Author name: Diane

We sat down to interview Jourdan Adams to get her perspective on having a high-risk pregnancy with twins, and ultimately delivering her tiny twin boys as ‘preemies’. We also discuss the long weeks her babies had to stay in the Northside Hospital Cherokee NICU (Neo-Intensive Care Unit), and the ups and downs that she and her husband experienced as they went through the roller coaster of emotions during this difficult journey. We also sat down with her OB/GYN Dr. Gandhi (scroll down for that interview) to get her unique perspective as she cared for Jourdan throughout her pregnancy. Dr. Gandhi shares a unique perspective because Jourdan has not only worked as Dr. Gandhi’s medical assistant for years, they have also developed a very special bond. A Mother’s Perspective Jourdan recalls, “The pregnancy was good – up until about 22 weeks. That was the first time I had to go to the hospital.” Jourdan and her husband Tyler had been trying to get pregnant for a couple years, so when Jourdan’s home pregnancy test read positive, she went to the OB right away.  Jourdan’s choice of a doctor was simpler than it is for many women. As a medical assistant for an OB/GYN practice, Jourdan made an appointment with Dr. Peahen Gandhi, the physician with whom she had worked so closely over the past few years. “We came in super early – and then again at 5 weeks, when we saw 2 sacs! And that was how we found out we had twins.” She admits the twin pregnancy came as a shock. “I just remember looking at my husband and saying, ‘Oh my gosh – what are we going to DO?!’ And my husband was so good, he just said to me, ‘Babe, we’ve got this.’ “But I was thinking, ‘No, you DON’T!!! You have no CLUE what we’re in for!” Pregnancy of Hospital Trips and Bedrest Jourdan relates that early on in the pregnancy she had a small bleed, which – she quickly adds – is “not unusual. ” But at 22 weeks the real trouble started.  “I was feeling kind of weird at the office one day. My doctor gave me an ultrasound and put me on the monitor – and they realized I was having contractions. She sent me to the hospital.” At Northside Cherokee, Jourdan saw her high-risk specialist, who put her on fluids and sent her home, anticipating that the contractions would settle down once she was off her feet. “But the next day I was still having contractions, regular – every 10 minutes. I went back to the hospital, and got three injections of terbutaline.” Jourdan confesses, “Well, it was so early, I just wasn’t worried. I was thinking, ‘They’ll fix it… this is just normal, right?’ I never really felt super fearful they were coming. “Then I was put on bedrest until 24 weeks – because that is viability. At that point I was allowed to work for three days.” But at Jourdan’s next check-up, an ultrasound by Dr. Gandhi revealed a troubling development. “We realized my cervix was shrinking. After that, I was on bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy.” Jourdan Shares Her Perspective in this Video An Emergency Ambulance Ride to Atlanta At Jourdan’s 27 week appointment, there was more trouble. “I was dilated, my cervix was shrinking further. They sent me to Northside Hospital Cherokee. The monitors showed I was having regular contractions – that I wasn’t feeling. They gave me more terbutaline – and then magnesium, which made me feel really sick. It was horrible. “Dr. Gandhi came to check on me when got out of surgery. She took a look, and then she sent me straight to Atlanta [Northside Hospital Atlanta] – because she was afraid the boys were coming.” Jourdan admits this time she was scared. “Dr. Gandhi said she was transferring me and I didn’t know she meant I needed to go by ambulance. It was terrifying. I was hooked up to all these machines – IV, catheter…We got there and I filled out all the paperwork. There I was, a at 27 weeks, looking at birthing my twins. “But after a few hours at the hospital, I got settled and the contractions stopped. They let me go home again. And after that I was on bedrest until 31 weeks. Waiting Alone, the Dog By Her Side Jourdan describes the final weeks of bedrest as lonely. “I was sitting by myself all day. I came down from my bed every morning. Tyler had to work of course – he was saving up his sick days for when we had the babies. He would help me downstairs, make my breakfast, and then he was gone the rest of the day. At lunch, my mom, or his mom, would come over to make me lunch and sit with me a while. “I sat and I felt very hopeless. Dr. Gandhi called me every day to make sure I wasn’t going crazy. My husband was very supportive. But I felt so hopeless. I couldn’t do anything.” Jourdan smiles when she mentions her dog. “We have a bulldog. And he sat with me every day. I made sure to put his bed right beside me, so I had him with me. He really did help me. “My brother offered to get him and take care of him so I wouldn’t have anything to worry about – and I said ‘No – You can’t! He’s the only company I have all day long!’” Jourdan made it to 33 weeks. And that’s when her boys decided to come. Early Labor – A Rush To C-Section Jourdan recalls the morning of the day the twins were born. “I told my dad, ‘I feel weird, I just feel off.’ “I went to the High Risk Specialist, and I was feeling my contractions in the waiting room. That was the first time I’d ever felt them. Then Dr. Gandhi came in to evaluate me

Ambre wasn’t expecting to have C-sections with her two pregnancies but she knows without a doubt that they were the right decision for her and the birth of her babies. This is her story. When Ambre and her husband moved to Georgia, they didn’t know anyone. When it came time to find an OB/GYN, Ambre had no one to ask for a recommendation. As a medical professional herself, Ambre knew how important it was to find the right physician. She began an internet search, digging deep, looking at reviews on Facebook and Google, and anything else she could find. Ambre liked all she read about Cherokee Women’s Health and made her choice. 1st Pregnancy When Ambre found out she and her husband were expecting their first baby she made an appointment with an OB/GYN at Cherokee Women’s Health. Unfortunately, she was told the devasting news that she was having a miscarriage. “My doctor was so compassionate and caring and explained everything. I loved the way my husband and I were included in all discussions.” – Ambre A Difficult 2nd Pregnancy Ambre’s next pregnancy had many complications. She had very high blood pressure from the beginning and was so swollen she could barely walk. She was eventually placed on bed rest. Because of her high blood pressure, her doctor made the decision to induce labor. After actively pushing for four hours and due to stress on the baby, Ambre had to have a C-section. On top of that, the epidural didn’t work for her and she had to have general anesthesia. It was a very emotional experience. But thankfully, Ambre delivered a healthy baby boy, whom she and her husband named Rhett.   An Easy 3rd Pregnancy, But Then… The third pregnancy for Ambre started much better. No high blood pressure and no complications. However, because Ambre was considered an “older mom” by this point, she and her husband opted to have early genetic testing. The test came back with the likelihood that the baby girl they were expecting may have Downs Syndrome. Ambre and her husband were surprised and obviously concerned. Her doctor called Ambre one night, after hours, to address her concerns. Ambre says, “My doctor was wonderful! He went above and beyond to put my mind at ease. He is the best!” In the end, it turned out that the test was a false positive. Another C-Section Two weeks before her due date, Ambre started having contractions and went into early labor. Ambre had seen all of Cherokee Women’s Health’s doctors during her pregnancies, and felt completely comfortable with each of them and knew that they all delivered at Northside Hospital Cherokee. And she believes her doctor made the right call to deliver her early, and via cesarean section again, as the baby’s head was stuck. “It was my doctor’s experience and knowledge that prevented us from going through a dangerous labor again. Baby Claire arrived safe and healthy.” – Ambre on the care she received Ambre is quick to refer Cherokee Women’s Health to everyone. She loves that all the physicians and advanced practice providers she has met at the practice are so caring and compassionate. If you’d like to make an appointment at either our Woodstock and Canton location, please call 770.720.7733 or simply schedule an appointment online.