We found out we were pregnant with twins after about a year of infertility treatments, procedures, and surgeries. We were immediately thrilled, despite the risk factors inherent with multiples. At only six weeks, I began spotting, and continued to do so off and on for six more weeks. Ultrasounds reassured us that our babies were healthy each time, but worry and concern became a daily part of our lives. Because this pregnancy was so carefully planned and prepared for, I was diligent about the care I received, pre-natal vitamin routine, activities to avoid, etc. With a sense of what to come, mothers intuition if you will, I nested early. At 22 weeks and six days, I spontaneously went into labor. It was terrifying, my husband had left the state for a trip that morning and was hours away, we didn’t have a bag packed, plans for our pets in place… we were utterly unprepared to welcome our children into the world that day. So often, we experience a symptom and brush it off or allow it to be overlooked, because we ‘are fine.’ I am so thankful for providers who took me and my symptoms seriously, admitted me, and transferred me to HIROC at UT right away. I wasn’t fine. I argued to quickly go home to get some things in place, but they refused, and I have no doubt their quick decision saved my babies lives that day. We soon learned I had an incompetent cervix, which was the reason for my premature labor. A surgery long ago, our fertility treatments, carrying multiples, and the way my body was made all combined for the worst-case situation. During this hospital stay, we were given the option of letting labor progress, and simply not providing treatment once the twins were born, because their chance of survival was so slim. We were appalled, disgusted, and even more determined to stay pregnant. Thankfully my contractions slowed. Dr. Hennessy developed a medication treatment plan, and I was blessed to have had time to receive the steroid shot to boost the twins lung development in case of delivery. After a week in the hospital, I was able to continue my bedrest at home for the next ten weeks, continuing to have 10-20 contractions a day. Our plan was to wean off the medication at 32 weeks because at that point an early delivery was less risky than continuing to let the medication affect the twins development. At 32 weeks and two days, my labor changed, and later that afternoon my water broke in my OBGYN’s office, where we had popped in to check up on the changes in my contractions. Again, Dr. Brabson and his team responded perfectly and ensured the safety of myself and our twins. He prescribed a treatment plan to attempt to stop the labor once again, which included a second round of the steroid shot to help strengthen the twins lungs, but after about 15 hours, we decided it wasn’t working and chose to let nature take its course. After pushing for nearly an hour, (unmedicated, completely natural and vaginal) Eva was born, and one contraction and nine minutes later, Isaac followed after changing from the breech position. Eva was small, 4 lbs 7 oz., but pink and loud and healthy. As soon as I saw Isaac I was worried. He was 3 lbs 11 oz and did not look healthy. He was grey and thin and I was terrified. He proved us wrong however and turned out to be strong from the get-go. I never thought I would say this, but thankfully my sister had delivered a micro-preemie 17 years ago, Caroline. She was born at 23 weeks, and was 1lb 6 oz, and today is our family’s greatest success story. Because of my experience with her, I was prepared and knew what to expect from our preemie and NICU experience. Eva suffered some respiratory distress and required a CPAP for about 36 hours, and then a nasal cannula with room air for another few days. When I was discharged, leaving them behind became the hardest thing I ever had to do; and I had to do it over and over each day, each shift change. It was brutal. Eva was released from the NICU after 25 days, and Isaac followed her home after 27 days. Perfect, tiny, strong miracle babies. I believe with my whole heart that the care I received while I was pregnant, combined with the exceptional care the twins received at Physicians Regional Special Care Nursery, saved their lives. I truly cannot imagine living in a time or a place without the research, technology, and science that was available to us. The March of Dimes changed our lives before we even knew we needed them. Every time I look at Eva and Isaac, who are now 3.5, I am thankful for the hard work and diligence of those involved, and I will forever work to spread their mission to help save every baby and mother possible.