Simone's Story

A firsthand story of a mom who gave birth to twins at 22 weeks!

My Name Is Simone. My experience carrying twins was a long journey.

When I found out I was expecting twins, I was shocked - but at the same time, I was excited! There was no reason to think I would have any issues carrying the babies to full-term.

As the days and weeks of my pregnancy went on, my doctor that I would not be able to carry the babies to a full 40 weeks. His goal was to get me to 24 weeks. I was so scared. I cried every day and prayed that my babies would be okay. The pregnancy was difficult for me. I was working full-time, despite having trouble being on my feet and having restrictions from my doctor. I lost my mucus plug early and knew something was wrong. This was one of many times I was in the hospital throughout my short pregnancy - every time being sent home.

The night I had my girls, I was only 22 weeks along! I was at my grandma's house when I pushed out two blood clots. I was so scared I was losing the babies. My grandma rushed me to Bronson Battle Creek. I was in labor, and the doctors were doing everything they could to slow it down but nothing was working. At that time, I was rushed to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

When the doctor in Kalamazoo looked at my ultrasound, she told me that my babies needed to come out immediately. One of the babies was already breeched. That was what was causing my current complications. I was in so much pain and could feel the pressure of the bottom baby, like she was trying to come out. When I say that the babies were coming right away, I am not kidding. The entire care team was moving quickly. They were on it!

I love the Bronson Birthplace team and everyone who cared for me and my babies. The nurses were so good to me and so sweet. Starting immediately, they brought me my meds and helped answer all my questions. Then they took me down to meet my new baby girls, who were now in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit)! The second I saw my girls, I started to cry. I could not believe what I had just gone through, and that I had done it at 22 weeks and 5 days! My babies were less than a pound each - one had a lot of complications - but they both made it! The NICU team, just like the labor & delivery team, were awesome. They made me feel like I was family. They took care of my babies. I could write a book about how amazing the doctors are. 

While the babies were in the NICU, I was able to breastfeed them. This was a real miracle to me. I was pumping my milk even when I was at home and then bringing it back to them at the hospital every day. This time was so stressful for me. Especially as I have an older daughter to take care of at home. I felt like I was living in two homes. 

On the day the babies were healthy enough to come home, I cried tears of joy, I don't know how we all made it through, but I am so happy I made everything work. 

As I look back on my time at Bronson, I am so thankful for everyone and all they did to make sure my babies were good and healthy. Today, they have grown so much! I am in the Bronson NICU Group, and I love talking to other moms about how big they have become!💜💜

This is my story - a mama who carried twins at 22 weeks!🙌🏽