LOS ANGELES – Parents and nurses appear to be seeing double sight at Cedars-Sinai Children’s Hospital after what they’re calling a “twin baby boom.”
Ten sets of twins were born at the Los Angeles hospital and are being cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the same time. According to Cedars-Sinai, most of the babies were boys, weighing between 2 and 6 pounds.
“We’re used to twins, we’re used to multiple babies, but having so many at the same time is a huge accomplishment,” said Ashley Richardson, the NICU nurse assistant. “I don’t know what the record is, but 10 is pretty close,” she said.
For Diana and Jordan Edelstein, first-time parents, finding out they were expecting twins was a pleasant surprise.
“I had always envisioned having boy and girl twins, and somehow, by the grace of God, we were able to make that vision come true,” said Diana Edelstein.
Although the twins were born prematurely, the new parents say the pair are growing and hope to bring them home soon.
Malka Naomi Feldman, who gave birth to twin daughters, says she feels “doubly blessed.” A twin herself, Feldman wasn’t surprised when she found out she was pregnant with twins, but was shocked when a medical examination of the pregnancy showed one of the babies was in jeopardy, prompting doctors to attend the delivery. at only 34 weeks.
Feldman said she is counting down the days with her husband until she can introduce her new daughters to her 2-year-old brother at home.
Jordan Edelstein was shocked to see 10 sets of twins in the NICU with them, but was reassured by talking to the other parents.
“It’s heartwarming to see so many other families going through the same thing,” she said.
“Seeing all these twins brings back happy memories for me,” said Bevin Merideth, deputy NICU director. She recalled when her twin sisters, then newborns, were in the NICU, one of the reasons she became a nurse.
“We hope to hear from these parents and see photos of the progress of the twins at home. Perhaps next year around this time we will have a meeting with 20 1-year-old babies,” he said.
