Just a quick hello from mortherland

Hi All! Sorry that I have been so scarce, I can't believe that so many months have passed already.

Things certainly have changed around here since the twins have arrived, hopefully I'll get a chance to write up a full rendition one of these days.

The short version is this; the boys (Thomas and Nathan) were due 31 July but at 27 weeks a scan picked up complications. We were overjoyed when the sonographer found a membrane as it meant that the twins were 'normal'. Unfortunately this also meant that there was the risk of Twin to Twin Transfer Syndrome (TTTS) a rare occurrence where one twin received more blood supply than the other resulting in an imbalance that is dangerous to both twins.

I don't know why were surprised that it happened given our history but it didn't make life much easier. On the up side it did provide a reason for why I felt so rough, I was carrying 2 litres of extra fluid at one point (this was removed through an amnio). Anyway, things were a bit rough and I had to be scanned every second day but the wonderful consultant managed to get us to 32 weeks which was a miracle in itself! The boys were delivered by c-section on 6 June (yip that's 060606 for those paying attention).

We were lucky really as we had plenty of time to adjust to the idea that they would be delivered really early. It also meant that I was able to received steroid injections to improve their lungs so when the boys were born only Thomas needed oxygen and only for a short while.

All in all they spent 3 weeks in the neo-natal unit, suffering only from jaundice. We were definitely fortunate again as they didn't suffer any infections or require any transfusions which meant that they were able to come home much earlier than anyone thought possible.

We have all been home for about 8 weeks now and life has taken on a surreal tint as we struggle with lack of sleep and the several weeks of the '1 week old newborn stage'. Both boys have done very well all things considered. We have issues with reflux that we're trying to find solutions to but we're working on it and will probably be asking advice about it pretty soon.

In the meantime, sorry that its taken me so long and thank-you for all the best wishes. I'll update with the whole story as soon as I can.

Love
A