Going home...

atorrrres

Hello everyone,
My twins were born this past Friday at 32 weeks and 4 days. They have been doing great so far in the NICU, they needed no help breathing and should be starting full feeds within the next few days. I have been very positive because I know they're in the best care possible. However, I can't shake off the feeling of guilt I've had since I've been sent home. I didn't prepare myself too well for not coming home with the babies, and I can't stop thinking about how much I want them with me.
I was wondering what some of you moms did to make yourself more at ease? I feel like the next few weeks are going to be the slowest ever.

KTZ17

Don't feel guilty - they are receiving the best care in the NICU.  What I told myself was that my DD needed care that I couldn't give her.  I kept myself busy by pumping and getting everything ready at home for her homecoming.  I think I went to babies r us ten times before she came home!  I also spent 6-8 hours a day in the NICU.  I missed her so much while she was in the NICU, but eventually I got into a routine and wasn't quite as upset at home.  Good luck to you and your twins!

jcsntms06

First off congratulations on the birth of your twins.

Your feelings are totally normally. When I was home without my girls, I just made sure I pumped, ate well, drink lots of water and got some sleep. I spent most of day at the hospital. Talking through our experience and having a good cry also help.

Hang in there Mama! Praying that they are home with you soon. Please keep us posted. 

Brummy14

They will be the slowest. NICU time passes, while you're in it, at the slowest rate possible. Once you're out, it'll seem like a blur (and you'll wonder why it seemed so slow). 

I kept sane by getting into a routine -- pumping and spending time in the NICU were my days, almost entirely. It ended up being almost like having a FT job -- I left the house in the morning after pumping, got to the NICU and was there all day, home a little before rush hour. Also helped to minimize the time I was at home alone -- which this did -- since being at home alone made me nuts. 

I just found that the busier I was, the better I felt. Distraction was absolutely critical, at least in my case. Idleness allowed fear and doubt to creep in, especially during those early weeks.

epapcun

Congratulations on the birth of your babies! Our daughter was born 2 weeks ago today, also at 32w4d. She did so well she "graduated" from the NICU after 72 hours, but is still inpatient on the general peds floor to monitor weight gain and increased oral feeding (since she now requires so many mLs per feed to maintain and gain weight). 

Like others have said; try not to feel guilty, as your babies are receiving the best care. And even when you are not present, someone is there with them. Also, they too need a little downtime to rest and grow. The docs here keep telling me, "Remember, she's not even born yet gestationally, so she has a lot of growing and developing still to do." So while we still hold her a lot, we also let her sleep in her crib more to conserve energy and calories. I also pump on a regular schedule all night, come to the hospital in the morning, and stay most of the day until the evening. We were staying until 10:30-11:00 every night, but now leave after her 7:00 feed and diaper change, around 7:45 ish. It keeps us saner and even more connected to one another as a couple. When we were spending 14+ hours at the hospital, we were too physically and emotionally exhausted to really say or do anything outside of the hospital. 

Of course you'll miss them when you leave, but you will find your rhythm and schedule that works for your family, and the time will pass. The weeks really do go by in a blur, in my opinion. Good luck with everything! I hope they continue to do very well and get to go home sooner rather than later!