‘Their brother and sister helped them get here’: Elizabeth Vale couple navigate grief while welcoming baby boys
Three months after enduring the worst heartbreak, these grieving parents received shocking news that would change their lives forever.
Lifestyle
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Against all medical advice and despite believing it was impossible, Cassandra and Jake Oest conceived twin boys after losing another set of twins only three months prior.
The couple had struggled with infertility for eight years, with Ms Oest being diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and endometriosis and Mr Oest experiencing slow sperm.
The pair had gone through 14 rounds of ovulation induction before they fell pregnant with their first twins in late 2023.
Tragically, in January 2024 the Elizabeth Vale family endured the devastating loss of their babies.
“The minimum requirement for baby (viability) … is 23 weeks (and) I was 22 weeks and five days – I was two days off,” Ms Oest said.
“That was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever been through.”
SA’S CUTEST CUMMER BABY: NOMINATE HERE
During her pregnancy, Ms Oest had suffered with an incompetent cervix and had a stitch put in place to stop her cervix dilating early.
Sadly, this stitch became infected, causing her to become septic and have to deliver her twins early, knowing they would be stillborn.
While their daughter, Ellie passed during labour, their son, Aiden was born alive and lived for three hours before dying in Ms Oest’s arms.
“Having to plan a funeral for your children is not natural,” Ms Oest said.
“We never knew who they would have been … but I can honestly say I’m still not healed from it.
“I felt, you know, quite hopeless after losing our first twins and I felt like am I ever meant to be a mum?”
While the couple were advised not to conceive due to the risks associated with them falling pregnant with multiple babies again, their determination to be parents pushed them to try once more.
After another round of ovulation induction, Ms Oest found out she was pregnant with twins in April 2024.
“My whole pregnancy was very, very stressful,” she said.
“It was terrifying after what we’ve been through … I (couldn’t) lose two more babies … I just said to my husband, ‘I won’t survive losing another two babies’.”
After threatening preterm labour at 32 weeks and spending 14 days in hospital, the Oest’s boys, Liam and Owen were born at 35 weeks in December via caesarean.
“Hearing them cry for the first time when my last labour was so quiet … that was what I needed,” the 28-year-old said.
“It’s hard to sort of describe exactly what it feels like … I can just sit there and stare at them and they are little miracles, like they’re not meant to be here, they literally defied so many obstacles.”
Ms Oest said she believes “their brother and sister” looked out for Liam and Owen and finds comfort in seeing similar features between the siblings.
“I never thought I’d be a twin mum but I am a twin mum of two sets of twins,” Ms Oest said,
“We’re so happy and it makes every bit of heartache and every bit of the hard days worth it.”
The Oest’s experience has encouraged them to become advocates for other families touched by stillbirth and infant loss with Ms Oest saying no-one should “suffer in silence”.
As they start making memories with Liam, Owen and their 12-year-old, Ms Oest said Ellie and Aiden will always be with them and even celebrated their first birthday in January.
The boys have been nominated in The Advertiser’s search for South Australia’s cutest summer baby.
To nominate a bub born in December, January or February click here.
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