A long chapter today but, as you'll see, there wasn't really anywhere to divide it up.

I hope you enjoy reading it.

Monday 19 February 2018

Kate woke to a quiet house for the first day of her maternity leave. Dylan and Pete were already at work, and she had the house to herself. Kate had enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in, something that she was rarely able to do, until one of the babies moved, kicking her bladder and reminding Kate that she needed to use the toilet. As she got out of bed, Kate noticed that her back was aching a little, and decided to have a warm shower, to see if that helped. "I must have slept awkwardly" she thought "Hardly surprising when I'm doing a great impression of a beached whale at present."

Kate had initially planned to stay at work until much closer to her due date – Pete had been making jokes about her giving birth at her desk - but she ended up starting her maternity leave three weeks before she was due. Navy pregnancy uniforms just weren't made for small women who were having twins. Anything that was big enough to accommodate twins was huge on Kate, with the skirt falling to the ground, and she was swimming in the shirt as well. To add to her general frustration, Kate had also been finding it difficult of late to be able to reach to tie the laces for her uniform shoes. The guys weren't always around in the morning when she was dressing, and a couple of times she had had to go into work wearing ballet flats, which meant having to ask someone at the office to help her get into her uniform shoes and to tie the laces. Kate was looking forward to spending the upcoming weeks going barefoot as much as possible and wearing loose dresses all the time.

Kate considered that she'd had a pretty good pregnancy so far and felt that the morning sickness had been the worst of it. She had gained the recommended weight; she had been able to keep fit, although lately her exercising was largely limited to walks rather than jogs, and a bit of swimming. Kate was happy that she had so far avoided most of the less glamorous aspects of pregnancy. She had paid careful attention to her diet and exercise, and the doctor's concerns about the possibility of diabetes hadn't eventuated, for which she was very grateful.

After her shower, Kate dressed in a floral-patterned sundress and walked out to the kitchen, where she prepared a light breakfast of yoghurt and cereal, accompanied by a cup of ginger tea. Although her morning sickness was long gone, Kate had got used to the taste and quite enjoyed starting her morning with the herbal tea given that she couldn't have coffee for a while yet. Kate put her breakfast things onto a tray and took it out to the terrace. It was a pleasant morning - sunny, not too hot, and with a light breeze blowing.

After she had finished her breakfast and dealt with the crockery, cup and cutlery, Kate decided to have a look at the babies' room. She wasn't quite satisfied with the position of the cots and wanted to consider their arrangement again. Kate walked into the room and glanced around, smiling as she always did when she walked in there. After all their discussions about nursery themes, in the end they'd gone with Dylan's desire for a sea theme. Along one wall was a painting of a coral and seaweed garden working its way up the wall towards the ceiling, and a pirate chest was painted on another wall, just barely open to reveal gold and treasure. A small boat labelled 'HMAS Hammersley' was painted high up on the wall, floating on the waves that ran around the tops of the walls. It turned out that Andy's wife Lani had a hidden talent as an artist, and she had spent several days painting the pictures on the walls as her gift to the babies. After the walls were painted, Kate, Pete and Dylan had a wonderful time, choosing stickers of various sea creatures to put on the walls. The result was a brightly coloured nursery, complemented by the wooden cots with a matching rocking chair, and the changing table.

Kate stood looking at the cots. They were currently situated on opposite walls, one on each side of the room. Kate had been wondering if it might be better to have the cots side by side. Given that the babies had spent their pregnancy together, perhaps they would prefer remaining close together once they were born. Kate stood there, considering the question.

The time was getting closer to when she and the men would meet the babies. Kate had had all the necessary tests during her pregnancy to ensure that they and she were healthy but had remained steadfast in declining to find out what sex or sexes the babies would be. The three of them had all agreed that they wanted Thunder and Lightning's identities to be a surprise when they were born.

Kate noted that her back was still aching, and then suddenly felt the need to use the bathroom again. After she finished, Kate decided to leave the question of the cots for the moment and went back to the kitchen for some fruit. When she had finished eating her apple, Kate felt restless and wandered around the house, aimlessly picking up and putting down things. Her stomach clenched and Kate found herself heading to the bathroom for the third time since getting up. Before she made it to the toilet, Kate felt a dribble of liquid down her leg. The dribble had become a flood by the time she was able to sit down.

"I wonder if that's my waters breaking?" Kate thought. She decided to wait a while and see what happened next before she did anything. Then Kate felt a clenching sensation at the bottom of her stomach. "I think that might have been a contraction. What time is it? Hmm – 9.36am. I'd better remember that time."

Kate finished on the toilet and left the bathroom. She decided to go outside for some more sun and air. If she really was in labour, it might be the last fresh air she would get for a while if she was going to be stuck in the hospital. Over the next hour she felt four more of the clenching sensations. Kate timed the gaps in between them and noted how long each clenching lasted. She decided to ring her doctor.

"Well Kate," said Doctor Hockey, "Based on what you're telling me, it sounds like your babies have decided to arrive early. It seems very much as if you are in pre-term labour. Now let me see, it's a bit under a month until your due date, isn't it?"

"Three weeks and a day," replied Kate.

"OK. That's not too early for them to arrive. If you're in labour, you shouldn't be driving. Is there anyone at home with you who could bring you to the hospital?"

"No. My partners are at work. If I call now, it'd take about an hour before they get home."

"I'm going to ring for an ambulance transport to come and fetch you then. I think that an hour is too long for you to wait for someone to come home and then get you to the hospital. The sooner we get you in and have a look at you the better. We don't want to take any chances with these babies. Make your calls and tell them to meet you at the hospital. I'll see you there shortly." With that, Doctor Hockey finished the phone call.

Kate went back inside and got her hospital bag, thanking whatever impulse had made her pack the bag over the weekend. She went out the front, being careful to lock the house up, and waited on the nature strip out the front for the ambulance to arrive.

While waiting, she considered whether to phone Dylan and Pete, but decided to wait until she was at the hospital and had seen the doctor. After all, this could just be a false alarm, and Kate didn't want to drag the men away from their work unnecessarily.

The St John ambulance station was only a short drive from their home and the ambulance arrived only a few minutes after Kate walked out of the house. It wasn't a long drive to the hospital, where Kate was swiftly taken to an examination room and met up with Doctor Hockey.

"Hello Kate. How're you feeling?"

"I thought that I'd have longer to have a break before the babies arrived. I only finished work on Friday. I'm kind of hoping that this is a false alarm – Braxton Hicks pains, you know. I haven't really had any so far." Kate winced as another clench, this one stronger than the others, grabbed her belly.

"Ah. If you don't mind, I'm just going to take a little look and see what's happening." Doctor Hockey swiftly conducted his examination before removing his gloves and coming around to hold Kate's hand. "Well, it looks as though these babies are in a hurry to meet you, because it's not Braxton Hicks. You're about three centimetres dilated, maybe a little more. I'm going to have you taken to one of the birthing suites now. We'll hook you up to a monitor and see how things progress."

"Guess I'd better make a call then. I held off, hoping that this was a false alarm." Suiting action to words, Kate pulled out her phone and made the call. "Hi Nikki. Could you do me a favour please? Could you get hold of the guys and get them and yourself to the hospital? It's time."

"Oh my God Kate. That's so exciting. We'll be there as soon as we can, but it might take a little while. There's a ceremony today for the commemoration of the bombing of Darwin and the base is a bit busy. It might take me some time to find them both."

"Be safe. I want all of you here in one piece. I'll see you whenever you get here." Kate hung up the phone. She could imagine the excitement her call had caused. She hoped that Nikki was able to contact the guys quickly, and that she would see them all soon.

Kate was swiftly moved over to the birthing rooms and settled into a corner room that had a large bed along with a number of comfortable looking armchairs and a sofa. She changed from her dress into the oversize t-shirt that she had chosen to wear during labour. It was fuchsia pink with the words 'made with love' written in black cursive writing across the front. The midwife arrived and introduced herself as Carolynn. She hooked Kate up to what she described as a cardiotocograph machine. Carolynn explained that the machine would record the babies' heartbeats onto a graph, and that it would enable the medical team to assess the babies' wellbeing during Kate's labour. She hooked the elastic belt around Kate's belly, and set the two plates into position, then connected the belt to the CTG machine, which started making sounds and producing a printout.

Over the next hour and a half Carolynn was regularly in and out, checking on Kate and the babies. Kate was still wearing her watch and noted that her contractions seemed to be becoming a bit irregular. She would have a contraction, then the next one wouldn't be for ten minutes, and then the one after that would only be five minutes later and then the next would be nine minutes. The contractions didn't seem to be settling into a regular pattern or getting closer together as Kate had expected they would do. Just as she was about to ask to speak to Carolynn about it, she heard Nikki's voice outside her room.

"We're here for Kate McGregor."

"All of you?"

The nurse's question made Kate laugh before she called out, "There should be three of them – two blokes and a woman all in Navy uniform. Let them in please."

The door opened and the three walked in. Pete and Dylan rushed to either side of Kate's bed, before each took her hand and then kissed her cheek. Nikki stood at the end of the bed and asked, "So, what's happening?"

"Well, sometime soon I'm going to be a mum." Kate grinned at her girlfriend.

"I let Sally and Andy know. They both said to keep them informed about what's going on, but they won't visit until after Thunder and Lightning are here. I also rang Conrad and let him know not to expect me home until after the babies arrive."

"Thanks Nikki. Was work OK with you heading off? After all, you've only been back from your honeymoon for a fortnight?"

"Not a problem. The good thing about being the boss in my section is that no-one will question me. Luckily, I've got no meetings scheduled for today or tomorrow."

"Oh God. I hope this labour doesn't take that long." Kate smiled to show that she was only kidding.

Doctor Hockey entered the room with a medical file in his hand. "Kate, I've been looking … Ah, I didn't realise you had visitors."

"Doctor Hockey, these are my partners Peter and Dylan, and our friend Nikki." Kate raised her hands, indicating each man as she introduced them.

"Gentlemen, ma'am. If you're OK to discuss your medical situation …"

"Absolutely. The guys have my authority for medical decisions, as well as having my power of attorney, and Nikki's my best friend."

"OK, well I'd like to speak to you about your CTG printouts. They show that there are a few issues with your contractions."

"I'd noticed that my contractions were a bit all over the place. They don't seem to be settling down and getting closer together like I thought they would be."

"Yes, that's what the CTG is showing. I want to do an ultrasound and see if we can figure out what's happening." He gestured towards the door and Carolynn came into the room, pushing a portable ultrasound machine. She turned on the machine while Kate pushed down the sheet and pulled up her t-shirt. Doctor Hockey squeezed the gel onto Kate's belly and then applied the scanner, running it over Kate's belly while watching the images that came up on the screen. He grunted and hummed to himself a number of times, but didn't say anything until he had finished, and Carolynn was wiping the gel off.

"Kate, it appears that one of your babies is lying in what's called a transverse position. That means that it's lying sideways in the womb, instead of head down, ready for delivery. It didn't show up last week when you had your appointment, but it's not unheard of for babies to end up like this at this late stage of pregnancy. It does mean that its now quite difficult for the baby to get out vaginally. Given that your waters broke when you were at home, and that was confirmed with the swab we did when you were admitted, it means that we are going to have to deliver these babies by Caesarean delivery. We don't want the babies to be stressed, and if you keep labouring then that will happen."

Dylan broke in, "But she's over three weeks early. Is it safe for the babies to come now?"

"Absolutely. These babies are ready to come now. Less than half of twin pregnancies go beyond 37 weeks. As it happens, there was a study in the British Medical Journal only in 2016 that said that in the case of uncomplicated pregnancies like Kate's, the optimal delivery time for twins is 37 weeks, right where the babies are at now. Kate's in hospital, which is the best place to be. The babies will each have their own paediatrician when they arrive, to check them over. If necessary, the babies can go to the special care nursery, but we don't need to think about that until after they're here and have been checked out."

"And I'll be awake for their delivery?"

"Of course, Kate. We'll get you ready and give you an epidural. You'll be awake the whole time, you'll just feel very little from the waist down – a bit of tugging and pulling, but no pain. We put a screen up across the bed, just below your breasts, so no-one needs to see any gory stuff. I'm assuming that you want your partners in there?"

Both men spoke up now, saying "Yes" and "We'll be there."

"OK, we'll be back with the consent forms and then the anaesthetist will also come to give you the epidural. It'll take a little while to organise the operating theatre, and for the epidural to take effect, but you'll be seeing your babies soon." Doctor Hockey turned towards the other three. "When Kate is taken to theatre, you two men can follow her. You'll have to wash and be put into gowns, and then you'll be able to join her. As for you miss…"

Nikki broke in "Don't worry. I have no intention of going in with Kate. I'd rather not know what's involved. Just point me to where I can wait."

The doctor smiled briefly before continuing, "When these three go to the theatre, one of the other staff can direct you to the family waiting room. The men can meet you there afterwards and give you the news."

"Sounds like an excellent plan."

Doctor Hockey and the midwife left the room, and the four were left to themselves for the moment.

"OK you two. Sit down here on the bed. I'm getting a stiff neck looking up at the pair of you."

Once the men had done as requested, Nikki said that she was stepping out to let their friends know what was happening. She had left the room before Kate started talking again. "So, all our plans are out the window. The babies are arriving early – we always knew that was a possibility. I'm not going to have a natural, drug-free delivery. That's a bit disappointing, but I'm not going to get hung up on that. I can't say that I'm hugely thrilled at the thought of having my belly sliced open or an epidural needle shoved in my back, but if that's what it takes to get the babies here safely, then that's what it takes. Thoughts please."

After a brief silence, Pete laughed. "Oh Kate McGregor. I love you. You are so much being an XO now. If Plan A doesn't work, try Plan B, and so on. If all else fails, make the best of what you've got." He hugged Kate to his side and kissed her head.

"I can't deny that I'm worried Kate – for you and for the babies – but I suppose we have to trust the doctor to know what's best for all of you. None of us have medical training to know any different." Dylan's voice was quiet, and he hung his head.

Kate stretched out her arm and squeezed his hand. "Dylan, you're right. We have to trust the doctor. We have to believe that in a very little while we'll have two babies, and that they and I will be happy and healthy." Kate lifted Dylan's hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. He drew a deep breath before raising his head and making an attempt at a smile.

Nikki chose this moment to return. "Andy and Lani and Sally all say good luck, and hopefully they'll see you tonight or tomorrow. Your doctor's heading back with some papers and a woman who looks like another medical person. I think you're about to sign your life away."

Kate was smiling as Doctor Hockey re-entered the room. He introduced the anaesthetist, Doctor Eva Williams, who proceeded to explain to Kate how the epidural would be done, what it would feel like for Kate, and what the risks were. Kate signed the consent forms agreeing to the procedure and then Doctor Williams left the room, saying that she would be back shortly with the equipment to administer the epidural. Doctor Hockey explained that there would be an operating theatre free in about an hour and he would see Kate and the men there then, before also leaving the room.

"Kate," began Nikki "It might be a bit late to change your mind now, but if you do want to make a run for it, I'll help you." After a brief moment of surprise, everyone began to laugh.

"Nikki, I think it is too late to change my mind," said Kate. "I think this is all going ahead pretty soon now."

Things seemed to move quickly after that. Kate was changed into an operating gown when Doctor Williams returned with Carolynn. Once she was ready, they inserted a drip in Kate's arm before putting the epidural into her spine. They also inserted a catheter. The midwife checked regularly to see if the anaesthetic was taking effect. It took about 20 minutes for Kate to stop feeling the contractions and to lose movement in her legs. During this time, Carolynn continued to check the CTG printout for the babies' wellbeing, as well as checking Kate's blood pressure.

It seemed a very short time after that before the wardsmen came to take the three of them off to the theatre. Dylan and Pete accompanied Kate as she was wheeled through the corridors. Nikki was left behind after she kissed and hugged Kate and wished her all the best.

The three separated briefly. Kate was taken directly into the theatre and the men were directed a locker room where they changed into theatre gowns before going to the scrubbing area to wash to ensure they were clean prior to entering the operating theatre. On entering the theatre, they could see that Kate had been transferred to an operating bed. There seemed to be lots of people in the room, theatre personnel, nurses and other people. As Doctor Hockey had explained, a screen was set up below Kate's breasts to hide what would be happening below her waist. Pete and Dylan were directed to stools, which had been set on either side of Kate's head. Each man grasped her hand and gently squeezed, being careful not to disturb the drip which had been inserted earlier.

Doctor Hockey approached, "OK Kate, we're about to start. As I said before, you'll feel pulling and tugging. You need to let me know if there's any pain because there shouldn't be. It won't be long now before you all meet your babies."

"Thanks doctor."

Kate reflected later that the operation didn't seem to take very long. Doctor Hockey was right. She did feel tugging and pulling, but there was no pain. It was an odd feeling. It seemed like only a matter of minutes before she heard "Here's Baby number 1" followed by a wail. "Who wants to see what you've got?"

They hadn't thought about that. Pete and Dylan exchanged glances before Dylan said, "You go first Pete."

Pete smiled his thanks at Dylan and then looked at the nurse who was checking over the baby. She finished what she was doing before turning around to show Pete the baby in her arms. "Ah, it's a boy." he said.

"Yes, with a good set of lungs on him," responded the nurse. "He weighs 2.49 kilos and was born at 2.30pm exactly. I'll just finish doing the baby checks and get him cleaned up and he'll be with you in just a few minutes."

"A boy, we've got a boy" marvelled Pete.

It was only a couple of minutes later before they heard another cry, "And here's Baby number 2."

This time Dylan was the one to check on the infant. "It's a girl – a little girl."

"Born at 2.38pm, weighing 2.3 kilos, just a little bit less than her brother, but just as loud." said the nurse as the baby girl bellowed her shock at coming into the world.

The two men gently hugged and kissed Kate before hugging each other.

As soon as the babies were checked and weighed and cleaned up, they were given to Kate, one in each arm. Kate, Dylan and Pete all had tears in their eyes, looking at their two little babies. The men's phones had been given to one of the nurses when they had entered the operating theatre. The nurse now proceeded to take a number of photographs of the new family, first of Kate and the babies, then of the five of them together, and then each of the men took turns to hold the babies, both individually and together.

Once everyone had a chance to look properly at the babies, they could see the differences between the two. Their son had light coloured hair and his eyes were a dark blue. Their daughter had blue-grey coloured eyes and her hair was darker than her brother's. Kate knew from her pregnancy research that the babies' eye colour was likely to change over their first year, until their colour pigmentation was settled. Their hair colour was also likely to change over their first few years.

"You know guys, we more or less decided on a boy's name, but we never really considered girls names. What are we going to call this little one?"

The men smiled and laughed before Dylan replied, "I think we've got a bit of time to decide. Let's get you at least in your room before we make any decisions."

Once enough photographs were taken, the babies were removed by the nurses and taken to the special care nursery where the staff could keep an eye on them for a while and make sure that there were no post-birth issues. In the meantime, Kate's incision was stapled, and bandaged.

Once the doctors were happy with Kate's condition, she was transferred from the theatre recovery room to a postnatal ward. Meanwhile Pete and Dylan had been escorted from the theatre; once changed out of their medical scrubs, they had rushed off to find Nikki and give her the news and show her the photos.

Kate was settled into her room and given some food and something to drink. A nurse brought a flannel so that Kate could freshen up. Afterwards, Kate settled down for a nap.

Note: I have no medical or first aid qualifications, and it's been a while since I had a baby. Any errors in medical or hospital procedure are my own, and I apologise for them.