Podcast Summary: "Surviving Premature Birth of Twins After IVF"

Podcast Information

• Title: We're All Insane
• Host: Devorah Roloff
• Episode: Surviving Premature Birth of Twins After IVF
• Release Date: April 28, 2025

Introduction In this heartfelt episode of We're All Insane, host Devorah Roloff engages in an intimate conversation with a courageous guest who shares her deeply personal journey of conceiving identical twin girls through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surviving a premature birth. This unfiltered narrative delves into the emotional and physical challenges faced during the IVF process, the complexities of a high-risk twin pregnancy, and the profound impact of premature birth.

Journey to Parenthood The guest begins by recounting how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her wedding and subsequent plans to start a family. After postponing her honeymoon by a year, she and her husband decided to begin trying for children. Initially, she felt confident, purchasing ovulation and pregnancy test strips, but it took over a year without success.

• Quote [03:23]:

  "So how long were you on the pill?" — Host

• Quote [03:28]:

  "Since high school. So, like, over 10 years." — Guest

After persistent efforts yielded no pregnancy, a positive result led her to consult her OB GYN, where she discovered her Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels were alarmingly low, indicating a very low egg reserve. This revelation necessitated a referral to a fertility clinic.

Embarking on IVF Faced with limited options due to irregular menstrual cycles and low egg reserves, the guest decided to proceed with IVF after considering the higher success rates compared to intrauterine insemination (IUI).

• Quote [07:53]:

  "I'm like, okay. Alright, let's start with the IVF." — Guest

Navigating insurance approvals proved challenging, requiring both her and her husband to undergo nicotine and marijuana tests to qualify for coverage. Once approved, the rigorous IVF process began, involving daily injections, frequent blood tests, and ultrasounds to monitor ovarian stimulation.

• Quote [09:06]:

  "So in order for it to get approved by insurance, you guys had to be negative for nicotine and marijuana?" — Host

The guest vividly describes the emotional strain of administering daily injections and the anxiety of potential medical errors, such as mixing medication incorrectly, which nearly derailed her treatment.

The IVF Process and Egg Retrieval After weeks of hormonal treatments to stimulate egg production, the guest underwent egg retrieval, successfully extracting six eggs. Of these, five matured, and two developed into viable embryos, one of which was transferred immediately while the other was frozen for future use.

• Quote [12:13]:

  "Did it hurt?" — Host

• Quote [12:15]:

  "It hurt a little bit. It wasn't terrible, but it was." — Guest

Despite the meticulous process, the first embryo transfer resulted in the unexpected splitting of the embryo, leading to identical twins—a 4% occurrence rate in IVF procedures.

Twin Pregnancy and Premature Birth The guest shares the joy and subsequent challenges of her twin pregnancy, which was classified as high-risk. Regular ultrasounds and medical appointments became part of her routine to monitor the twins' growth and health. At 30 weeks, complications arose with blood flow to one twin, resulting in a brief hospital stay aimed at prolonging the pregnancy to 34 weeks.

• Quote [17:45]:

  "There's a 4% chance of your embryo splitting." — Guest

Ultimately, the twins were born prematurely at 31 and 34 weeks, weighing 4 pounds 9 ounces and 3 pounds 14 ounces, respectively. Both girls were transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) but thrived without the need for extensive respiratory support.

Life with Twins Adjusting to life with two newborns presented immense physical and emotional exhaustion. The guest describes the sleepless nights, the logistical challenges of caring for twins, and the emotional toll of feeling overwhelmed and isolated.

• Quote [32:27]:

  "And the first night, I swear, I think I slept, like, five minutes throughout the night." — Guest

To manage the exhaustion, she and her husband devised a rotating sleep schedule, allowing each to rest while the other cared for the babies. Despite these strategies, she often grappled with feelings of inadequacy and regret for not seeking more support or therapy to cope with postpartum depression.

Coping and Support Systems Recognizing the importance of community and support, the guest highlights how friends, family, and online communities provided essential assistance. They received meals, emotional support, and practical help, which were crucial in navigating the early months of motherhood with twins.

• Quote [34:49]:

  "Just every second the babies needed something, especially when they were small. It was so challenging to make sure that you're also prioritizing your own health and your own mental health, too." — Guest

She emphasizes the significance of mental health care and the benefits of connecting with others who have undergone similar experiences, though she admits to initially struggling to ask for help.

Reflections and Insights Towards the end of the episode, the guest reflects on her journey, acknowledging both the hardships and the joy of raising her twins. She shares insights on the unpredictability of IVF and twin pregnancies, the importance of trusting the process, and the resilience that comes from overcoming such profound challenges.

• Quote [42:25]:

  "Trust the journey, even when you don't understand it." — Guest

The host and guest discuss the broader implications of sharing such stories, aiming to reduce the stigma around fertility struggles and to offer solace to others feeling isolated in their experiences.

Conclusion This episode of We're All Insane is a testament to the strength and vulnerability inherent in the journey to motherhood, especially under challenging circumstances like IVF and premature birth. Through raw and unfiltered storytelling, the guest not only shares her personal triumphs and tribulations but also extends a comforting hand to others navigating similar paths, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Guest [03:28]:

  "Since high school. So, like, over 10 years."

• Host [07:53]:

  "Okay, let's start with the IVF."

• Guest [09:06]:

  "So in order for it to get approved by insurance, you guys had to be negative for nicotine and marijuana?"

• Host [12:13]:

  "Did it hurt?"

• Guest [12:15]:

  "It hurt a little bit. It wasn't terrible, but it was."

• Guest [17:45]:

  "There's a 4% chance of your embryo splitting."

• Guest [32:27]:

  "And the first night, I swear, I think I slept, like, five minutes throughout the night."

• Guest [34:49]:

  "Just every second the babies needed something, especially when they were small. It was so challenging to make sure that you're also prioritizing your own health and your own mental health, too."

• Guest [42:25]:

  "Trust the journey, even when you don't understand it."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the guest's emotional and physical journey through IVF, the challenges of a high-risk twin pregnancy, and the resilience required to overcome premature birth. By sharing her story, the guest provides invaluable insights and support to others facing similar struggles, embodying the podcast's mission to showcase authentic and transformative life experiences.