LAKEPORT, Calif. – When Marvelle Ivey began volunteering for Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Family Birth Center, she had no idea that nurses still spoke of her infamous story.

Despite diligent prenatal care and an uneventful pregnancy, Ivey felt unusual back pain four months before her due date and rushed to Sutter Lakeside’s emergency department out of concern for her unborn twins.

The Ob-Gyn and Family Birth Center staff confirmed her fear: she was in labor four months too early. Shortly after admission, staff identified that Ivey was fully dilated.

“We administered medication to slow her contractions,” said Jackie Rad, RN, Family Birth Center nurse manager. “We put her in a position to minimize pressure on the amniotic sac and began coordinating with UCSF’s neonatal team to get them on site for delivery, and ensure that she and her babies had the best care possible.”

Because of the gestational age of the twins, a Cesarean section provided the safest option for delivery.

By the time Ivey went into the operating room, two transport teams from UCSF were on site at Sutter Lakeside.

“They were the size of baking potatoes when they were born,” Ivey said of her sons.

Jesse and James, born at 23 weeks and weighing less than 2 pounds each, were transported to the Neonatal Intensive Unit, or NICU, at UCSF.

“The nurses kept a journal about caring for the boys,” said Ivey. “I spoke with them every day and they gave me hope.”

The complications from premature birth multiplied: Jesse had heart surgery two weeks after birth to correct a valve, and James couldn’t breathe on his own while in the NICU.

“The doctor in San Francisco didn’t think James would make it,” said Ivey. “I ignored her because I knew he was strong. The last month before they came home, the boys were transferred to Santa Rosa Memorial. I knew they would be OK.”

After months in the NICU, the boys came home in February – just in time for their own baby shower.

The boys grew into rambunctious toddlers and are now normal preteens.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Both had motor skill issues, but otherwise were normal kids, getting into everything,” said Ivey. “Now they’re 12 and they love sports, they bicker – they’re such fun.”

Now, Ivey is giving back.

“When I volunteered, I didn’t know I’d be in the Birth Center,” said Ivey. “I haven’t been here in 12 years. When they told me my story is still circulating this hospital I thought ‘No way!’ They see it all – I’m sure they get a lot of difficult cases. If I knew they were still talking about it, I would have brought pictures in sooner!”

“We were so excited to find out that Marvelle, who is something of a living legend, was volunteering,” said Rad. “We’ve made such strides since she delivered here 12 years ago. We now offer neonatal telemedicine in partnership with Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, so a specialist is available at all times.”

Rad added, ““We’re proud to have been part of such an extraordinary story.”

To find out more about the Family Birth Center or how to volunteer, please visit www.sutterlakeside.org or call the Family Birth Center at 707-262-5087.