The twins, Sean and Sophia, were born on September 11, 2003.

In the 30th week of her pregnancy, my wife developed a severe case of pre-eclampsia (toxemia), called HELLP syndrome (Hemolytic anemia, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count). It occurs in approximately 10% of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia or toxemia. Pre-eclampsia may be mild or severe. Severe cases involve high blood pressure and protein in the urine and can progress to seizures (eclampsia). Severe cases are life-threatening to both mother and fetus. HELLP syndrome is associated with more serious cases.

She was kept in the hospital for four (4) consecutive weeks, and the babies had to be delivered about a month and a half early - at 34 weeks. The babies had to be kept in the Neonatal ICU for two weeks because they needed a little help breathing and feeding. Their lungs were a little immature, and they were on a respirator for a few days until they could breathe on their own. They were unable to bottle feed at first because the sucking instinct doesn't develop until the 35th or 36th week, so they were fed via an IV through the umbilical cord and then through a tube down their throat. It sounds worse than it really was. The gag reflex hadn't developed yet, so the tube down their throat didn't bother them. After about a week, they were able to suck, so they were slowly introduced to a bottle, but were only able to drink a little at a time, and received the rest of the formula down their throats via a tube. Apparently with premature babies, it takes too much energy for them to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time. Once they were able to drink enough formula required for their body weight, they were moved out from the incubator into room temperature to see if they could continue to bottle feed and maintain their body temp at the same time. After a day, they were unable to keep their body temperature up, and were using too much energy to keep warm, and they didn't have enough energy to left over to bottle feed. They were put back into the incubator and reverted back to the tube-down-the-throat feeding method until their body temp was back up and their energy level returned. After a few days of this, they were moved once again out of the incubator and into room temperature, and this time they were able to feed themselves and keep their body temp up.

They were released from the Neonatal ICU a week ago, and are now home and doing fine. They are still a little small, yet, at about 4.5 lbs, but are growing rapidly.

My wife, Tomoko, had some problems, too, after the C section. She started bleeding internally, resulting in a loss of blood and an erratic heartbeat. Her kidney function was so poor (due to the toxemia) that she started to re-collect fluid throughout her body and particularly inside her abdomen. They had to give her a couple units of blood and put her on a catheter and some medicine via IV to drain the fluid from her body. She was in a lot of pain, so they did an ultrasound and found three hematoma throughout her abdomen, which are little pockets of blood that formed and pooled from the internal bleeding. These hematoma got infected, so they had to be drained from the abdomen. Her temperature then jumped up to over 103 degrees, so they had to put her on several different rounds of anti-biotics via IV. After doing various tests on her heart, it was discovered that her irregular heartbeat was caused by atrial fibrulation, which was allowing her heartbeat to race and her blood pressure to go through the roof. It took them a while to figure out how to control it, but they have it under control via prescription drugs, which she may have to be on for the rest of her life.

In any event, she ended up being in the ICU for two weeks, and then was released to a regular room for another week, and now she's home and slowly recovering her strength. Everything seems to be under control, except her kidney function. She is seeing a nephrologist (kidney doctor) to get it straightened out.

If you do the math, you will notice that the twins came home before Tomoko did, so my mom and I took care of the twins for the first week.

It's been a terrifically difficult experience, but we are blessed with two beautiful, healthy babies.

Here is a pic (hope it works).

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__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Here's a close up of Sean about a week after birth:

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__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Paul,
Wow! Do you always have to do things the hard way? j/k!
Congratulations to you and Tomoko on two beautiful children. It's great to hear that you're all doing well. Take care and try to get some sleep!

Glen

I am heartened to find that everyone is okay. Soon the stress will be completely replaced with joy. And you've got a double dose!

Congratulations to you and your family. Your Mercedes pals will have a cold one for you...

...to the beer store!

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

And here is one of Sophia:

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__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Best wishes to your wife and new family. The word "nap" is going to take such a substantial change in definition in your life from now on!

Congratulations Paul.

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Jim

Congratulations Paul! The twins look beautiful! This is the best news I've heard for a long time!

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Congratulations Paul (and Tomoko too).

Now is the time to start shopping for a pair of SLKs for the kids .

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Paul,

Sorry that it had to be so tough but glad it seems to be turning out okay. Will be praying for wife and twins and you too!

Congrats

Wow Paul!! Sounds as if your poor wife has luck as bad as my 300E!! I am so glad that she is better. I know this has taken a toll on you too. My wife had serious health problems during our last pregnancy so I can relate. But I can also tell you that it just makes you appreciate what love and family and medical science can do!!
You all did GREAT!! Now comes the fun part, wanna bet which one walks first??

WOW!

Paul, congrats on the twins Have you picked out some MB child seats yet?

Congrats Paul and best wishes!
-fad

Congratulations, Paul and Tomoko!

That's a very moving story, but it seems to be working itself out okay. I'm sure you're proud!

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

Hey, thanks everyone for the kind words!

Just another update - the twins and my wife are doing great. They are now 5 weeks old, and gaining weight fast. They are about 6.0 - 6.5 lbs now.

My wife's kidney function is finally returning back to normal, so the nephrologist will not have to do a kidney biopsy.

Sleepless in Southern California,


Paul S.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".