Pregnancy is supposed to be a time of joyful anticipation, but for me, it was also a time of unexpected complications and challenges that tested my strength in ways I never imagined. I was pregnant with mo-di twin girls and doing my best to navigate the ups and downs of a high-risk pregnancy. What I didn’t expect was to develop both intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and preeclampsia — two serious conditions that would shape the course of my pregnancy and delivery.

At 21 weeks, I was diagnosed with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The intense itching, especially on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet, was the first sign something wasn’t right. My medical team started monitoring me closely, and I tried to stay optimistic, taking things one day at a time for the sake of my babies.

Fast forward to early November. Around 30 weeks into the pregnancy, I started noticing new symptoms: elevated blood pressure readings, persistent headaches, swelling in my hands and feet, and rapid weight gain. At first, I was reassured by my OB team that what I was experiencing was just normal third-trimester discomfort — common symptoms of pregnancy. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something more serious was going on.

On the morning of November 14, 2024, I woke up expecting a routine visit to my maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist. Instead, preeclampsia turned that day into the most critical moment of my pregnancy. My blood pressure had spiked to dangerously high levels, and with my ongoing cholestasis and concerns about the possible onset of twin-to-twin transfusion, I was immediately admitted to the hospital. Things escalated quickly — I was started on a magnesium drip to prevent seizures, and soon after, doctors decided an emergency C-section was the safest option for me and the babies.

Because of how urgent the situation was, I had to undergo general anesthesia. I didn’t get to hear that first cry or see my daughters enter the world — something I had dreamed about for months. But what mattered most was that they arrived safely. My twin girls were born at just 31 weeks and five days, both needing care in the NICU due to their prematurity.
The hours and days following their birth were a blur. I remained on the magnesium drip for 24 hours post-delivery, groggy and exhausted, but filled with relief that my girls were here. I was finally able to meet them about 36 hours after delivery. They spent about a month in the NICU, growing stronger each day while I focused on healing both physically and emotionally.
Just when I thought the worst was behind me, five weeks postpartum, I started experiencing headaches and high blood pressure again. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia — a condition I didn’t even know could happen after giving birth. I was started on blood pressure medication to help regulate it, and slowly, things began to stabilize.

This journey has taught me so much — about my own resilience, the unpredictability of pregnancy, and the strength of my daughters, who fought so hard from the very beginning. While nothing about this experience was easy, I’m grateful for the care we received and for the outcome: two beautiful, thriving baby girls who made every difficult moment worth it.