[Birth Stories] Triumphant Vaginal Birth Of Twins Despite Preeclampsia And Triggering Interventions

Michelle Rose describes her birth as that of her dreams, despite having a two-and-a-half-day-long induction for preeclampsia with a low platelet count, enduring a magnesium drip, a non-working epidural, a horrific vaginal check, hemorrhaging badly enough to require a blood infusion, and feeling like her body was in trauma response during the whole time she was at the hospital… all of that on top of a difficult IVF journey with four miscarriages! She shares with Adriana how EMDR trauma therapy has been key for her healing journey, and how her experience increased her determination to work through the challenges, drawing power from knowing that she did it.

Related resources*:

• When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads 4th Edition: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy, by by Barbara Luke, Tamara Eberlein, and Roger Newman
• Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy, Mædica: A Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Use of platelet transfusions prior to lumbar punctures or epidural anaesthesia for the prevention of complications in people with thrombocytopenia, Cochrane
• Mild thrombocytopenia prior to elective cesarean section is an independent risk factor for blood transfusion, Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Consent in Pelvic Care, Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health
• Script: Painful Cervical Exams During Labor, Feminist Midwife
• How JADA works, Organon Pro
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, American Psychological Association

Related Birthful episodes:

• Preeclampsia Essentials
• The Induction Process
• Shaking and the Primal Nature of Birth
• How to Stand Up for Your Birth Rights
• [Breastfeeding] How Does Milksharing Work?

Image description: Michelle Rose, with her dark hair under a scrub cap, smiles broadly as she reclines in a hospital bed with her twin babies, wearing caps and swaddle blankets, on her chest

About Michelle Rose

Michelle is a full-spectrum doula, yoga teacher and Reiki master. She is passionate about the birth process and making birth inclusive for everyone. In 2013, during the prenatal section of her yoga teacher training, Michelle fell in love with how the body changes during birth. Since then, she has been studying and furthering her knowledge of birth and yoga. She is extremely honored to be able to hold space for her clients and honor the process for those who are going through the pregnancy journey. She loves sports, her family and heritage, and has a passion for learning.

Michelle’s journey to parenthood was difficult, long and full of twists and turns. She and her husband Lucas started their parenting journey fostering, while simultaneously going through IVF. After five years and a few miscarriages they welcomed twins in November 2023 through IVF. Michelle is extremely passionate about IVF rights and access to all.