Marcello and Manuel's Arrival

Friday December 27, 2013



Neonatal Emergency Ambulances from St Vincent

Helicopter Medical Unit

Jodi awoke this morning with strong contractions and we immediately went to Columbus Regional Hospital (CRH) where they found that she was too far along to stop the delivery.  We had been seeing Dr Hiett (Medical Director Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist) from St Vincent's Women's Hospital in Indianapolis because we were diagnosed with having Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.  CRH had immediately contacted St Vincent's Women's Hospital and St Vincent sent over two Neonatal Intensive Care Units to CRH to stabilize and transport the boys if they were to be delivered in Columbus.  After Jodi had not delivered for several hours the decision was made to airlift her from CRH to St Vincent's Women's Hospital. She was loaded in the Helicopter Unit for the 20 minute flight. Upon arrival Jodi was re-examined and found to have had no change in her status since leaving CRH.  St Vincent's tried everything to stop the labor but Jodi continued to progress. Pastor Andrew Currao was with us and said a prayer for guidance. At 10 pm we met with Dr. Hiett to go over our options for delivery and it was then that we made the decision to have a controlled c-section that night, providing us with the best window for survival of the twins.  Three medical teams were assembled for the delivery; one for Jodi, one for Marcello, and one for Manuel.  At 11:30, Jodi was taken back into surgery with me there for the delivery. Dr Heitt did an amniocentesis, and then proceeded with the c-section. The boys were born on December 27, 2013 at 11:53 PM EST with Marcello being born first and Manuel second. They were born extremely premature at 23 weeks and 2 days gestation. They both whimpered when they were born and that was the most beautiful sound we had heard that night. They were immediately taken by the Neonatologists and they were able to get them intubated and get their umbilical lines started.

Video of Helicopter Medical Unit