There are few moments in life that are as special as your first pregnancy, and mine felt extra-special: I was carrying twins. I read all the books I could get my hands on, found online forums so I could chat with other moms of twins, bought more maternity clothes than any woman could ever need and pored over baby-name books (I had to choose two names, after all). In other words, I did everything you?re supposed to do in a first pregnancy.
While carrying twins meant that my pregnancy was higher risk, I was healthy and the babies were growing just as they should. Maybe that?s why my 24-week ultrasound was such a shock: It was a routine appointment and, to be honest, I was annoyed at having to take more time off work for another appointment. The technician waited until she was finished everything else before she told me. ?I?m concerned about your cervix,? she said. ?It?s shorter than we like to see at this point in the pregnancy.? I?d never given my cervix much thought. But over the next three months, I learned more about the functions of a woman?s cervix during pregnancy than I ever wanted to know. Essentially, if it shortens too early, it increases the chances of dilating too soon, which can result in premature birth. I was only six months pregnant and my body seemed to be getting ready to give birth.
I went home in a daze. I?d been put on bed rest, which meant that I wasn?t supposed to get out of bed, except to use the washroom. Why didn?t I know anything was wrong" Wa...