Our Stories "You're Having Multiples" & Birth Stories

nady · #1 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 11:23 AM

Ladies...please copy your stories over and post below.

The Day We Found Out We Were Having Multiples!

I had no inkling that I was carrying twins. It was 13 weeks into the pregnancy and I really didn't have morning sickness too badly or anything out of the ordinary.

We were going to get the u/s done to confirm the due date. The weekend before I was shopping with my Mom and we had selected a whole bunch of baby items ~ stroller, bassinet, crib...etc... On the way to the u/s Jay says to me, "You know what? There are so many twins in our office, Judy (a woman who is a twin and has twins) told Pricilla before her u/s "what if you have twins" and she DID!!! Then, she said the same thing me. Can you imagine if we had twins?" We both laughed so hard and I was saying...OMG, you would have to get two of everything my Mom and I picked out last weekend. That would be so funny.

I went in for the u/s while Jay waited in the "fathers waiting room" to be called. The technician was taking a really long, long time and I was getting a bit nervous. I didn't think too, too much of it because I'd never had one before and didn't know it was out of the ordinary. She then said to me "were you taking any fertility drugs?", I said "no". She then said "You are expecting twins". I was so shocked. I started to "laugh/cry". My mind was reeling...it was almost like a surreal moment. I am telling you, I am so glad I was lying down. She then said "lets play a trick on your husband, don't tell him right when he gets in...I'll tell him by showing him the two babies". I was in such a stupor, I agreed.

Jay came in and he was smiling. He stood at my feet while the tech showed him one baby...then she said "hang on to your hat dad, here's baby #2". I'll never forget Jay's face as long as I live. He said "are you serious?" and looked like he was going to faint. He had to grab onto the bed so he wouldn't fall down.

We called everyone we knew that afternoon and we felt like we won the lottery. I'll never forget that day...it feels like yesterday.

Birth Story
I am feeling quite nostalgic preparing for the girls b-day and I thought of their birth story.

I'd love it if everyone who wants to post one will and we can make a sticky!

Here's ours:

I started to have some contractions on September 16th, although I didnâ€™t realize they were contractions until later. I told Jay that I felt â€œsqueezyâ€. I had a Drâ€™s appt at 2 p.m. and I had quite a few questions ready for Dr. Hoskins as I had been so uncomfortable, and was worried about the babies.

Jay and I watched â€œA baby Storyâ€ at lunch that day and it showed a Mom who went to see her Dr. and had such high blood pressure that he told her to go directly to the hospital to have her baby. Jay looked at me and said â€œImagine if that happens to us today at the Drâ€™s appt?â€ We laughed. Little did we knowâ€¦

I went in to see the Dr. and he was running very late. I finally saw him after approx. 1 hourâ€™s wait. The nurse took my blood pressure before the Dr. came in, and it was very high. She joked and said â€œthereâ€™s a way to get your babies today!â€ Dr. Hoskins came in and said, â€œwell, weâ€™ll either have you go to the hospital later tonight or tomorrow for the c-sectionâ€. Jay and I were so happy and excited, and scared. In retrospect, it was the greatest way it could have happened as we did not have time to plan and worry. He told us to get our bags and go to the hospital tonight. I cried on the way home because I was scared and overwhelmed.

We went back to the hospital, where they hooked me up on the heart monitors and tried to put my IV in. After 2 unsuccessful and painful attempts, they finally got it in. This was approx. 7 p.m. They were talking about my c/s being approx. 10:30 p.m. We called my parents and my sister and they arrived approx. an hour later. I was very nervous, and started to shake. Before I knew it, they were wheeling me towards the OR.

They had Jay wait outside the OR until they had me prepped. This took the longest to get everyone togetherâ€¦as it was not a â€œscheduledâ€ c/s. Jay overheard a nurse say â€œthis is ridiculousâ€¦itâ€™s like herding cats.â€ It took my anesthesiologist a half hour to get over to do my spinal, so they had me sit on the operating table and wait. This was the hardest part. I was surprised the bed was so thin and skinny and the anticipation was killing me. Finally he came in and was the sweetest man. He gave me the needle for the spinal, and it honestly did not hurt. The IV experience hurt more. It was the strangest sensation of being instantly numb. They then laid me back on the table.

The anesthesiologist was awesome. He kept talking to me while they put in my catheter (which of course I did not feel due to being completely numb). They asked me if I could feel anything, which I could not at all. I was scared that I would feel like I couldnâ€™t breathe, but I didnâ€™t have that sensation.

They called Jay into the room, and I did not even know they had started. I heard my Drâ€™s voice and I said â€œoh, Dr. Hoskins, I didnâ€™t even realize you were here yetâ€. He laughed and said â€œthatâ€™s because youâ€™re so busy talkingâ€. The funny thing was I wasnâ€™t scaredâ€¦I was so excited to see my babies. I then felt a bit of tugging and pullingâ€¦but it did not feel like it was happening to my body. They took out Baby A (Emily) and they did not say â€œItâ€™s a girlâ€. In retrospect, I now know why. They took her out and she was completely blue. They rushed her over and started working on her on the side. She had her first Apgar score of 1! She later scored 9, but we didnâ€™t realize she was in such distress after being born. I then heard that she was a girl and I started to laugh and cry. Jay went over to look at her, and he was so excited.

Then they took out Baby B (Samantha) who they had taken over to the side and Dr. Hoskins held up for Jay to take a picture of. Another girl. I was so excited, they brought the babies over for me to see, and then they all went away to get them cleaned up.

I was getting stitched up, and still did not feel anything but joy. They then wheeled me into a recovery room, where I felt pretty sleepy, and they put the babies beside me in their isolettes.

I was feeling fine, and they brought me to my hospital room, and they brought the babies to the nursery for me to sleep and recover. I remember looking at the time, which was approx. 3 a.m.

My recovery was a mixture of hard and not so hard days. I did not feel the extreme pain I had anticipated, although I had a few surprises along the way. I didnâ€™t expect to bleed as much as I did. This resulted in me feeling quite dizzy (probably because I hate the sight of blood). I didnâ€™t expect to not be able to take care of my babies while I was in the hospital. Jay was amazing. The first time I saw him carefully diaper Samantha, I fell even more deeply in love with him. Heâ€™s had to play â€œMr. Momâ€ so I could recover, and he has been fabulous. I didnâ€™t expect breast feeding to be so hard. I am b/fing Samantha exclusively, but Emily I am still having problems with. She pushes me away, and her mouth is too small.

I went today to get help from the Breast feeding clinic and they taught me to feed Emily with a breast shield, which they will later wean her from. I hope it works. Right now, I am pumping away, so she is still getting my breast milk.

I love these girls like I never thought I would. The lack of sleep is totally worth it. They are my angelsâ€¦my sweet girls. I wish you all the very best of birth experiencesâ€¦and I hope they are all as positive as mine.

*******

After re-reading and re-living their birthday I am just bawling. We've come such a long way girls!

,

TNTAngel · #2 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 01:28 PM

DH and I had been married about 10 yrs and had not had success with getting pregnant and maintaining pregnancy.

I had all but given up hope. Finally, after much prayer and a heart bulging at the seams with want for a little one...we sought out fertility help.

We had a failed HSG, as my whole system cramped down and wouldn't let the dye through. Later we found out, I had some minor complications regarding a septum in my uterus. It was removed and I went on Clomid 50mg for 5 mo., NO LUCK! We moved on to 100mg of Clomid for 2 months. I FINALLY got a

I was approximately 6 weeks when I went in for my initial blood draws and then RE said my levels were through the roof. We went in to see what was going on. They started the U/S. DH was with me holding my hand. They found one heartbeat..and looked again and found a second heartbeat. DH about melted...and I about fell off the U/S Table. We were just so overwhelmed with such a blessing. We were so excited! Later we found out that twins ran on both sides of our family. I will never forget the day they were born. All I remember DH saying is "OH MY GOD!".....through his tears.

I were told that I had PCOS (Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome) and that there was little possiblity that we would get pregnant again without fertility drugs. I couldn't bare to go through all that again, so we decided to let nature take it's course. Five months after I went off the BCP's I got pregnant again. I thought for sure there would be only one baby. I felt no differently, MS never really kicked in...so HOW could it be more than one? We went on planning for one baby until I was about 12 weeks. At the U/S the NP was teasing us about having twins already and how in the last 7 yrs she had delivered another lady that had 3 sets of twins, and a set of triplets. We just thought NO way. She hooked up the US and sure enough there was another set. She stopped looking when she found the second one. Later, as I was miscarrying what I thought was a twin...we discovered we lost a triplet on July 5th, 2001. They thought I had lost "both" of my babies, but God blessed us with the two boys with beating hearts about a week later.

We were just awe struck this time around. Both still elated, and on

. We had only counted on having one, but God definately has a sense of humor. They were born at 32.5 weeks..and are true little Miracles.

I am so thankful for all of my children, and wouldn't want it any other way. I love the attention we get, and I am so proud of my kids.

I can't wait to hear "Your Stories."[/quote]

Missys3lilbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 02:09 PM

The Day We Found Out We Were Having Twins

We found out March of 2002 ....We had been TTC for 6 months...really not long at all compaired to some of you..but it felt like it was never going to happen. I had gone in to the dr. thinking I couldn't get pregnant. I had my period every 2 months..so the 6 month time gave us 3 times to try...I was totally irregular so I had no clue when I would ovulate.

I went in to get a pregnancy test and a check up to see if I could even get pregnant....because i hadn't had my period in 3 months...which is normal.
The dr. said I wasn't pregnant...and he said to come back in a few days and take another pregnancy test..if it comes up negative take some Progesterone to start my period. It came up negative...I took the progesterone for 4 days and didn't feel right. Anyway...it took about 6 pregnancy tests...3 blood tests to even get a positive that I was pregnant. During this whole ordeal I was pregnant the whole time. Wahoo!
Since I was irregular they needed to find out how far along I was...so they scheduled an U/S. I told my DH not to come because I thought they would be doing all kinds of girly stuff...I am very modest and get embarrassed so easily...

So I went in...the nurse looked around...she measured the baby...took her time..showed me all the body parts...as she was finishing up she looked.....looked again....she said (I will never forget this) "DO you see what I see?" I looked...It was another heart beat!!! She said, "your having twins!" I couldn't believe it...she took tons of pictures for me to show my DH. I was in shock..but so excited because I always wanted twins and somehow always felt I would have them. The nurse did scare me....I was only 6 weeks at the time and she informed me about vanishing twin syndrome....

I drove strait to DH's work....I cried the whole way there....I shut his office door and said "guess what?" He looked at me all goofy..."what?"
"Theres TWO" He had no clue as to what I was talking about. I showed him the U/S and he got a teary eyed...we then went out to lunch and were just in awe the whole time.

We then called my mom and my MIL....

Just the greatest day of my life!

Birth Story

Well, it all started Fri. the 4th of October, I went in to Labor and Delivery because of swelling and contractions. They sent me home right away with no concerns and called me a few days later and informed me that I had a Bladder infection. I was on strict bedrest during this whole time, well exactly a week later, Fri the 11th I was even more swollen and throwing up, not feeling well at ALL! I was trying not to go into L&D because the week before they didn't seem concerned about me at all, they made me wait 2 hours before they even checked me. Anyway, I couldn't hold out any longer, so at 4am we went to L&D and got checked in right away.

They did some lab work and found the early stages of Pre-eclampsia.
They Admitted me and monitored me the whole weekend. From here on out everything kept getting worse & worse! I had gained 27lbs in a week & a half and my Kidneys began shutting down. My hospital then checked out the Nursery and there was no room for our babies so I had to be transfered to another hospital for delivery. I was transfered right away, got the ol' Ambulance ride and everything!

We arrived at UCD medical center on Sunday night and they induced me right away. Nothing happened, I was in pain, they gave me an epidural when I was dialated at 4. Slowed everything down, I never dialated past 4! It took them about 6 times to insert the epidural because I was so swollen. They did everything they could to make these two guys come out naturally. They broke my water, put an internal monitor on Blake, stopped Pitocin, re-started Pitocin, I was on Mag-Sulfate as well because of the pre-eclampsia. I NEVER HAD consistant contractions! NOthing Worked!
I was just getting worse & worse so they told me I needed to have a C-section.

I was fine with this, but because of the pre-eclampsia, nothing went my way. I could feel most of the procedure, the Epi didn't work and they couldn't do anything for me because it put me at a higher risk. My body took over and controled some of the pain, I think I went into shock. But we made it through the operation. The boys came out screaming and never had to be on oxygen or anything. They were so Healthy. They were born at 6:43 and 6:44 pm on October 14th. They were 6 1/2 weeks early.

Well the next day I developed a spinal headache, horrible! I guess there is a 1% chance of getting one & I got it! That sucked too!!!!
I just have to say I had the most horrible birth experience ever, but it was definately worth it! Our boys are just BEAUTIFUL and couldn't be any better. They got transfered back to their regular hospital and were released 6 days later. They were feeding on a bottle the night they were born, I am so proud of them!

Anyway, sorry so long. I'm sure I forgot some of the other drama that went on but this is the most of it. I hope this didn't scare you in any way. The Pre-eclampsia made all of this happen the way it did. I gained a total of 85 lbs and lost 75 lbs in three weeks, it was all water.

Kleea · #4 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 10:36 PM

The Day We Found Out We Were Having Multiples!

I too knew all along I ws carrying twins. I don't know why, but I knew. When I took a HPT 9 DPO and it was a postive I knew. But didn't want to belive myself.....so that day I went into see an OB(mine was gone)I was 10 wks pregnant. I was having severe pains on my right side, along with a 102 fever. After examining me she told me that I need to go get an Ultra Sound she thought it might be my Apendix. Dh was at work so I asked my MIL to go with me(we are VERY close). After waiting what seemed like forever I layed down on that table and the tech put the jelly all over my flat stomach she even said "How far along are you? Cause you don't look a day pregnant". Then she brought out the wand. Sat it on my stomach.... as fast as she put it on, she took it off and said "THERE"S TWO!" "WHAT?" "Your having TWINS!" "NO, PLEASE NO" (MIL) "OHHH Kristy, sweety there is going to be TWO!" Then I started crying.....not out of happiness but out of fear. Why was I so shocked? I knew. My gut told me to prepair for this. It seemed like I was in a room all by myself I just cried and cried and cried. Finnaly the Tech asked if I wanted some time to myself, I said "Yes, Please." she left and I just layed there while my MIL conforted me. Telling me that we are going to be okay.
Then the tech came back in and proceed to continue. Then she said, "They are Identical!" at that time I knew they were boys. "How can you tell?" asked MIL "They are in the same sac." Even though it was to early to tell shoot they looked like the size of a bean. I know boys. MIL said "ohh your going to have a boy and a girl" then myself and the tech had to explane they were going to be the same sex. While the tech was doing what she does my son (who just turned two) looked at the screen and said "Cartoons?" that just brightened up my day. So sweet and so innocent. As soon as we got out of there I called DH at work and told him, he just said "Well be fine, don't worry"

Birth Story

June 25th 2003

I am in the same antipartium room that I started in 5 wks ago, my son is coming to visit me today I am so excited but so sad. I just hate seeing him leave every week. I don't know how much more I can do. I have made it to 30 wks they didn't think I would but I did.
It's 12pm dh calls to ask if I want anything, no just you. At 1pm they arrive, my son now 2 1/2 walks in the room and gives me a huge hug. He is now accustomed to all the tubes and machines and noises. "wanta color mop(thats what he would call me)?" After a long visit it is time for them to head home they still have a 90 min drive home and it is getting late. It is now 6 pm when they leave. I am so depressed I go to the bathroom and just cry. After about 10 mins I get into bed and turn on my left side to sleep(thats all I would do) and then I felt it, a gushing feeling I reached down and my hand was covered in blood. This was at 6:15 pm, I pressed the nurses button. In came Susan( I love Susan she is the best) I said "I'm bleeding." "It's okay, It's okay" she said I'll get your doctor on the line. While they were getting Dr. Harris on the line she was cleaning me up....knowing Jason had just left she called him and told him to come back. She told Dr. Harris that the bleeding had slowed down but hadn't stopped, this was at 6:25pm. He told her to prep me and get me into the OR..."but her husband is on the way" she said. "We need to get them out within the hour" he said. "He will be right here" she said.
Then about 6:35pm anesthesiologist arrived, he was awsome. I know he knew I was scared, he held my hand the whole time. I felt so confortable with him.
6:50 pm my husband walks in with my son..."Baby, it is time, you need to call Kyle(his brother)" I was being so calm I didn't want to scare my boy. They stated wheeling me out of my room that I had grown so found of and then everything seemed to go blurry and in slow motion. I know I hadn't been drugged yet so I don't know why I was feeling this way.
About 7 pm: It was cold in that room, colder and scarier than I had ever imagined. They had me set up so they could do the spinal but I was shaking so bad...the anesthesiologist told me "Calm down, you need to keep your heart rate under(I don't remember the #) or we are going to have to intibate you and I know you don't want that" I started focusing on my breathing and then the spinal was done. I layed back down and it took effect almost instantly. It seemed like I had been laying there forever but in reality it was probaly only 10 or 15 mins then I say this man all in green walk up to me and grab my hand. I had to really think who this could be...it was Jason! "Have thay started yet?" I asked "Yes, you are already cut open" he replied. A few seconds after he said that at 7:18 pm I heard a baby cry it was baby A(we still didn't have a set name for him). The the put him in the left upper corner of the room I could see him alittle but not very well. Then at 7:19 pm I heard another baby cry. "Jacobs out, Kris" said Jason(we knew baby B was Jacob) Then they started to take Baby A away...Jason leaned down and said "Brody or Austin?" "Brody" I replied. "His name is Brody" Jason told the team. I was then wheeled in to the recovery room where one other lady was that just had twin girls. I heard some one say "They are on the way to the NICU, and yes dad is with them" I know that was my MIL. I just layed there like what just happened. As soon as they said it was okay to leave the recovery room they wheeled me back to my Antipartum room. I was later greeted by the postpartum nurses. I hated them...how could they be so crule, just leave me alone. I was begging them to leave me alone. By this time the meds had worn off and with them kneeding my stomach like that hurt.
About 8:30 pm I saw my sons for the first time in two poloride picture. They look big even though their weight said diffrent.
I couldn't sleep that night it hurt and I wanted to be with my babies.

June 26th 2003

6:30 am that next morning that same nurse that kneeded me the night before came in and said "Are you ready?" "Ready for what?" I replied. "To get up and go see those beautiful babies" " I wanted to so bad. I got up and we walked it was hard it was like I was learning to walk all over again. After about 15 mins she said I was okay. "When shift change is over you can go" she said. I had to wait another 30 min before I could see them.
7:30 am was the first time I got to see my boys....the pictures lied they were small, not big, how dare they decive me. Brody was small only weighing 2 pound 5.7 oz his head was the size of one of the bulb in the hospital. Jacob was just as small weighing 3 pound even.
But I knew I had some strong boys and strong they are.

I love you Brody and Jacob

Love Mommy

perturbatrix · #5 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 01:59 PM

Dh and I were TTC for almost 3 years. It was a very difficult time and became more stressful with every passing month. Finally, in July 2002, I told dh I was pregnant the same night that we attended an adoption class. We were so happy. It was not to be, however, as the sac never developed. Then I had a twisted ovary--OUCH. My left ovary had flipped over on itself three times. I had surgery to correct it and save the ovary, but I miscarried (as expected) four days later. Three weeks later, my ovary flipped again. This time the surgeon was going to take a piece off to make it smaller, which would hopefully correct the problem. Again, it was not to be. My ovary had died and was removed. My hopes of getting pregnant were severely dashed at that point. I remember being in the hospital recovering from the second surgery when my younger sister came in and announced that she was, in fact, pregnant. I couldn't have been more disappointed! We tried again, again, and again. Finally, on our last cycle of IUI we got pregnant (we were one step away from IVF). I knew immediately that it was twins. I only told one person, and she didn't believe me. But, sure enough, my suspicions were confirmed when I started bleeding at five weeks and went in for an emergency u/s. There were two sacs this time! We saw the heartbeats a few weeks later and it was smooth sailing throughout my pregnancy.

The day I delivered, I was out and about grocery shopping, cleaning, ordering stuff online, etc... I had no pains and no idea that Nov. 20 was the day! I was 37 weeks along and was expecting it at any moment, but, like I said, I didn't have much warning. We were just getting ready to eat dinner when my water broke. It was 8pm. I told my husband calmly and called the doctor. Well, the doctor didn't call back, so I sat down to eat (a small meal) and watch survivor. Then, my water broke again! I called the doctor again, and she said to come to the hospital. I goofed around so I could see the end of Survivor (Rupert got kicked off that night). My dh was nervous and wanted to leave. Finally I thought to myself, wow, this is getting painful. We rushed to the hospital with me in pain the whole way. We got to the hospital at 925pm. I wanted drugs, but the nurse refused until I was hooked up to every monitor and the IV (for 20 minutes). Well, the pain was pretty bad. The next thing you know, there is blood all over the floor, twenty people piling into the room, and me delivering Ella at 10:15pm. My doctor told me to go ahead and push again when my contractions started again. I never really felt another contraction. I just got crampy and decided to get it the hell over with--so I pushed. Four minutes after Ella, Kyle came popping out all at once. Even the doctor said, "Thank God I had a hold of him." Dh was behind the bed after the first sight of blood. He couldn't handle it. He wanted to get up after Ella was delivered, but the nurses wouldn't let him for fear that he'd pass out. All in all, it was a good delivery. Fast and furious!!

Dani
Mom to Ella and Kyle
born Nov. 20, 2003

House of Blue · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 08:49 PM

You are having TWINS!

We had been TTC for a total of 2 years before we got our twins’ BFP. I had been under the care of a Dr. who had treated me for infertility. This was also the Dr. who had treated a very complicated pg before any of my fertility treatment. In June 2002, I had an ectopic pg simultaneous with a twin pg. I m/c the twins (B/C my body was so stressed over a 10 week ectopic) and had to have the pg & my left tube removed. It was all very physically and emotionally painful. After the ectopic/twin M/C I started to chart. After a year of TTC w/ no success and flat line charts I began fertility treatment.

I started 50 mg. Of clomid (starting on CD#5 for 5 days) After 4cy’s I was pg!

those are such amazing little white pills! B/C of my history with ectopic and the fact I only had one functional tube left, my Dr. wanted to send me for an internal U/S to make sure the pg had not implanted in my remaining tube.

So there I was at 5.5 weeks, twins the furthest thing from my mind on the U/S table. All I had on my mind was PLEASE! let me have a healthy pg. PLEASE! don’t be in my tube. PLEASE! I don’t want to chart, take meds, plan my sex life or cry over AF any more!

The U/S was quick but the tech made sure to tell me as soon as she was sure that my tube was clear

(so I was able to enjoy the rest of the U/S ) At the end of the U/S, the tech said “I don’t quite know what to say, so I’ll just show you” Then I was like O…..M…..G! could there be more than one…I only had those fleeting seconds before the screen was flipped around where it had dawned on me that I could have more than one. When the screen was flipped around so I could see, my OMG! Moment was confirmed

I saw, clear as day, no squinting… 2 little circles nuzzled together centered perfectly on the screen! At that point I think I forgot to breathe! The tech said do you see that…I said …..”yup”……. she said “There is 2 in there!” The tech helped me off the table and gave be the biggest bear hug! She was so sweet

I could go on about how I told DH…But that would be a whole other post!

Devon & Jonah's birth story

I had been in and out of the hospital for PIH since the beginning of March. The last time I was to be admitted to the hospital before the birth was April 8th after attending a regular Dr. appointment. My blood pressure was discovered to be high and there was protein found in my urine.

In the hospital blood work was done and the result was that my Iron levels were beginning to fall to a dangerous level. So, in order to start cleaning up a poor situation to make the pg last just a little longer, I began medication for my hypertension, supplements 2x’s a day for my low iron (which was increased to 3x’s only a few days later) and moderate bed rest and close observation of all my SxS to make sure that the PIH didn’t become more severe…. Preeclampsia.

By early to mid-week my water retention was unreal…gaining at some morning weigh-in’s 5 lbs. a day I was also suffering from consistent headaches and blurred vision including a constant light show, I was seeing spots and sparkles all the time. Also, a 24-hour urine collection test revealed high amounts of protein.

On Tuesday afternoon an U/S was preformed and it showed that poor little Devon had fallen of his growth curve and hadn’t grown much at all since the last U/S. His brother Jonah was gaining very quickly… This was cause for concern

On Wednesday the 14th of April while still in the hospital, my OB/GYN came in for his morning visit and recommended we deliver the babies on Saturday. He wanted to wait the extra couple days to bring me to what we figured would have been 37 weeks. I was informed there is a huge difference between babies born at 36 weeks as opposed to 37. There is a higher chance that a baby born at 36 weeks will have feeding issues and be an overly “sleepy” baby. So the extra days would be worth it in the end… I agreed, after all, I was being monitored very closely in a safe hospital environment. So that was that… My c-section and birth of my boys, was to happen on the 17th of April.

To be on the safe side, my NST’s were upped to 2x’s a day and fetal heart rate, my BP and temperature were done every 3 hours & my input and output of fluids would be followed. Every morning I was weighed and my urine “dipped”.

Finally! Saturday arrived! My Mother had driven up the night before and was waiting for me in my hospital room when I got out of my last shower as a pg mommy. She was noticeably excited, DH invited her to be my support person during the section b/c he knew how much it meant to her to be there for me and the babies (what a sweet guy

). My mother and I had a few minutes to chat alone before DH arrived. The three of us spent the next half hour before the sun was up taking pictures and talking, it was very relaxing.

By 8 a.m. a nurse walked in and said she was there to prep me for the section. DH and my Mother stepped out. An IV & catheter were placed, I was given a little shave and I quickly took a shot of the nastiest salty concoction that I've ever had to swallow.

At 8:30 a bed was wheeled to my room, I hopped on and was taken to the second floor where I met with nurses and my anesthesiologist to go over the basics. Minutes later I was moved from the hall to the operating room where my epidural was started. During the placement of the eppidural I accidentally kicked a nurse in the shin (oops) something must have been poked in my back b/c my foot just took off all on it’s own

After I was draped and monitors placed, My Mom was lead in and seated beside my head. By that time I was feeling nauseated and very itchy from a reaction I was having to a medication used for post op. pain relief… But that was all O.K. I was too excited to let anything bother me.

Minutes later, surgery was started. At 9:29 a.m. on April 17th Jonah Rejean was born, he weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. Devon Joseph wasn’t far behind he was delivered at 9:31 and weighed 5 lbs. 4 oz. Both boys pinked up immediately and looked fantastic! After the pediatric teams looked the boys over they were bundled and brought over to me to take a quick peek. It was so amazing, I remember touching their hands and trying to peek at all of their little parts

I couldn’t believe that there were two of them, it didn’t seam real until that exact moment.

The experience was perfect, the epidural made all the difference in the world (I was alseep for DS#1's section), recovery was quick and I was up and walking only hours after surgery. All the staff was so amazingly supportive and I think just as excited us us.

Yet! There were some complications…. The Dr.’s felt that the boy’s were not 37 weeks after all, they had the characteristics of 36 week babies (I’m soooo happy we did the work to keep me pg that extra week!) Jonah ended up with a feeding tube for a couple of days, he kind “ran out of gas” and was too lethargic to eat. And Devon just scraped by and didn’t need a tube….Just lots and Lot’s of quiet and rest.

As for me, My BP yo-yoed up and down but I was taken of the BP meds. My biggest problem after the birth ended up being my low iron. Blood work showed that I needed a transfusion. On Tuesday the 20th I was given 2 units. It was incredible how much better the transfusion made me feel. I also ended up with a consistent low-grade fever (37.7-37.8) and it was a concern that I could possibly be developing an infection. So to be on the safe side I was sent home w/ a script for antibiotics.

I was released with both babies (yay!! ) on Friday the 23rd. DH, DS & I feel so blessed to be given 2 beautiful little boys.

#7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2004, 09:58 AM

Birth Story

Friday, March 7 I went in for a scheduled c-sect. I was 37 weeks 5 days with the twins. They had me just about ready to go to the OR when they had to do an emergency c-sect on someone else, so I got to sit around for a couple of hours until the OB was ready.

Finally, they came to take me to the OR. They administered the spinal, checked that it was working and put in the catheter. Everything seemed OK, but as she started to make the incision, I about jumped out of my skin! It was NOT working! They rushed Jeff out of the OR and let him stand just outside so he could see the babies after they were brought out. Put me under general anesthesia, and completed the c-sect.

At 4:29 PM, Delaney Grace was born weighing 6 lbs, 1 oz and 19.25 inches long. At 4:31 PM, Courtney Marie was born weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz and 20 inches long. Both had a full head of black hair. Both were pulled out breech. Delaney scored 6 and 9 on her APGARS, Courtney scored 7 and 9 on hers.

Both are doing well. The ped is a little concerned about jaundice, so they have been tested for that on day 2 and day 3 and day 4, we have another appointment tomorrow, hopefully they have already spiked and will be lower tomorrow.. But it appears just to be precautionary, nothing that is out of hand at this point. They are nursing pretty well. The ped wants to worry about their weight loss, again I think he is being a little over cautious, but I guess that is better than not paying attention to anything! They are right at the 10% mark from their birth weights. At the appointment today, they had started gaining weight back, so I think we are fine there.

Overall, my recovery hasnâ€™t been too bad. I seem to be healing OK. Just really painful to get in and out of bed. Chairs I can do OK with. Madison doesnâ€™t totally understand what is going on, and is acting out a bit more than normal, but I think we can get her through it, itâ€™ll just be a bit of a rough road for a few weeks.

Jeff was able to take of 2 weeks of vacation to be home with us and then my Mom will be in for a week. Hopefully, by then, Iâ€™ll be feeling a bit better to deal with Madison a little more gracefully!

fratgirls · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2004, 04:18 PM

It was my 18th week of pregnancy and we headed to our first u/s in hopes to know the sex of the baby. All is going well with the u/s and then the tech starts asking me some questions like, "Have you noticed this pregnancy being any different than your first?" "Have you gained more weight this time?" I start to get a bit nervous and ask if everything is ok. She proceeds to say, "I just want to show you something...here's Baby A and over here is Baby B!!" Luckily I was laying down because I became very faint. I started to fan myself with my hand and all I kept saying was "Oh my gosh" over and over and over. We later called our family and everyone was just in complete shock. One of DH's aunts is still in awe of it.

On July 5th, I went in for a dr's appt (33 weeks) and NST. The NST was showing regular contractions so my perinatologist tells me I need to go to the hospital to be monitored for a few hours. They give me a few rounds of terbutaline shots and send me home. At 10:00 that night the contractions are back and we're back on our way to the hospital. I'm admitted and after more rounds of terb, they decide to put me on mag sulfate. The mag finally calms the contractions to every 10 min. vs. every 2-3. They decided that they had to leave me on the mag as long as they could because they knew once I went off I'd go into labor. Ten days later...on Monday, July 15th at 7 in the morning, my water finally breaks and at 10:01 and 10:02 Katie and Cassie were born via c-section just shy of 36 weeks. Katie weighed in at 6-8 at 19.5 inches long and Cassie was 6-11 and 19.5 inches long. These are 2 days as well as the birth of my son that I will never forget!!

Roni · #9 (**permalink**) 06-18-2004, 08:33 AM

The day we found out!
We were TTC for almost 7 years! I had so many physical problems and had every test known to man. I had given up hope after losing one baby to a tubal pregnancy in 1996 and losing one of my tubes as a result. Nothing seemed to work and I just thought I was destined to be childless. Until we moved to PA and I started having more female issues and I was seeing a new dr. He asked if I still wanted to have children and said my window of opportunity was shutting for many different reasons. He suggested Fertility specialist and after one visit with him. We were agreed on IVF. I was on the first cycle and they were amazed at how well my body was responding-almost too well. I had what they call "hyper-ovulation" When they did the u/s to see if I had produced any eggs there were SO many more than normal. They did the egg retrieval on Good Friday and called me and told me to sit down because I had 18 strong embryos that had developed. (we were told 'maybe' we would get a couple) I was so excited and thought it was such an amazing thing that we were also scheduled for the implant on Easter Sunday. (A day that stands for 'life') When we arrived that day - they said my levels were too high to implant the 3, which we had agreed upon and said I could either come back in a month for the 3, or they would implant only 2 that day. We chose two and the implant went well. I donâ€™t know if you all know anything about this process, but its so amazing. Then we had the LONG heart-wrenching wait till we went in for the blood test a few weeks later.

We went in for the test and I was just sick to my stomach the whole morning - so worried and so anxious to have a chance to be a mom after all of the years and heartache. They told us they would call us around lunchtime with the results so I went into work barely able to focus on anything.

They called around 9:30 and I was scared since it was so early - she said sit down - and then said congratulations you are pregnant! I was so excited I just about screamed and then she said - also your levels are SO off the charts that we think you may have twin babies in there! I burst into tears. I had prayed for years and always wanted twins. We had to wait another few weeks to go for the u/s. I met dh for lunch and handed him a card that said you are a daddy! He cried and I cried and we just held hands and laughed and talked about becoming parents.

The day of my first ultrasound they told us not to be too disappointed if babies didnâ€™t make it...that it is very common in IVF - and to prepare for the worst. So, we went in and I could barely move I was so scared. And then...she said..there is one strong healthy heart beat and then...there is a second strong healthy heartbeat! I burst into tears. And my dh just squeezed my hand and we both were in shock! WE were so happy I couldnâ€™t believe it was finally happening and after all of those years, God gave us two blessings!!!!!!!!!!!! We both cried tears of joy and have been thrilled every since!!!!!

We also have 16 more embryos frozen and hopefully we will get to have a few more children someday!! Then we are going to give the other ones to a snowflake adoption agency for couples who cannot have children themselves. How amazing! Some days I want to have all 16!! J

It was the greatest Easter ever!

Miracle Birth Story!
I was having early and false labor for weeks and weeks and I had to go in to have it stopped once also! These boys were ready to come out too soon! I was put on complete bed rest so that I could keep them inside as long as possible! In the meantime I just got bigger and bigger! I kept wondering â€œhow in the world can my skin stretch anymore?â€
The day before Thanksgiving I had my last appointment with the dr. and he said that they could come anytime now (37 weeks) and I was allowed to do whatever I wanted etcâ€¦ I remember cracking up because by this time was so big and could barely move at all! Plus I had developed that crazy rash (P.U.P.S.?) and it was unbearable. I remember begging my dr. to give me anything for it! I was trying everything and nothing helped. I would have to say that was the hardest part of the entire pregnancy delivery thing!
My doctor scheduled an induction for Dec. 4th if I hadnâ€™t delivered by then so we made it all the way to that date!
What a great day!
We woke up early and went to the hospital for the induction and they were having a hard time getting the positions of the babies. It was crazy cause I could hear my doctor and all of the nurses counting headsâ€¦.one..two..three? and they kept saying that and I was like â€œAre you kidding me? There cannot be three!!!â€ haahaa..finally after 2 Xrays and 3 u/s they discovered that Tanner was not in a good position so my chances were very good of delivering Tyler just fine and then having to have a Csection for Tanner! Yikes ! That is the worst of both worlds.

We talked with my dr. for a long time about it and finally we asked what
the safest option was for the babies?
He said the C-section was for sure the safest for them, but not for me.
Then he sat down on the bed and prayed with both of us that we would feel a peace about what we wanted to do and that God would guide his hands in the process. I was just amazed and felt so peaceful and sure we were to do the C-section.

After the catheter insertion one of the babies must have moved over onto it or something because I started to have horrendous pains that were NOT contractions as they prepped me for surgery! I was crying so hard because it was just awful pain! I remember barely being able to lay on the table! They had to give me something for the pain, which was great! Although I wish I never had anything so I would have been a bit more aware of the day. But I do remember hearing that first cry (after they suctioned Tyler out with the vacuum!) and just thanking God over and over and then hearing that second cry and just feeling like I was the luckiest girl alive! They were both healthy and crying and doing just fine. Tim brought them over to me for me to see and to kiss their little heads and I was just in awe of them! I will never forget that feeling! Pure joy!!!

The rest of the day was a bit of a blur! I had been given too much pain medication in my IV and the wrong kind too or something and I was so nauseous forever and very out of it and sleepy! But, I can still remember the first time I held each of them and then both together. My little miracles!!!
We were more blessed than we could ever imagine with
Tyler 7lbs 6oz and Tanner 6lbs!
I have been in love with them every since that day!

sbgrace · #10 (**permalink**) 06-19-2004, 10:43 AM

When I found out:
I had taken clomid--the previous round we lost the pregnancy so when we called to get our hcg results we were thrilled when they were extremely high. When we went for our six week ultrasound, I was just praying for a heartbeat. Twins wasn't even remotely in my mind. The rep. endo. said..."here is one sack and there is the other"...as if she expected to find two! Both babies had heartbeats and I felt so blessed. The RE turned to my husband and asked, "are you ok, do you need to sit down?" Without hesitation he said "this is one of the best days of my life." It was for me as well! I spent the next 7 weeks worried about vanishing twin--I couldn't bear the thought of losing one of them!
Our birth story:
My doctor decided to induce a couple of days short of 38 weeks because the labor and delivery unit wasn't going to be busy on that day. Baby A was at a +2 station and I was 75% effaced and dialated to a 2--she expected things to go fast! I was induced at 6:30 a.m., baby A's water was broken at 7:30, and I was fully dialated at 6:30 p.m.. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours (exhausting, especially since I had been on bedrest for 3 months and was so out of shape). We hadn't made any progress for the last 2 hours of pushing so my ob decided to do a C section. It turned out that Baby A had rotated the wrong way, tilted up his chin, and got stuck. Caleb Allen was born at 10:57 p.m.--5 lbs 5 oz and wasn't breathing--it was very scary for me! I felt guilty about allowing myself to be induced--we were told that he was much bigger based on ultrasound. When I heard the weight, I was so scared for baby B, because his measurements were always smaller than baby A's! We did have some health issues (hypothermia, irregular heart rate, feeding) with Caleb but things are finally looking good. Andrew William was born at 11:02--6 lb. 9 oz. and was screaming)! (I guess those ultrasound measurements aren't so accurate!) I was so thrilled to see my baby boys! Though we didn't find out the sex ahead of time, somehow I expected two sons! They are wonderful gifts!

hugsannkisses · #11 (**permalink**) 06-25-2004, 06:36 AM

We are expecting TWINS!

We had been trying to have another baby for over a year. I had been taking 50MG of Clomid for 4 months in a row and we where on our 4th round of IUI injections. This was going to be our last month trying for another child. It was with great excitement when I got a positive pregnancy test. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Ken was away on business, and I didnâ€™t want to tell him over the phone. He was expected to arrive home in 3 very long dayâ€™s. So I had time to plan the big surprise. I bought Carli a T-shirt with her picture on it, that said â€œIâ€™m gonna be a big sisterâ€. She wore that shirt the night Ken came home. When he read her shirt, we just cried with happiness and the 3 of us just stood there and hugged.
At 7 Â½ weeks pregnant I had my first ultrasound and when the ultrasound tech showed us that she found 2 sacs and 2 beating hearts, we where in total misbelieve, shock and yet so excited, we just cried. We not only where going to have another baby as we wanted so badly but we where going to have TWO babies.

The Birth Story of Kyle and Justin Jones

I was 37 weeks along in my pregnancy and I was scheduled for a repeat c-section, being I had a c-section with my daughter, Carli. Not to mention both babies where in breech position. It was 3AM on Friday May 21st 2004. Ken, my mom and myself got up and got ready to leave for the hospital. Carli had stayed at a friends house Thursday evening, so both Ken and my mom where able to attend the birth of the boyâ€™s. We arrived at the hospital at 5AM and I went to check in while Ken parked the car. The check in nurse told me that I was not scheduled to have a c-section that day. I was so upset and angry, but didnâ€™t show it. They called Dr. Clifford Shwartsnburge and rescheduled my time from 7AM to 730AM, which wasnâ€™t bad. The 3 of us then walked up to Labor and Delivery and the nurse took us to a room where I was hooked up to monitors and given an IV. At 7AM I was taken to the operating room and Ken and my mom had to wait outside until I was giving my epidural and the sheets where covering me. It took the anesthesiologist a long time to get my epidural in, but after 20 minutes it was a success.

About 730AM Dr. Clifford started my surgery. Ken and my mom where on the right side of me waiting for the babies to arrive. At 745AM Kyle Leonard Jones came out weighing 5lbs 5.5oz and was 18 inches long.
Then at 746AM Justin James Jones came out weighing 7lbs 2.5oz and was 19 inches long. Both where very healthy and we where all so happy. Ken got to hold Kyle right after they cleaned him up and I was the first to hold Justin after they cleaned him up and I was all stitched up and ready to go to recovery. Before we left the operating room, I was holding both Kyle and Justin all the way down the hall to the recovery room.

I spent what seem like hours in the recovery room. My blood pressure was really high. They where worried I would start having seizers if it got any higher. They had to move me out because they had so many women having babies that morning. I believe I was finally in my room about 10AM and I was just so happy to have head such a wonderful experience and 2 healthy baby boyâ€™s. They brought in both boys to visit me for a little while. They where not allowed to stay long because my blood pressure was high. I was put on Magnesium to lower my blood pressure. I was not allowed to nurse them until I came off the medication (which wasnâ€™t till the following afternoon).

The next day I was taken off the Magnesium and I was then able to nurse the boys. They did great! And now they where able to stay in my room with me. I was the happiest mama in the world. I had 3 perfect children and the family I always wanted.

We all went home Monday, happy and healthy. Kyle weighed 5lbs 2oz and Justin weighed 6lbs 12oz.
Nana and Carli where at home waiting our arrival.

Recovery from my c-section was so much better this time around and I was able to do so much after the first week. No one thought I had just given birth let alone had surgery.

dgoeb · #12 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 11:13 AM

Wow, I can't believe that at this time last year we had just gotten the call from our clinic stating we were a go for our first IVF cycle (after almost 5 years of trying). I was to find out on 10/9/03 if the 1st IVF cycle worked, but DH & I cheated & took 5 HPT (Sunday night, Monday night, Tuesday Night, Wednesday morning & Wednesday late morning....YUP it was crazy). We got the best news later on the day of the 9th stating we were PG (our Ann. is on the 10th...WHAT A BLESSING). I remember going in @ the end of Oct. for them to do the first US. We knew there was a chance of twins, but since they only put TWO embryos I didn't want to get my hopes up. Well plan as day when she was doing the US we saw both sacks.....WOW what a feeling. After the US we went to meet the Dr. & he said that he NEVER would have guessed we were going to have twins by my levels. Then almost the whole month of November & 1/2 the month of December I bleed....for no reason. My IVF Dr. said were going to loose on of the babies....

I went in on 5/18/04 for my weekly appointment. I was dialed to a "strong 3". I was 36 weeks on the nose. My Dr. was going on vacation for a week & a half leaving in two days. DH & I decided to go walking to see if that would start anything up. We walked for 3 hours & I was having contractions about 3-4 minutes apart. DH was hungry so we stopped @ BK. By the time he was done eating they were between 2-3 minutes apart, so we headed over to the hospital. We were admitted @ 2:30. My Dr. came to see me @ 3:00 (dialed to a 4). He broke my water. By 6:30 I was calling for the EPI (WOW, what a drug!!

) They wheeled me into the operating room (in case I couldn't go vaginally). Hope was born @ 10:44 weighing 4pds 12oz, 17.5 inches long & Brady was born @ 10:52 weighing 4 pounds 9 oz, 17.25 inches long. They were able to come into the room w/ me that night, but the next day they were brought down to the NICU (Brady wasn't keeping his temp up & they both had not taken to the breast or a bottle). Hope was in the NICU for 8 days & Brady was 11 days.

They are doing SO great now!! I still can't believe how we have been bless!!
Deb

#13 (**permalink**) 08-12-2004, 07:04 PM

The day we found out:

I had called and set up a doctor's appointment as soon as I got my positive test, which was around six weeks. We had just had a m/c a month prior and I was anxious to get in to make sure that everything looked good at this point. My doctor came in and did an internal u/s. He was very quiet and my heart was racing because, of course, I thought something was wrong...again. He turned the screen toward me and said, "Well, I'm seeing two sacs. Here's one right here - here's the heartbeat. And here's the other one - and here's the heartbeat." I looked over at my DH sitting in the chair and his eyes were HUGE!!! I, of course, was crying. I said, "Are you kidding?!?!" He laughed and said that he wasn't. He said that both sacs looked very viable and seemed to be growing right on track. He took a picture of each baby and wrote on it "Congrats - There's two hearts!" and that's how we told everyone. I don't think I've ever had that feeling of "floating on cloud 9" like I did that day...

The day we had them:

7/19/04 - 10:00 p.m. We had just gotten done watching Lethal Weapon on television and I had just pulled myself up on the edge of the sofa to get up and go to the bathroom. I heard a "pop" (literally heard my water break!) and water gushed everywhere. After a few choice words as I was running into the bathroom, I told DH my water had broke. He asked if I was kidding...as we had previously joked about going into labor, as they were inducing on Wednesday (this was Monday). I said no and he grabbed the phone. I called the hospital and they said to pack a bag and come on in. So, I took a quick shower and off we headed to the hospital. Ctxs started about 5 minutes down the road and came on strong and steady with lots of water leaking everywhere every time I had one. They were 4-5 minutes apart and upon arriving to the hospital at 10:36 p.m. and heading to the maternity ward, they started coming every 2 minutes. The nurses thought they had better check me and found me to be dilated to 8 cm's and "the baby's head is right there". Oh my gosh - I asked for an epidural. Umm...no doctor there yet - can't give me an epi or any drugs. Ctxs are coming strong and I tell the nurses I have to push and am told that I need to breath through them as the doctor has not arrived yet. She FINALLY gets there at 11:15 p.m. and Gabriel made his appearance at 11:18 p.m. The doctor tells me to push when I need to, but no more ctxs only back pain. Then she says she needs me to push as they need to get the second one out - and she is in breech position. The doctor pretty much went in and had to grab her. Lydia was born at 11:34 p.m. in breech position. Each twin took two pushes.

Mom did labor with no epi or drugs!! I still can't believe I did it!!! Everything worked out wonderful - though if you had asked me three weeks ago - I would have argued with you!!! Women - we can do anything!!!

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