Birth Announcements

Welcome little Kaiya Jade Fellner
and twins, Caroline Grace and Charlotte Anne Mazzio
Read on and celebrate with us!

Kaiya Jade Fellner
Born May 14th, 2009
entering the world at 1:29 pm
weighing 6 lbs 5 oz, 20 inches "tall"

Dietrich and Janel Fellner are pleased to announce the birth of their precious baby, Kaiya Jade Fellner.  Little Kaiya was born at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia with Dr. Gellash in attendance and their doula, Christi Jones. 

We are very grateful for our precious little Kaiya and a most wonderful birth. God is so good! Thanks to all God's servants who helped us including our wonderful doula, Christi Jones, who not only helped to educate us on the birthing process but also supported us and helped us to reach our goal of a natural/ drug free birth. What a peaceful amazing experience! James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights…” Love, Janel and Dietrich and Kaiya

Dietrich and Janel Fellner welcoming baby Kaiya Jade

Caroline Grace and Charlotte Anne Mazzio
Born May 1st, 2009
Caroline Grace entered the world at  5:15 pm weighing 5 lbs 2 oz
Charlotte Anne followed her sister at 5:16 pm weighing 4 lbs 3 oz

Identical twins, Caroline and Charlotte

Dan and Lisa Mazzio joyfully share the birth of their two baby girls, Caroline Grace and Charlotte Anne who were born in Norfolk, Virginia at DePaul Hospital with Dr. Hughes and their doula, Christi Jones attending. 

Our entire experience of bringing twins into the world can be summed up in one word: surprise. It began from the first moment we knew about the pregnancy and the surprises even continue on today.

Before we had our first ultrasound I had been dreaming of twins for nights on end, and noticing twins everywhere, and wondering if God was preparing me. My husband lovingly teased me and said that my pregnancy hormones were already kicking in... and they sure were because the doctor located the first heartbeat and then accidentally stumbled across the second one! That surprise was like the biggest, best surprise party moment where everyone screams "SURPRISE!" when you walk in the door that you could ever imagine.

We were so excited, and had no idea how life would never be the same. The pregnancy began with lots of morning sickness, which we knew was normal for twins. We began to plan for their arrival, and took a birthing class from Charis Doula's and CE's, Christi Jones and Aimee Roberts. We were being treated by doctors who supported our use of doula's and we were thrilled that we had doctors who believed in the power of the female body and were willing to allow me to make choices about my birth experience.

As the pregnancy progressed, I grew and grew and each ultrasound gave us a glimpse into the two babies that were developing perfectly. Surprisingly, through the unconditional support of my husband, family, doulas, and friends I worked until I was 32 weeks along. The pregnancy became more and more difficult, sleeping, eating, walking... everything was terribly uncomfortable, but we kept the goal in our sights.

At week 32, I surprisingly developed pre-eclampsia, in spite of following a very healthy diet. My blood pressure was dangerously high, my kidney function was not good and my body was exhausted. We had really wanted to make it to 35 weeks and so we began the long journey of the final days of pregnancy. The last 2.5 weeks included 11 trips back and forth to Labor and Delivery for monitoring only to be surprisingly sent home over and over again, no natural progression of labor, worried doctors (and parents), and immense discomfort. As the doctors monitored my babies, they always looked great, but I was in pretty bad shape. I thought pregnancy was about the babies, not the mother, right?

Each day passed (so slowly) and we began to discuss the birth plan. I had been mentally and spiritually preparing myself for the daunting task of vaginal delivery of two babies for 7 months. I wanted to go without an epidural, but my doctors were not keen on the idea because of the risk of emergency C-section. I was frustrated, but kept praying that it would go as God intended and that I would have peace.

By the time May 1 arived, I felt I had reached the end of my rope.  After so many "lets try for one more day" assurances, I was sure I would be coming home again. SURPRISE! I wasn't going home, instead, I was going back to Labor and Delivery and would be having the babies in just a few hours. I didn't set out wanting a C-section, but as we made the final decision, my doctor, husband and I weighed the risks and benefits of the decision. My body was weak, exhausted and sick (and the pre-eclampsia was now escalating to more dangerous levels). The babies were healthy and we wanted them to stay healthy.

I could have attempted an induction, maybe taking days, and I could become even more eclamptic in those days. At one point my doctor referred to my body as a "ticking time bomb", which was disconcerting to say the least. I began to adjust to the idea of not having my ideal birth situation, and I experienced feelings of loss. I wondered if I would feel any less like a mother because I would be having a surgical birth and not vaginal delivery. I was scared about surgery, of the recovery and sad that my plans had been surprisingly changed through circumstances that I knew God was in control of. He knew my desires, yet there were other plans for me. We knew that through a C-section, both my babies and I would be healthy, and so I gave the final verdict to my doctor.

My doula, Christi, was 100% supportive knowing all the specifics of my health, and that helped me to feel assured in our decision. I was prepped for surgery, and walked into the operating room. The procedure started and my husband held my hand as he sat next to me. Christi and my mom were waiting just outside the operating room door. Then, all of a sudden, we heard the small yet strong cry of a baby! What a feeling! I saw her (our first baby, Caroline) for a moment and she was passed off to her team. Then seconds later, another small yet cry of a baby. I saw our second baby, (Charlotte) and she too was passed to her team. Then, there was a moment my husband and I will never forget. The perfectly synchronized cries of two baby girls.... the joy was overwhelming and we were both so relieved.

I had never felt so blessed and grateful. My birth experience was so special, even though it wasn't what we had envisioned. My doula supported me through the beginning of breastfeeding my twins, and I am now exclusively breastfeeding the girls who have doubled their birth weights in 7 weeks. We're still surprised at how much more we can love the girls every day and just how refreshing just 4 hours of sleep can feel! I am certain that the surprises will continue. It's like God gave us a gift that we slowly open and its literally never ending!
 

Dan carrying baby Charlotte to the nursery after her arrival into the world.

Lisa with baby Caroline 1.5 hours after birth