And then there were four

December 20th, 2018. We went in to learn the gender of our 20 week old babe. It was only a few short minutes from walking in the door, until we were told that there were two. I’m pretty sure I sucked all the air out of the room at that moment!

“You’ve got a boy and a girl”

Tears poured. I went from total shock and fear, to amazing joy in only a few minutes. Oh yeah, and it was my birthday ;P

We welcomed these two into the world on April 7th, 2019. Ada Mae, and Ronan Scott Booth. Born at exactly 35 weeks! Ronan first, 5lbs 9oz - 18.5 inches long. And then Ada at 5lbs 7oz, 18inches long.

They have changed our world! This is their birth story <3

Let me first start by saying, the Lord was so gracious to us during my entire pregnancy. With little complications, both babes in a head down position, I had high hopes for being able to have the delivery i’ve always wanted. Un-medically assisted. I fought hard for months, researching, asking questions, empowering birth classes, to prepare myself for many outcomes. I wasn’t blind to the fact that delivering two babies comes with more risk. I battled fears and assumptions for weeks.

Thankfully, my OB and midwives were “my people”. They were honest with their words but gave me the “green light” to pursue the birth i wanted.

The first blessing was making it through my 34th week, which was a huge goal for us! And like clock work, my body begin contracting on April 6th in middle of the night, the day before 35 weeks. They were small and unproductive, but told me that it would be soon. I also took note that I was starting to lose fluid.

In the morning, as I was getting ready for the day, I told Jeremy that contractions had started. “Don’t worry, these could go on for days.” (lol). I put in to practice what we had learned at our birthing class. The first being “Relax. Distract yourself”. So we headed out to a morning gathering I had already planned with my Essential Oils team. When my friends asked “oh, when do you think they’ll come?!” My answer was “Probably today” hahaha!

Without alerting the room I continued to monitor my contractions on my phone, texting updates to my doulas. I then requested going out for a lunch (again trying to distract myself). It was tasty, but also not gonna lie. I don’t remember the conversation! My contractions started to pick up so we headed home to relax.

I got in sweats and we started to play some card games. While my contractions were consistent, they weren’t progressing. In fact, at about 5pm they almost completely stopped. “See, I told you, could be a while” I told Jeremy lol. We moved out to the porch to continue playing cards. Contemplating what we should do for dinner. And then it was my turn to lay a card down, but I found myself focusing on breathing. I’ll never forget Jeremy saying “What just happened?”. At 7pm my contractions came back, much stronger!

I decided to start to move around the yard but didn’t make it off the porch. Instead chose to lean/squat over the railing during each contraction. I timed them for 20 minutes. It was clear that I had transitioned into active labor. This was the second blessing! Active labor happening all on it’s own.

The next half hour consisted of Jermey talking with my doula, midwife and mom….and packing the car haha! We headed to the hospital at 8pm. I wanted to make sure my fluid levels were ok, and be fully admitted before things got too intense. The car ride gave us the most beautiful sunset! I felt totally calm and ready. I knew they were coming!

At the hospital, where my amazing doula met us, I labored in the admittance “room” for over an hour. We were waiting for our room (the largest one") to be ready. It was during this time that I learned that not ONE of my OB’s or Midwives would be on the floor that night. Fear crept in. A Dr from another practice would be there, one I did not know.

Once I was moved to my room, my doula quickly helped get me more comfortable. Back labor is no joke Lol. Lights low, music on, heating pad, birthing ball, encouraging words. I have no idea how long I labored on that ball or on all fours! During this time I chose to believe in only good outcomes. To focus on each contraction. I didn’t know who would deliver my babes, but I knew it was going to happen in that room. I was sure of it. (most OB’s insist on multiple deliveries taking place in the OR. yeah, no thanks!).

I’ll spare you the details, but I hit transition right at midnight. Yes, 5 hours after active labor started. Like I had said, I knew they were coming soon. the next 40 min were a blur. I was checked, I wasn’t fully dilated. My doula told me to “wait”.

The room became full of people. 4,8, 10? I really don’t know. I labored on my side, my doula right at my face keeping me focused. Here’s where the twin thing comes in to play! People are nervous. Each baby has a team. Also, where’s that doctor??? I hadn’t seen him yet.

I asked for the squat bar, “He’s right there, he’s coming”. I started pushing at 12:45am. Between a contraction I opened my eyes to see a pair of sneakers standing in front of me. I looked up to see a sweet older man, the Dr. He had just been told there were “two” as he walked in the door. “Can I see what’s going on?” he asked. “Omg yes please”.

Ronan was born at 1:22am. This is when I learned that it was Ada’s sack that had been leaking. Ronan, who was positioned first, had to have his water broken. After that I got to pull him to my chest. Praise the Lord. A perfectly tiny little boy! Who was giving me way to much trouble Lol. They took him after a few minutes because there was concern over his respiratory.

I love this photo for so many reasons. 1. Jeremy clutching the scissors, 2. The nurse monitoring Ada, 3. My face which is saying ok let’s do it again.

Ada mae was born 17 minutes after Ronan at 1:39am. My contractions never really kicked in for her, but that was the next blessing > I already knew what I was doing haha!

That precious girl came our with a thick head of hair and a loud voice!

It was moment for Jeremy and i both, where we both realized the dividing of our attention was tough! As I held Ada I looked over and kept asking about Ronan. We did it. They were here!

After “all the other things” that happen after delivery, we enjoyed plenty of skin-to-skin and snuggles. I had lost a lot of blood so it took me a while to make it down to our room.

But the Lord was ever so gracious and gave me the birth I had prayed for, and an even more amazing outcome! Two perfect little babes!

Ada’s grin says it all :)

Turns out, my doctor was great. He even invited us to church, which filled my heart with joy learning that he was a believer. Another praise report!

We had a solid 20 hours as a family. Baby snuggles and lack of sleep plenty! There was concern at the lack of feeding that was happening. My preemie babies just wouldn’t wake up. We began to supplement to keep jaundice at bay. At the 24 hour check up which happened in the middle of the next night, they discovered Ada’s jaundice was getting worse. Once her platelet count came in at only 11,000, they took Ronan away as well. His count came back at only 8,000.

We were quickly then transferred so that the babies brains could be checked for internal bleeding. I hadn’t showered. I hadn’t eaten. I hadn’t slept. My babies weren’t with me. That is how the next week started for us, as we spent 6 days in the NICU. I’ll save all that for another day! But the Lord is kind and kept us <3

I am SO grateful for those first 24 hours that we had together. I know we had a tough road ahead of us, but am beyond thrilled that we had the sweetest birth to start us of!

*Kate Metten, Bluegrass Doulas

*Birth Louisville, Empowered birth class with Angela Garvin.

*professional photos taken by Erin Trimble

*Midwives of WomenCare