26 weeks, 6 days. Twins are here!!

CynRO12

This past week has been a whirlwind to say the least. It all started last Sunday with what I thought was the flu. I was admitted early tues morning, with contractions and very high white blood cell count. Things started to calm down and the plan was hospital rest for the next two months. Then thurs night the contractions started up again transitioning into unbearable. Friday at 5:25am my daughter was born, followed by my son at 5:27am.
They are beautiful! So tiny, but ow so precious!

Today I get discharged, and begin the life of traveling to the NICU everyday. I'm scared as hell, but keep in mind to take one day at a time. It's such a helpless feeling to just look at them in their incubators. Every time I walk to their room, I hold my breathe until the nurse gives me news on their progress.
It's going to be a long emotional road, and I'm truely going to try my best to keep it together, pump as much as possible, and patiently wait for the day (prob September) when we can bring them home.

Any words of advice or experience in dealing with a similar situation would be most appreciated.


Thank you!

courtney4425

No advice as my twins are still on the inside, but your attitude is amazing and ill be praying for as quick of a discharge for your littles as possible. You are so brave!!!

Odebdo

My twins were born at 33 weeks. My little girl came home after 19 days in the NICU but my little boy is still there, so now I lug baby girl with me everyday to visit him. We most likely will be talking about bringing him home on oxygen this week. My only advice is to adjust your expectations. Celebrate the little milestones. And cry when you need to. It is hard and I know my stay was way different than yours as my babies had more inside time. Will be praying for you. I hope you also have joined the preemie forum...those ladies are wonderful and very helpful

gault530

I had my twins (also b/g with my little girl being born two mins. before her brother) at 26w4d.  I'm not going to lie, it's a long road full of a lot of ups and downs, but soon it will become your new normal.  The first 6-7 weeks seem to show the most change and progress and the last few weeks will slow and frankly seem a little boring (that's when they become feeders and growers and just focus on eating a gaining weight).  Remember to celebrate all of the small achievements like gaining over 10 grams a day or a new milestone like reaching 2 lbs, 3 lbs, etc.  There will be days that are unbelievably hard and those small celebrations will help to combat those hard days. 

The great news is medicine has come so far and preemies born at 26 weeks can thrive.  Get to know your nurses and doctors well, they'll be your "friends" for the next few months.  Be an advocate for your babies.  If something doesn't feel right or you're unsure, speak up.  Your instinct is just as important as the medical knowledge the team has.  If you don't understand, ask questions until you're comfortable. 

Ask for help from your family and friends, even if you don't think you need it.  It's nice to have a meal that's already cooked or to have your house cleaned.  Your focus is you and your babies, don't worry about the other stuff.  Also, take time for yourself and your husband to have fun.

Also, check out the preemie board.  Those ladies have been through it all and are a tremendous resource.

I put these two quotes on my bathroom mirror as they helped me through those hard days that seemed like they would never end. 

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice."

Congratulations and best of luck to you and your babies.  Enjoy the time you spend with them each day!

24karat

Congratulations on their birth and best wishes for them to thrive and have as brief of a NICU stay as possible! Definitely check out the preemies board.

DoublePortion

T&Ps for you and your babies!

rcnavywife

Congrats on the birth of your babies! We also had a long NICU stay recently as our babies arrived at 27+2. Take it one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time. Like pp's have said, celebrate the little milestones. If there is a parent group, I recommend going. Our NICU had one and we met some parents IRL going through similar struggles and we still keep in touch with them. Also, check out the preemie board if you haven't already!

e74

Congrats! Our twin boys were born at 31 weeks, 3 days following 8 weeks of bed rest. I don't have much to add, accepting help is a big one... My two were in two different NICUs for some time, so I had no choice but to accept help... It is hard admitting you can't do everything! Best wishes...

morrkim

Congratulations and I hope your NICU stay goes as uneventful as possible.

RayRay007

Congratulations on your little ones! I'm sorry they came unexpectedly early. I hope they have a short stay. 

CynRO12

Wow. . . . Thank u so much for all your kind words. I swear just when I think I'm all dried up, the tears start flowing again.
Much appreciated advice!!!!!!!

mmhopeful

courtney4425 said:

No advice as my twins are still on the inside, but your attitude is amazing and ill be praying for as quick of a discharge for your littles as possible. You are so brave!!!

I second this!  

Angelahelena

I hope that all goes well. Breathe and celebrate their arrival. It is hard but will be worth it

TRS48

Just wanted to send you my T&Ps! Congrats on your sweet little ones and best wishes for an uneventful NICU stay! What strong little troopers you've got! They are inspiring!

absolutelymaybe

Congratulations! I hope the babies make fast progress in the NICU and get to come home soon. 

persephonerose

No advice, but wanted you to know I will be keeping you and your precious babies in my thoughts. Best wishes for a short NICU stay and that you have them home soon.

JTA2426

I'm a NICU nurse and a twin mom, so my perspective is a bit unique. I agree with getting to know the nurses and doctors and keeping a notebook/journal with what people tell you, what is discussed during rounds, and the twins progress and questions you might have. It winds up being a great reference for you, even if its just to help remember dates! I also would suggest getting a routine for yourself and taking care of yourself. You can't be there for your babies if you aren't 100%. Just take it day by day and expect a bit of a roller coaster. Congrats on your littles and I hope you have an uneventful stay!

mer313131

Many thoughts and prayers for you and your babies!

jocie2581

Congratulations.  My twins spent some time in the NICU.  Take it one day at a time.  And make sure to take care of yourself as well. 

wille2b

Congrats and many thoughts and prayers. Mine were in the NICU for 3 weeks. It was tough. Take care of yourself and spend as much time with them as you can, that's my biggest regret! If your SO gets time off work don't waste it all while they are in the hospital, save some for when they get home Mine were born at 33 weeks, so Im not sure how this will differ in your case but I would fight for skin to skin. They refused at first with my boy baby since he was on oxygen and told me he wasn't strong enough. I fought for 4 days and finally one night nurse gave me the go ahead! The very next morning he was off of oxygen! It may have been coincidence but I think he really needed the comfort of familiarity!! good luck with those sweet babies

Brummy14

Wow! Congrats and welcome to your LOs. I'd definitely suggest making a home of the Preemie message board -- it's a wonderful community of women who have been there, done that. The NICU journey is HARD and will change you forever -- in good ways, and some you'd probably rather do without. But, at the end of the day, taking those LOs home will make it all worth it. 

My ladies were born at 29w3d, and we spent 81 long days in the NICU. Here's to hoping your stay is as boring as they come!

JenyB6

Congrats! Prayers for an uneventful NICU stay.

Ylvelill

Congratulations! I second the advise on getting a routine down, it has been the only thing keeping me sane and functioning.

Best wishes for an uneventful stay!

CynRO12

Again thank you for all you T&P/kind words. It's a roller coaster to say the least, but those moments of watching them both sleep peacefully or their eyes wide open looking in my direction; make me SO GRATEFUL that I have my lil miracles.

DavidStamps

We're in the same boat, congrats! 

Our twins were born on 5/19 at 27 weeks and have been in the NICU for a month now. The trek back and forth is tough, especially since we have a 21 month old who cannot go, so we need sitters or have to juggle switching off. BUT hang in there! We see babies go home a lot and its encouraging AND our babies (just like yours) are getting stronger and are in good hands.

CONGRATS again!

1blueridgemama

Congratulations and lots of growing and strong thoughts sent to your babies!