Each year in the month of September, people across the globe recognize NICU Awareness Month. At Twiniversity, we are shining a special spotlight on inspiring and honest twin NICU stories.
The Kunerth Twins Story, a 54-day NICU journey
Our di/di twins’ NICU journey began before they were born. I was hospitalized at 28 weeks pregnant due to severe preeclampsia, which progressed into HELLP syndrome.
At 30 weeks, 5days, my care team noted that delivery was medically necessary. My kidneys and liver were failing, and our daughters were born that morning.
Baby A weighed 3lbs 4oz, and Baby B weighed 3lbs 5.5oz. Their birth was incredibly traumatic for all of us. I experienced a massive postpartum hemorrhage and was sent to the ICU. Meanwhile, our tiny girls were whisked away to the NICU.
In total, they spent 54 days in the NICU. There were so many highs and lows. From respiratory support and intubation, recurrent bradycardia and desaturation episodes, severe reflux and feeding difficulties, a brain bleed, scares of NEC, and more.
Every milestone felt enormous.
We celebrated every single ounce, every breath without respiratory support, every poop, everything! We learned to take it one day at a time, and lean on humor, strength, and faith in our girls that they hadn’t come so far to only come so far.
When it was all said and done, we had to celebrate things that most parents never think twice about. I had to learn to be a mother among wires, alarms, and having to ask to hold my girls. Everyone commended my bravery, but I didn’t feel brave. But every day when I saw my girls have more bravery in their 3lb body than I did, it reminded me to be strong.
We tried our hardest to be as involved as possible.
I asked as many questions as I could, kept a daily journal for each baby, and read to them. I participated in their OT appointments, helped with care, and did as much skin to skin as they would let me.
One thing that helped us get through our stay was talking to the girls about everything they would see, experience, taste, smell, etc. when we went home.
At our hospital, the NICU was in the middle of the hospital and had no windows. Because of this, we focused a lot on talking to the girls. We’d tell them about the sun and the sky, like what the sun looks and feels like. We would tell them we were “one day closer to seeing the sun together.”
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On their date of discharge, it was sunny.
On the drive home, we listened to “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. And we got to watch their faces light up with sunshine.
It was the hardest time of our lives, but we made it. They are now 14 months and thriving. Since they left the hospital, they’ve been perfect, healthy girls.
We recently had their NICU follow-up visit, and they are not only on track for their actual age. But they’re actually ahead. They have met every single milestone on time.
There’s a quote I love and stand by. It states, “If you don’t believe in miracles, you haven’t met a preemie.”
This inspiring twin NICU story was graciously shared by twin mom Cassy. You can find her on Instagram: @cassykunerth.
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