Our beautiful twins have arrived!

Hi everyone. I am finally back to the land of the living and wanted to update you all on our wonderful news! Samuel and Josie were born happy and healthy on Dec 1st at 37 weeks and 1 day! Samuel James was 6 lbs 5 oz and Josephine Ruth was 6 lbs 1 oz.

Now the story of their birth and my post partum stay was not ideal.. but the end result was 2 healthy babies!!! If you have some time and are interested please read our story below. It is very detailed because I just copied it from another document that I started to be sure to capture everything while it was still fresh in my mind.

Hospital stay pre-birth:

I started off my hospital stay on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (Nov 24) when doctors thought that my labor would be too quick because of being 5 cm dilated. It was hard being there away from my DS since he wasn’t allowed to visit me in the hospital. Luckily, we were allowed daily visits in the hospital parking lot. Also, my DH was a huge help staying with me many of the nights. Visits from friends and family also helped pass the time. And my new friend ambien helped make the sleepless nights a lot better!

We had a false alarm on Thanksgiving day where we spent the day and night in Labor and Delivery because of contractions and being further dilated (to 6 cm) but nothing happened (other than me not being able to eat on Thanksgiving day!!). So, from there, we made it to our scheduled induction day of Tuesday, Dec 1. I was 37 weeks and 1 day which is so great for twins!

The day before the induction was so stressful knowing what would happen the next day but when Dec 1 arrived, we were both pretty calm.

Samuel and Josie’s birthday:

My ob started things off by breaking my water around 8:30 am. At that time, I was 7cm and not feeling any contractions. So, you would think it would be pretty quick from there... well... no! They started pitocin and kept increasing it and increasing it all day. I got an epidural pretty early when I started feeling contractions but I didn't get to the point I did with Ben so that was nice. However, after the epidural, I started having some low blood pressure and high heart rate problems. Nothing too major but they were concerned about an infection or something and put me on some kind of antibiotic briefly. Finally around 2:45 or so, they said things were ready and they took us to the operating room. We had to deliver in there just in case of emergencies. I can't imagine if we had not been there.

So we get in the OR and it is bright and about a million people are in there. Basically, one set of everything (ob's, nurses, nicu staff, etc) for each baby. Plus med students, etc. that just wanted to watch what was supposed to be a very simple twin delivery. I had to delivery on a cold, hard OR table... it was very uncomfortable for pushing. But that didn't seem to matter. Little Josie was ready right to make her debut! After a few pushes, she was out and was doing great. They let me see her but not hold her. Then the chaos began. I had 2 ob's pushing like crazy on my belly trying to position baby B (Samuel). He was still very high in my belly and he needed to drop into a position where I could push. The doctors were trying to maneuver him. This was all expected and normal but still very intense because so many scenarios could happen.. It was quite uncomfortable feeling all of the pushing on my belly because my epidural had worn off a lot right before we went to the OR... the nurses said that was good for pushing so I didn’t ask to increase the meds. I could feel contractions and could move my body decently when I arrived in the OR. So, back to Samuel… after a few minutes of doctor pushing on my belly my ob told me to push and when I did, I could tell they were nervous and they kept talking about "artifact" being in the way, etc. They were doing more pushing on my belly and after a minute or probably less my ob came up to my face and said, I am very sorry but we have to do a c-section because both placentas have detached and are coming out before Baby B (Samuel). Now, I understood why they were calling it artifact.. .they didn’t want to scare me because I knew that placentas before baby was worse case scenario and that Samuel was definitely under distress by now.. However, at this time, my ob seemed very calm so I stayed calm too. My DH was being so incredibly supportive during all of this too by holding my hand and talking right into my ear.

One fact I forgot to mention was that anesthesiology was not in the OR as they were supposed to be. From the time we got in the OR, my ob kept saying "where is anesthesiology? Someone page them!". When it was time for the baby B (Samuel), my OB started getting very upset and finally anesthesiology showed up right around the time they told me I would need a c-section. The other ob (my ob’s partner) told me that they were putting me completely under and not to be scared. However, I knew they only put mother’s under when there was a chance for something bad to happen so I was starting to get scared. Everything was in slow motion at this point… my ob’s started getting very upset at anesthesiology and asking them why I wasn’t under yet. The anesthesiologist said “I thought you just wanted a block. I am not prepared to put her under”. My ob was screaming at them at this point and said “No, we don’t have time for a block, we need this baby out now!!”. Then my ob looked at me and asked me if I felt his scalpel on my belly or if it was just pressure. I told him I could feel it and it was not just pressure. I will never forget the look on his face then… he looked back at anesthesiologist like what do we do now? At that point, adrenaline took over and I immediately said ‘just do it”. He looked at me for a second like “are you sure?” and then he started because it was the only option for Samuel.. The anesthesiologist told him he was starting the block. At this point, I just held Will’s hand so tight and he kept talking to me through it all. I could definitely feel pain and it was such a gross feeling. It seemed to last a long time but I am sure it was only minutes. I remember it being hard to hold still. But the adrenaline helped and also I still had some numbness from the epidural. Before I knew it, Samuel was out. I thought I heard him cry right away but Will said it took quite awhile and he was very scared. I am glad I wasn’t that aware. Samuel’s initial APGAR was only a 1. But his next one was a 9 so he was going to be just perfect! Both babies were great. Josie weighed 6 lbs and 1 oz and Samuel weighed 6 lbs and 5 oz. Almost 12 ½ lbs of baby! I was very proud. They were born about 20 minutes apart.

Then I started feeling very ill. It is hard to describe but I felt very weak and couldn’t really talk or answer people when they asked me questions. The ob’s were still putting me back together and the anesthesiologist was still doing something too. He kept saying that my blood pressure was really low and that he thought I needed a transfusion. They took blood and tested it and it came back that I was very anemic but that I didn’t need a transfusion at this point. All of this happened still while I was still getting sewn up. There were so many people in the room and they all kept trying to talk to me but I couldn’t answer. I was also shivering violently because of the epidural block that they had just done. I shivered that way for probably 2-3 hours. Finally, I guess I was considered stable and all of the doctors, etc. left and we were in the OR recovery for another several hours with a couple of nurses just doing baby baths, paper work, etc. This entire time our families could not see us so they were going crazy. Finally, around 8:30 pm, we were able to go back to our post partum room where our family was waiting. I was wheeled up in my bed holding two babies. It all seemed surreal. In fact, it still hasn’t sunk in that we have 2 new babies! 


Post partum stay:

The first night was ok. I was still very drugged and not feeling well because of having a double delivery. We sent the twins to the nursery so we could sleep a little bit. I was able to nurse them each a few times that first evening and overnight but not as often as I was able to with Benny.

Wednesday: The next day was ok but by the evening I started feeling bad. I mostly just felt so exhausted and also nauseas. I did not want to eat anything that entire day although they said I could. The nurses and doctors kept pushing on my belly and saying that I was very distended and that I had an “illias”. Basically, there was a bunch of air in my belly and small and large intestines that wasn’t going anyway. I still looked 9 months pregnant with twins. As the day went on, I started feeling so bad that it became difficult for me to nurse the twins or even take care of them at all. Holding them wasn’t even very likely. It was so hard watching everyone else take care of my babies. Also, the twins both had low blood sugar so they were being given formula supplements to help with that. Luckily, they were doing fine earlier that day with switching between nursing and the bottle. However, as the day went on, they were only getting bottles.

Thursday: I continued to feel worse but the doctors didn’t know what exactly was causing it. My blood pressure was very low and my heart rate was high. By this time, I was NPO (no food or water allowed) and was on an IV again.
Later that evening, I spiked a 103.3 fever and the next thing I knew there was a team of doctors and nurses in my room. Both my ob and my ob’s partner were there. (I haven’t mentioned this yet but my ob has been incredible through all of this. He would show up to see me whenever needed even if he was not on call. He checked in on me personally each day and most days several times. He is a wonderful doctor and person.) Anyway, the doctors and nurses were there to put in an NG tube, which is a tube that is inserted through my nose and pushed down my throat into my belly. It was a miserable process getting it in place and was extremely uncomfortable after it was in. I was told I had to leave it in place for 24-48 hours so that it could suck all of the air and other stuff out of my belly. They thought this might be causing some of my issues. So, I had to sleep that night with the tube down my nose, throat, and belly. The tube was connected to a vacuum on the wall and I was also connected to an IV and catheter now. And did I mention that I also had another problem that was causing frequent bathroom trips. It was quite fun getting up with all of the contraptions connected to me. Not to mentioned that I was feeling so bad that it took at least one helper to get me from my bed to the bathroom. This was my worse night yet.
All the while, I was still not able to take care of my babies. They were being perfect angels though and sleeping constantly and only waking to eat. They never cried. I had a few visits from crazy lactation consultants telling me that I should be pumping 8-10 times a day. One actually told me this when I had a tube in my nose, a catheter, and IV pump attached to me. I was lucky to get in 3-4 pumping sessions a day.

Friday: This was the scariest day of all. The morning started out with my heart rate being really high and low blood pressure again. Also, I was not producing enough urine output even though I was being pumped full of fluids. They were now worried about kidney function. I could tell that our parents were very worried.
My ob wanted me to go for a CAT scan to see what was going on in my abdomen. A general surgeon was also now involved in my case. I was so afraid they were going to find something in the CAT scan that meant another surgery and longer until I could go home to my DS. Luckily the CAT scan did not show any immediate need for surgery! However, it showed that my colon and intestines were extremely swollen throughout.. This explains why I still looked 9 months pregnant with twins. In fact, later this day, I was weighed and my weight was the same as it was the day before I gave birth. I was so full of fluids, etc.
My ob reviewed my CAT scan with the general surgeon and also ran some other blood cultures and tests and later than day, we finally learned what was wrong with me. I had caught a bad infection in my colon. It was called “C Dif” and is highly contagious. So, when I learned I had it, the nurse came in to tell us with a gown and gloves on and then proceeded to hand out gloves and gowns to everyone in the room except for me. The infection is contagious to those admitted in the hospital more than the average public because it can only become “active” if you are on certain types of antibiotics that kill other good bacteria. Apparently, this is how I caught it… since I was on several types of antibiotics since being admitted to the hospital. I was very relieved to know what was wrong and to know that hopefully 2 very strong antibiotics could help! I also had another new doctor now… infectious disease doctor. It was hard keeping track of everyone at this point and it made me a bit nervous to have so many doctors involved. Later this day, I was moved to an isolation room which means that it was better setup to allow guests to sanitize properly when entering and exited my room. Also, I was not allowed to leave this tiny room. Luckily, it had windows with a nice view.
The best part of this day is that in the afternoon, I was able to get my NG tube out! Yeah! One less tube! I was still not allowed to eat or drink.

Saturday-Tuesday: These days went very slow as my condition did not appear to improve too much. I was still connected to a catheter and IV for most of these days. I think on Sunday or Monday the catheter was able to come out however I was still required to measure all output (if you know what I mean) up until the day I left the hospital. I was allowed to start drinking and eating during this timeframe too. I was not hungry at all and had to force small amounts of food down. Eventually, during this timeframe, my appetite started to come back although I could never eat more than a few bites without getting full. As far as my appearance went… I still looked 9 months pregnant and now had horrible swelling all over my body. It was so bad that it felt like my skin was going to burst. My ob said this could last 6 weeks!
My daily routine was:
• Visits by med student at 6:30 am,
• visit by resident at 7:00 am
• visit by my ob at 8 am
• Babies came back to our room for the day (we sent them out at night so I could rest)
• Nurses and other doctors in and out all day.
• Wonderful family visitors were constantly at our side. I couldn’t bare to have anyone else see me. I cannot express how thankful I am for the support of our family during this time. They were totally amazing. At least 1-2 visitors were always with us and someone with DS. We are so lucky. Also, DH would try to fit in some work during the day and then would usually pick DS up from school and do dinner and bedtime and then he would come back to be with me. Never once complaining or looking tired.
• The night would start with DH and I doing a last feeding for the babies around 11 or so and then sending them to the nursery for the night.
• Then, I would have a vitals check at midnight. Usually, my fever would spike to 101-103 around this time and would lead to more checks and calls to doctors, etc.
• Then IV antibiotics at 2 am.
• Then another vitals check at 4 am.
• Then the next day would start with a med student waking me up again.
.

Wednesday: The doctors told me that I would get to go home on Thursday!!! The doctors also told me on this day how serious my infection was and some scenarios that could have easily happened if they hadn’t diagnosed it when they did. My colon could have ruptured, kidney failure, heart failure, etc. I am glad no one told me this earlier. However, now I understood why our parents were so worried.

I was also told that I could stop taking my IV antibiotic and could try to start nursing again!! My pediatrician and ob said this antibiotic was not safe for babies so I couldn’t nurse even when I started feeling better. Pumping isn’t quite the same. I found one lactation consultant that wasn’t annoying and she helped encourage me to try and start nursing again. She told me that it was a good thing that my milk didn’t try to come in earlier because it meant I had more of a chance now. My ob wasn’t quite so encouraging as he said that my body was still healing from a double delivery and a very serious infection and a bad case of edema and that milk production would be last in priority of things for my body to take care of. He still said it wouldn’t hurt to try.

Thursday: I was allowed to come home! The morning was very long getting through the discharge process and also watching Will sanitize everything like a crazy person as it exited the room. It was a strange feeling to leave the hospital. I was almost scared and sad to leave. I was worried to see Ben and to think that he is probably very mad at me. I was also terrified that we now had 3 children age 3 and under with 2 of them infants! Our homecoming could not have been better. Our family arranged for huge storks announcing the birth of Samuel and Josie to be in the front yard. There was also a big star for big brother .  Also, balloons and flowers were indoors. I could barely walk at this point because of the swelling and shoes were not an option… so I slowly walked up to our front door to see DS. He was so sweet and hugged me. Once we were inside and he had seen the babies and gave them a gift Grandma helped him pick out for them, he came up to me and just hugged me so tight while I held him in the chair. The hug was several minutes long and he just held me so tight. I was crying and the next thing I knew he was wiping my tears away and consoling me. My brother got this all on video and it is something I will always cherish.

The first days at home have gone well. I feel a little better with each day that passes. The swelling goes down each day although not fast enough for me. My belly is still very pregnant looking although now more like 5 mo pregnant.  DS“is so happy to have his family back”. This is a quote from him at least once each day. We have had constant help from family which has been amazing. At least one grandmother is always here with us during the day and other visitors have been so much help as well. We have been so blessed with more meals that we can keep up with and we know that many more are on the way in the coming weeks. It is going to be a hard first few months but with such wonderful family and friends we are going to survive it! Little Samuel and Josie are still being wonderful babies and allowing us more sleep than we thought we would get. We are sure these days are limited though so we are trying to savor them. 

 

Wow! :hug: :hug: for all you went through!

Congratulations on your two healthy babies!! :Clap: I'm so happy you are healing and will be feeling better soon!! Enjoy those two sweet new babies!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

 

:woah:

Well, congratulations!

 

That is quite the birth and post partum story! Glad you are recovering and :yahoo: Congratulations Momma!

 

Wow, glad you are home and recovering. Congrats on your twins.

 

wow! what an amazing story. i'm so happy to hear you're all doing well. congrats on your new arrivals!

 

Wow! I can say I 'feel your pain' on one aspect - I also felt my OB cutting for my section but was lucky my anesthetist was prepared to put me under so it was only for a minute I felt that pain. I am glad you were so strong to make it through that!!

What an adventure to start with! I'm glad you're home and recovering and I hope you continue to see sunshine!!!

 

Wow. How amazing to hear all of that and to know that you are all home safe and sound!

I must admit I shed a few tears when I read about your homecoming with your DS. I have a 2 1/2 year old and could not imagine being away from him for so long. Little boys love their Mommies very much.

Good luck to you and your entire family!

Congrats!

 

What an amazingly scary story! I'm so very sorry you had to go through so much pain and suffering, but soooooo glad you are doing better and that the twins are so wonderful. I also teared up at your reunion with your ds, as I have a 3 year old son as well. I'm glad you have so much support right now...what a huge blessing! Your story is a reminder of why my peri wants me to have a planned c-section (since I had an emergency one with my ds), he feels the risks for me and the babies are too high to try a VBAC, and I would most likely end up with a combined delivery as well. Rest up momma!

 

Well I should have listened to your warning...wowie what a dramatic story. :hug: for all you went through. I also cried a little about your homecomming, imagining my own 2 1/2 year old. Congratulations on two healthy babies, and good luck as your new little family comes together!!

 

Brought tears to my eyes!! What a strong wonderful mother you are!! Congratulations to you and your beautiful family!!

 

:woah: OMGosh! What a story! I had those terrible shakes after my c-section with the twins too. I'm so glad everyone is ok, and home! Congratulations! :hug:

 

Wow... what an experience and something to tell your kids when they are older. You are very strong and brave and kuddos to you! I hope you start feeling better and really get a chance to enjoy the kiddos

 

What a story :grouphug:!!!! Congratulatons on your twins.:bday: Josie and Samuel

 

W O WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

I'm glad everyone is okay. The hospital is the BEST place to catch a REALLY bad infection! Soo ironic!

I loved your story and I think you did a GREAT job!

congratulations!

 

Congratulations on your sweet babies :wub: :wub: (love the names!)
So sorry about all you had to go through :hug: but so happy the end result was healthy little ones :hug:
Enjoy!!

 

Congratulations Momma!! :hug: :hug:

 

Congratulations!! :yahoo:

 

You. Are. Nothing. Short. Of. AMAZING. With that said.....congratulations!!!!

 

Holy wow!!!! OMG, seriously intense story! I am so glad you are ok and on the mend. Congratulations on the birth of your babies!!