The Birth of our twins, Ashling and Ciara

Below is an email that we sent out but we didn't have everybody's email address so many of you might not have received it.



Dear friends and Family.


We are finally getting around to writing a quick mail to thank you all for your kind thoughts and loving support. The texts and emails of good wishes from everyone have been phenomenal. We are sorry for the lack of contact and information that we have given you but we have found it tough going over the past week and it has been too emotional to put down in words.

As many of you know we came in to Auckland Women’s Hospital last Thursday morning to be induced. On Saturday morning at 2am the doctors decided to do an emergency C-Section because Ashlings’s heart rate kept dipping and they didn’t think she’d last the stress of a natural birth. It was all really scary and Car and I found the C- section quite overwhelming. Little Ashling was born first and was whisked away to do whatever they do with newborns before she was taken to NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit).

Next our second twin, our little angel Ciara, (who had passed away at 7 months) was born and she was tiny altogether. Finally they removed the placentas, which were fused together. All in all it took about 10 minutes and another 20 or so to sew up my brave and beautiful wife back together.

I know you are all wondering how our little Ashling is getting on so we will try to explain what we know.

The text that was sent to some of you said that she had a few problems, that was for the want of a better word and the lack of information that we had at the time. We don’t have much more information but her symptoms are that she doesn’t move some of her joints very well. She lacks movement in her hands and fingers, and her arms and legs don’t extend fully. Also her diaphragm didn’t develop properly so her lung is squashed, making it difficult for her to breathe properly, and her liver and bowel are displaced on that side.

She is a strong little thing and is breathing quite well with her good lung although she still requires the aid of oxygen. Although she is in intensive care she is quite a content baby and doesn’t seem to be struggling in any way, which is a great thing.

She has undergone some extensive tests this week and we are meeting with the doctors to discuss the initial results tomorrow or Monday.

We got to spend some time with our little daughter Ciara on Saturday and again briefly on Sunday before she was taken to Wellington for an Autopsy. This was very special and emotional for us both, passing away at week 29 she was remarkably real like but a tiny wee thing. The midwives had dressed her in a lovely outfit and put her in a little basket. We got to hold her, said some prayers with her and it is time we will cherish forever.

Caroline is recovering well from the c-section but is trying to be too strong and has been over doing it the past few days paying the price yesterday by getting sick and exhausted. She has finally got some rest and is now recovering well. She is getting around a lot better today.

The staff here in the hospital, the consultants, doctors, midwifes and nurses are fantastic, most of them can’t do enough for us and are so compassionate and friendly. Many of them have gone well beyond the call of duty, it is has just been great.

That’s about all the information that we have at this time but we will send another mail when we have some more news on Ashling. Thanks again for all your prayers and thoughts.

Lots of love,