The Births of Barrett & Holden
twin vaginal births with a frank breech presentation.
On September 14th, 2021, at 37 weeks 1 day, We received the anticipated call at 8am! It was time to head to the hospital to be induced. Prior to medication, my body had already started the process: 4cms, 70% effaced. At 10:20am, I started Pitocin to jump start labor. After that it was a waiting game of progress. At 2:20pm, I received the epidural, which had to be reinserted as it wasn’t put in correctly the first time. By 2:30pm I was at 6 cms, 90% effaced and Holden was in position, Barrett was still breech. Our midwife broke Holden’s water. Around 4:15pm I had progressed to 9cms & 100% effaced. I was then turned onto my side to use the peanut ball to help with the final steps of progression. At 5:20pm I was rolled into the operating room.
The plan was always to have a vaginal delivery in the operating room just in case a c section was needed. They got me all set up on the operating table prior to bringing in Christian and our photographer. In the OR, there were doubles of everyone: 2 nurses for me, 2 nurses for Holden, 2 nurses for Barrett, 1 anesthesiologist, our midwife Janelle, and OB Dr Newman. Outside of the operating room was an additional nurse on standby. Plus, all of the needed medical equipment in preparation for anything that could happen. The room was not large, and everyone was crowded in. It was in that moment that I realized the seriousness of what was about to occur.
I was on a flat operating table, which due to my never ending sinus infection caused me to start coughing. The nurses insisted I wear a mask while in the room, the worst. I ended up need oxygen because of that useless mask.
With a few rounds of contractions and just a few pushes total: Holden was born at 5:45pm (7lbs 2ozs and 19 3/4th inches long) Holden was immediately put on my chest and Christian cut the cord. It was very difficult to get a good look at him, but he was crying and seemed so large in that moment.
The nurse then took him to the baby holder. At ten minutes of life, Holden’s oxygen level drifted, and he became tachypneic, with his oxygen in the 80’s. He was immediately put on oxygen and rushed to NICU. During this time, I continued pushing for about 45 minutes trying to get Barrett out.
While pushing, I blew a vein that sprayed blood onto the doctor, the floor and visibly in the air. Honestly, I had no idea this occurred, my entire team was calm. Doctor Newman had to stitch me up internally to stop the bleeding. It was at this point that Christian started to feel lightheaded. He really tried to not make a big deal out of it but then finally gave in and had to sit down in a chair right next to me. The anesthesiologist was quick to comfort him and talk him through calming down. He was able to continue holding my leg and cheering me on.
I could feel the pressure of Barrett in the birthing canal, I could see the concern on the medical teams faces. The nurses in the room kept peeking around the doctors to see what was happening. The nurses were having a hard time finding Barrett’s heart rate on the monitors, Dr Newman tried to internally monitor his heart and was unsuccessful.
I continued pushing and had to use the stirrups for leverage to hold onto. Laboring on an operating table is not easy. The pressure was very intense, and I could not tell the difference between the pressure of his body coming out and contractions. The pushes didn’t feel effective. There was a moment where I really felt that the medical team was going to switch to a c section.
All the pushing paid off though, Barrett arrived breech frank at 6:27pm (6lbs 1ozs, 19 1/4 in long) Dr Newman cut his cord. He was limp, blue, had a heart rate but was not making any respiratory effort.
He was put on 100% oxygen. He gasped for the first time at 1 minute and 15 seconds of life. They considered his treatment full resuscitation. That faint cry sound was incredible. On the way out of the operating room, the nurses stopped the baby holder for a brief second in front of me so I could see Barrett. He seemed so fragile and tiny in that moment.
The medical team was still cleaning me up and with both babies gone, Christian went to NICU with babies. Dr Newman reported that I lost about 500 mL of blood.
I was taken back into the laboring room to be monitored to ensure I was not bleeding too much and to make sure I was taken care of. The nurses were compassionate and kind, but I was very frustrated that I could not just be with my babies. Our wonderful photographer stayed in the recovery room with me; she provided the exact comfort and support that I needed. I was not alone. Our medical team let her sneak off into the NICU to capture images of our sweet boys.
Christian stayed in the NICU with Holden & Barrett while I was in the recovery room. The first time I really saw the faces of the twins was over video chat.
At about 8:45pm, I was wheeled to the NICU to meet both boys. Holden was fast asleep; Barrett was awake and chewing on cords. There were cords and wires coming out everywhere from them. Seeing our babies on oxygen and with a hand IV was hard and surreal. We had no idea how long it would be until we could hold them.
Spoiler Alert: our boys are perfect and were able to come home with us after 36 hours in the NICU.
Oh, hey! I’m Carey.
Your future birth photographer, hip squeezer, and we will probs become best buds.
I am that home birth mom with 3 crazy boys, just trying to make it to hockey practice on time.
I serve the entire greater Phoenix area including Peoria, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek.
Let’s chat about your birth over some coffee!
