XP--my boys are here!

SweetBijou · September 2010

My baby boys are here! Birth story & pics inside. LONG

-->

I included a bit of detail about the c-section, as I thought some others might find it useful. I know I was always looking for c-section experiences during birth stories.

We went in for my scheduled c-section on Friday at 9:00am. At 9:39am, Nicholas was born weighing 4lbs 11ozs and measuring 18 inches. Daniel was born weighing 6lbs 9ozs and measuring 19 inches. They are both healthy and strong, and we were all released from the hospital on Monday. No NICU time needed--even for little Nick!

I was terrified of the c-section (I've always had a phobia of abdominal surgery), and after the spinal, I started shivering uncontrollably and crying. The anesthesiologist sat near me, held my hand, and calmed me down until my husband was able to come in. I didn't really calm down until DH was holding my hand. The anticipatory fear was definitely worse than the actual surgery. I couldn't feel a thing during the surgery. The anesthesiolotist told me that Baby A was almost out, and I didn't believe him. I didn't even think the surgery had started yet. Then, I heard a sputtered cry, and he was out. I was able to turn my head and watch him get wiped off and checked out, while they tried to get Baby B out. DH was snapping so many photos of Nick. Then it was time for Danny's entrance, and DH came back over and watched his second son being born. Evidently, Danny didn't want to leave his home of the last 9 months and kept trying to wiggle back in. It took a while to get him out to begin with, as he was laying transverse, way up in my ribs. But finally, a protesting Danny made his entrance and I watched him get checked out and wiped off while they started to stitch me up.

It took about 5-10 minutes from the beginning of the surgery until the babies arrived, and probably 30-45 minutes for them to stitch me up. DH and the babies left for the recovery room, and I joined them as soon as I was sewn up. After the babies (and I) were monitored for about 90 minutes, we were put in our hospital room and our parents came up to visit about 30 minutes following.

Recovery (so far) is normal. It is both easier and harder than I thought it would be. I've stayed on top of my pain meds, but it did get painful after the anesthesia wore off 24 hours later. It comes and goes now, and it is important to keep up with your meds--even if you aren't hurting at the time you are scheduled to take them. What is easier--a lot of the pains of pregnancy disappeared right away. It no longer hurts my legs or back to walk, no more heartburn or bloody noses, carpal tunnel went away immediately, and I'm no longer physically exhausted, from the twin pregnancy. I decided against breastfeeding, as I'm on medications that aren't safe for the babies. My milk started to come in today, and that is uncomfortable!

These boys are so beautiful! I didn't know you could love someone so much right away, and I feel myself falling even further in love each time I look at them and hold them. Here are a few photos: