xp: Had my Lil peanuts last night!

snoangel79 · February 2012

What a night!! I had Allison Rose and Ethan Jeffrey last night at 11:43 and 11:44.Everything was a-ok, I had received one steroid shot 9 hours prior. It was 10:30 and they come in and check with doppler before bed. Ethan was all over the place, heart wise. They plugged me into the NST machine and he was having dcels. Apparently the little guy got the cord stuck around his belly and it must have pulled tight. So off I went in a panic of crazy to c-section. Super overwhelming, the c-section wasn't horrid, just like a flight and fright panic attack. I was shaking like crazy as they got my IV in, and my oxygen dropped to 88. They wheeled me back after I called my husband and mom (who were an hour away!!). Got the spinal in, wasn't horrible but sucked pretty bad!I was alone in c-section (luckily my next in line doctor was on that night ). I said to him Please make sure me and babies are good and he held my hand and told me he would take care of me. The whole team of 20 something people did amazing work. My c-section was "uneventful" with minimum blood loss and a clean cut. Apparently my belly went down well too!!Ethan came out first (our trouble maker!) weighing in at 4lb7oz!!! He was estimated at 4lbs earlier in the day. So he is not even IUGR. Miss Allison came out weighing 3lb4oz!!! So tiny but she was estimated at 3lb 1oz. Both babes are doing well! Got one steroid shot in so it may have helped a little. Our son had some trouble breathing and taken off C-pap and put on breathing tube, he had another steroid shot and stabilized. Allison is on C-pap and doing very well! I got to touch her and she cried and then calmed down.I am planning on pumping today to see if my supply will get here for them! I will post pics sometime soon when I can show you their sweet faces!! My husband was in shock btw!! but he is very proud of his lil peanuts!! Please keep my peanuts in your prayers that they continue to do well!! <:

vanessagorc · February 2012

Congrats! So glad all 3 of u are doing well!!!

jillychris · February 2012

Wow!!! Congratulations! So glad all three of you are doing well, and that they weighed a little more than they expected! Get some rest Mama!!

missjul61 · February 2012

Congrats!!

lovebug33 · February 2012

Congrats! Glad everything is okay.

bumpuser6119831 · February 2012

Congratulations and I am glad they made it here safely!

MrsNap_515 · February 2012

congrats on the babies!!! glad things went ok for you!! hoping you can all go home soon

drubie · February 2012

What gorgeous names for your daughter and son! I'm glad you were where you needed to be to get them here safely. Your new family of four will be in my thoughts and prayers

labbylover03 · February 2012

Congrats!!!!

Ann679 · February 2012

Congrats! So happy the 3 of you are doing well. Keep us updated

Imanurse03 · February 2012

Congratulations!! I have been thinking about you and your babies! I haven't been able to get on here much recently but I have been wondering how you've been. I'm sorry it was such a scary and whirlwind experience, but glad that Ethan and Allison are doing well despite coming early. Will definitely keep them in my prayers. I cannot wait to see pics! I hope they have a short NICU stay and that they're able to come home soon! Please keep us posted!

mrsgcal · February 2012

Congrats on your peanuts! So glad everyone is well!

mystic_J · February 2012

Congratulations! Glad to hear the 3 of you are doing well! I will keep y'all in my prayers and look forward to seeing pictures!

ccam · February 2012

Congratulations!! So happy that everyone is doing well.

Mayan2011 · February 2012

OMG, OMG, OMG!!!! I am soooo happy for you that your LOs are here and that things are looking so good for them! Congrats to you and your DH!!

amandaleigh1 · February 2012

Congrats! So glad everyone is doing well!

blueberries8 · February 2012

So happy for you!! Congratulations, mama:) It sounds like an eventful and scary evening, but I am glad to hear everything turned out okay. Sending lots of T&Ps their way and also wishing you a quick recovery!

DrRx · February 2012

Congratulations!! I'm glad to hear that all three of you are doing well! I'm sorry that it was such a whirlwind of a night T&P are headed your way!!

I saw what you posted on my post about pumping, and here is my advice. Smile

Pump, pump, pump away!! Even if you only get a few ml each time, do it at least 8 or 10 times in the first few days, even waking up and doing it. Be sure to use a double electric pump. Ask to speak with the lactation consultant ASAP! She can help you with making sure that you are using the right sized phalanges (the funnel things) and answer any other questions that you have.

Mine told me that it is best to start pumping within 6 hours of giving birth, but definitely try to do it within 12 hours or as soon as possible. You should pump for like 15 minutes or so at a setting that is tolerable for you. What kind of pump does the hospital have? I have the Medela Symphony. I press the button for the quick-sucking (which is to stimulate your let-down) and once that happens you press it again and it mimics the long sucks that a baby would do.

Once your milk starts coming in, you can pump past 15 minutes but no more than 30 minutes. You should also massage your breast as you pump to get the most out. Once you are done, you can rub some milk on your nipples or lanolin. The nurse should be able to give you some lanolin to rub on there since there won't be that much extra milk for you to rub on your nipple. If you haven't already, get a hands-free bra (I got the Medela one) but you can make one yourself with an old sports-bra and cutting out the holes. I didn't have time to make one and just bought the Medela one for ~$30--One of the best decisions ever!

I also keep a log with the date, the Time Began, Time Ended, and how much in ML I was able to get each pump, and then I add it up to see what I got for the day. Looking back at when I started keeping the log, 3 days after Adalyn was born, the amounts that I was getting each pump was between 60 and 80 ml (2 to 2.5 ounces) and now I'm getting 3 to 5 times that with each pump. I remember that those first days, however, I would pump and sometimes only get a few drops that didn't amount to much more than 5 ml total from both breasts. Don't be discouraged! Any amount that you are able to do will help your LOs!

Also, one thing that I didn't know until I started pumping was that in those first few days after you pump it is very likely that you will feel contractions once you are done. I made sure to keep up with my pain meds so that it wasn't so bad. Also, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and I've heard that eating oatmeal helps with milk production.

And if you have any questions about the NICU, or just want to vent, I am more than happy to talk. Be sure to check out the Preemies board also.