And Babies Make Four: Birth Story

On Tuesday, June 19th I was frantically scrambling to gather the last minute items that I knew I would need in the hospital. I was headed to a routine doctor's appointment but woke up knowing that something was off. I had been in pain, was extremely swollen, and was just done with being pregnant (let me say that I would have carried these twins as long as I could have even though I was feeling "done"). We arrived at the doctor's office and learned that I have gained 12 pounds in 4 days. My blood pressure 164/108. Immediately upon walking into the exam room, my doctor said "uh oh" something doesn't look right. I guess I looked terrible. He announced that the protein level in my urine was +2. All signs point to preeclampsia. We were told to drive across the hospital campus to check in at labor and delivery.

Upon getting settled in labor and delivery, we met with the on call doctor who informed us that today seemed like a great day to have some babies. I was totally overwhelmed. I knew it was coming but I was just unprepared to do it right away. The on call doctor (who I had only seen once during pregnancy) also pushed for a vaginal birth. Now, I was considering it and when I went into my regular appointment that morning I had plans to talk with my doctor about delivery options. But, throughout the pregnancy we had always discussed c-section because of the position of the babies, the larger baby being the second, and the chance of delivering one vaginally and one via c-section. I felt pushed into trying vaginally when we really were not prepared for that. Jay and I talked and told the doctor that we preferred a c-section. He was taken back by our choice. We asked him when the c-section would happen and he said that I could start getting prepped right away. My eyes got huge and I asked about waiting. (Let it be known that the babies were being monitored and were absolutely fine at this point- in no danger because of the preeclampsia and my blood pressure had gone down a little while laying on my side in the hospital bed). The doctor explained that all signs pointed to preeclampsia and that the only test we were waiting on to confirm the diagnosis was the 24 hour urine test. He was confident that test would confirm the diagnosis and that we should deliver BUT we could wait until the following day to be sure. After some discussion, Jay and I decided to wait a day. This allowed the twins another day of growth, allowed me to mentally prepared (I am so type-A planner that this was important to me), and allow our families to come in town. I think we disappointed the doctor (L & D was slow that day and I'm thinking that he was a little bored) but we made the right decision for US. We felt happy, comfortable, and confident in one of the first decisions that we would make for our family.

Shortly after our decision, the nurse that had been with us all day came in and I asked her about the c-section, she was so kind to explain EVERYTHING and I mean every step of the process. It took about half an hour for her explanation and she patiently and thoroughly answered every question. I am planning to call the hospital and let her manager know how wonderful she was. She eased our fears and Jay and I felt so prepared. That evening, Jay and I hung out in the hospital and enjoyed our last evening together as a family of 2.

I woke up excited on Wednesday morning. Today was birthday. I was able to get up, shower, and do my hair. My c-section was scheduled for 4pm. I spent the morning alone reading baby books and napping. Early in the afternoon my parents came over and we all hung out a bit. My Dad busted out the video camera and narrated what was going on so that we could play it for the twins later in life. By 3:00 our amazing nurse from the day before came in the get me prepped for the c-section. A little later the anesthesiologist came to talked to me. I get sooo sick with anesthesia and she really helped to ease my fears and promised me they would push phenergan through my IV whenever I needed it. I did NOT want to throw up during the delivery!

At 3:50, the nurse came to get me. Both sets of parents were there at this point and Jay and was dressed in his scrubs. They wheeled me towards the operating room and everyone followed behind me. They put all our stuff in a storage closet and then it was time to say good bye. I was soo emotional and so was everyone else. I had the hardest time keeping it together. It was just such an emotional moment for everyone. I remember thinking, this is it, no turning back now, your life is going to be forever changed after this moment. I'm going in this room pregnant and coming out a mother to two babies.

In the operation room, they got me up on the table and started my spinal. I was amazed at how easy it was. Didn't really feel any pain and the anesthesiologist and nurse antithesis were awesome at talking me through the procedure. Jay was not allowed in the room until I was secure on the table and they were ready for the operation to begin. I remained super calm to help speed the process so that I could see him as soon as possible. After the spinal, I was laid down, a drape was set up and the nurses went to work putting in my catheter and prepping my tummy. My first bout of nausea set in and the nurse quickly remedied it. I definitely was feeling some anxiety and was trying not to freak out when my lower body went numb. I just remember laying there telling myself to try and enjoy the experience and not to freak out. I had 20 some doctors and nurses surrounding me and I was totally fine. Soon Jay came in and I felt at ease. In a few minutes I began to smell my skin being cauterized and waiting with anticipation for our babies to arrive. I proceeded to feel nauseous for the second time and was given an alcohol wipe under my nose and meds in my IV. What seemed like forever but was probably 5 minutes, a little purple baby was held over the curtain and reached our her arm towards me. Waterworks started immediately. At 4:31 our daughter was born and I was overcome with emotion. Not even 30 seconds later, a little pink baby was held up over the drape. To be totally honest, I can't even remember if they cried! But the nurses and doctors told me they were healthy. I just kept crying and telling Jay how extremely happy I was. And I was. It was the happiest moment of my life. Jay on the other hand was freaking out because he saw what was going on on the other side of the drape. I'll save those details for the end of the story...

While being sewn up, I immediately sent Jay over to take pictures and meet our babies. After a few minutes I noticed that several doctors and nurses were heading over the Emma Cate's warmer while Holden only had 2 nurses around his. I saw them take out a breathing tube and I started to tear up with worry. I knew in my head that breathing problems were a reality with preemies and that it was likely that the twins would need help. After what felt like forever, a nurse came over and told me that Emma Cate had a little trouble but after some oxygen she was doing perfect! Both babies were wrapped up, given to Jay and he brought them over to meet me. It was such an indescribable experience. I was so emotional and so in love. I didn't know I could feel this huge amount of love. It was just so amazing.

Unfortunately, I got nauseous again and Jay had to move the babies so that I didn't throw up on them. I was saved by the nurse again but started getting a little sleepy from all the phenergan at this point. I'm not sure what time it was but it felt like it was taking forever to sew me back up. Jay left with the babies to go to recovery while they finished with me. Things started to get a little scary. I couldn't see anything but the doctor kept telling the nurse to push more medicine in my IV, I was given several shots and things got hectic. At one point, I saw the nurses reaction as she was trying to do something to my tummy and blood went everywhere.

Eventually I was taken back to recovery and got to spend sometime with my babies. My memory got really fuzzy at this point and I don't remember a whole lot. In recovery I held both babies but was in and out of sleep and gave them over to Jay so that I didn't hurt them! The doctor and nurses kept coming in to check on me and kept mashing on my tummy. Holy cow, I remember that pain! I was also bleeding a lot and passing tons of clots. I was told we would all stay in recovery together for 2 hours. After about 30 minutes with the babies, they were taken to the nursery to meet their extended family. Luckily, I was pretty out of it and didn't realized everything that was going on. Evidently, my uterus was so huge from the twins that it wouldn't contract and they could not get it back in my body. I had lost a ton of blood and was being kept in recovery to ensure that I didn't need a transfusion. At some point, I was taken to my postpartum room and got to meet my baby again. Yes, baby...

While I was in recovery and the twins were in the nursery, my mom noticed the nurses working with Holden and had Jay go meet with the doctor to figure out what was going on. Holden was breathing rapidly and they were going to take him to the NICU to give him oxygen and monitor him. I was told about this that evening but didn't remember. The last part of the night I remember was being in my post-postpartum room with lots of family and falling asleep while the pediatrician was telling me about Holden.

When I woke up the next morning, Jay had the nurses bring Emma Cate in to meet us. I was so happy to see my baby but heartbroken that I couldn't be with Holden. After waiting for what seemed like forever, I was given permission to get in a wheel chair and be taken down to the NICU. I got to meet Holden and try to breastfeed him. We struggled but I was so in love and amazed by this little guy. Soon after I had to head back upstairs to feed Emma Cate. It was a little rough emotionally being split between the two but I enjoyed every minute with each of my babies. At 8pm my dad and I were down in the NICU visiting Holden and excited to hear that he was going to be released and should be brought up to our room by 11pm that night. Finally our family of four was together and I was just so happy.