596 | Leila Two Sets of Twins, Two Different Journeys: Leila’s Christmas Day Birth Story & Postpartum Village

From dancing with a glass of non-alcoholic bubbles on Christmas morning to birthing her daughter Elka at home and then transferring to hospital for a footling breech birth of baby Finn in the birth pool, Leila’s story is one of trust, intuition, and the incredible power of water birth for twins. She also shares invaluable insights about postpartum planning, the reality of caring for five children, and how she honoured her final 40-day lying-in period.

Leila’s Unexpected Twin Discovery

Leila’s journey to her second set of twins began with a surprise pregnancy just one week after moving house. “I think it was the only time since the other twins were born,” she laughs, reflecting on how quickly life changed from planning for one more child to preparing for twins again. After experiencing hyperemesis with her first twin pregnancy, this time felt different – she was sick but nowhere near as severely, partly because “I just had to get on with it” whilst caring for two-year-old twins.

The moment of discovery at her 20-week scan was both shocking and amusing: “The lady put it on my tummy and went, ‘well, there’s two in there’ and then pulled it off straight away. And we both cracked up laughing like, ‘you’re hilarious.’ And she’s like, ‘I’m so sorry. That was a terrible way to share that news.'”

Preparing for Birth: Building Your Village

One of the most valuable aspects of Leila’s story is her approach to village-building. Recognising the challenges ahead, she and her husband made the strategic decision to hire an au pair and renovate their home to accommodate their growing family. “The cost of putting the twins in childcare for one day a week worked out to be pretty much the same price as an au pair who works 35 hours a week,” she explains.

Leila’s preparation extended beyond practical support to include a private midwife who had excellent relationships with the local hospital. This proved crucial when navigating the medical system’s approach to twin birth. Her midwife’s collaborative relationship with hospital staff meant that when transfer became necessary, the transition was smooth and supportive.

Christmas Day Labour: Trusting Your Body

Labour began in the most festive way possible – after Leila posted a video of herself dancing to Christmas music with a glass of non-alcoholic bubbles. “I had my first contraction and I was like, I think that was… and it was funny because the whole way through you sort of towards the end you start to have stronger Braxton Hicks or little niggles and you’re like, was that a contraction? I can’t really remember. And then when you have your first one you’re like, that’s a contraction, that’s one.”

What followed was a rapid labour that escalated from 10-minute intervals to three minutes apart within hours. Leila’s experience highlights the unpredictable nature of twin births and the importance of being prepared for quick changes.

The Power of Water and Informed Choice

When labour progressed rapidly at home, Leila found herself fully dilated and birthing her daughter Elka on land – her first birth outside of water. “It was my first land birth. So I’d never given birth on land before. Yeah, so I really felt that ring of fire.” The contrast between water and land birth became even more significant as her story unfolded.

After Elka’s birth, with baby Finn presenting as breech and contractions continuing every 10 minutes, the decision was made to transfer to hospital. Leila’s midwife explained: “For the best chance of you having a vaginal birth for twin B, I would really like to transfer. I don’t want these paramedics to be my backup for a breech twin birth at home.”

Hospital Transfer and Breech Birth

The hospital experience showcased both the challenges and benefits of birthing within the medical system. When an obstetrician recommended a caesarean section, Leila asked for five minutes to think. “I said, ‘is it emergency right now?’ and she said, ‘no, you can have a minute.’ And I said, ‘okay, I want to…’ because I was like, I was going through my head like, how am I gonna sit still for the needle in my back?”

In a moment that perfectly illustrates the power of water and maternal instinct, Leila asked to get into the birth pool to discuss her options. “I got in the water, my midwife just said, ‘something came over you.’ She’s like, ‘you just dropped into your body.'” Within minutes of entering the water, Finn’s waters appeared, and he was born in a footling breech presentation – “on paper the most non-appropriate twin breech birth ever,” as her midwife noted.

The Reality of Twin Postpartum

Leila’s honesty about postpartum recovery is refreshing and valuable. “I really felt internally bruised, I think from that long pushing breech birth… more so than any of my other births.” Despite this, she was determined to honour her final postpartum period properly, implementing a 40-day lying-in period.

“Knowing that it’s my last time, we’re not doing this again… there’s also a bit of grief and mourning in that. And so really accepting that was my last ever postpartum… I’m gonna take my 40 days and I’m not gonna feel guilty and I’m just gonna like lie in bed and do me and the babies because once you get up you don’t get to get back down, do you?”

Village Support in Action

Leila’s approach to postpartum support offers a blueprint for other families. From organising village cook-ups where friends prepared over 200 portions of food for £700, to having her mother provide nightly support during the first six weeks, every element was thoughtfully planned. “My mum comes over most nights… she’d give the twins a bottle, I’d have a quick shower and then I’d go and read the other twins a bedtime story.”

The integration of her au pair, Lila from California, proved invaluable: “She arrived at the start of December and we sort of hoped to have a bit more time for her to settle, but she was willing to jump in head first. And then, yeah, she got to experience her first birth on Christmas day.”

The Importance of Choice and Advocacy

Throughout her journey, Leila demonstrates the importance of informed choice and self-advocacy. When an obstetrician recommended a caesarean section, she asked for time to process the information. This pause allowed her body to do what it needed to do, resulting in a successful vaginal breech birth. The story illustrates how different birth paths can unfold when women are given space to make informed decisions that feel right for them.

“I think it’s so easy to make a decision from a moment of panic. And then if you can ask them, ‘is this an emergency?’ And they say, ‘no,’ say ‘okay great, just give me five minutes and then we’ll reassess.'”

This episode is essential listening for anyone expecting twins, birth workers supporting twin families, or anyone interested in the intersection of home birth planning and hospital care. Leila’s story proves that with the right support, preparation, and trust in the birth process, positive twin birth experiences are absolutely possible.

For more information about postpartum support and village building, visit Leila’s website Village for Mama and follow her journey on social media where she continues to share insights about navigating life with five children and supporting other families in their postpartum journey.