Jackie aka cocojack10

miamicubajam · December 2010

Hi mija,

Just wanted to see how you and the boys are doing? Any little experiences you care to share. I know you have been a super busy mommy lately. Hope its going smoothly.

I also wanted to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind. I know you would be able to help me through this a bit. When was it that you delivered the boys again? Was it 35 weeks or so? I know you had to go in earlier due to pre-e but how long where your boys in the NICU for? I have to say that I'm in my 32nd week now (measuring at 37 weeks) and I'm feeling miserable. God only knows how I'm pulling through these horrible nights but I will do anything for them to stay in as long as they can. Jackie, I am so exhausted. The thought of having to get off the car just kills me with how heavy they feel down there. It's like 2 cantaloupes jammed in my pelvic region. Now I definitely look like the march of the penguins. lmao I feel terrible because I hate to complain and I've been through much worse in the past (pain wise) but it's getting so hard for me right now. I feel like lifting up my leg to get into bed is equivalent to 100 sit ups about now. I am fully aware that this would be no easy pregnancy to go through and I've felt great overall until this past week. I guess I want to slap myself considering I've had it so easy thus far, compared to so many complications many women have with multiples. Though I have literally broken down in tears because I feel so useless. I can't be on my feet for more than 20-30 minutes, I can't sleep at all, I toss all night and pee a gazillion times, my feet swell pretty bad, migraines are kicking up, heartburn is daily, just getting up from my seat is a work out, baby girl is putting pressure on my sciatic nerve and causing real pain in my arse (lol), numbing hands and legs, etc. You know the drill. All I do is count down the minutes to leave work and drive straight home to plop myself on the couch and kick up my feet. Please help a dear friend out. Any advise to help me get through this stage? I don't know what info I'm seeking but I know theres only a few weeks left and they will be here before I know it. Just praying they make it past this year.

- Jessi

cocojack10 · December 2010

Hey there! You are in the home stretch so hang in there. I will be frank, the last few wks were the worst for me, and a few days before the emergency delivery, I actually asked the doctor to induce me!

For me, my discomfort was quite different. The belly and boys didn't bother me one bit. What was my discomfort was the swelling. It actually hurt! Anytime I would rub my legs against anything (bed, sofa, etc), I was in pain. I lived in 2 different pairs of flip flops (nothing else fit) and pants (b/c legs were so hideous I had to hide them). The bathroom trips in the middle of the night were constant, and every time I'd get up, I'd switch "beds." I'd start off in my bed, move to the glider in boys' room, then off to the guest bed, move to sofa (half on recliner), and end back in my bed right before alarm rang. LOL I always had to have a pillow between my legs otherwise, I couldn't sleep.

Boys were in NICU for exactly 1 wk. Mikey went in right away due to grunting. He was on oxygen for 24 hrs. He was on IV and lipids for a few days, while milk was being introduced slowly. He eventually didn't have to be in NICU, but since Alex remained, they kept them in there so they could be together. He was brought to my room a couple of hrs at a time bc he was still being monitored.

Alex was fine initially until he threw up, and they found blood. Turns out he swallowed my blood during the csection (he's now the little vampire). They had to aspirate him and put him on IV and lipids to heal. The next day they introduced milk, which he threw up 3x. Turns out the blood had caused a gastrities (sp), so no food for 48 hrs. Of course the delayed his progression. But once he started drinking milk, he was a champ eater!

The nurses at the NICU were amazing. We are very grateful for them. They taught us a lot, and you can tell they cared for the babies in there. Luckily the NICU they were at was small (only 6 kids max at a time while they were there) so they got a lot of attention. Actually by the time we were leaving, there were 4 sets of twins (including mine) in the NICU! Crazy.

I also wanted to add that them being the NICU was a blessing in disguise (like most things in life). I had a hard time dealing w/ the incision (I was in pain) plus with my bp being so high, it was actually good that the boys were in nursery and I didn't have to be taking care of them 24/7 so soon. It is a huge adjustment, which we were able to take it slow. I'd go to almost every feeding. I'd pump in room, walk over right before feeding. I'd change them first, take their stats (per nurses' instructions) and feed (sometimes in isolette, sometimes held). But I was able to go to room to rest (so if baby cried or anything, nurse would take care of it). Also, since babies weren't in room w/ me, I also did have less visitors, especially after the 3rd day.

Okay, hope I answered some of your questions! LOL Keep them coming. It may take me some time to get to it, but hopefully you have time. : )

I can't wait to "meet" your little babies!

miamicubajam · December 2010

Thank you Jackie for the quick reply. It means a lot. I definitely have the swelling on the feet issue and ugly cankles from time to time but thats it when it comes to swelling so far. I also have only 2 pairs of sandals that fit and well you can imagine as cold as its been, my toes are frosties. lmao I am definitely feeling more discomfort due to the weight of belly and positioning. Then again I have issues with my heart palpitations and shortness of breath, so that makes all of it worse I guess.

Thank you for all the info about the NICU. I'll be honest, I am a bit freaked out about them having to go to NICU and would do anything to avoid that but unfortunately it is out of our hands. I think its more the thought of leaving the hospital without them that would kill me. Then again what mother would'nt feel that way. In the end, its what is best for them and in your case...look at your 2 lovely blessings. It was all worth it. Plus you had a risky health issue that also had to be carefully attended to. All I could do is hope for the best and leave it in gods hands. I know he got us this far so I continue being hopeful and wishing for the best. I'm just praying these last weeks fly by and I find some hidden inner strength. As you know Jackie, I wish you and the family a beautiful and wonderful Christmas mama. Take lots of pics.

P.S. I posted an updated belly shot last week and the last u/s pics I got. I'm due to go again to the MFM next week Tues so we'll see what images I get then. I'm dyeing to see my chunkers.

cocojack10 · December 2010

While pg, them being in the NICU was a big concern of mine too. However, when DH told me that Mikey was in there while I was in recovery, strangely, I was at ease with it. I somehow knew that the nurses will make him all better. Also, what he had (grunting) was the same thing nephew had when he was born (he was term and was in there for 10 days), so maybe I was familiar with it? Not sure.

Also, my friend delivered her twins at 35 wks too, and her boys needed no NICU time at all! And they were smaller than my boys. So one never knows.

I'm sure the next few wks will go by quickly since we have Christmas and NYE. And by the time Jan rolls around, you'll be 35 wks and then the countdown begins. : ) Try not to worry about the inevitable and things we have no control over. Just try to relax and stay healthy! And cover up those toesies para no cojer catarro!