The days leading up to my due date was a rollercoaster of emotions, some days I felt like crying, other days my bed became my most loyal companion.
My stomach is so huge I can’t even move around freely, I had to sleep sideways.
Somedays it was so overwhelming I almost picked up my phone to call Ray for putting me through this.
One evening, as we sat in the cozy living room, I brought up my worries. “What if something goes wrong?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
Kate looked at me, her expression sincere. “Nora, you are strong. You’ve got this and we are here for you. Remember, you’re not alone.”
Well that’s right, Kate moved in with us few days ago, she keeps saying she can’t stop being worried so far away.
Mr. Beaumont nodded in agreement, “You have both of us by your side. Besides, you should always say positive things.”
I nodded, stuffing more food into my mouth.
“Alright, that’s enough eating,” Kate said, “Are you sure it’s one baby in there ? It feels like they’re more than one, why else will you be eating so much,” she added jokingly.
“I’m marveled as well but who are we to doubt science, the scan said I’m expecting just one baby.” I replied, stuffing more food in my mouth.
Mr Beaumont just shoked his head and laughed at the absurd conversation we were having.
The day finally arrived when I felt the first wave of contractions. It was early in the morning, the sun just rising.
At first, the contractions felt like mild cramps. I breathed through them, recalling the breathing exercises I had learned during my antenatal.
“Kate!” I called out, my voice strained as a wave of pain washed over me.
She rushed into the room, her eyes wide with concern. “Nora, are you okay?”
“I think it’s time, I think the baby is coming.” I gasped, clutching my legs as another contraction hit.
“Ahhhhh, mmm” I shouted, walking towards the door.
She quickly gathered my things while I took deep breaths trying to focus, which surprisingly made me feel like the pain was reducing. However before I could feel thankful, the pain hit me again. “We need to get to the hospital. Mr. Beaumont!” she shouted, running to find him.
Mr. Beaumont appeared moments later, his expression serious. “What’s happening?”
“It’s time! We need to go!” Kate exclaimed.
Without hesitation Mr Beaumont called his driver and we all made our way to the car.
“You’re doing great Nora,” Kate said rubbing my back.
“How close are we ?” I muttered.
“Very close, very close,” she said.
The moment we arrived, I was placed on a wheelchair, Kate and Mr Beaumont running after the hospital staff who rushed me to the ward.
I was ushered into a room where I was prepped for labor. The bright lights and sterile smell made me feel anxious.
As the contractions intensified, I focused on breathing, but the pain was unlike anything I had imagined.
All I wanted was to shout and scream, this moment the pain was in my leg the next moment in my back. It was so much that tears began to well in my eyes. “I can’t do this!” I cried, feeling a surge of panic.
“You can! You’re doing it, Nora,” Kate encouraged, her voice steady and supportive. “Just breathe. We’re right here.”
Mr. Beaumont remained at my side, “You’re stronger than you think, Nora. Just take it one contraction at a time.”
Hours passed, and the struggle of labor wore on me. I felt exhausted, but I knew I was close. The doctor entered the room, her expression serious as she assessed my condition. “Nora, we need to talk,” she said, her voice firm but gentle.
“What is it?” I asked, my heart racing.
“Your labor is not progressing as we’d hoped. I’m concerned about the baby’s heart rate. I believe we may need to consider a C-section,” she explained.
Panic washed over me. “A C-section? Is that really necessary?”
“Yes, it’s for the safety of you and the baby,” she assured me. “I know this isn’t what you planned, but it’s important.”
“But, but can’t we atleast try ? I mean I can be induced or something, do I necessarily have to go through a C-section ?”
“I won’t have brought it up if there were other alternative Miss Nora, you have to consider your baby, it’s becoming more and more uncomfortable for the baby right now. The longer we stay the more danger we’re putting your baby.”
I looked at Mr. Beaumont and Kate, their expressions filled with concern. ” I don’t want to go through that much pain Kate, What do I do ?” I asked, stretching my hands towards her. Tears running down my eyes.
“I know Nora, I know, but you have to do this, you’re stronger than you know, we have to trust the doctors.” She said holding my hands while rubbing my head softly.
“Trust the doctors, Nora,” Mr. Beaumont said, his voice steady. “We are here to support you.”
“I really didn’t want to be asleep when my baby comes into this world, I want to be able to hold him or her.”
“I’ll be here Nora, I’ll hold the baby while we all wait for you to wake up.”
Tears streamed down my face as I nodded, feeling a mix of fear and sadness as I really wished to be the first to hold my baby in my arms. “Okay, let’s do it.”
“Good,” the doctor said, waving her hand to call the attention of the nurses.
They wheeled me into the operating room, the bright lights blinding and the sterile environment making me feel vulnerable. As the medical team prepared, I felt anxiety wash over me. “I’m scared,” I admitted, my voice shaking.
Kate took my hand, squeezing it tightly. “You’re going to be okay, Nora. You’re strong, and we’re right here.”
The anesthesiologist explained what was happening, and soon I felt the warmth of the medication coursing through me. As the world around me began to blur, I heard the doctor’s voice. “You’re going to feel some pressure, but you won’t feel any pain.”
The last thing I recalled was the light in the operating room.
—
When I finally regained consciousness, I was in a recovery room, the soft beeping of machines pulling me back to reality. My body felt heavy, and as I blinked against the harsh lights, confusion washed over me.
“Where am I?” I croaked, my throat dry.
“Shh, take it easy, Nora,” came a gentle voice. I turned my head and saw Kate sitting beside me, her expression a mix of relief and worry.
“You’re in the hospital. You had a C-section,” she explained softly. “But everything is okay. You did it!”
I tried to sit up, but felt so much pain and ended up lying down back. “My baby… where’s my baby?” I gasped, panic rising within me.
“They’re here, they’re fine! Mr. Beaumont is with them,” Kate reassured me, placing a comforting hand on my arm.
“They’re ? What do you mean they’re ?” I asked, looking at her in confusion.
Her eyes sparkling with joy. “You have twins Nora, it’s a boy and a girl!”
My heart raced as I processed her words. “Twins? How did that happen?” I asked, bewildered.
“Remember the ultrasound? They thought it was just one baby, but it turned out to be two!” Kate said, her excitement radiating.
Before I could respond, Mr. Beaumont entered the room, his expression a mixture of concern and joy. “Nora, you’re awake,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“What happened? I was so scared,” I admitted, tears pooling in my eyes.
“You nearly lost consciousness during the surgery, but the doctors acted quickly. You’re safe now,” he said, his voice steady and soothing. “The twins are healthy, and they’re waiting for you.”
“Can I see them?” I asked, my heart racing with excitement and fear.
“Of course. Just take your time,” he replied, his eyes softening as he stepped closer.
As they wheeled me into the nursery, I couldn’t contain my joy. The sight of my two little ones just felt…
“Are you both sure we have the right babies ?” I asked.
“Of course we do.” They chorused and laughed in unison .
“I still can’t believe I brought these two perfection into this world.” They were so tiny, yet so perfect. I just couldn’t believe they were mine.
“Meet your children,” Mr. Beaumont said softly, pride evident in his voice.
I looked down at the babies nestled in the crib, their tiny faces peaceful as they slept. My heart swelled with emotion as I reached out to touch their delicate fingers. “They’re beautiful,” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks.
Kate leaned in closer, her excitement evident. “You did it, Nora! You’re a mom now!”
As I held my babies, I couldn’t help but marvel at the miracle that had just taken place.
“Thank you for being here,” I whispered to Mr. Beaumont, “thank you so much.”
He nodded, his eyes glistening with emotion. “You’ve brought new life into my life, Nora. I should be thanking you.”
As the nurses carefully placed my babies in my arms, the doctor walked in.
“Congratulations Miss Nora, your twins are monochorionic-monoamniotic, meaning they share the same placenta and amniotic sac. This is a rare occurrence, happening in only about 1% of twin pregnancies. Because they’re in the same sac, it’s challenging to distinguish between the two fetuses and monitor their individual growth and well-being through ultrasound. And we only got to find out on the operating table you were having twins. I’m sorry if this must have caused you any discomfort.”
In that moment, the world faded away, amniotic whatever didn’t matter to me all that mattered was the love I felt for my children-the boy and girl who had come to change my life forever.
I really don’t need the details Doctor, I’m just happy my children are okay, thank you very much.” I said, as he walked away with Mr Beaumont.
“Where are you off to Kate ?” I asked the moment I saw her stepping away.
“With everything going on I had totally forgotten about my Dad’s birthday today, apparently he shares same birthday with the twins.” She responded smiling ear to ear.
“Ooh wow, are we to pay a respect fee or something ?”
“Absolutely not, I’m their big Aunty afterall.” She added looking at the twins so lovingly.
“Hi Dad,” I heard her say.
“Happy birthday Dad, I’m sorry I’m calling you so late, my friend just had a set of twins, and I’ve been beside her all day.” She paused a little, probably awaiting his response.
“You’ll be throwing a party tonight ? well that’s so cool, I promise to be around next time, hopefully with my little cuties here.”
“Alright Dad, my regards to everyone.” Pausing a bit again she turned to us and added, “Of course of course, I’ll say hello to everyone here for you.”
“Bye Dad. I love you too.”
She walked towards us about to speak, however I cut her off, “yeah yeah, we heard the hello to everyone and we’ve received it. Now please, I’ll like to go back to the ward.”
“Do I leave the babies here in the nursery ?”
“Hell no, I want to keep looking at their faces.”
“Language Nora, you won’t want them to start cursing,” Kate said spanking my head a bit from behind the wheel chair.
“Have you thought of a name Nora ?” Kate asked.
“Well I didn’t think I was having twin, I only thought of separate names for a girl or a boy, however I think we’ll need a matching name for them both.”
“How about Kate like me ?”
“The what will be his name ?”
“Hum.. Jake ?
“Absofuckenlutely not. That’s the name of my Ex, I can’t have my son bearing it.” I barked at her immediately, and she couldn’t stop laughing.
“Not funny Kate.” I said, faking a frown.
“He must have been really bad for you to hate his name that much.”
“Ooh you have no idea. You wouldn’t want to encounter someone like him in your entire life.”
“Alright then, let’s think of something more unique.” She said, as we finally got to the hospital ward.
“How about Mason and Mia ?” Mr Beaumont who had left with the doctor earlier chipped in from the door.
Kate and I looked up at each other and then back at Mr Beaumont.
“That’s perfect !” We both chorused.