Watched Over From the Very Beginning

Wadih and Elena’s identical twin daughters, Kaia and Kylie, were protected by expert care before and after birth.

When we first learned we were expecting, my husband Wadih and I were shocked and then even more surprised when we were told it was twins.

Identical twins.

We quickly learned they were monochorionic diamniotic twins, meaning they shared a placenta. While this is not the highest risk scenario, it carries serious concerns, especially Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition that can develop without warning.

For nearly two trimesters, I lived with the quiet fear: Will this happen to our girls?

There is no way to predict this syndrome. The only safeguard is close, expert monitoring. We were referred to the Maternal Fetal Medicine team at Ascension Sacred Heart, and that referral changed everything.

From our very first appointment, we felt we were in capable hands. Dr. William Schwartz guided us through each visit with calm confidence and kindness. He reassured me that I was doing everything right and that our girls were progressing well. The ultrasound team took time to explain what they were seeing, helping us understand the complex details of a twin pregnancy with increased risk.

“Instead of fear, we began to feel trust. Instead of uncertainty, we felt watched over.”

— Elena, mother of Kaia and Kylie

The additional ultrasounds and expert supervision meant that if anything changed, it would be detected immediately. That level of specialized care brought us peace during a time that could have been overwhelming.

An Unexpected Turn and an Unexpected Gift

When our girls were born, we hoped to take them home right away. Instead, their blood sugar levels were low, and they needed care in the NICU.

At first, I was disappointed. I had spent months worrying they might need the NICU, and now they did.

But what we discovered there was extraordinary.

Because we were at Sacred Heart, I could walk from my recovery room to see my daughters. The NICU nurses not only cared for our babies, they cared for us. They patiently taught us how to feed them, soothe them, and understand their needs. They answered every question, shared practical tips, and gave us the confidence we did not yet know we needed.

Some of the nurses were mothers of twins themselves. They understood our fears and exhaustion. They celebrated small victories with us, normalized sugar levels and improved feedings, and gently coached us through each step.

It felt like a mother and baby boot camp, the kind every new parent wishes they had.

Before giving birth, I was so worried that our babies would end up in the NICU. In the end, it became a blessing for our family. Although we could not wait to bring our girls home, we left feeling prepared instead of afraid.

And in a moment that felt almost unimaginable for new parents of twins, we were even able to go on a date night while our girls were safely cared for. That simple gift of stepping away for a few hours, knowing they were in expert hands, meant more than we can express.

By the time we brought our daughters home, we were not overwhelmed. We were confident. We were supported. We were ready.

Why This Care Matters

Pregnancies with increased risk require expertise. Neonatal intensive care requires advanced technology, skilled professionals, and compassionate hearts.

Because Sacred Heart had all of it under one roof, our daughters received immediate, specialized care. And we received something just as important: reassurance, education, and peace of mind.

Today, Kaia and Kylie are thriving. We will always be grateful for the team who watched over them from the very beginning.