# Chistmas Eve twins for China Guy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 25, 2004, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542 "2004-12-25T01:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/1 "2004-12-25T01:10:11Z")
China wife’s water broke right about midnight on Christmas eve. We got to the hospital, China Wife examined, and doctor determined there was not enough time to prep a c-section. 10 minutes later at 1:20 ( 90 minutes after the water broke). Audrey was born at 5# 10 oz and Apgar = 9. Baby number 2 was high up and in breach position. It took 40 minutes to deliver her at 2:00. Baby was stressed, blue, limp and not breathing but with a heartbeat of 90. A delivery room pediatrician resuccitated her in 1 minute, then her heart stopped. 20 seconds of chest compression and her heart restarted. It took 25 minutes for her to breath on her own. Serena was 6# 1.5 oz and had an apgar = 2 at 1 minute, apgar = 4 at 5 minutes, apgar = 5 at 20 minutes. I sat helplessly holding my wife’s hand and a million thoughts rushing through my head. The pediatrician gave us two updates during the 25 minutes. I burst into tears upon hearing Audrey’s first cries. 3:00 am transported her via incubator to another hospital with a neonatal ICU. This hospital has some tie up with the toronto children’s hospital, and has 120 babies in the ICU. Unbeknownst to me at the time but a group of my friends including a very well off entrepreneur with an acerbic streak far outsized by the size of his heart, seed funded that neonatal icu, paid and imported the specialized equipment, and got the core team of specialists trained abroad. 4:30 am 24 dec got an update that Serena was stable, but concerned her upper body was not responding well to stimulous, but her legs were better. Concerns of organ/brain damage. I went home, got some things and then back to the foreign clinic with my wife and Audrey. We were really devistated. A little sleep, then started bonding and breastfeeding with audrey. 3:30 in the afternoon on dec 24 went back to the icu and Serena was kicking and waving her arms around in the incubator. 🙂 although the time immediately after her delivery was the worst 20 minutes of my life, and the most stress filled waiting period ever until seeing her full of life, prognosis is excellent for no damage or lasting effects. Will do a brain scan in 2 days, and we can probably have her home in a week. Jacqueline, daughter number 1, got to hold Audrey, and later said she “is lucky to have 2 sisters”. I also made time yesterday to wrap some prests, help Jaq put up a stocking and leave out beer and cookies for Santa. I didn’t make it home after she went to bed but her grandma should have filled the stocking and put presents under the tree. So, now I have thee girls, including identical twins, but it’s clear from the start that they are all different. I hope all of you have a equally joyous Christmas (albeit a less stressful). ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/2 "2004-12-25T01:15:00Z")
Many blessings you you and your (increased) family! Merry Christmas, and I am so very glad that both little girls are going to be okay. Congratulations to you and the proud mama (and big sister)! ---
**Author:** ![PinkMarabou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PinkMarabou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMarabou)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/3 "2004-12-25T01:16:43Z")
Congrats! Please keep us updated on the prognosis of Serena (which I’m sure she’ll be fine). Give hugs and kisses to your family from all of us! ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/4 "2004-12-25T01:17:20Z")
Congratulations! I hope it’s smoother sailing from here on in and that the brain scan delivers good news. The babies are good sizes for early twins. And cool names 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/5 "2004-12-25T01:21:34Z")
What a brilliant Christmas present for you and your family **China Guy**. I hope your little babes continue to do well, and that you’ll all be home together really soon. Geez, it’s stories like this that make Christmas even more special. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/6 "2004-12-25T01:25:17Z")
good heavens!!! what a time y’all had. congratulations! i will send prayers for good news on serena’s brain scan. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/7 "2004-12-25T01:38:27Z")
At first I thought you were going to name one of your daughters Apgar. ---
**Author:** ![MrFantsyPants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MrFantsyPants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFantsyPants)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/8 "2004-12-25T01:41:52Z")
Many congratulations. Sounds like you all had a tough night. Let us know how things are going. ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/9 "2004-12-25T02:07:56Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > At first I thought you were going to name one of your daughters Apgar. I’m glad I’m not the only one who was confused for a split second. :smack: Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/10 "2004-12-25T03:21:53Z")
Congratulations. Sounds like it was quite an ordeal at first but I’m sure glad that it sounds like they will both be fine. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/11 "2004-12-25T03:22:36Z")
Bless you! Congratulations! _kisses for everyone_ ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/12 "2004-12-25T03:56:16Z")
Congratulations! Since you’ve had a stressful day, I’d just like to reiterate how important it is that you give both babies similar sounding names. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/13 "2004-12-25T03:56:30Z")
A Christmas miracle! Best of luck to all four of you, especially the littlest one! ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/14 "2004-12-25T04:10:29Z")
What a both scary and exciting night for the China Family! Hooray and congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/15 "2004-12-25T04:12:43Z")
Wow, what a momentous occasion. Glad to hear that everyone seems fine, and congratulations to you all! ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/16 "2004-12-25T04:18:58Z")
Congratulations!!! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/17 "2004-12-25T04:24:28Z")
Am I the only one that has to raise their hand and ask what “apgar” means? Anyway, congrats on the additions to the family. Think of the things identicals will get into later on. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/18 "2004-12-25T04:41:33Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Am I the only one that has to raise their hand and ask what “apgar” means? Kind of a checklist on baby’s alertness and responses to stimuli. Congrats and the very best of luck to you and your new additions, **ChinaGuy**. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/19 "2004-12-25T04:56:25Z")
Congratulations! I’m so glad your story had a happy beginning. Many more blessings on you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542/20 "2004-12-25T05:05:07Z")
Wow! Slug your wife on the shoulder for me. Good job eh. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chistmas-eve-twins-for-china-guy/281542.md?page=2)