8 years ago
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Where have the 2 weeks gone
I am very happy to say that both the boys, Erick and I are doing much better. We seem to have found our first grove. The boys are eating more consistently and we are getting a fair amount of sleep. We are going to start extending the night time feedings and seeing if we can get away with that. Wish us luck. If it doesn't work at least I still have one more week with Erick home. Monday we find out just how much Ethan has gained. He doesn't even look like the same baby (I will post pics when I have a weight update). Both boys have found their voices and are very sure that diaper changes are not their favorite things. That makes the 3 am changes really hard because they are LOUD. Both boys are in newborn diapers and moving into the clothes. Some preemie stuff is to small and some fits just right. I only have 4 outfits that they haven't worn at all. I am trying to get all the stuff we were given at least worn once. The boys love the boppys and love to nap in them on the couch next to us.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Good news
Ethan is starting to catch up!!! His appetite on the new formula is great. He is eating about 50ml at a feeding. It still takes twice as long to feed Ethan as it does to feed Owen but he is eating so we are happy. Owen is rapidly outgrowing the preemie clothes. shoulders on outfits are starting to pull but Im not really for him to be in the next size up yet lol. Last night for the first time Erick and I slept at the same time. We slept while they slept. I think it was really hard for Erick at first. He kept getting out of bed to check on them. After about the 3rd night feeding it looked like it was easier for him. It really was great not only did I get just over 6 hrs sleep last night (even if it was broken in 2 hr chunks) I got to sleep with Erick which is something I really missed.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Follow up appointments
Today both the boys and I had appointments to check on us.
Mine was first. It started out great then turned a little sour. I get called back and they have me step on the scale and I am at my pre-pregnancy weight. woo hoo. I knew I had to be close because I am also in my old pants. Then we go in the room. The nurse ooohs and ahhhs over the boys. She then asks if I have any issues or problems I need to discuss. I tell her yeah there is a sore spot I am concerned about but that it has hurt sense before I came home. She leaves and the Dr comes in, he looks and I have an infection. He says I should have been wearing a pad across the incision. Why was I never told that? They had it open to the air in the hospital. I even told them before I was discharged that the spot hurt. Grrr
Then we go down stairs for the boys appointment. We no sooner sat down then we were called back. The boys get weighed. Owen is now 5lb 10oz. That is a whole 6oz above his birth weight. Ethan on the other hand is still at his discharge weight of 5lb 3oz. Once again they switch his formula. I really hope this works. We go back for him next week. Owen doesnt have to go back for 2 weeks. We also have to make another appointment with a different Dr to get the boys clipped but we have to wait 2 more weeks for that as well. Both boys a still a little jaundice but the levels are not a worry right now.
We are officially on lock down. The boys do not qualify for the shot to protect them from RSV but they have 6 of the factors that put them at high risk.
* premature birth (born more than 4 weeks early, with or without lung disease)
* being born boys
* low birth weight (under 5½ pounds)
* family history of asthma
* Infants who are not breastfed
* multiple births (for example, twins)
RSV is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in babies and young children. About 67% of babies are infected with RSV before their first birthday and virtually all children will have been infected by their second birthday. Most of these infections result in minor illness. But in some high-risk children (particularly preemies or children who have experienced lung complications) RSV can be life threatening.
We ask that all visitors do the following:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the babies.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure.
5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.
6. Please call before coming over so that we may limit contact and people handling.
The best part of all this is we are not allowed to take the boys out in public. Yep thats right after 6 weeks on bed rest I am still housebound. Only this time its not weeks its months. RSV season for our area goes til April.
Mine was first. It started out great then turned a little sour. I get called back and they have me step on the scale and I am at my pre-pregnancy weight. woo hoo. I knew I had to be close because I am also in my old pants. Then we go in the room. The nurse ooohs and ahhhs over the boys. She then asks if I have any issues or problems I need to discuss. I tell her yeah there is a sore spot I am concerned about but that it has hurt sense before I came home. She leaves and the Dr comes in, he looks and I have an infection. He says I should have been wearing a pad across the incision. Why was I never told that? They had it open to the air in the hospital. I even told them before I was discharged that the spot hurt. Grrr
Then we go down stairs for the boys appointment. We no sooner sat down then we were called back. The boys get weighed. Owen is now 5lb 10oz. That is a whole 6oz above his birth weight. Ethan on the other hand is still at his discharge weight of 5lb 3oz. Once again they switch his formula. I really hope this works. We go back for him next week. Owen doesnt have to go back for 2 weeks. We also have to make another appointment with a different Dr to get the boys clipped but we have to wait 2 more weeks for that as well. Both boys a still a little jaundice but the levels are not a worry right now.
We are officially on lock down. The boys do not qualify for the shot to protect them from RSV but they have 6 of the factors that put them at high risk.
* premature birth (born more than 4 weeks early, with or without lung disease)
* being born boys
* low birth weight (under 5½ pounds)
* family history of asthma
* Infants who are not breastfed
* multiple births (for example, twins)
RSV is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in babies and young children. About 67% of babies are infected with RSV before their first birthday and virtually all children will have been infected by their second birthday. Most of these infections result in minor illness. But in some high-risk children (particularly preemies or children who have experienced lung complications) RSV can be life threatening.
We ask that all visitors do the following:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the babies.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure.
5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.
6. Please call before coming over so that we may limit contact and people handling.
The best part of all this is we are not allowed to take the boys out in public. Yep thats right after 6 weeks on bed rest I am still housebound. Only this time its not weeks its months. RSV season for our area goes til April.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Pics
All of us in our first family photo
Owen Carlos
Ethan Joseph
Snug bugs
proof of first night survival
We have boys
About the boys
So we are home now but I know you all want to know everything that has happened before now. Well I went in for an NST and Erick came with me at 8am 12-27-08. He had been to only one before then and we were there for 6 hrs for observation. This was my follow up to that appointment and Erick walked in and said that if we were going to be there another 6 hrs he didnt want to leave without the babies. Well about 20 min later they came in and said I was having some contractions and once again baby b's heart rate was dropping we were waiting to hear back from a call put into the dr. About 10 min later I was being told Erick got is wish. The Dr was happy that I was 36 weeks and didnt want to wait any longer. We were told to get me changes and I would be going in for my c-section at noon.
I got ready and Erick and I were talking. We were both excited and nervous. The Dr came in to talk to me about 930 he said he was ready and to get me ready. About that time though the lady next door started pushing so I got to wait. During the wait I met everyone and had everything explained to me. I also go preped and all that that entails. Just before 10 they came in and walked me to the OR across the hall. Erick had to wait (he said he paced the whole time). They sat me on the table and started to give me the spinal. He couldnt find the space it needed to go (i was warned that I may need to be put under). On the 7th (yes you read that right) time I poked me it worked. He said my spine was so deep it took the whole needle. They laid me down fast almost rolling me off the other side of the table. All of a sudden the room was full of people (11 medical staff). Erick was brought in. He sat by my head and they let me keep my had unstrapped so that Erick could hold it. At 10:29am they told Erick to stand and quick. 3 seconds later I heard a cry and Erick looked at me with the biggest grin. Owen Carlos was born weighing in at 5lb 4oz 18.5 in long. The one Dr then told everyone to stand back for the splash. Erick cringed and then smiled. There was another cry and at 10:30 (really 10:29 and seconds) Ethan Joseph was born 5lb 9oz 18.5in. I got to see and kiss the boys and off they went to be monitored. Erick went with the boys and I laid on the table crying while getting stitched.
Recovery was an hour long in a tiny room with Erick in and out and a nurse filling out the paperwork that didnt get done before surgery like it should have. Then I was taken to my first room. The babies were still in the NICU for observation and people were in and out watching me. This is where things get fuzzy. my mom and in-laws came to visit. They all got to meet the babies before me because they could walk to the NICU and I couldnt. It would be 8pm before I really got to meet Owen. They then told me it would be a little longer til I would get to meet Ethan. At 10 they finally got to meet my little man but I was told he couldnt stay with me. Erick stayed with me til 2 even though visiting wasnt allowed after 10 we were overlooked and it was great int he private room. Owen slept on my chest the whole night. After lunch the next day they finally brought Ethan to stay.
The rest of my stay was a sad one because the boys were taken away from me again due to jondice (sp?) and because I didnt have the boys I lost my private room. That is a long sad story. They wanted to send me home on Tuesday (12-30) but when I told them I was attempting to establish breastfeeding they said I could stay. Not long after that the Pedi came in and told me she was switching both boys formula because they were not doing as well as she would have liked and Ethan may not get to go home right now. He lost 5oz and was spitting up everything we were giving him whether it was breast or formula. This caused me a lot of tears. There was no way I wanted to come home with only one of my babies. After more crying and talking with Erick we decided that i would stop pumping and breastfeeding and just worry about the boys gaining weight and getting big and fat. This was a very hard choice for me to make and even trying to type this out I am crying. I so wanted to be able to breastfeed but to be honest it was killing me as well. In order to do it with the boys under the billy lights they would bring me one baby I had 30 min to feed him any way I chose. If the baby was put to breast I had to use the last 10 min to give him formula. Then I would walk (if thats even what you can call it) to the nursery with baby 1 and sit in the nursery to feed baby 2. Then I would return to my room and pump for 40 min. when I was done I walked back to the nursery and gave them the breast milk. Then I had 1 hr and 20 min to go to the bathroom, shower eat or sleep. Even with doing this Ethan was still getting sick.
It was not until noon on my last day there that I knew for sure both boys were coming home with me. Erick got up early and get everything ready then sat at the hospital with me. Finally at 2:30pm on New years Eve after getting my staples out all 4 of us got to come home together.
Our first night was a rough one as we were given very specific instructions on feedings and amounts but we made it through it and are doing great.
So we are home now but I know you all want to know everything that has happened before now. Well I went in for an NST and Erick came with me at 8am 12-27-08. He had been to only one before then and we were there for 6 hrs for observation. This was my follow up to that appointment and Erick walked in and said that if we were going to be there another 6 hrs he didnt want to leave without the babies. Well about 20 min later they came in and said I was having some contractions and once again baby b's heart rate was dropping we were waiting to hear back from a call put into the dr. About 10 min later I was being told Erick got is wish. The Dr was happy that I was 36 weeks and didnt want to wait any longer. We were told to get me changes and I would be going in for my c-section at noon.
I got ready and Erick and I were talking. We were both excited and nervous. The Dr came in to talk to me about 930 he said he was ready and to get me ready. About that time though the lady next door started pushing so I got to wait. During the wait I met everyone and had everything explained to me. I also go preped and all that that entails. Just before 10 they came in and walked me to the OR across the hall. Erick had to wait (he said he paced the whole time). They sat me on the table and started to give me the spinal. He couldnt find the space it needed to go (i was warned that I may need to be put under). On the 7th (yes you read that right) time I poked me it worked. He said my spine was so deep it took the whole needle. They laid me down fast almost rolling me off the other side of the table. All of a sudden the room was full of people (11 medical staff). Erick was brought in. He sat by my head and they let me keep my had unstrapped so that Erick could hold it. At 10:29am they told Erick to stand and quick. 3 seconds later I heard a cry and Erick looked at me with the biggest grin. Owen Carlos was born weighing in at 5lb 4oz 18.5 in long. The one Dr then told everyone to stand back for the splash. Erick cringed and then smiled. There was another cry and at 10:30 (really 10:29 and seconds) Ethan Joseph was born 5lb 9oz 18.5in. I got to see and kiss the boys and off they went to be monitored. Erick went with the boys and I laid on the table crying while getting stitched.
Recovery was an hour long in a tiny room with Erick in and out and a nurse filling out the paperwork that didnt get done before surgery like it should have. Then I was taken to my first room. The babies were still in the NICU for observation and people were in and out watching me. This is where things get fuzzy. my mom and in-laws came to visit. They all got to meet the babies before me because they could walk to the NICU and I couldnt. It would be 8pm before I really got to meet Owen. They then told me it would be a little longer til I would get to meet Ethan. At 10 they finally got to meet my little man but I was told he couldnt stay with me. Erick stayed with me til 2 even though visiting wasnt allowed after 10 we were overlooked and it was great int he private room. Owen slept on my chest the whole night. After lunch the next day they finally brought Ethan to stay.
The rest of my stay was a sad one because the boys were taken away from me again due to jondice (sp?) and because I didnt have the boys I lost my private room. That is a long sad story. They wanted to send me home on Tuesday (12-30) but when I told them I was attempting to establish breastfeeding they said I could stay. Not long after that the Pedi came in and told me she was switching both boys formula because they were not doing as well as she would have liked and Ethan may not get to go home right now. He lost 5oz and was spitting up everything we were giving him whether it was breast or formula. This caused me a lot of tears. There was no way I wanted to come home with only one of my babies. After more crying and talking with Erick we decided that i would stop pumping and breastfeeding and just worry about the boys gaining weight and getting big and fat. This was a very hard choice for me to make and even trying to type this out I am crying. I so wanted to be able to breastfeed but to be honest it was killing me as well. In order to do it with the boys under the billy lights they would bring me one baby I had 30 min to feed him any way I chose. If the baby was put to breast I had to use the last 10 min to give him formula. Then I would walk (if thats even what you can call it) to the nursery with baby 1 and sit in the nursery to feed baby 2. Then I would return to my room and pump for 40 min. when I was done I walked back to the nursery and gave them the breast milk. Then I had 1 hr and 20 min to go to the bathroom, shower eat or sleep. Even with doing this Ethan was still getting sick.
It was not until noon on my last day there that I knew for sure both boys were coming home with me. Erick got up early and get everything ready then sat at the hospital with me. Finally at 2:30pm on New years Eve after getting my staples out all 4 of us got to come home together.
Our first night was a rough one as we were given very specific instructions on feedings and amounts but we made it through it and are doing great.
Monday, December 22, 2008
not so thrilled
So today I had an appointment with a doctor in the practice that I had yet to meet. The doctor suggested it might be a good idea to meet him because he will be on call New Years Eve and day. Then my normal Dr said he was a nice guy and kinda looked like Santa. So all week I was kinda excited about meeting Santa lol. The appointment did not live up to the excitement though.
First we get there and it says out of all the doctors he is delayed. I am thinking great now I get to wait god knows how long. I wasnt waiting long the sign was wrong as was everything else from that point on. They took my weight +7 lbs in 5 days. OUCH. Im still not even up 30 but still. Then she had me stand in the hall and wait for the bathroom to be cleaned in order to leave a urine sample. Finally rather then show me to the room she pointed and told me last door down the hall. The last door down the hall was a supply closet. So I am sitting in the room and she finally comes in to take my blood pressure (117/70) and starts asking me about the baby. I nicely tell her babies. She tells me she feels sorry for me and asks if I have lots of help at home. Then She said she was glad she didnt have twins. At this point I am ignoring her. She hands me a blanket and tells me to undress from the waste down and starts to walk out. I give her a puzzled look I was told no internals yet because they dont want to set me off. She then looks in my chart and asks me if I have had the group B test. I say no. She said waste down preps for it and walks out. Isnt that something she should know before telling someone to undress? What was she expecting the Dr to need me undressed for he didnt do an internal? So I am now sitting there undressed and waiting thinking great this now this appointment is hi nice to meet you let me look under the hood.
Finally the doctor comes in he says something about the baby. I look at him and say babies its twins. To that he replies and I quote "I was wondering why you were so huge". Um excuse me? Im not even up 30 lbs yes I know I am big but didnt you bother to peek in the chart of a new patient especially if you were wondering something. So at this point I am peeved. I dont even care anymore. He asks me what position they are in and I tell him I dont know the last time that was checked was 11-25 and we know they arnt in the same places now. To that he starts arguing that no what was I told at my biophysical profiles (BPP). I try to tell him I am not getting BPPs only weekly NSTs. He argues again telling me I should be biweekly. OK thats nice but that was not what was ordered for me. So he orders it (ie writes it on my chart). He then hands me my chart and tells me to give my chart to the nurse and make sure she calls it in. When did this become my job? I did though because I want to see the babies. Yes that is a true accounting no fudging account of my visit today.
First we get there and it says out of all the doctors he is delayed. I am thinking great now I get to wait god knows how long. I wasnt waiting long the sign was wrong as was everything else from that point on. They took my weight +7 lbs in 5 days. OUCH. Im still not even up 30 but still. Then she had me stand in the hall and wait for the bathroom to be cleaned in order to leave a urine sample. Finally rather then show me to the room she pointed and told me last door down the hall. The last door down the hall was a supply closet. So I am sitting in the room and she finally comes in to take my blood pressure (117/70) and starts asking me about the baby. I nicely tell her babies. She tells me she feels sorry for me and asks if I have lots of help at home. Then She said she was glad she didnt have twins. At this point I am ignoring her. She hands me a blanket and tells me to undress from the waste down and starts to walk out. I give her a puzzled look I was told no internals yet because they dont want to set me off. She then looks in my chart and asks me if I have had the group B test. I say no. She said waste down preps for it and walks out. Isnt that something she should know before telling someone to undress? What was she expecting the Dr to need me undressed for he didnt do an internal? So I am now sitting there undressed and waiting thinking great this now this appointment is hi nice to meet you let me look under the hood.
Finally the doctor comes in he says something about the baby. I look at him and say babies its twins. To that he replies and I quote "I was wondering why you were so huge". Um excuse me? Im not even up 30 lbs yes I know I am big but didnt you bother to peek in the chart of a new patient especially if you were wondering something. So at this point I am peeved. I dont even care anymore. He asks me what position they are in and I tell him I dont know the last time that was checked was 11-25 and we know they arnt in the same places now. To that he starts arguing that no what was I told at my biophysical profiles (BPP). I try to tell him I am not getting BPPs only weekly NSTs. He argues again telling me I should be biweekly. OK thats nice but that was not what was ordered for me. So he orders it (ie writes it on my chart). He then hands me my chart and tells me to give my chart to the nurse and make sure she calls it in. When did this become my job? I did though because I want to see the babies. Yes that is a true accounting no fudging account of my visit today.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Well I made it
I have made it on a few fronts. I am 34 weeks and the Dr is very happy that I made it this far. I made it through my first day off the Terbutaline without a trip to the hospital (knock on wood). Christmas is ready done and wrapped waiting under the tree for the people they need to go home with. All the stuff the twins need in the first few days is ready and washed. I have made it to a point where I am happy and comfortable that anything that is left to be done Erick could handle if it came down to that.
I look forward to the next few weeks and getting to spend more time with Erick between that half days and whole days he has off for the holidays. I am also really looking forward to meeting Erick's coworkers this coming Friday. Because He is at a new job I haven't met a single person he works with. Mostly I look forward to getting out of the house. I am lucky Erick now understands my cabin fever and he has been coming home and suggesting we go for drives to look at the lights on the houses. This is my new favorite past time. I have always loved the lights but I have much more appreciation for them now.
I look forward to the next few weeks and getting to spend more time with Erick between that half days and whole days he has off for the holidays. I am also really looking forward to meeting Erick's coworkers this coming Friday. Because He is at a new job I haven't met a single person he works with. Mostly I look forward to getting out of the house. I am lucky Erick now understands my cabin fever and he has been coming home and suggesting we go for drives to look at the lights on the houses. This is my new favorite past time. I have always loved the lights but I have much more appreciation for them now.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
There is an end is sight
First off TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Ok now that that is out. Today I had an appointment. I gained and now I am at +25 lbs (23 if you ask some of the Drs in the practice). I am very happy with that. So the Dr finally comes in and is doing the lets feel the babies thing and pushing on my belly and no joke he says "my god that is a lot of baby in there!! Oh I mean babies." Thanks I know I am huge and most of it is them that means they are huge. So he says I go off the Turb. on Sat but they still want to keep me from going into labor so go in when I feel I need to so they can stop it. He asked if we had set a date for my c-section (babies are both breach). No we hadnt even talked about it. Well he goes I think we should set it for Jan 12th. That would put me 38 weeks. Then he adds "but it really doesnt matter because I dont think you are going to make it that far, I dont see you making it to New years". So the end is fast approaching. Oh and if Erick is right they will be here in 13 days.
In other, but still baby related, news... They are getting so much better at NSTs. Once again my NST today only took the 30 min.
Ok now that that is out. Today I had an appointment. I gained and now I am at +25 lbs (23 if you ask some of the Drs in the practice). I am very happy with that. So the Dr finally comes in and is doing the lets feel the babies thing and pushing on my belly and no joke he says "my god that is a lot of baby in there!! Oh I mean babies." Thanks I know I am huge and most of it is them that means they are huge. So he says I go off the Turb. on Sat but they still want to keep me from going into labor so go in when I feel I need to so they can stop it. He asked if we had set a date for my c-section (babies are both breach). No we hadnt even talked about it. Well he goes I think we should set it for Jan 12th. That would put me 38 weeks. Then he adds "but it really doesnt matter because I dont think you are going to make it that far, I dont see you making it to New years". So the end is fast approaching. Oh and if Erick is right they will be here in 13 days.
In other, but still baby related, news... They are getting so much better at NSTs. Once again my NST today only took the 30 min.
Monday, December 8, 2008
33 weeks
Today
22 weeks...What a difference.
Really there is no new information. It is really hard to come up with what to write when you do the same thing every day. I have the TV line up memorized and have really become addicted to 2 games on addictinggames.com but other then that no news is good news.
This past weekend was the holiday family gathering for my dads side of the family. It is an ornament exchange. I had fun taking the one my cousin really wanted. hehehe Im a stinker. I ate lots of food so I am hoping for a good weight gain this week. My next appointment is Wednesday which also happens to be my birthday.
I will keep trying to do a better one but here is attempt #1
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Well you know what they say
No news is good news. I kept holding out to get pics in a post but cant seem to find the charger for my camera which is dead at the moment. I started my weekly NSTs boy are they fun. Besides taking almost an hour to get checked in I was hooked up to the machine for an hour and a half. Finally the nurse gave up and went to call the Dr to see what to do. Wouldn't you know my Dr was off. I also got a new u/s last week. Both babies are breach. Well at least that is what she is calling it. Baby B is kinda diagonal. Baby A is so low in my pelvic bone that the tech could see legs. The good news is that I am holding strong and not funneling at all. Once again I didnt gain any weight but I didnt lose any either. Oh did I mention the chunkers were a whopping 3lb 12oz and 3lb 15oz last Tuesday. This is the biggest weight difference they have had but it is great because they are big for their ages. I will have another u/s in 3 weeks if I am still pregnant and if I cant cry myself into a sooner one.
