I was very far along in labor. I was instantly hooked up to 2 fetal monitors. I had to be careful how I moved. With all those cords, it felt like a death trap! Definitely not conducive to the positions needed for comfort during a natural labor.

The contractions could be seen on the screen but I hardly felt them! I only had to pause in a conversation or between signing a ridiculous amount of paperwork to focus on breathing. I had labored much harder than this at home through the night.

A friend had loaned me the book “Supernatural Childbirth.” I was too afraid to pick it up. Having gone into early labor, I thought my chances of a natural childbirth had gone out the window. Even more so, I can struggle with performance-based love and didn’t want to try to “earn” the blessing of a pain-free labor. So, I didn’t even try for it.

Yet God in His love and grace handed it to me freely. I didn’t have to heavily contend for it in prayer. It was like He just said, “Here. I love you and I want to bless you with this because I have compassion on you.” What a gift!

God was so good to me. I had to surrender to another hospital birth, giving up my ideals of a natural homebirth for the greater safety of the babies. I could have never labored naturally through transition in that bustling hospital room. So instead, God made my transition feel like early labor and I breezed right through it!

The doctor did a quick ultrasound. Joseph was head down, ready to go whereas Stephen was horizontal in my womb. He checked my cervix again and I was fully dilated. We were at 35 weeks and 1 day and there was no turning back now. Time to make some quick decisions!

Eric and I trusted that whatever we’d face on the other side of delivery wasn’t too big for God. We were counting on His grace.

Walking by Faith for a Vaginal Delivery

The doctor offered us the choice of a c-section or vaginal delivery. He recommended a c-section for it’s “certainty” because a vaginal delivery at this point required more effort from the medical staff. I had been praying for a vaginal delivery. So, we took the leap of faith and went for the route with the more uncertain outcome.

I was prepped for an epidural. I had never had one before. I chose to receive one even though I was ready to push because there was the possibility the doctor would either manually flip Stephen (the horizontal baby) or perform an emergency c-section.

If faced with the latter, I would have to be given a general anesthesia if I wasn’t already numb from an epidural. Although I believe in aiming for a drug-free birth, I chose the lesser of the two to try to ensure a better recovery and less pain. A general anesthesia would mean I wouldn’t get to see my babies as soon after delivery and nursing might be a problem. Having someone reach up inside me to manuveur a baby wouldn’t necessarily be considered “natural.” I wasn’t Wonder Woman after all!

The Operating Room

Although painful, I love labor and delivery. I always sense God’s hand and tangible presence so strongly during these moments. What an opportunity to partner with heaven in bringing forth new life, a child of destiny!

From all the stories girlfriends had told me about the “wonders of an epidural,” I was counting on a pain-free delivery. On the contrary, the pushing phase of delivery still hurt! I asked the doctor to turn up the epidural but he didn’t comply.

In hindsight, I am thankful because he wanted me to participate in the pushing as fully as possible. Joseph was delivered first. They put him on my chest, giving me a moment to make a brief introduction. But he was soon whisked away again to be weighed, measured and have breathing tests.

My doctor did another quick ultrasound. Miraculously, Stephen had flipped into a head-down position on his own! Thank you Jesus! All I had to do was give a few pushes and I got to meet this wonderful boy!

When they put Stephen on my chest, I immediately knew the twins were fraternal. I could tell them apart from birth. I got to hold them both for a few more minutes together. Then, they rolled them with Eric in tow to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). I returned to my room and waited.

The Twin Nursing Adventure Begins

An amazing birth without complications soon became anti-climactic without my babies to nurse and hold! The exhilarating feeling that had always followed my natural births in the past was gone.

Suddenly, in rushed Eric saying the nurses needed my permission to give the babies formula because their blood sugar was rapidly dropping. It had probably been at least 30 minutes since they’d entered the world and had yet to nurse. Of course their blood sugar was dropping! But instead of giving them to me, they claimed formula was the best answer.

With tears, I pleaded with Eric to let me have them. But unfortunately, there was so much pressure from the nursing staff, there was really no choice to be made. My heart ached but I was pleased that so far, the babies seemed to be fairing well!

An hour later, the babies came in along with a lactation consultant to begin our nursing adventure. It was so good to see them! I had been advised by other moms of twins to learn to nurse them at the same time to help preserve my sleep.

In the beginning, I needed at least 3 hands to get everything situated. Thankfully, the lactation consultant and Eric readily stepped in to help. I used a Boppy and my twin nursing pillow to help position them.

24 Hours in the NICU

The babies only spent 24 hours in the NICU. Because they had been born 5 weeks early, they needed to run tests and observe them to make sure everything was functioning properly. They were healthy as could be! Wow! God had really protected them!

While there, my husband and I were with them every moment possible. It was difficult to see them lying, exposed on a table under the heat lamps when I longed to wrap them continually in my arms. However, I took comfort in the fact they were together just as they had been in my womb.

I had done some research about kangaroo care and we quickly applied one of its principles of skin-to-skin contact. I did this while nursing, making sure baby was stripped down to a diaper and lying completely on my bare chest. My dear husband also bared his chest to let a baby lie next to his heartbeat under a blanket. Any time they were in our arms, they were next to our skin.

Even when I got to bring them back to my room, the nurses were monitoring their temperature. They wanted to ensure they could maintain their own body temperature without the help of the heat lamps. I opened my pajama top, put a little knit cap on their heads and let them nestle there on my chest as long as possible. It worked!

Nursing Dilemmas

Joseph had the most difficulty latching on and sucking strongly. A weaker suck was probably related to his premature birth. With all the weight checks in and out of the hospital, I felt so much pressure to prove that our nursing relationship could be a success.

A few days out of the hospital, Joseph’s jaundice levels were so high, he had to spend 24 hours under the lights to level them. While there, the nurses weighed his diapers. He wasn’t eating enough. I pumped my milk and bottle fed him to stuff it down. He got lazy and hardly sucked on the bottle or my breast. After a day of this, an armload of free formula samples from my pediatrician and sleep deprivation, I came home discouraged and exhausted.

I decided to turn to La Leche League (where I often go when in a nursing quandary). The leader on the phone was so compassionate, validating my feelings. I sobbed about my twins’ introduction to formula at birth and about how I felt robbed of nursing them immediately to start forming an early attachment. I cried about the pressure to “perform” for the hospital nurses and about how Joseph was struggling to nurse.

She listened attentively and encouraged me to simply take Joseph to bed with me and do what I had always done with my other boys. As I regained confidence that yes, I knew how to mother my newborn son, it only took a day or two to get Joseph and I into a peaceful nursing groove. The stress and medical intervention we’d endured at the hospital had hindered this organic process.

I nursed them through the night, waking every 1 1/2 hours to hungry babies. I kept them in our Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper next to my bed. When they’d wake, I’d position them on my twin nursing pillow. This took its toll on my tired body.

I always co-sleep with my babies and love letting them nurse on demand through the night. I could sleep through one baby’s suckling. However, newborn twins were too little yet to nurse together lying down. So, I had to sit upright with them several times a night.

Four months later, we developed a position that worked for all 3 of us, enabling me to lie down and nurse. This helped me regain some sleep but limited my motion and comfort.

Six months later, I slowly transitioned them to their crib, still waking (although less frequently) in the night to nurse them. They are now 20 months, have weaned from night nursing, but still love to nurse throughout the day! We did it!

This is truly a miraculous story to tell. Thank you for sharing in their journey. They’ve never had any health problems related to their prematurity! God’s faithfulness was truly a shield to me and my little ones in and out of the womb!

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Please tell us your child’s birth story! We’d love to hear it! (the long or the short version)