Read Ella and Thea Floerkemeier's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Ella and Thea Floerkemeier

Zürich, Switzerland

July 21, 2019 - August 2, 2019

Jul 21, 2019 - Aug 2, 2019

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Ella Josephine and Thea Evelyn were born just one minute apart on July 21, 2019 at 25 weeks gestation. They weighed 500 and 790 grams.

As identical “modi” twins, Ella and Thea shared one placenta. This was a high risk and rare pregnancy further complicated because they shared the placenta unevenly causing Ella to have poor umbelical flow and much slower growth than her sister.

Despite being very small, however, Ella grew on her curve and showed no signs of stress while Thea with the larger placenta share thrived. We often observed what looked like boxing matches during our weekly ultrasounds.

At one point when Ella’s size discrepancy appeared to widen, fetal surgery to separate the placenta was discussed but determined too dangerous because of where their placenta attached... So we carried on without intervention, cautiously optimistic.

By week 24, Ella and Thea were considered viable and so we went inpatient for monitoring and a round of steroid shots and magnesium to strengthen their lungs and protect their brains.

Things continued to progress smoothly for about a week. Then on Sunday, July 21st a routine ultrasound showed Ella’s umbelical flow reversed and she stopped growing.

Our doctor conferred with the neonatal unit and recommended delivery that day at 25 weeks gestation. There was a significant risk that Ella would die in utero. Because they were connected through the placenta it was likely that Thea would soon follow or suffer severe brain damage. Statistically, they were safer out than in.

And so that afternoon Ella and Thea were born via csection. They were breathing on their own with near perfect apgar scores. We even heard them cry.

They were small but perfect in every way. We were hopeful they would survive but as they adjusted to life outside, their health declined rapidly. Both had severe respiratory distress syndrome and were unable to control their blood pressure and circulation. The neonatal staff performed nothing short of a miracle to keep them comfortable and alive, however, the damage from their very rough start had dire consequences.

Just as they started to improve we learned both Ella and Thea sustained severe brain bleeds, soon followed by a litany of complication including infections, retinopathy and perforated intestines. Nothing more could be done to improve or reverse this damage.

On July 31, Ella died peacefully in our arms. Two days later, I held Thea against my chest as they took out her intubation. She stopped breathing immediately. They were 10 and 12 days old.

Although Ella and Thea were here for a very short time, we hope that they felt our love and somehow knew how much they were cared for and wanted. We’re terribly sorry that we couldn’t do more to bring them into this world but we also realize how fortunate we were to have been able to give them a chance.

We can’t bring Ella and Thea back but we hope we can give their short lives meaning by sharing their story and contributing to an organization that helps children in need.

Much love,
Christian, Allison and Sophie

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