Sarah
Thank you mum Sarah for sharing your story ♥
“During my pregnancy, I was referred to The National Maternity Hospital from Waterford. I was carrying identical twins who shared a placenta, which brought complications. From week 21, one of the twins had absent diastolic flow in her umbilical cord, which made her survival uncertain at first.
At week 26, I was admitted as an inpatient in The NMH for close monitoring to optimise outcomes for both babies. We took it day by day. Being a long-term inpatient was a new experience for me. The mental health support I received during my long hospital stay was invaluable. Being away from my family, especially my older daughter, Summer age 3, was incredibly challenging, but the hospital offered a new program that made a huge difference. This brought women in similar situations together through group activities and open conversations, helping us share our experiences and fears. These sessions provided not only a sense of community but also much-needed emotional relief during such a stressful time. The friendships I built through these programs became a vital source of strength and reassurance, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in my journey. This allowed us to connect and support one another, creating lasting friendships.
I stayed in the hospital for six and a half weeks before delivering at 33 weeks and three days. The birth of the twins was the best day and hearing their first cry. The girls needed six weeks of care in the NICU. Thankfully, their primary challenges were feeding and growth. Millie and Ellie are thriving today with no major complications.
The staff were incredible, from consultants to midwives, always ensuring I felt supported. Programs like these need continued support to help other women facing long stays and challenging circumstances. It’s hard, but the end goal of healthy babies makes it all worthwhile.”
