Birth story and pics

I hate not having a pc at home. It makes online journaling very difficult especially since I'm on a maternity leave and the only real pc I have access to is at work. My sister Christian is gracious enough to let me use her pc so I've got a few moments to catch up....



The boys made their arrival on Monday October 22 after a very long and uncomfortable weekend. I had a regularly scheduled OB appt on Monday in the afternoon, but called first thing Monday morning to see if they could see me earlier since I'd been having contractions most of the weekend. They took me in early and upon checking me discovered I was about 1 cm dilated and "soft". The OB on call (my OB was off on the 22nd) sent me over to the L&D to be monitored since I was still having contractions.



Once I arrived to L&D, they started a non stress test and each baby passed with flying colors. My contractions continued and became pretty intense at times. The OB came in a few hours later and checked me again and I was still dilating and my contractions weren't slowing after giving me IV fluids. It was decided that these babies were going to be born as soon as an operating room became available. I was not at all prepared for giving birth. I didn't have a bag packed, I hadn't shaved my legs (in weeks) and I was not mentally prepared to become a mother to twins. I had been so focused on being pregnant the last 35 weeks that the thought of them actually coming out of my body was a bit daunting. I fully expected to go another 3 or 4 weeks, but here I was at 35 weeks and 4 days about to meet my boys.



AS soon as the space became available, I was walked down to the OR and prepped for surgery. They let my sister stand in the next room and videotape through a window. I've only seen the video once and it makes my incision hurt. Ouch.



Van Christian Whitman was born at 3:47 pm followed by his brother Finn Walt Whitman at 3:49. Both boys were breech and they had a tough time getting Finn out. He had some pretty nasty bruises on his hips and thighs from his birth experience. Van weighed in at 5 lbs 1 oz and Finn was 6 lbs 3 oz. The pediatrician in the OR commented on their coloring. Finn was very red and his brother was very pale. He asked the OB if the placenta showed any signs of twin to twin transfusion because of their color but the OB didn't see anything. It turns out Finn got more red blood cells than Van. I was told that Finn would have this "red" coloring until his 1st or 2nd birthday. It makes it easy for me to tell them apart!



The boys got all cleaned up and I got to give them a kiss before they were taken back to our room. They were so beautiful. They looked just like their big sister. I was so happy to have them here, safely...



Once I got back to the room, I was able to hold Van. He was so tiny, but looked great. He was a bit pale, but his color had improved since birth. Finn was still being worked on. They weren't pleased with his respiration rate so he had to be taken to the nursery to be given oxygen. I didn't think too much of it at the time and figured he'd be back shortly once they'd resolved this minor issue. He never came back to my room. He was having quite a tough time breathing and couldn't tolerate room air. Two days later he was shipped to a hospital with a NICU about 30 minutes away. That was probably the most awful day of my life. I was so scared for Finn. We watched them put him in this mobile incubator, hooked up to all kinds of monitors and tubes. They wheeled him down the hall of the maternity ward and I watched as he left the hospital. I was so afraid I would never see him again.



Van and I spent one more night in the hospital and were discharged a day early so we could go and be with Finn. When we finally saw Finn again, he looked so much better. The neonatologist had spoken with us on a couple of occasions and was very optimistic on Finn's recovery. His chest xrays were improving and he eventually started eating and the tubes and wires that were monitoring and sustaining him were slowly being removed as he got better. We visited every day for as long as we could. It was so hard having Van and Ava at home and Finn in the hospital. I wanted to be there every minute, but couldn't because I had 2 other children to care for.



Finn finally came home on October 30th. It had been a long 6 day stay in the NICU, though I know from our time spent there, 6 days was nothing compared to some of the other babies there. Finn's roommate had been there for 78 days. I just couldn't imagine.



Coming home day was so great. I finally had my family all together. All of my children were home and safe. I couldn't have been happier. The boys continue to thrive. They had their 2 week check up yesterday and they're doing wonderfully. Van is 5lbs9oz and Finn is 6lbs9oz. They are great eaters and so mellow. I'm pretty exhausted but doing well otherwise. This c section was much easier to recover from, I'm not sure why, but it has been- maybe because I knew what to expect. I don't know.. I'm just so happy to have my boys here and it also doesn't suck that I'm not pregnant anymore- the last few weeks of this twin pregnancy was pretty tough. It's nice to have my body back a little bit.

Van

Finn

Van and Finn 2 weeks old

 

They are absolutely adorable. Thanks for your story- I still can't really believe I'm carrying twins either. Is Ava enjoying being a big sister?

 

Congratulations!! They are adorable!

 

They're adorable--congratulations!!

I love the pics when they're first born. They look like they'll have no problems making their feelings known!! :winking0009:

 

:birthday: Van :birthday: Finn!

Way to go, Momma. Glad they are both home and well! Enjoy this tiny baby time. They are precious!

 

OH! What adorable little babes! Happy to hear that Finn made it home after a relatively short stay (though I'm sure it didnt' feel that way at the time) and that both boys are doing great! Congrats!

 

Congrats!! They look great!!

 

Thanks for sharing your story! It made me realize I really should pack my bag this weekend just in case!!

Your boys are beautiful!!

 

Congratulations!! They're beautiful .

 

What a great story. Congratulations on having both boys home with you.

 

They are so cute!! And I love their names!!
Congrats!!

 

Thank you for sharing your birth story! Congratulations on beautiful, darling boys!

 

oh they are precious! glad thier home

 

Great birth story! Make sure to print up your birth story for the babies' books!! Congratulations!

 

congrats! What beautiful boys!

 

They're adorable! Congrats!!!

 

Congratulations on your new arrivals and they look gorgeous in the pics.

 

Your boys are just beautiful!
I am happy to hear you are home with your whole family together.

 

Wow, they really look ID! Congrats again and we'll see you in FY!

 

Wow they are really good looking babies! Congratulations and welcome to FY

 

Thanks for your birth story-It made me sad imagining how it would feel to see one of your babies wheeled away unsure of the outcome-I can not imagine how hard that must have been. I am so happy to hear that everything is great now and you are all home together and healthy-Good luck to all of you...it sure will be a great Thanksgiving for you and your newly extended family!
They so perfect-and they look so happy together!

 

So happy to hear that the babies are home and doing well despite a bit of a rough start. Your boys are gorgeous! I love their little mouths, so beautiful!!

Congratulations to you and to Ava on becoming a big sis!