Need reassuring today...

caitdana

This MoM thing is harder than it looks. I am running on 2 hours of interuppted sleep. DH is convinced that Ella was not ready to come home. I am still working FT and then come home to be a solo MoM while DH works FT nights. I am just running on auto pilot and just worry how it is going to alll work out. How am I going to get to all Ella's appts with Sophia in tow especially with all of Ella's equipment.  People offer to help but are immediately terrified when Ella pulse ox monitor goes off and then they dont come back. I really get 15 minutes of "me" time a day and that is driving to and from work while pumping. My lunches are spent running errands that I cant do in the afternoon or making up time that I have taken off because of Ella's appts. I am a week in and just feel defeated! Money is tight that is why I am working my tail off and still pumping. I know I have no choice to but to move forward but I am just anxious about how I am going to make it to tomorrow!

LALASEPT05

I'm so sorry. I don't have good advice because I did not have preemies and so I know that comes with a certain amount of issues. Two babies at once is hard enough let alone one of them having monitors etc. The only suggestions that I have are that one you could have people that volunteer to help stay with Sophia while you take Ella to appointments. The second thing I'd suggest is seeing if you can find a local MoM club. Maybe they have someone you could talk to over the phone or perhaps experienced members of the group would be willing to help you out. People that have had preemies themselves. I think that kind of support from those that have been there is so valuable.

Other than that I think that most of us here have that feeling in the beginning of 'how am i ever going to be able to do this'. I will tell you that you will surprise yourself and I will tell you there will come a time, although it seems a lifetime away, that you'll look back and know it was hard but have a hard time putting your finger on exactly what was so hard. You will make it there too.

Hang in there we are all here for you. 

 

 

123pcb

Oh, man. I haven't had my twins yet, but my husband and I both work 50-60 hours a week while taking care of our 2 year old and both our jobs require extensive travel, so we often solo parent - and our daughter is 2 and still doens't frequently sleep through the night. While it is nothing in comparison to taking care of your little girls, know that there is light at the end of this tunnel. You probably will feel tired for a long, long time and there is nothing wrong with needing to break down and talk about it to people who understand.

 Do you pump at work? I used to shut my door and pump and fall asleep. No joke. I swear it's what saved me that first year. Twice a day, I took two little cat naps. I know that falling asleep while pumping sounds strange but I got so tired that I could. 

 

Big hugs!

Ericka

Leigh71

HUGS for you

My Lauren came home on oxygen, cardiac monitor, pulse ox, etc.  I remember how tough it was taking them both to appts. 

And also remember how sleep deprived I was.  I answered the door with baby vomit in my hair and my neighbor look at me in shock.  I realized it later, looking in the mirror. 

Leigh71

And I can very much relate to ppl not coming back.  I have gone thru sitters because they said it was "too much"...and I do not have any grandparents here in town.  Both are out of state.

Like a PP said, it feels like a very, very long time from now...but it does get better as they grow.  Being a MoM and being a preemie MoM... make it double tough.  I wish I could share more supportive words (having a tough time with my DD...they are testing her for CP), but know we are here for you on Multiples and Preemies.

sunnybrook.

Oh my goodness. I thought my early months were tough and I didn't have preemies nor worked. I will never complain again.

Maybe you can check with your insurance company and see if they provide in-home nursing or respite care for Ella. I would also contact the NICU, area preemie support groups and your local MoMs clubs to see if they know of any programs or people who could help. Do you belong to a church? Maybe there's a nurse who attends who would be wiling to help out and wouldn't be intimidated by the equipment.

I'm so sorry this is so hard. (((hugs))))

nikki'smomWed203088

I don't even remember the first six weeks after my girls came home from the hospital. Remember YOU CAN DO THIS! My twins are 15 years old and there have been many challenges along the way but your twins will have a bond that you have been truly blessed to be a part of. I also have a singleton and after about age 2 twins are much easier. As for sitters maybe you can give them more in depth instructions on how the pulse ox works. Remind them must of the time if it goes off it means nothing. Tell them the limits are set where they are as a warning but we only really worry if it falls below such and such a number and if it does that we do such and such. I know money is a huge issue now a days but maybe you can go part time. Since I had my benefits cut when I went part time I made more per hour and with the money we saved on day care I was actually bringing home more money then I had been before. Also I don't know how ill your girls are but near me there is a company Pedictrics of America that sends nurses to the house (all on Uncle Sam's dollar) so parents can run errands and such. Good luck!