“First-time moms, Meghan and Melissa transitioned from a couple to a family of five in less than three months.”
Imagine transitioning from a couple to a family of five in less than three months. That's what happened to Meghan and Melissa, now the proud parents of Nate, Maggie and Steven—each born under the care of Lancaster General Health Physicians Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
The couple had been trying to start a family for more than four years, taking turns with fertility treatments. Each suffered a miscarriage before Meghan became pregnant through in vitro fertilization. When an ultrasound revealed a small gestational sac, Meghan's doctor referred her to Maternal-Fetal Medicine for closer monitoring. Because Meghan's previous pregnancy had tested positive for Trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal condition, her doctors suggested that Melissa continue with in vitro fertilization in case Meghan's pregnancy did not reach term.
A Growing Family
A few months later, Melissa became pregnant … with twins! Like Meghan, she was referred to Maternal-Fetal Medicine. During the course of their care, the women grew close to the staff, who always took the time to explain procedures and help them understand their risks while closely monitoring both pregnancies.
“Sometimes we had back-to-back appointments. The staff became like family to us because we were in quite often,” Meghan said.
Meghan's water broke four weeks early, and on St. Patrick's Day she delivered Nathaniel, a healthy baby boy weighing 6 pounds 1 ounce. Meanwhile, one of the twins was measuring small, so Melissa was put on bed rest with the goal of reaching 29 weeks. At 29 weeks, five days, Melissa's amniotic fluid level dropped, and her doctors decided it was time. That night she delivered Maggie (3 pounds 5 ounces) and Steven (1 pound 12 ounces). Both babies were immediately placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Women & Babies Hospital, where they received special care for the next two months.
Team of Caring Experts
“The NICU nurses made us so comfortable. They were on constant watch when we weren’t there. They are a busy facility, but they took the time to make sure we understood what we needed to do. They were very personable. They cared,” said Meghan.
Today, all three babies are thriving. Maggie loves to eat and weighs almost as much as big brother Nate. Steven is catching up and will undergo surgery to correct a cleft palate when he is a little older. Meghan and Melissa are grateful for the watchful expertise of the team at Maternal-Fetal Medicine, who helped them achieve their dream of a family.