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Becoming a mum to premature twins was the hardest challenge Jess Logan ever faced – but 18 years on they are the greatest joy of her life.
Jess was shocked to learn she was carrying MCDA twins, a high-risk type of identical twins, and endured a difficult pregnancy.
She was admitted to Mater Mothers’ Hospital for a month of round-the-clock care before her babies were born at just 34 weeks’ gestation, due to preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy.
Her tiny babies weighed just 1.8kg and 2.2kg, but fast forward 18 years and William and Jacob are 188cm tall and ready for university – while Jess now supports vulnerable mums and babies herself as a specialist Senior Sonographer at Mater Mothers’ Maternal Fetal Medicine unit.
The boys’ 18th birthday falls in the same week as World Prematurity Day (Monday 17 November) – a special day for the families of around 1800 premmies cared for at Mater each year.
“It wasn’t an easy pregnancy, I had high blood pressure and other complications of preeclampsia, so I became quite unwell,” Jess said.
“Towards the end of my pregnancy both the boys showed signs of growth restriction and were taken straight to the Neonatal Critical Care Unit after their delivery – but look at them now!
“They’ve grown into incredible young men, the best of friends and I couldn't be prouder of them.”
Jess initially worked in Correctional Services to support her young family but later undertook a STEPS course and impressed tutors with her top grades.
“As my grades rolled in, my career advisor told me I could study whatever I wanted to at university and when I saw a degree in sonography, I knew that was what I wanted to do,” Jess said.
“I remembered how my sonographer had cared for me when I was a young mum-to-be and scared about having twins.
“It’s more than technical skill and medical knowledge, you’re spending 30-60 minutes with a patient and making them feel safe and supported.
“You can really change how patients look at themselves and their pregnancy. It’s such an important role.”
Jess is part of a small team of highly-skilled sonographers working in Mater’s Maternal Fetal Medicine unit, which provides expert diagnosis and care for complex and high-risk pregnancies.
“I feel very fortunate to work with such an experienced and exceptional team of sonographers, midwives, administrative staff and doctors,” she said.
Her high-achieving boys will not be following their mum into a healthcare career, however.
They are both hoping to study a double degree in engineering and architecture at QUT next year and their dream is to open a design and construction business together.
