Surprise Twins: Why This Birth Story is Captivating the Internet

When Nicole and Matthew Zissmer got married and found out Nicole was pregnant, they couldn't have been happier.

The couple, residing in the United States, had a clear vision of how they wanted the pregnancy and birth to unfold, with the motto 'as few hospital visits or doctor appointments as possible.' "We knew the birth would be at home and decided in advance to skip the ultrasound," they said.

According to their beliefs, the less external intervention and doctor control in their lives, the greater the chances for a peaceful and idyllic life.

However, plans often change in unexpected ways: four weeks before her due date, Nicole felt unwell and experienced a water break. "We had to go to the hospital, which ended up being a step that saved us. I don't want to think about what could have happened if our timing was a bit different," said Matthew, who was asked to rush home and pack bags for the impending birth.

Within a few hours, Nicole was already in the delivery room, and despite the pain she was enduring, she initially refused to get an epidural during labor. It wasn’t until after 30 hours of suffering that Matthew intervened and asked her to consider the epidural to make the delivery easier.

"At This Point More Professionals Started Arriving"

She agreed, and shortly after, their daughter Blakely came into the world.

The two were overjoyed, but then their eyes widened in astonishment when the doctor—Dr. Megan Forshee—told them it wasn't over yet. After delivering the placenta, the doctor announced she felt another head. "We were in absolute shock; we didn't know what she meant," recalled Matthew. "Nicole was too exhausted to respond, but I could tell she was completely unprepared for this."

At that point, more staff began to show up one after another, wanting to witness the dramatic moment of a surprise second baby being born—despite everyone expecting the birth to conclude with just one child. "Everyone present in the room was deeply moved.

"It's not something they see often. Our Caden arrived an hour after his sister, and unfortunately, he had some breathing issues. He had to stay connected to a breathing machine for a few days, but now he's a healthy, ordinary child," Matthew concludes with gratitude.