About Us
We are Ben and Becky Ark and this blog is meant to keep you updated on us, our daughter Maia and our identical twin girls on the way! We found out we were having twins when we were 6 weeks along at a routine ultrasound to date the pregnancy. Boy were we surprised when we saw TWO babies! Not only that, but they both looked like they were in the same sac which always means identical twins though we didn't get that confirmed by doctors until halfway through.
We are currently diagnosed with one twin having SIUGR (Selective Interuterine Growth Restriction) which gives us a 50% survival chance on that twin and possibly affecting the other twin so we're in the "wait and pray" stage of our journey.
As we prepare for preemie twins and take care of a 16 month old baby girl we'll try to keep everybody posted on what's going on with us. Please call or e-mail us, we're happy to keep in touch!
I am amazed at the technology and progress in tracking your pregancy and the resources available. Per our conversation this week I told you how 23 years ago a friend of mine lost both her twins during a premature delivery as they did not have these capabilities and I did not find out I was having twins 21 years ago until the first baby was delivered. I know it seems hard, but the miracle of science is working in your favor and I am amazed! So many times we look for security in our jobs, houses, and our plans. It is times like these when we understand our true security comes only from God and He has a plan. My prayer for you and your family today comes from PSALM 91:2 - I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust!" I entrust you to the loving plan and arms of our heavenly Father - God bless - Daphne
I just found your blog while searching online about Nicu stuff and can't believe how similar our stories are. We had twin girls at 29 weeks 1 day on July 31, 2009 at 2 lbs 7 oz and 2 lbs 12 oz. They have now been in the Nicu for 30 days and are 3 lbs 11 oz and 4 lbs. Our 4 lb'er, Lexie, has been off oxygen and is off her sat probe now too, so just the heart monitor and feeding tube. She gets 2 feedings a day now by bottle or breast (I'm pumping but it hasn't come in great yet). But she just started bottle feeding on Wednesday. Our smaller twin, Lilah, is on .5 liters of oxygen on the canulla but they are hoping to have it down to .1 liter soon. She hasn't had any bottle feedings yet but I'm hoping she will start soon. Her issue is just desatting some around feeds but she never goes lower than 70's and always comes right back up. I'm afraid Lexie is going to come home before Lilah since all she needs know is to be getting all her feeds by bottle/breast...and I don't think that will take very long. But I'm hoping they'll both be home by the end of September. The other thing very similar about us is that we also have another child, a son, who will be two in October! I would love to get any advice you have or just talk if you have time...I think my email should post with this but if not it is hkahoun@cfl.rr.com