Tenielle Sheppard

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am Tenielle, mama to beautiful 14 month old twin boys Madden and Hudson (Huddie). Born and raised in Canberra, however I moved to a small town when I was 15 which is where I met my partner, and moved back to Canberra 11 years ago.

My partner is a FIFO worker so it has essentially been a long distance relationship for it’s entirety, though since our boys were born he relocated from his job in Mongolia and is now a little closer to home in Orange.

What were you doing before babies/children?

Before babies I worked for the Division of Surgery in one of our hospitals by day and was a gym junky by night.

I also spent a lot of time traveling between here, Tumut and the coast visiting my family.

How did you come to be a mum?

I have always wanted to be a mum!

After what felt like the longest 12 months of my life and 2 miscarriages later, we decided to look further into fertility.

I was told that it was likely that endometriosis and a blockage in my tubes was causing issues and that I would need to have surgery.

We took a beat to regroup, it was September and my partner was due to go back overseas for work for 3 months the following month, so we decided to wait until the new year and start fresh then.

Come mid October, my partner was back at work and I was 2 weeks late but in major denial. I eventually decided to take a test and it was positive.

I didn’t want to get too excited, we had been here before, but I booked in to have all the relevant appointments and go through the motions.

I asked to have an early ultrasound given we had just been told I probably had blocked tubes so I wanted to make sure all was okay.

So at 5w3d I am having an ultrasound, on my own, when the tech asks me how many babies I was hoping for.. I was a bit confused, what kind of question is that to ask? So I said ‘umm, one?’.

Tech: ‘how many spots can you see on that screen?’

Me: ‘umm two?’

Tech: ‘congratulations you’re having twins!’

Me: ‘he’s going to freak!’

My partner’s 3 month work trip turned into a 7 month work trip thanks to Covid and he made it home just before I was admitted to hospital with severe preeclampsia.

I had an emergency Caesar at 35+3 to two healthy boys, Madden weighing 2.2kg and Huddie weighing 1.7kg.

What has your feeding journey been like?

Our little guys spent the first 3 weeks in special care growing and learning to feed. They both had NG tubes for primary feeding and I would attempt 2 breastfeeds each per day.

Over the 3 week period, nurses introduced bottles overnight as well so that we could ween them off the NG tubes.

Once we were at home, Huddie’s weight gain slowed a little so we had to move him to a bottle to monitor his volumes and add milk fortifier.

I tried to breastfeed at least a couple of times a day but the majority of their feeds were EBM and when we got stuck living with my in-laws for 3 months over lockdown the breastfeeding really dropped off as it was too cold to lock myself in a room in their old house.

I have continued to express though, so whilst I’m sad our breastfeeding journey was short, I feel so grateful that I have been able to continue feeding my boys.

What has sleep been like in your house?

I’m so blessed, from about 4.5 months my little monkeys have slept through 7 to 7. They’re also good sleepers through the day. I am completely aware how extremely lucky I am haha, especially having two babes!

The hardest bits…

Not being able to share milestones as a family and like so many others I’m sure, covid has really restricted us from doing a lot of what I’d hoped for in the first year.

The best bits…

Having two little best friends and being lucky enough to spend each day with them, watching them grow.

How do you make time for yourself?

Haha what’s that?! Now that we are down to one sleep during the day, I try to take advantage of that time and do something for myself, even if it’s just reading a book or watching trashy tv.

I do get the occasional day to myself when my partner is home, and I’ll go and get my hair done.

What’s next for you and your family?

We are working towards purchasing a business which will allow us to all be together as a family! Can’t wait!

If you could talk to your pre baby/kid self, what advice would you give?

Be kind to yourself and learn how to ask for help!