Birth Story

***This post is very long and includes a lot of little details mostly so I can always remember them!***

Let's talk about the craziest morning ever.

Monday morning I woke up in a lot of pain. Chris's alarm was going off but he kept snoozing it so we could cuddle, but I was shaking my legs vigorously to help with the pain. He just thought I had to pee ;) I wasn't sure if I was having real contractions so I started timing them on an app on my phone. They were regular but I was trying to pass them off as Braxton Hicks because I didn't believe I could actually be in labor at 35 weeks when it seemed like I was going to be pregnant forever. I told Chris that I was in a lot of pain but I wasn't too worried so I sent him off to work.

Bad choice.

Things escalated quickly. My contractions were about 4 minutes apart and a minute long. I was aware of the 4-1-1 rule, but I just dismissed it. I had 4 minutes to wash the dishes then crumble in pain. Then 4 minutes to try and do my makeup. And 4 minutes to get dressed then crumble in pain again. The worst part was that it was all in my back and no position helped. It got to a point when I realized this could actually be happening. I told Chris to get home ASAP and I started finalizing everything in my hospital bag. He had to take a train all the way to get home, but it went by fast. Before I knew it he was changing out of his work clothes and we were on our way to the hospital. Thankfully it's only about a 5 minute drive away. I remember telling Chris that I was afraid they were going to send me home despite the awful pain I was in. We arrived at Labor & Delivery and were checked in fast because I pre-registered (an absolute must!). They wheeled me in to a delivery room and I changed into my gown all while I was begging Chris to rub my back through each contraction. My sweet nurse Marianne calmly asked me some questions, took my vitals, hooked up monitors, did an ultrasound to check their positions, had someone else come and check the ultrasound, then FINALLY checked my cervix. She calmly said, "you are complete" and promptly started calling everyone. Complete? Like fully dilated? Chris asked what that meant and she just turned to me and asked if I felt like I needed to push. What?! At that point things were really rolling. My nurse was paging everyone again and got the anesthesiologist in my room in the blink of an eye. I was worried it was too late for an epidural, but they said as long as I could stay still long enough they could do it. While I was getting the epidural and spinal block, people were in and out of my room getting everything ready. I was in so much pain I didn't care what they thought of me. After what felt like an electric shock in my leg, the numbing started to spread, but unfortunately didn't numb the feeling of back contractions. Next thing I knew my doctor was there and I was wheeled into the OR. I could not believe how fast she got there. She was literally in my room 10 minutes after she was called from her office.

I remember the OR being really bright with equipment everywhere. There were at least 10 people in the room including nurses from the NICU for the babies, nurses and doctors for me, and a med student that looked like he was a little lost. I couldn't believe everything was happening so fast! I was only in labor for 4 hours and was in the OR ready to push only an hour after getting to the hospital. I was excited and in pain at the same time. My husband was awesome in encouraging me to push and knew what to do even though we never took a birthing class. After a little pushing there was a little wiggling baby boy placed on my tummy. It was amazing!

He was taken over to be checked and cleaned and I couldn't take my eyes off him. My little boy was perfect. A couple minutes later it was time to push again. Chris would look down at me and count to 10, and I would start to laugh because he had the most handsome blue eyes and I was just so happy this was happening. After the first push or so my doctor said that this was going to take some really big pushes to get baby girl out fast or I was at high risk of getting a c-section. I pushed the best I could considering I couldn't feel anything. It was like telling your brain to just do it because you weren't really sure you were pushing or not. I had a least 5 people telling me to push, that I was doing amazing, and that she was almost here. It only took about 4 pushes and a tiny beautiful girl was placed on my chest. I feel in love all over again! They were born exactly 10 minutes apart and I only had to push for about 15 minutes total. I was SO blessed to have such a quick and easy delivery. Little baby boy entered the world at 10:47am weighing 5lbs 11oz and sweet baby girl arrived at 10:57am weighing 5lbs 1oz. 


I got to do some skin to skin with baby boy as they worked on the afterbirth. Delivering the placentas isn't the best feeling in the world but I didn't care because I had my precious son with me. I'm positive Chris saw way way more than he wanted to! He was pretty freaked out when he saw my doctor elbow deep in my uterus. I just wish there was a mirror because I was very curious about how all this worked. Both babies did great on their Apgar tests and were allowed to spend in hour with us back in our room before going to the NICU for further checking. I got to hold them together on the way to the room...I never thought it was going to be 4 days until I got to see them together again. My doctor came to my room and just hung out with us for about 45 minutes. She said it was way better than going back to the office and doing clinic hours. We talked about names and she helped me breastfeed a little. They were some very surreal precious moments. My husband was beaming, I could tell he was one proud daddy. We decided on the name Boston for our little boy, but didn't have a middle name yet. We named our precious girl Lyla.

Eventually they had to take the twins away so Chris went with them to help with their first bath. I was alone with the nurse for awhile while she finished up a bunch of paperwork. Then I moved upstairs to the maternity ward. I was alone for awhile...it was hard going from the hustle and bustle of delivering two precious babies to being all alone, but I was happy Chris could be with the twins. I finally got to go down to the NICU and feed Boston. He was doing great and didn't have to be admitted, but Lyla did have to be admitted due to low blood sugar and would need an IV. It was really hard leaving her behind and getting to keep Boston with us. The rest of the evening was a blur. I remember telling our families the happy news and falling asleep watching Tarzan then being woken up all hours of the night to feed Boston, get my vitals checked, take some pills, or have my uterus what I like to call "kneaded".

Six in the morning came too fast. I met my new nurses, spoke with the twin's pediatrician, and got checked by my delivery team and anesthesiologist. The rest of the day was back and forth between the NICU and my room. Boston wasn't allowed to go back in the NICU so we were constantly juggling the twins between the 3 floors. Thankfully the nursery could take care of Boston so that Chris and I could visit Lyla together. When we would visit Lyla her nurse would have us do her "cares" which consisted of taking her temperature, changing her diaper, and feeding her. They were slowing weaning her off her IV based on her blood sugar levels which needed to be above 45. Our poor thing had to stay a second night in the NICU. Chris and I had a special congratulatory dinner from the hospital that evening. I was happy he finally got some real food since he was living off the crackers, Lorna Doones, and oatmeal stashed in the refreshments room.

Tuesday night was rough. I stayed with Lyla in the NICU until about 2am when I came upstairs to feed Boston and sleep. At this point I was pushing a wheelchair for support instead of having to ride in one. I ended up only sleeping 1 hour that night. While I was sleeping I was again awakened by people drawing blood, giving me more pills, pushing on my uterus, and checking my vitals. When Chris woke up we went to the NICU to be with Lyla. I fell asleep in the chair while waiting for Lyla to be ready to feed. I had a pounding headache that was making any conversation hard. After going back upstairs we met again with the pediatrician about Boston's circumcision. It was done fast and we were told he was a total champ. My anesthesiologist stopped by again to check up on how I was feeling. I told him that yesterday I had a dull headache, but today it was much more severe. He told me to lay flat and in under a minute the headache was much better. At that point he explained to me that I had a spinal headache and he strongly, and I mean strongly, recommended I get a blood patch. I told him we would think about it, but not long after I said yes please and it was done. Basically I had spinal fluid leak out from the epidural and spinal block which changed the the fluid pressure around the spinal cord and brain resulting in a terrible no good headache. He took blood from my arm and inserted it into where my anesthetic was injected. It was like getting another epidural, but without the actual numbing. The blood would clot and seal the hole where the leak was. I had to lay flat for an hour after so I finally got a little more sleep. Lunch woke me up and I finally had an appetite. I had a turkey and provolone sandwich that was so good I still think about it. Chris came back after being in the NICU and told me the hard news that Lyla wouldn't be able to come home with us today. 

I started to gently cry and then sob after Chris showed me a present he bought for her in the gift shop after hearing the news. He bought some little bows and glue for her hair. It was the saddest and most tender moment from our stay in the hospital. It broke my heart. Lyla's blood sugars were stable now, but she lost too much weight and needed further monitoring. Our little girl was down to 4lbs 10oz. We visited her again and just relished in how perfect and small she was. All over the NICU they had the Dr. Seuss quote, "A person's a person, no matter how small." I wanted to cry every time I read it. 

We were supposed to be discharged by 11 that morning, but the blood patch pushed our discharge to that afternoon. Then my doctor was no where to be found. She finally came in around 4 to approve my discharge. I had been stressed trying to figure out how that night was going to work with going back and forth from home to the NICU to feed my babies. A hospital hotel stay was mentioned several times, but we thought it would be too expensive until we asked how much it was and to our surprise it was free. (I really don't think it was free. I think they didn't charge us because of our special circumstance.) Instantly I knew that's what we should do. We got to stay in our room, but we had no nursing or nursery services. It was actually kind of nice not having people constantly checking up on us. Although it was weird hearing this whole hospital world outside our door that we were no longer apart of. It kind of makes you feel out of place, however we were so grateful that the night would go much smoother.

Thursday morning I went down to be with Lyla and was overjoyed to hear that she would likely come home with us that day. I got to be there for her rounds where all the staff meet together and discuss Lyla's progress. It was at that point where they said she could be discharged that day. I wanted to cry! I went upstairs to watch Boston as Chris loaded the car and then he went and got Lyla. It was the best feeling taking them home and seeing the two of them together for the first time since Monday. They slept side by side for hours. We are in total awe and love being a family. A lovely lady from our church brought us dinner and we just hung out the rest of the evening, soaking in every moment. The hospital stay was long, yet brief at the same time. Giving birth to twins was such an incredible experience I wish I could live over and over again. I am so thankful that I have the chance to be a mom and even more thankful to my Heavenly Father to know that my family is forever.

34 Weeks

 Happy happy 34 weeks babies! It's wonderful we've made it this far!

The clock is counting down and we (including my doctor) think these not so little babies are going to arrive in the next two weeks or so. I say not so little because when I saw my specialist today, baby boy weighed 5lbs 5oz and baby girl weighed 5lbs 3oz. Holy! They are growing beautifully despite the fact I can't seem to gain more weight. 

My doctor also confirmed that I will be delivering in an OR just in case. She will try to deliver vaginally even if little girl is breech, but they're both head down now. It's unlikely they'll move because it's so crowded in there plus gravity is helping to pull the heaviest part of their bodies down. When I hear c-section I just shrug and think whatever. Not that I'm being careless, I just know there are so many different scenarios (like vaginal birth for Baby A and c-section for Baby B...yuck) that I don't want to get myself set on things happening a certain way. I'm keeping my mind free of thinking or wanting the birth to happen a certain so that I'm not disappointed. Whatever will get them here safest sounds good to me. 

I'm still drinking TONS of water and peeing a billion times a day. I'm glad I enjoy drinking water so much because it helps to build important tissues, assists in circulating nutrients, aids in digestion, and helps with maintaining a good amount of amniotic fluids. I seriously think water and toilet paper companies should consider sponsoring me! 

Also, I now realize that "pregnancy brain" is 100% real. I'm forgetful and can't seem to make basic brain connections. It's ridiculous. Nesting is also 100% real. My last day of work was last Friday (yes!!!) and ever since then I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off preparing everything for these babies. I have a never-ending list of things to do before they arrive. I'm constantly organizing, cleaning, and shopping. I seriously feel like a crazy woman. I think the only thing keeping me sane is when I can squeeze an episode of Gilmore Girls into my day ;) 

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks 3 Days 

Babies are the size of: A loaf of bread!
Total weight gain: 15lbs...it's pathetic. 

Maternity clothes?  Yes. Even some of my maternity shirts are having a hard time covering my huge belly.

Stretch marks? Still zero. Perhaps it could do with how well I'm keeping myself hydrated. 

Sleep: Sleep involves about 9 pillows at night and little girl always decides to nestle up in my ribs. So it's still not very good. 

Exercise: About 3-4 days a week.

Miss Anything: Traveling...I'm getting that itch to go somewhere. 

Movement: Lots and lots. I don't know if it's his position, but baby boy seems a lot more active. 

Food cravings: Water, water, water!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Labor Signs: Braxton hicks.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)

Looking forward to: These babies coming! Who knows when exactly, but it's getting closer and closer!

Oh, and this is how I feel.

32 Weeks

I've become an addict.

Not an addict to chocolate, pickles, or watching Gilmore Girls (although that one might happen since Netflix is adding it next month!).

I've become an addict to WATER! Which means me and the loo spend a lot of quality time together.
Seriously though, I can't get enough water. It's like I crave it. Just between the time I go to bed and wake up in the morning I drink about 40 ounces or 8 glasses of water. During the day I drink at least a gallon. It's awesome.

In other news, my belly is measuring full term! I feel like if I can handle a twin pregnancy as well as I have, a singleton will be a total breeze. Yes, I know every pregnancy is different. We'll see. The babes are as active as ever. We poke each other all the time, although it would be nice to know who's foot, bum, and legs I'm playing with. It's a bit of a jumbled mess in there due to baby girl's indecisiveness on how to position her little body. Braxton Hicks are getting more frequent and every time all the tightening makes me run to the bathroom. Poor little abused bladder. 

I had my forth and hopefully last glucose test on Monday. Another lovely three-hour test involving the nastiest drink imaginable, a starving stomach, and blood draw after blood draw after blood draw. I watched the documentary "Fed Up" the day before which is all about exposing how terrible sugar is for us and how it's added to practically everything. And then the next day I drink 100 grams of sugar for the test...not a smart idea. My doctor also told me that if I were to go in to labor before 34 weeks they would try to stop it, but any time after 34 weeks she would deliver. Things are getting real!

Funny story time: I texted my husband telling him that I was 60% effaced and half a centimeter dilated and he started freaking out. His coworker that recently had a baby exclaimed, "She's effacing and dilating already?!" which didn't help the situation. Chris was about ready to leave work and take me to the hospital. The poor thing. I love him to pieces.  

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 Weeks 4 Days 

Babies are the size of: Jicama...I honestly don't know what that is!
Total weight gain: 14lbs.  

Maternity clothes?  Yes and my husband's clothes as well ;)

Stretch marks? None - don't ever mention this on Facebook unless you want a battle of the moms. 

Sleep: If only my bladder knew how to sleep!

Exercise: I'm doing about 3-4 days a week now.

Miss Anything: My ribs not feeling like they're being ripped apart.

Movement: All the time! It's so fun! 

Food cravings: Not food...but water?

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.  

Labor Signs: More and more braxton hicks.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Utah deciding to change seasons...enough with this 80-90 degree weather!

And this picture makes me feel like super woman:

30 Weeks

So remember how I've been so excited for pumpkin season? Well I tried a pumpkin recipe last night that looked really good and it was awful! I still feel sick and have no appetite because of it. Now when I see a pumpkin recipe on Pinterest it makes my stomach churn. I'm so sad :(

I saw my doctor on Monday and had the honor of taking a third glucose test. I don't know how people can enjoy the glucose drink...no thank you! Since gestational diabetes occurs more in pregnancies with multiples, they have to check you more often. And often times you fail the one hour like I did last time. I'm just praying that by some miracle I passed! A fellow blogger friend and expecting twin mama (check out her fun site, The Word Of A Nerd) told me her doctor said she could eat 28 jellybeans or 3 pancakes with syrup instead of drinking the glucose drink. How cool is that? If you're going to consume all of those sugary calories might as well enjoy it right? 

(Update: I got the call from my doctor...I FAILED again! I have to do the 3-hour next week. Boooooo.)

The twins are great. Baby boy had the hiccups when we checked his heartbeat so that was cute. They are definitely starting to take over. Pain in the ribs and back, as well as lots of pelvic pressure is the norm these days. I hope I'm not offending anyone by saying this, but it literally feels like someone karate-chopped my vagina. 

Yep. 

My doctor said I'm about 20% effaced. Trying to explain how the cervix works to Chris was entertaining. He's still confused. Female anatomy frightens him. 

And finally after 16 days of being sick with a cold/flu thing I am better! My babies might not recognize me by my voice but they definitely will by my cough. Pregnancy tip: Don't get sick! It takes forever to recover.

Lastly, I had a "virtual" baby shower with some wonderful friends in Washington last week. My mom was with them in person and I was on FaceTime. I really wished I could have been there. I miss everyone so much! I was stunned by everyone's kindness and generosity. I'm hoping at some point I can take a trip to Washington with the twins so everyone there can meet them!

30 Weeks

How far along? 30 Weeks 2 Days 

Babies are the size of: Cantaloupes.    

Total weight gain: 11lbs.  

Maternity clothes?  Most of the time. I've got the comfiest maternity yoga pants :) 

Stretch marks? Still zero...let's keep it that way! 

Sleep: Ugh.  

Exercise: Yes, still aiming for 5 days a week.  

Miss Anything: An unsquished bladder. 

Movement: Oh yes, we've starting playing games.  

Food cravings: None. I'm so weird.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: See note about pumpkin above. 

Labor Signs: Braxton hicks and 20% effaced.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy-tired.    

Looking forward to: The change in seasons. Fall is my favorite.

28 Weeks

Okay, so this post is a lie. Not really, the timing is just off. I'm actually 29 weeks but I have this thing with even numbers and I wanted to stay consistent. 

I didn't do this last week due to a horrible cold/flu thing I caught at work. Getting sick is seriously the worst when you're pregnant because you cannot take any of the typical cold/flu medicines. All I could do is rest and drink herbal tea. I'm still sick a week later and I'm coughing up a lung every 10 minutes, but I at least have most of my energy back and have been sleeping a little better.  

I've always heard the third trimester is the worst. You're huge and uncomfortable among other weird bodily happenings. I swear my body knew to the exact day when the third trimester started because suddenly I was weak, tired, SICK, and just overall miserable. It was like the clock struck midnight and my body just knew.

Okay so I'm exaggerating a little. Despite being sick I still feel like I'm doing great pregnancy wise. Although I do have to pee 20,000 times a day. Toilet paper companies must love pregnant people.

In other news, I had a doctor's appointment last week and the twins are still doing great and growing strong. My belly was measuring at 32 weeks for a singleton pregnancy. My doctor said most of the twins she delivers arrive at 35 weeks...that would be October 14th for me...holy moly! She didn't seem concerned but she said I might be slightly effacing. My appointment at the specialist this week will be able to check on that better. They can actually measure your cervix with their fancy ultrasound (instead of the lovely alternative). 

Other then that Chris and I spent a wonderful labor day weekend house sitting for my mom. It was fun imagining it was our own home. We are so excited to own a home someday but that will still be years down the road since Chris is going to go to grad school. Our weekend included homemade pizza, walking the dog, reading, taking a bubble bath, and just simply hanging out with my man. It was a very much needed relaxing weekend. Now it's back to another busy month of work, Chris studying for the GMAT, prepping for babies, and enjoying our time together before the twins take over our world.

We've been missing Hawaii a lot lately so I decided to go with a little Hawaiian theme this time. 

28 Weeks 

How far along? Ok...so I'm actually 29 weeks in this picture. Keep it hush hush ;)   
Babies are the size of: Hawaiian pineapples!   
Total weight gain: Still 10lbs. 
Maternity clothes?  Sometimes.  
Stretch marks?  None! 
Sleep: Very uncomfortable but I'm getting used to it. Now that it's getting cooler out Chris and I cuddle at night which actually helps me sleep.  
Exercise: Nothing last week because I was sick, but I'm getting back into it!
Miss Anything: Being able to sleep through the night without getting up to pee.  
Movement: All the time...twice the babies twice the movement!  
Food cravings: No cravings. Still no increase in appetite.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. 
Labor Signs: Lots of braxton hicks. I actually think it feels pretty cool.  
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mix of both since being sick didn't put me in the best mood.  
Looking forward to: The weekend. I just don't want to work!

Mickey & Minnie Baby Shower

Last Saturday my wonderful friend Ashley threw me the cutest little Mickey & Minnie baby shower! 

We are big Disney fans so this was such a fun theme. I definitely can't wait for our twins to meet Mickey and Minnie one day! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing we have so many wonderful people that care about us and our twins. I'm really excited about the car seat they got us as a group gift. It made me finally decide on what kind of car seats to get since I've had the hardest time choosing which ones to get. The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 won! 

   

          

 

Also, instead of bringing a card everyone brought a book. We have a great start to our collection! I owe a HUGE thanks to Ashley. The shower was so fun! 

26 Weeks

And time continues to fly...

I had another appointment last week with my regular doctor. We didn't do an ultrasound since I had just had one with the specialists days before. Everything is still going great! My favorite thing to hear from my doctors is "Just keep doing whatever it is you're doing!" I worry a lot, so I'm always happy to hear that I'm doing the right things. 

A highlight of the past 2 weeks was my friend's one year old son getting upset at me because he thought there was a ball under my shirt that I wouldn't give him. It was priceless! 

26 Weeks!

How far along? 26 Weeks and 2 Days
Babies are the size of: Butternut Squash - yum!
Total weight gain: 10lbs
Maternity clothes?  Yes and no. None of the clothes I'm wearing in this picture are maternity. 
Stretch marks?  Zero thus far. 
Sleep: My body is just training me for newborns! Usually I lie awake for hours, switch back and forth between the bed and couch, and then when all else fails I eat a bowl of cereal. 
Exercise: Always...it's my secret weapon to an easy pregnancy. 
Miss Anything: Sleeping on my stomach. 
Movement: Yes, especially at night! 
Food cravings: No cravings, but I'm counting down the days until pumpkin season! 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing lately.
Labor Signs: I've been having braxton hicks the last few weeks, but didn't realize that's what they were! It's such a weird feeling. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: My baby shower next weekend woohoo!

24 Weeks

24 Weeks and a growing belly!

I saw my maternal fetal medicine specialists this morning and they had nothing but good things to say! Both babies look perfect and are still measuring slightly ahead. Our boy still loves to be disobedient for the sonographers. Maybe he will be my "difficult" child! He is now on my left side head down and facing my spine. Now I know who's kicking me all the time! Our little girl is currently breech on my right side with her head just under my ribs, which likes to poke out. It feels like I have this very firm ball under my skin. It's definitely nice to know what body parts I am feeling! They took another look at their organs, which all look fine. The sonographer said my girl has a "beautiful heart" since she loved showing it off with her 4 perfect little chambers. Aren't ultrasounds amazing?

Our boy weighs 1 pound 11 ounces, and our girl weighs 1 pound 13 ounces. I have almost 4 pounds of baby in my belly! I was very happy to hear they're gaining weight. That's something I'm always worried about because I haven't been gaining much. I guess it's all going straight to the babies!

I think one of the highlights of the appointment was hearing my doctor say that I am doing fantastic and look great for carrying twins. She said keep doing whatever it is I'm doing because it's working! I'm so happy to know that all three of us are good and healthy.

No doubt pregnancy gets more and more uncomfortable the bigger you get. I end up sitting in some weird hunched positions at work because my chair feels like cylinder blocks and I don't sleep much anymore because of back pain or acid reflex, but I'm getting by. There's good days and bad days, but it's all worth it for my two little blessings!

The other day I jokingly told my husband that he should do the chalkboard this week. Well look what I came home to! I just had to keep it since it was funny. He's quite creative for a finance guy! It's so fun seeing him morph into a daddy role. 

How far along? 24 Weeks, 2 days
Babies are the size of: Eggplants
Maternity clothes?  Still a few shirts and some maternity pants just because they are SO comfortable! Occasionally I still wear all my regular clothes.
Stretch marks?  Nope!
Sleep: Is that what I'm supposed to be doing at night? 
Exercise: 5 days a week!
Miss Anything: Nothing really, although I've forgotten what it's like to have a flat stomach!
Movement: Sometimes it feels like they're boxing each other...
Food cravings: I haven't been really "craving" much but I've been really enjoying watermelon.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Eggs haven't been sitting that well lately.
Labor Signs: None.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: The rodeo we're going to this weekend!