Running the Noosa Triathlon for Running for Prems - and for Harriet
We've had a busy year. Our wedding was on 28th June, followed by our honeymoon - a month in Europe and 10 days in New Zealand. I was over the moon to discover I was pregnant in August. It was more of a shock when I found out I was expecting identical twin girls.
So much went through my mind: grieving the singleton pregnancy and birth I had once envisioned, adjusting to a pregnancy that was immediately high risk, all the potential complications that come with twins - and knowing the girls were more than likely going to arrive early. I was preparing for a rollercoaster.
Everything changed in early December when we found out the twins had developed twin to twin transfusion syndrome.
TTTS is a rare condition affecting identical twins who share a placenta. It occurs when blood flows unequally between them through interconnecting placental vessels - one twin (the donor) loses blood, while the other (the recipient) receives too much. We chose not to have surgery, as the TTTS was low stage and caught quite early. The goal was simply to get to 24 weeks - viability week.
At 25 weeks, I was admitted to hospital with complications. The goal shifted to 26 weeks, then 28 weeks. It was during those four weeks on the Women's Health Ward that it really hit me: I was going to have two premature babies, and a long journey in the NICU ahead of us.
On Monday 16th February, we welcomed our twin girls, Harriet Ann and Matilda May. They were born at 29+4 weeks via emergency C-section, weighing 1.2kg and 1.279kg. The girls came out fighting and made a strong start in the NICU.
Unfortunately, due to complications from the TTTS, we said goodbye to our Harriet on 19th February, at just three days old. She was surrounded by close family, and in the arms of myself and my husband.
It was a bittersweet feeling - becoming new parents while also showing up for Matilda, and grieving the loss of Harriet.
The NICU was a long journey, and progress was never linear. It often felt like two steps forward and one step back. It's not until you're thrown into the NICU that you realise what is needed to support premature and sick babies - the machines, the equipment, the doctors, and most importantly, the nurses.
About halfway through our stay, we were transferred to a closer hospital - a 15-minute drive instead of 45. It was a game changer. After 63 days, we were finally able to bring Matilda home.
I'm the type of person who wants to give back and help others. And if anyone knows me, they know I love a challenge. Which is why, at eight and a half months postpartum, I'm participating in the Noosa Triathlon and raising money for Running for Prems - my biggest physical challenge yet.
Support Hannah's campaign
The Whole Bowl Co. is proud to support Hannah on this journey. Throughout the campaign, we'll be donating $1 from every order to her fundraising page - and if you'd like to give a little extra, you can add a larger donation at checkout too.
Follow along with Hannah's training and cheer her on at Noosa in October - find her on Instagram at @hannah_albs. To donate directly to her Running for Prems page, click here.
