Expecting twins when you have underlying health conditions can be scary.
“Thank goodness I was at Sunnybrook,” says Brianne Newsome, who has low iron and low hemoglobin, a bleeding tendency and a congenital heart defect.
Sunnybrook’s obstetrical medical team comprises experts from maternal fetal medicine (high-risk obstetrics), as well as hematology, cardiology, oncology, respirology, neurology, nephrology, endocrinology and gastroenterology. Sunnybrook is one of the only hospitals in Canada to offer such a wide range of specialists for pregnant patients with complex medical needs.
Brianne received four iron infusions during her pregnancy, had regular appointments with her cardiologist, and ultrasounds every two weeks. For patients, the coordinated care is a gamechanger.
“The team is constantly in touch with each other,” explains Dr. Nir Melamed, maternal fetal medicine specialist who delivered Brianne’s twins and is the Head of the Twins Clinic at Sunnybrook and the Sunnybrook Twins Research Centre. “We’re updating each other, making a plan for delivery and ensuring the patient’s voice is heard too.”
Dr. Anne McLeod is a hematologist who cares for pregnant patients at Sunnybrook. She agrees with Dr. Melamed that the coordinated approach is key. “If I couldn’t see her obstetrician in person for a debrief, I would make sure I read his notes. All of her care team were on the same page.”
Brianne’s twins were born in September, just over 37 weeks. She received a special treatment just before her scheduled C-section – as recommended by Dr. McLeod – to minimize the risk of bleeding during the surgery. She gave birth to two healthy babies: Chloe weighed 6.2 pounds and her brother Liam was 7.2 pounds. Jake, their big brother who is two and a half years old, is thrilled with being an older sibling.
“If you’re pregnant and have pre-existing health conditions, this is the place to be,” adds Brianne.
