My twin girls arrived 12/16/06

I know I don't post much, but I loved reading birth stories in those final days of waiting, so here it goes.

We met with a peri for the first time on Friday, 12/15 because I had severe edema in my abdomen and down to my thighs. My c-section was scheduled for 1/4. He said he wasn't so concerned about the edema, but agreed that 2 more weeks wouldn't buy me too much in terms of the babies and he agreed to move the c-section up to 12/21 or 12/22. He was mostly concerned with uterine rupture if I went into labor since I had a prior myomectomy. I walked out of there flying high--I could definitely make it one more week! Well, I didn't have to...

At 2:30 the next morning (Saturday), my water broke and contractions followed within 30 minutes. As we waited for my mother to come over to watch our 3-year old, they got stronger. We got to the hospital around 3:30 or so. I begged for some "terp" to stop the labor and they agreed (especially considering the uterine rupture thing). They had me in the OR within an hour and the girls were delivered at 4:47 and 4:49 AM.
Baby A: Cathleen (Cate) Waldron: 5 lbs. 9 oz.
Baby B: Harper Bernadette: 6 lbs. 3 oz.

They both were fine and came out crying. They had to be monitored in the special care nursery for blood glucose the first day (I had gestational diabetes). I tried to nurse the entire time. Harper's blood sugar did drop once on day 3, so they supplemented. They also supplemented Cate because they suggested it and I agreed (very tired in the middle of the night). Both of their weights dropped below 10% before we left the hospital. I was concerned, so we've been supplementing with formula. My milk finally came in last night. Now the challenge is to transition them back to the breast. They really think it is a joke: they aren't very interested in working for it now that they have it easy with a bottle. So, we'll be working on that.

Otherwise, they are doing great. They sleep a ton which we are taking advantage of while it lasts. My edema is still pretty bad, but that should start going away soon.

We are so blessed to have them home for Christmas and doubly blessed that they are healthy.

Good luck to all of you in the final stages--it is all worth it in the end! I think I said about 100x while in the hospital: "I am SO glad it is over!".

I'll post pictures, but I need a small primer on how to do that!

 

I know I don't post much, but I loved reading birth stories in those final days of waiting, so here it goes.

We met with a peri for the first time on Friday, 12/15 because I had severe edema in my abdomen and down to my thighs. My c-section was scheduled for 1/4. He said he wasn't so concerned about the edema, but agreed that 2 more weeks wouldn't buy me too much in terms of the babies and he agreed to move the c-section up to 12/21 or 12/22. He was mostly concerned with uterine rupture if I went into labor since I had a prior myomectomy. I walked out of there flying high--I could definitely make it one more week! Well, I didn't have to...

At 2:30 the next morning (Saturday), my water broke and contractions followed within 30 minutes. As we waited for my mother to come over to watch our 3-year old, they got stronger. We got to the hospital around 3:30 or so. I begged for some "terp" to stop the labor and they agreed (especially considering the uterine rupture thing). They had me in the OR within an hour and the girls were delivered at 4:47 and 4:49 AM.
Baby A: Cathleen (Cate) Waldron: 5 lbs. 9 oz.
Baby B: Harper Bernadette: 6 lbs. 3 oz.

They both were fine and came out crying. They had to be monitored in the special care nursery for blood glucose the first day (I had gestational diabetes). I tried to nurse the entire time. Harper's blood sugar did drop once on day 3, so they supplemented. They also supplemented Cate because they suggested it and I agreed (very tired in the middle of the night). Both of their weights dropped below 10% before we left the hospital. I was concerned, so we've been supplementing with formula. My milk finally came in last night. Now the challenge is to transition them back to the breast. They really think it is a joke: they aren't very interested in working for it now that they have it easy with a bottle. So, we'll be working on that.

Otherwise, they are doing great. They sleep a ton which we are taking advantage of while it lasts. My edema is still pretty bad, but that should start going away soon.

We are so blessed to have them home for Christmas and doubly blessed that they are healthy.

Good luck to all of you in the final stages--it is all worth it in the end! I think I said about 100x while in the hospital: "I am SO glad it is over!".

I'll post pictures, but I need a small primer on how to do that!

 

I left out an important detail: they were born at 35 weeks, 5 days.

 

What a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL Christmas present!!! Those are great weights for 35 weeks!! CONGRATS on having your precious girls home for the holidays!!!

HUGS!

 

How wonderful!! Congratulations! Good luck with that nursing and the edema. Can't wait to see pictures!

 

Congrats, what a great story. Isn't it funny how things "just" happen sometimes. Your girls had wonderful weights!! It's terrific you are all home together for Christmas!! Yipeeee!!

 

Congratulations!!! What a wonderful Christmas surprise. Merry first Christmas babies!!

 

YAY!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
sweet girls!!!!!

What a wonderful Christmas present!! I am so glad you are all doing
so well!!!

 

wow...those are great weights. Glad they were able to come home with you.

What a relief that must be.

Good luck with the breast feeding....and see you over on the FY board soon!!

Miriam

 

Congratulations on your baby girls!!!
Helen

 

Congratulations! I love the names! And I am glad everyone is happy and healthy.

 

CONGRATS CONGRATS on your beautiful baby girls!!!!! What great weights! About the same as mine as i delivered my boyz at 35w5d too Have fun with them! I hope they catch on to nursing. Please seek out a lactation consultant if you can to help! I had one in the hosp and she kept in touch when I came home. She was catamount in supporting me to get Zach off bottles of ebm (he had latch on probs) and onto the breast

 

Congrats to you and your family on the new arrivals. How wonderful that they are both healthy enough to come home with you!!!!

 

Congrats on your new babies. I had mine the day after you. And like you I am so happy to be able to have them home for Christmas.

 

Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Cate and Harper!! I'm so glad to read that they're healthy and doing well. Good luck with the transition back to nursing!

 

Congratulations! Glad to hear everyone is doing well!

Try to get some rest!

 

Thanks for sharing your story! You must be so thrilled with their weights! Congratulations and welcome home to Cate and Harper!

 

and Congrats!

 

That is so exciting!! Congratulations to you all You are so fortunate to have such an awesome outcome, I can't believe they weighed that much, nice and healthy!!

Well have fun with your new gifts! Good luck with the first few weeks, I am sure you will do great!

Juli

 

Congratulations! What great weights.

Angela

 

Congrats and Happy Birthday! What great weights, too! Good luck w/the breastfeeding; i'm sure with some perseverance (and lots of patience!) you'll work it out. All that and a tax deduction, to boot!

 

Congratulations! Glad everything went well!

 

Congratulations!

 

Congratulations on your babies!!

Can't wait to see you over in the FY!!

 

Congratulations!What brilliant weights for 35 weeks x

 

Congratulations, that's wonderful! Funny how they just 'decide' to come into the world on their own terms.
I'm so glad you had them home for Christmas.
I know what you mean about them thinking breastfeeding is a joke; I swear mine actually smile when I hold the nipple to them - and then clamp their mouth shut! LOL

Good luck and see you on first year!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Cate and Harper! What great names! to the FY Board! Hope to see you around!