Belated Birth Story (PIP)

kbeach82 · June 2013

Since the twins turned 1 month old on Saturday, I guess it is time for me to share my birth story and a few pics of the little ones. To be honest, this is one of the first quiet moments I have had since their birth. Between the babies and V, I don't have much down time anymore.

I arrived at the hospital for induction attempt #2 at 7:30am on 5/8. My doctor came to check me (I was at 4cm) and I was hooked up to IV fluids and Pitocin by 9:00ish. Luckily, the IV placement and blood draws were uneventful this time (they stuck me 5 times for induction attempt #1 and I was not a happy camper). Obviously DH was with me for the duration, and my mom, sister, dad, and one of my aunts were in and out (my mother and 2 of my aunts shared babysitting duties for V that day).

Since I was already contracting on my own, the Pitocin brought on some pretty strong contractions right away (by the time it was at a 6 - I had been up to 24 or 26 with induction attempt #1 and still..nothing had happened). My doctor stopped by to check on me when the Pit was at 10 and believing that things were going to progress pretty quickly, decided she wanted to turn the Pit down and have the epidural placed. They cut the Pit back to a 6 while I waited for the anesthesiologist.

The epidural was placed around lunchtime. My blood pressure dropped significantly (the babies never showed any signs of distress) and I was given 2 Phenylephrine shots to bring it back up. Once I was stabilized, the Pitocin level was raised again. My doctor checked me again around 3:00 and I was at 6cm. I told her I was feeling pressure, but that all of it was really "up front." She said that Baby A wasn't showing any signs that her head was further engaging in my pelvis and thought we had a while longer before I'd be fully dilated. Not so much.

By about 3:50, the pressure was really intense. My nurse called my doctor to come check me and she said she would be about 5 minutes. The nurse could tell that the pressure was getting worse based on my breathing/moaning and decided to check me herself (while also telling DH to get into his OR gear). I was fully dilated and things started to happen really quickly.

The nurse called my doctor again to tell her I was ready to go to the OR and started unhooking me from things. Several people arrived in the room and once I was unhooked, they started quickly wheeling me down to the OR. I remember saying "baby, baby" and pointing down while they were taking me down the hallway. The nurse that was at the foot of the bed kept lifting the sheet and telling me (with a not so reassuring look on her face) "you're ok." I seriously felt like I was going to give birth to Baby A in the hallway.

When we finally made it to the OR, they helped me scoot over onto an operating table, and with what seemed like a million people in the room (I think there were about 10-12), I started to push. Sloane Isabella arrived screaming at 4:17pm and DH went with her to the warming table where she was checked out. She weighed 4lbs 14oz.

At that point, one of the many people in the OR did an ultrasound to make sure Baby B was head down. He was, but he was also still very high in my uterus. I had to labor him down for quite a bit (all the while trying to peek at my baby girl across the room) and my doctor mentioned using the vacuum when his heart rate started to drop. I decided then and there I was getting him out and pushed a few more times. Brooks Patrick was born 26 minutes after his sister, at 4:43pm. He was bigger at 5lbs 5oz, but not nearly as loud as his sister.

The OR experience was chaotic, and left me exhausted and anxious to hear that my babies were ok. After what seemed like forever, my little boy and little girl were both handed to me I couldn't believe they were finally here and I was so proud of all of us for doing so well.

My recovery this time was much quicker than with DS as I only had 1 first degree tear and I only needed 1 stitch. I am going to kiss my OB the next time I see her! DS #1 has taken some time to adjust to the arrival of his brother and sister, but he is slowly turning into a wonderful big brother. Caring for newborn twins while meeting the needs of my year old is even more difficult than I ever imagined, but I am overwhelmed with joy, pride, and gratitude for my family.

It's been forever since I posted pics, but I'll try...

TJ1979 · June 2013

Oh look how sweet they are! And way to go delivering them both, you did awesome. Congrats again and thanks for sharing pics. I don't know how they could possibly be one month already!

Saraevh · June 2013

BEAUTIFUL. Congrats again!!!

mnj05 · June 2013

Congratulations!! They are precious!

IBackBevo · June 2013

They are beautiful! And congrats on two vaginal deliveries and both being big and healthy! My IUGR singleton was smaller than your baby boy!

imoverit · June 2013

Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing. Great job mama!!!

BabyKsMommy · June 2013

They are precious! Thanks for sharing the birth story. I'm glad it went smoothly and you were able to have a vaginal birth.

jessica_gail2 · June 2013

What sweet photos! They are so cute! You did an amazing job! Congrats!

Dragonfly1226 · June 2013

Congratulations! Sloane and Brooks are adorable! Taking care of twins and an older sibling is definitely challenging and exhausting! Glad to hear that everyone is doing well.