Welcoming Our Twin Boys — Birth Story & The First Two Weeks at Home

November 23, 2025 • Royal Alexandra Hospital

At 9:23 a.m., the call finally came: it was time to head in for my induction. We arrived at the Royal Alex around 10:30 a.m., checked into assessment, and began monitoring the babies and reviewing my birth plan. By that point, I was already 4–5 cm dilated.

Around 2:00 p.m. I was moved into the delivery room. My IV and epidural were placed, the oxytocin drip began, and contractions quickly organized themselves. At 4:00 p.m., my water was broken — I was 6 cm — and the intensity picked up from there. By 8:20 p.m., the catheter was removed and it was finally time to push.

The room suddenly filled with nurses and doctors. Even with the epidural, the pressure was unmistakable — deep, raw, and intense — especially with the team supporting my perineum for Baby A. Justin coached me the entire time:

“You’ve got this. Baby is right there. One more breath. One more push.”

I kept repeating, It hurts, it hurts, but I kept going.

And then… that incredible release. A rush of warmth, a sudden lightening of pressure — and Twin #1 was in my arms. He cried immediately. We delayed cord clamping for 60 seconds while the team prepared for Baby B. Twin #1 was born at 9:17 p.m., weighing 6 lb 13 oz.

Just a few minutes later, it was time to push again. It was still intense but much quicker. With only a handful of pushes, Twin #2 arrived at 9:26 p.m., weighing 8 lb. He needed a moment longer before he cried, but when he did, it was strong and perfect. I held him skin-to-skin while we delayed his cord clamping too.

Delivering both placentas took extra work — they weren’t detaching easily — so there was a lot of firm abdominal pressure (uncomfortable but manageable). Eventually both placentas were delivered together. I ended up with just a small tear near my old episiotomy scar, needing only two stitches. I later learned from the Public Health nurse that I had bled a bit more than expected, but the stitches dissolved within about a week and a half.

And just like that, I had delivered two healthy boys, vaginally, after carrying them to 37 weeks. It was intense, emotional, empowering, and absolutely worth every second.

My heart doubled that night.

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The Hospital Stay: NICU, Jaundice, Tests & A Lot of Emotions

We stayed in the hospital from Sunday to Wednesday afternoon. The early days were not what I imagined — but they were exactly what we needed.

Twin #2’s NICU Scare

Twin #2 didn’t pass his first stool fast enough and vomited a green liquid, which concerned the team. He was moved to the NICU for 24 hours, placed on an IV, and wasn’t allowed to feed. He had multiple tests, including a contrast study and X-rays, to rule out Hirschsprung disease.

It broke my heart having the twins separated on their first night earthside.

While Twin #1 and I stayed together (which did help me establish my milk supply), Justin spent most of the night with Twin #2. The following evening he was cleared of all concerns and brought back to our room. Such a relief.

Twin #1’s Jaundice

Twin #1 showed elevated bilirubin levels, and by Friday we were back in the ER for bloodwork. Saturday we had more bloodwork, and by that afternoon he was admitted for 48 hours on a biliblanket bassinet.

Because the hospital is close to home, Justin and I swapped shifts so both twins got time with me and our toddler still had his mama too.

Both babies took incredibly well to a combination of breastfeeding and breastmilk bottles — we love Dr. Brown’s bottles — and it helped us keep track of exactly how much Twin #1 was getting, especially since he’s much smaller and slower to gain weight.

The emotional load of those first days was heavy — NICU scares, jaundice, ER visits — nothing drastically serious, but enough to test a newly postpartum mom’s heart.

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Introducing Big Brother — And Watching Him Fall in Love

My toddler met the twins after we were discharged. I didn’t want the hospital to be the first meeting — it’s overstimulating and unpredictable, and I wanted him to feel safe.

Here’s what made the introduction magical for us:

1. Involving him from the very beginning

He’s been part of this pregnancy from day one:
• Talking about becoming a big brother
• Coming to one of the ultrasounds
• Talking to my belly daily
• Helping choose names
• Singing to the babies

He watched my bump grow and learned about “the babies in mommy’s tummy.”

2. Doing the first meeting at home

A familiar, calm environment. No beeping machines. No rushing.

3. Having gifts “from the twins”

This made the moment feel special for him too. He was thrilled.

4. Letting him hold each twin individually

He sat on the couch, and one by one I placed each baby into his arms.
He gently touched their heads and said softly, “I love him.”
Unprompted.
Pure.
Perfect.

Since then, he’s wanted to help feed them, asks where they are when one is away at an appointment, and checks if they’re okay when they cry. My heart can barely handle it.

We’ve also made sure he still gets one-on-one time with each parent — bedtime rotations, baking together, little outings — and keeping boundaries and routines consistent. He’s handled this transition better than I ever imagined.

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Postpartum & Healing: Two Weeks With Twins

My healing has been surprisingly smooth — partly because I stayed active during pregnancy (pelvic floor physio and Pilates made a HUGE difference). But I’m also aware that postpartum healing is mostly internal, so I’m cautious even when I feel good.

Still… I may be pushing myself.
Ten days postpartum I went ice skating with the toddler — slowly, with a balance aid. At the two-week mark I coached volleyball for my 17U boys team. I love showing my kids that mom can do it all.

These two weeks have been full — and I mean FULL:

• Daily breastfeeding & pumping (every 2–3 hours)
• Hospital readmission for Twin #1
• Christmas kids’ parties
• Newborn photoshoot
• Santa photos
• Hockey games with all three kids
• Meal planning and cooking
• Toddler one-on-one time
• Zero consistent sleep (3–4 hours a night)

It’s a lot.
But somehow, with the help of my mom and my husband, we’re doing it.

My mom has been an absolute lifesaver — cleaning, cooking, playing with the toddler, cuddling babies — truly allowing me to heal and bond. My husband has stepped up for night feeds, toddler time, and everything in between, even while working. I couldn’t have done these first two weeks without them.

Twin life is no joke.
But our home is full.
Our hearts are full.
And I wouldn’t change a thing.

Using affiliate links, here is my list of top products I have used so much these past two weeks.

Dr Browns Baby Bottles – glass or plastic, these have been the twins favourite bottles – anti colic features, natural flow that mimics drinking from mom. I had a few different brands of bottles, and I found these to be the best for us.

Bottle Warmer – this has been one of our life savers, takes 5 minutes to heat up two bottles, and has sterilizing feature as well.

Momcozy Bottle Washer and Sterilizer – I have used this multiple times a day, with twins there is constant bottles and breast pump parts that need to be washed. Of course, you could throw them in the dishwasher, wash by hand or boil some water, but this has made cleaning so much easier, and I know that their bottles are sterilized and safe. I also can throw in my toddlers pacifier, which has been a bonus!

Twin Nursing Pillow or Regular Nursing pillow – this provides a lot of comfort when holding a baby to feed. The twin nursing pillow has been amazing for tandem feeding (which is a skill that is learned quickly and so fun to have successfully implemented with the twins!) The twin pillow is pretty expensive on Amazon – I managed to find one off Facebook marketplace (my go to for twin items, since they are rare so more expensive)

Everydae Postnatal vitamin – Canadian brand and so good. I had used their prenatal vitamins for my entire pregnancy and just switched my subscription to the Postnatal vitamins. Because Moms Deserve Real Support. Targeted support for energy, mood, hormones, and recovery. Designed by Naturopathic Doctors, made just for moms. No fillers, no junk – use my link for a discount

Twin Bassinet – again, I got this off Facebook marketplace because of how expensive it is to by from the store, but this has been a lifesaver, since the single bassinet is too small for two babies, and I want them sleeping in my room for the first few weeks / months of their life.

Click and Connect Graco Carseats – these carseats are fantastic, need the ability to take them in and out of the car easily, and I have the Graco double stroller which is compatible with these carseats.

Medela Breastpump, Manual Breastpump, and hakka – I was able to get my breast pump reimbursed with my insurance – there are certain criteria depending on your insurance to get these reimbursed, but with twins and establishing my supply and my sanity so I can have me time and not always chained to my newborns, the breast pump has been a need. I also love the manual pump for a kick easy pump when I am getting full or need one hand to multitask. the Hakka is also great for the letdown when one baby is feeding and I am leaking from the other boob (trust me it will happen every time, and I don’t want to loose those precious drops, I have managed to letdown 2-3 ounces during a feed from the other boob. All medela accessories are great too – all on Amazon

Diaper caddy – I stock this up with diapers, wipes, cream, hand sanitizer, extra pyjamas and burp clothes so nighttime changes are made simple. This has made our diaper changes at 3am smoother and quicker, getting babies back to sleep or feeding faster. I didn’t do this with my firstborn, and this has been a gamechanger

Diapers and Wipes – I had a lot of gifted newborn diapers from friends that had babies grow out of the size quickly, but you can subscribe to diapers and wipes on amazon and get them discounted. My toddler uses the same wipes, and being stocked on both is fantastic, especially since I go through 10+ diapers a day with two newborns.

Diaper Rash Cream – Sudocrem is the best brand I have used to get rid of rashes and sore bums of newborns – unscented and with zinc. My recommendation is don’t use powder and don’t use the cream until there is a rash or redness on their bum!

Vitamin D drops – this will be Dr recommended most likely, but if not, one drop a day on the nipple right before they feed or directly in their mouth is a great way to get this into them and when we are in the middle of our Canadian winters, definitely a help for them.

Sleep Swaddle – There are so many options for swaddling newborns. The one linked has been the most successful for me thus far – since both twins spent time in this type of position in the hospital, so they like their arms out but warm. I also really like Belan.j (code CHAPTERONEMOTHERHOOD15 for 5% off) and Pip+Phee for sleep sacks, rompers and pyjamas!

SnuggleMe – controversial product, I don’t use these at nighttime or unattended, but have been amazing for daytime naps and putting them in when I want to cook or sit on the couch. However, get all the newborn snuggles as you can, it doesn’t last long.

Nespresso Vertuo – must have coffee maker, because with the lack of sleep, my cup of coffee a day has been a sanity saver. limit my caffeine due to breastfeeding, but with the milk frother, I have perfected my at home brown sugar cortado – using the Torani Brown Sugar Cinnamon syrup and a Nespresso Bianco Piccolo pod

Mini Desktop Fridge – We have this in our room, can hold 4 small bottles, perfect for the nighttime feeds, when I have to pump and I don’t want to walk downstairs, or have 2 prepped bottles for an overnight feed. Another game changer I didn’t have with my firstborn to make the nights a little easier.

Two Way Zipper Sleepers or Button sleepers – my first born was 9lbs6oz when he was born, so he didn’t fit into newborn sizes very long, I am grateful to have a box of newborn sleepers for the twins, cause they swim in 0-3 month sized clothes still. I recommend the two way zipper sleepers, so you only have to remove their feet for changes (but always check for a blowout in case you have to remove the whole thing. I also like the button sleepers so I only have to do a few buttons to change their diaper

Hand Sanitizer – we went to Bath & Body Works to get the travel size hand sanitizers – moisturizing ones are the best, but these touchlands are also awesome. Stock up on little ones to through in diaper bags and every room in the house!

MomCozy Sound Machine – bluetooth, nightlight and lots of sounds to choose from. I have one in my toddlers room and one for the twins. Perfect and I can control them both from my phone within 1 app.

Final Thoughts

Bringing these two sweet boys into the world was chaotic, emotional, and absolutely perfect in its own messy way. Every moment—from the first contraction to the quiet hours of recovery—reminded me how strong and capable we truly are as mothers. If you’ve had a twin birth, an induction, or a wildly unpredictable delivery of your own, I’d love to hear your story in the comments. Now if you’ll excuse me… I’m off to feed the twins (again).