43-year-old Gabriela Gastelum was born prematurely at just 25 weeks, weighing only a pound. She had a grade three brain bleed at birth, which required the placement of two shunts to drain fluid from her brain. Despite being told by doctors that she would never be able to have children due to her medical history, Gastelum refused to give up hope and underwent six cycles of IVF before successfully becoming pregnant with twins.
During her pregnancy, Gastelum experienced complications as fluid began to build up in her brain again. Neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas Beaumont had to insert an external shunt to drain the fluid, allowing Gastelum to wake up and continue with her pregnancy. Two weeks later, she delivered her twins, Liyah and Natalia, with Liyah surprising everyone by being born with the shunt catheter in her hand.
Despite the challenges she faced as a preemie and throughout her pregnancy, Gastelum’s family is now healthy, happy, and ready for the future. After a stay in the NICU for 56 and 107 days, both twins were able to go home with their mother. Following the birth, Gastelum underwent another shunt revision performed by Dr. Beaumont and his team to address her ongoing medical needs.
Gastelum’s journey from a premature birth to becoming a mother of twins is nothing short of miraculous. Her resilience and determination in pursuing parenthood despite the odds stacked against her are truly inspiring.
Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how difficult or daunting it may seem, anything is possible if you believe in yourself and don’t give up on your dreams.
Gastelum’s experience shows us that even when faced with adversity or obstacles along the way, it’s important not to lose sight of what we want and keep pushing forward towards our goals.
In conclusion, Gabriela Gastelum’s story is one of perseverance and triumph over adversity. Her journey from prematurity to parenthood is nothing short of remarkable and serves as an inspiration for anyone facing similar challenges or obstacles in life.
