girls are here! 33wks 4 days

kavanandasha

On Friday morning, I finally waddled to the hospital after realizing that my pains were contractions and that really bad urge to "pee" on thursday night during dinner out with friends had to have been my water breaking.

Turns out I was fully dilated and Baby A was coming feet first. So after the fastest C-section, Kennedy and Sheridan were delivered at 5:11 AM and 5:12 AM, 4lbs 7 and 4lbs 1 respectively.

They've been in the NICU under the lights and I'm getting sent home tomorrow and I'm really anxious. Especially since I haven't produced any milk yet despite my pumping schedule. Every time I go into the NICU, they ask if I've brought any milk and  fact that I can't really hold them as they are under the lights. I've been getting their blankets to smell and I look at their pics.

Any advice on production? Are my expectations too high?

Thanks in advance

Asha

uwmadtownbride

Are you at least getting little drops of colostrum?  My sister is a NICU nurse and she told me they even want those little drops because they are SO valuable for the babies.  They can administer them with eyedroppers, so the tiniest drips from you are still valuable.  Other than that, just keep pumping!!  Good luck

violaplayer

Just keep pumping momma and congrats on your LOs!

Mrs. Alice

Congrats on your girls!  Just keep pumping, it can take a few more days for your milk to come in.  Mine starting coming in on the 4th day but I was getting some colostrum up until then.  I ditto the giving every little drop of colostrum.

punkin06

oh congratulations!!  so glad you made it to the hospital! 

no advice except to keep pumping, it'll come soon.  with my singleton, my milk came in on day 3 -the morning as i was about to leave the hospital.

aprilsarahjune

ViolaPlayer:

Just keep pumping momma and congrats on your LOs!

This!  Aside from one initial pumping session that produced a 1/2 oz, I went several days with only drops, despite pumping every few hours all day and night.  We put the drops on sticks with cotton swabs and rubbed it inside their cheeks. Good luck and congrats!

cookiemonster03

congrats! DWs milk came in on Day 4, just as we were leaving the hospital. DD1 was formula fed in the NICU until then (as DD2 sucked up the little bit of colustrum she had) but once it came in, she was able to pump plenty for both!

Mrs_MBed

uwmadtownbride:

Are you at least getting little drops of colostrum?  My sister is a NICU nurse and she told me they even want those little drops because they are SO valuable for the babies.  They can administer them with eyedroppers, so the tiniest drips from you are still valuable.  Other than that, just keep pumping!!  Good luck

This exactly!  DD2 was born at 33 wks 5 d (via c/s as well), so all she got while I was at the hospital was a "measly" couple of cc's of colostrum.  The NICU nurses made such a big deal out of me bringing that in (lots of praise) that it helped make me feel a bit better.  My milk didn't come in until after I went home.  Just stick with the pumping schedule and try to be patient.  For me, staying hydrated was a big thing - it was easy to eat and pump, but I often forgot to keep up with my water/fluid intake. 

Its hard not to be able to hold and snuggle them, we couldn't hold DD2 until she was about a week b/c she needed to be on a ventilator.  Just hang in there!  Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending T&P to your girls!

yeahimamom

Congrats:) Just keep it up, it'll come. 

lovebugkim

Congrats!! Like PP said, the milk will come. Mine came in on day 4, but before then I saved every last drop of the colustrum and sent it to the NICU.

RClaffee

Welcome Kennedy and Sheridan! My girls, Abby and Lily, were 33 weekers as well. I don't think I got even a few drops of colostrum until I was about ready to leave the hospital (I stayed for five days after my c-section). Even then, I only got enough to pick up through an eye dropper. The nurses said that was normal because I had a c/s and the girls were premature. Just keep going. It will come soon. I think the most important thing right now is to make sure that you take care of yourself as best as you can. I remember sitting in the girls' room all day and forgetting to eat or drink. Not good for milk production. 

Good luck tomorrow. I remember the day I went home was the hardest day of all. Just remember that your girls will come home soon even though it does not feel like it now.

 

 

ougrad1

No BF advice but, wanted to say congrats!  Love their names!

kelliwill

Keep pumping and hang in there!  Rest up.  I know it's hard but seriously rest!  I wish I would have rested more...but it's hard because you want to be with your babies.  Hopefully they will get off the lights soon! sending hugs!

kavanandasha

Thank you!

kavanandasha

Thanks for the advice and support everyone. I proudly went to the NICU with my probably 3 drops of colostrum yesterday. My supply is increasing but not every time I pump.

Going home was definitely harder than I thought. I cried the entire 15 minute ride home. Leaving each night is hard too but I'm getting better at it and about scheduling my visits around pumping and napping.

Thanks again everyone, I needed the boost of confidence!

Asha

amanda31H

Mrs. Alice:

Congrats on your girls!  Just keep pumping, it can take a few more days for your milk to come in.  Mine starting coming in on the 4th day but I was getting some colostrum up until then.  I ditto the giving every little drop of colostrum.

All of this!  Keep, keep, keep pumping!

Congratulations!