A stitch in time – saving Melanie Stockenstrom’s twin babies

Melanie (32) and her husband Eric (34), met at Stellenbosch University. Three years after their first meeting, they got engaged and married a little while later.

In 2008 the couple decided to start a family, but after a year of trying to fall pregnant, they went to see a doctor. There were no major problems detected in either of them and their doctor expected Melanie to fall pregnant with the help of some medicine. What followed was almost five years of trying, waiting and hoping. Every happy family, baby shower and birth reminded Melanie of their own journey. "It was a really difficult time. We were both stressed and sometimes fought with each other. It was a defence mechanism. But we both had faith that we would eventually have a child and our faith kept us together," says Melanie.

Happiness and a scare

In May 2013, after seeing specialists and trying a range of treatments including In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Melanie and Eric finally got the news that they were expecting twins. “Eric immediately went into protective mode,” laughs Melanie. "I’ve always loved doing DIY projects around the house, but he banned me from doing anything that he thought would be too strenuous. I was able to just sit back and relax!".

In the days before her 21-week foetal assessment scan, Melanie had a bit of discomfort, but didn’t think that anything was wrong. The doctor struggled to find a head reading for Baby A and had to do a different type of scan to check on baby. "It was only then that we saw Baby A’s hand halfway down my cervix. I actually thought it was quite sweet, but the doctor told us that we must go to the hospital so that my gynaecologist can see me," remembers Melanie. "The Foetal Assessment doctor, Dr Shannon Morris, handled everything calmly and professionally. She didn’t let on that I was at risk of a miscarriage. I wasn’t feeling stressed at all while we were on our way to the hospital."

At the hospital Melanie’s gynaecologist, Dr Christie van Wyk, reviewed the results provided by Dr Morris and then discussed Melanie’s case with Foetal Specialist, Dr Lou Pistorius. “They came back to tell me to stop eating and drinking and that they will take me to theatre at 9pm that night. Strangely enough I was still very calm about everything because I still had no idea that it was really serious.” Eric wasn’t as calm as Melanie though, because the realisation that they could lose one or both of the babies had really hit home for him. “By pure coincidence, Eric’s sister was in town and could come to the hospital to be with her brother. That really helped us a lot.”

Saving the babies

Melanie had what is called a McDondald’s suture (stitch) inserted in theatre that night. It is a way for the doctors to ensure that the birth canal would not open too early because of the weight of the babies, leading to them being born too early. “After the surgery I opened my eyes and asked the first person I saw if both babies are still inside me, and if my husband knows. It was the most scared that I’d felt during the whole experience, because I knew there was a chance that I could have lost both babies and I didn’t want to hear that. After hearing that everything went well, I fell asleep again straight after, relieved to know that all was well. Dr Pistorius handled it exceptionally well and managed to save both my babies, even though the odds were completely against me,” Melanie recalls. The hope was to have Melanie carry the babies until at least 26 weeks.

Melanie was placed on strict bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy. It wasn’t easy though. “Don’t let the words ‘bed rest’ fool you. It’s very difficult. Luckily I had the most amazing boss who adjusted my income so I could work online and on the telephone. It kept me sane to stay busy. I did a lot of research about what we needed for the baby room, where to buy online maternity clothes, etc. I also found the BabyCenter website extremely helpful. I joined groups for bed rest ladies, and I also joined a Facebook group for moms with premature babies. They were my rock and made me realise I could be stronger than I thought I was.”

The miracle babies

With strict bed rest Melanie managed to carry the babies until 33 weeks, when she had to be admitted to hospital again. The doctors gave me steroid injections to help strengthen the babies’ lungs in case they were born. Amazingly though, the little girls stayed put and Melanie remained in hospital for five more weeks. Babies Emily and Olivia were born via Caesarean Section on 27 January 2014, at 38 weeks gestation. Melanie remembers that exact moment well. “The happiest moment for me was definitely when I heard my babies’ first sounds. I remember feeling relieved after hearing Emily scream and bursting into tears after hearing Olivia. I knew then that it was all over and they made it out alive and kicking. The steroid shots definitely worked, because they really had some strong lungs!”

Melanie and Eric are grateful for everyone who has played a part in making their journey a happier one. “Doctors Morris, Pistorius and van Wyk were instrumental in saving our babies’ lives and we cannot thank them enough. Sister Margie was more than just a nursing sister. She became like a mother to me. She always talked to the babies when I had to have the foetal heart rate monitor on and when I was down, she was the one uplifting my spirit. Eric was an amazing help and support to me. He helped sort out everything with Discovery Health Medical Scheme, who paid not only for the babies’ birth, but also for all the treatment and medicine I needed in the crucial weeks before the birth.”

The future beckons

The Stockenstrom family hope to take their two girls to their dad’s home town, called Middelpos, someday. “Eric sees the babies’ birth as the perfect reason to get himself a 4x4. The roads to Middelpos certainly require one,” teases Melanie. Emily and Eric hope to see their girls grow up to reach their full potential and fulfil their dreams.

Melanie’s advice to parents facing the same uncertain journey? “Just be there for each other. Some days you will be angry, some days you will just cry, and other days things will be great. Just remember you are on the same team so rather support and uplift each other. Don’t shut each other out. And never stop praying!”