Last Updated on February 11, 2022 by
Hello People!
It feels like ages since we left. In effect, a year is gone and many things happened since the last time I took care of this blog. First of all, apologies for not being around. However, I got a good excuse (which is not related to the pandemic). Let me start from the beginning!
Table of Contents
December 2019
During December 2019, immediately after my last trip to Austria, I discovered I was pregnant. Me and Alessio welcomed the news with great joy, obviously unaware that two months forward the entire world would have turned upside down.
January 2020 – Twin pregnancy
In January 2020, we discovered that instead of one baby we’re expecting twins (you can imagine my complete shock). We were happy anyway but the doctors anticipated us that the pregnancy was a high risk type and this scared us a lot.
2020
At the end of January my parent told me that a strange virus apparently originating from China was circulating in Italy. The news from around the globe were not comforting and I knew it was a matter of time until this would reach the UK in full force. I start shielding as much as possible by avoiding public spaces and crowded places. My pregnancy was already at risk without the need of expose myself to additional dangers.
In the meantime, the difficulties of a twin pregnancy start kicking since the first trimester. I had terrible pains and nausea, most days I couldn’t even get out of the bed (imagining to write a blog). I had to give up going at work because I felt terrible all the time and even simple tasks became incrisingly difficult.
Being pregnant during a pandemic
As the pregnancy moved forward, I was happy the babies were in good health but my health was going down the rope. The covid-19 emergency was declared a global pandemic and I felt left behind. Alessio wasn’t admitted to the the scans anymore and I had to face everything on my own during the checks. I could’t share the joy of this pregnancy with friends and family and had to face months of isolation and fear. In the fifth month of my pregnancy, I start feeling very bad. I was itching terribly, had terrible pains and couldn’t sleep through the night. I was diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis. A rare illness that affect the liver and bile causing terrible itching (the term itching is a joke, is like you’re going on fire) and pains. In addition, I had also preeclampsia and I needed to be monitored constantly.
With the global pandemic swiping around the world and my health conditions, we had to cancel our (already paid) trip to Japan. Luckily we didn’t lost any money but after a year planning this trip, you can imagine my disappointment.
My third trimester was the worst. My health conditions were worsening and I was admitted at the hospital every week until the delivery.
The babies were born on 23rd of July, after 22 hours in labour, an emergency cesarean section, a haemorrhage and lots of scary moments. Now, after six months I am very happy the babies are healthy and strong. On the other side, I am still on recovery mode. Postpartum wasn’t easy and it turned out that I will probably need to be on a medication for my liver forever, BUT I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and start to return to my normal life.
Introducing Alex and Chris
Now, let me introduce you these two little balls of joy. Alex and Chris. They have brought us so much joy and made our life more complicated but worthy. They have two very distinct personalities and it is very funny to watch them grow and learn new things. Alex is quieter than his brother, he likes to touch everything with his little hands and doing baby talk 24/7. Chris is tireless and playful, he has a passion for fruit and he likes to scream non-stop to get your attention. Both are incredibly curious and for sure they made our life busier than ever been!
Travelling with twins?
Since I discovered I was expecting twins, I started preparing ourselves for our future travels. With the pandemic still going on, we decided that is not safe at the moment to undertake travels. However, if the situation improve and we will get a vaccine, summer 2021 might be our starting point as a travelling family. Of course, this won’t be easy as when we were alone but we are looking forward to start our travel adventure together and show these babies the world.
What’s up with the blog?
Because of my health problems, I couldn’t follow and update the blog as I wished to do. However, I hope to start writing again! The tourism sector is very changed since last year and it’s difficult to talk about travel when you can’t move from home. Anyway, I hope to give you some inspiration from when travelling will be possible again.
With love,
Laura
