From the moment the nurse spoke those words, "you're having your babies now," it seems we were pulled into the climax of a movie. My delivery room became a maize of confusion. At some point in time there must have been 25+ people in my room. I was approached by a gentle looking man that informed me he was the head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Team for Women's and Children's Hospital, and that he would be taking over the care of my babies at their very point of birth. Little did I know this man was going to play one of the biggest roles in my life . . . the saving of my children. He at that point asks my husband to step aside for further conversation; I did not have a clue what they were talking about, but I could see my husband begin to cry . . . and I began to cry more. (Were my babies going to be born dead?) They returned to my side and the Neonatologist spoke softly, "I have asked your husband that "if the babies attempt to breathe, do you as parents want us to assist?" He informed me, "if they attempt to breathe, they will only have the strength to do so for a very short while. Your husband has said, yes, assist, and do you agree?" I looked over at David, then back to him and sobbed, "yes, save my babies."
Within the next 25 minutes my twins were born. At 5:06PM Austin Michael Shahan was born; he weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces and was 13 inches long. At 5:13PM Ashli Marie Shahan was born; she weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces and was 12.25 inches long.
They were intubated immediately after birth and bagged with 100% oxygen amongst many other routine medical procedures. Then they were transported down the hall to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This would now be our home for the next four months . . .
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