We went in to the doctor on Friday May 1, for our every other day check up. The day prior had been decent, I was miserable as usual and was continuing to feel more and more sick with blood pressure issues, kidney/protein issues and nausea- all the fun pre-eclamptic symptoms. We had been to the doctor so many times before wondering if today would be "THE day" and I had been sad and frustrated so we expected them to push us to Monday. We had convinced ourselves that of course it wouldn't be THE day. I had even planned out what I would be eating for lunch after our appointment!!! (this is a big deal for a hugely pregnant woman who hated food).
We went in, did the usual stuff and my Obstetrician said to me "I think that we need to make this obstetrical problem a pediatric problem!" We looked at each other and said "YAY!" So the doctor said that he would see us in a few hours and we would deliver the babies.
We walked to labor and delivery, where we were warmly greeted by the nurses who knew us on a first name basis from so many previous visits. I got hooked up to all the usual machines and the phone calls began. Dan, my mom, and Kristi our Doula (birth coach/assistant) was with me. We called some key people including parents, siblings, etc... to tell them that we would have babies in a few hours. Everyone was so excited! I had a serious lightbulb moment when the nurse came in with all the paperwork to sign before surgery and there were two sets of papers. Twins = two sets of paperwork. Thus began the real twin shock.
The actual process began with all sorts of medical stuff. IV lines, drugs, doctor visits, catheters...... I was all ready to go and they had me walk to the operating room. I was slightly annoyed I had to walk to my own surgery. I was huge, swollen, and just had a catheter with no anesthesia. yuck. But regardless... I sucked it up and walked. Turned out that the operating room was three doors down and around a corner.
At this point Dan was suited up, all ready to go. The doctors were all prepped and the operating room was swimming with people. I estimate around 20 people in the room. I was a little scared, mostly of the surgery because I was really unsure as to what to expect. Dan waited outside the operating room until it was his time to come in. I got up on the operating table, was given the epidural and was quickly laid down because the anesthesia worked so quickly I was unable to control any part of my body besides my head and arms. Dan was then able to come in to the room and sat down on a tiny stool right next to me. They put up the sheet in front of my head so that we did not have to watch the surgery. The doctors were just chatting like they were hanging out at the water fountain and people were moving all around. I was awake but not totally aware of everything. It seems foggy, but I clearly remember the most important moment.
It happened so quickly... all of a sudden after feeling some odd tugging sensations, we heard the doctor say "here she comes" and then, a baby cried! The doctor held her up for us to see and Dan and I were overwhelmed with joy! She was passed off to Baby A team to get warm and cleaned up. Then literally the next minute we hear the cry of the next baby! She was held up for us to see and she looked exactly like her sister and was quickly passed off to her team. The babies then began to cry simultaneously and we laughed knowing that the stereo crying would be our life from that point on.
I remember feeling so happy, so overflowing with joy. Feeling relieved that the pregnancy was over, that everyone was healthy and we were in awe of our babies. Dan and I were both a little teary but we were quickly onto the next event. Baby A (Caroline) was having some slight breathing problems so she was taken immediately to the nursery. Baby B (Charlotte) was doing great so her team swaddled her and gave her to Dan to hold. He was able to show her to me and then walked her down to the nursery. I headed into the recovery room and Dan stayed in the nursery with our girls.
From that point on I already felt better. I was able to go into the nursery while on the gurney and hold my girls. I then was very tired and was able to rest for a few hours in my room until the feedings began.
It was such an amazing experience. I can't even describe how happy I felt. My girls were so beautiful, everyone was healthy and we had made it through the pregnancy!
p.s. In the post before this, there are a bunch of pictures from birth day...
The actual process began with all sorts of medical stuff. IV lines, drugs, doctor visits, catheters...... I was all ready to go and they had me walk to the operating room. I was slightly annoyed I had to walk to my own surgery. I was huge, swollen, and just had a catheter with no anesthesia. yuck. But regardless... I sucked it up and walked. Turned out that the operating room was three doors down and around a corner.
At this point Dan was suited up, all ready to go. The doctors were all prepped and the operating room was swimming with people. I estimate around 20 people in the room. I was a little scared, mostly of the surgery because I was really unsure as to what to expect. Dan waited outside the operating room until it was his time to come in. I got up on the operating table, was given the epidural and was quickly laid down because the anesthesia worked so quickly I was unable to control any part of my body besides my head and arms. Dan was then able to come in to the room and sat down on a tiny stool right next to me. They put up the sheet in front of my head so that we did not have to watch the surgery. The doctors were just chatting like they were hanging out at the water fountain and people were moving all around. I was awake but not totally aware of everything. It seems foggy, but I clearly remember the most important moment.
It happened so quickly... all of a sudden after feeling some odd tugging sensations, we heard the doctor say "here she comes" and then, a baby cried! The doctor held her up for us to see and Dan and I were overwhelmed with joy! She was passed off to Baby A team to get warm and cleaned up. Then literally the next minute we hear the cry of the next baby! She was held up for us to see and she looked exactly like her sister and was quickly passed off to her team. The babies then began to cry simultaneously and we laughed knowing that the stereo crying would be our life from that point on.
I remember feeling so happy, so overflowing with joy. Feeling relieved that the pregnancy was over, that everyone was healthy and we were in awe of our babies. Dan and I were both a little teary but we were quickly onto the next event. Baby A (Caroline) was having some slight breathing problems so she was taken immediately to the nursery. Baby B (Charlotte) was doing great so her team swaddled her and gave her to Dan to hold. He was able to show her to me and then walked her down to the nursery. I headed into the recovery room and Dan stayed in the nursery with our girls.
From that point on I already felt better. I was able to go into the nursery while on the gurney and hold my girls. I then was very tired and was able to rest for a few hours in my room until the feedings began.
It was such an amazing experience. I can't even describe how happy I felt. My girls were so beautiful, everyone was healthy and we had made it through the pregnancy!
p.s. In the post before this, there are a bunch of pictures from birth day...
1 comment:
Yay!! Thank you for taking the time to post all of the details! Love reading all about your girls' arrival...very exciting!
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