For those whose twins were born between 32-35 weeks--

Mrs.Ess · April 2015

I hope you don't mind me asking a question; I'm having a little trouble with the search feature from my phone.

I am in the hospital for pre-e and currently 32 weeks and 2 days. They have told me I will be delivering these babies some time between now and no later than 35 weeks depending on if/when the pre-e progresses.

I feel fairly prepared for what to expect in terms of NICU stays, possible complications, etc. but what I'm looking for are your experiences with breastfeeding if your babies arrived in this timeframe. I understand feeding issues are very common when babies are born at this gestation and I plan to start pumping immediately. I am just wondering how many moms are successful in eventually transitioning babies to breast even if not exclusively. Breastfeeding was such an important experience with my first child and I feel sad that it will be so much harder this time given the circumstances.

I would love to hear how it went for you and if you have any advice.

Thank you!

blairdavis99 · April 2015

Hi there! I don't have a long-term success story for you but more of a short-term positive outlook. My twins were born last week at 34 weeks (induced due to preeclampsia too). I have pumped around the clock since their birth but have been putting them to my breast in the NICU for the last 4 days. They have both latched and sucked and the nurses seem very optimistic that they will be good breastfeeders soon. They still supplement my breastfeeding with a feeding of my pumped milk through their feeding tubes but I feel very good about future breastfeeding!

Mrs.Ess · April 2015

That is so wonderful to hear! Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your babies. I hope we can also make it to 34 weeks or more. And I hope your babies continue to thrive!

BabyKsMommy · April 2015

Mine were born at 32 weeks exactly. I pumped from the beginning and they are fed it through the feeding tube and eventually through a bottle. I didn't press breastfeeding while they were in the NICU because I just wanted them home and they needed to make sure they were taking all of their feeds before they came home.

After 4 wks my baby boy came home he transitioned just fine to the breast. Then baby girl came home and she transitioned fine to breastfeeding too. But baby girl wasn't gaining weight and I was getting 3 hrs of sleep a night, 1 hr at a time. So I went to EPing so DH could help me feed and I could get more sleep, plus I could monitor how much they were eating.

I tried to switch back to breastfeeding at about 10 wks. Baby boy was fine but baby girl has never wanted to breastfeed again. She will for a couple of minutes then she just starts crying so I still EP for her.

I don't regret switching to EPing at the beginning because I was a sinking ship. I couldn't function and I needed more sleep so I did what was best for our family. In some ways it's nice having baby girl taking bottles because I can feed them at the same time easily.

No real advice just keep trying and do what's best for your family without guilt.

Mrs.Ess · April 2015

Thank you for your story. I know you are right and I will just need to do whatever is going to work when the time comes.

I haven't even had the babies yet but I think I am mourning the loss of the way I *thought* everything would go. I was so sure I would have full term babies and my biggest concern was not having a c section. Now we know it is highly likely I'll have a section and probably even have to be completely out with general anesthesia. We waited all this time to find out the sex of the babies and I'll probably be asleep when they come out. Then who knows how long until I see them, how long they will be in the NICU, how they will feed, etc.

Ultimately I know the important thing is that the babies are safe and I will do whatever it takes to keep them healthy. It helps to hear how things went for others so thanks for offering your experiences and letting me vent!

blairdavis99 · April 2015

@Mrs.Ess - Regarding the c-section, I also had hopes of delivering vaginally and actually tried for 30 hours before deciding to have the c sec. What I hadn't been informed of prior was that, due to the preeclampsia, I would have to be on a magnesium drip the entire labor to prevent seizures. The magnesium drip is such a strong medicine - and it makes you feel HORRIBLE - that they don't allow you to move around the entire time you are on it. They put a catheter in - sorry if TMI - and I labored flat on my back for 30 hours. No birthing ball, no walks down the hallway, no laboring in the tub. Plus they didnt let me off the magnesium for 24 hours after I gave birth. I therefore didn't meet my babies until after a bunch of my family had. It was so miserable. I am not saying the c sec or the related recovery is any better and have no idea if this course of treatment would be prescribed to you, but wanted to let you know just in case. Had I known this, I may have elected for the c sec straight away. But either way, I got two small but beautiful & healthy babies out of the deal & I'm sure you will too!

Mrs.Ess · April 2015

Thank you for mentioning that! I was on mag for 24 hours when initially admitted last week. I tolerated it well but I never thought to ask if that was part of the protocol should I get the chance to deliver vaginally. I am going to ask!

lawmom747 · April 2015

@Mrs.Ess - I am running a bed rest check-in on the high risk board if you would like to join :-)

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12565652/bed-rest-check-in-4-25-15?new=1

amh0411712 · April 2015

Mine were born at 32w1d, I unfortunately don't have a success story. I pumped for 10 weeks, they recieved donor mill until 34 weeks, and supplemented what I could pump. Unfortunately, no matter what I did, nothing helped. Skin to skin, breastfeeding attempts, mothers milk, reglan, fenugreek, brewers yeast. I quit at 10 weeks, 2 weeks after they came home because I wasn't even making enough for them to each have a full bottle a day.

Good luck! Many moms are able to successfully do it. Wishing you the best!

BabyKsMommy · April 2015

I get it. I really thought I would be full term with my babies. I never hit that "wall" people tell me about. I was still working a physically demanding job but then baby As water breaking ended that and I was on hospital bed rest.

I also was planning on a vaginal birth and I ended up with a rushed c section that my husband wasn't even there for. With children nothing ever goes as planned.

shelly2314 · April 2015

I had my girls at 33 weeks and 6 days. I was in the hospital before with blood pressure issues. Luckily they gave me a steroid shot for their lung development b/c I had the girls four days later.

I ended up with a c-section, which was scary (I only went to the hospital b/c that is where they were doing my bi-weekly blood pressure checks and ended up being prepped for surgery). I did not get put completely "out," just numbed from the waist down. I started pumping that very next day as the girls were in the NICU and being fed by tubes. First couples times was very frustrating and nothing came out. The nursing staff was very supportive and encouraging. Finally it started to work. I believe this was by day 3. They used cotton swabs to let them get a taste and bottle fed with Similac. We then started working on latching in the NICU. They are my first so I really appreciated the support of the nurses and lactation specialist during this time. I highly suggest people use this time to get the support and guidance from these wonderful people! Time in the NICU is difficult, but-looking back-it is probably the best thing that could happen for us and they provided an immeasurable amount of information and guidance for taking care of the twins. I exclusively breast fed for about a month and then pump after, and then began to supplement 2 meals a day so that I could start to build up a supply more efficiently as I know I had to return back to work. My girls were breast-fed with supplementation until they were 7 months old. I consider it a success on my part!

I wish you the best of luck!!!

KathrynShustek · April 2015

I had pre-e too and delivered via c-section at 35 weeks. My girls spent 11 days in the NICU and the pump, fenugreek, oats, brewers yeast, and lots of water were a part of my every day life to get my supply up while I was away from my babies. We would latch them in the NICU a bit each time I was there but didnt press it too much since I wanted them to hit their weight goals quickly and come home. Once I was home I would nurse until they fatigued, then my husband would bottle feed them while I pumped. This was great and before I knew it we weren't using the bottle any more. My girls are now 5 months are EBF. Their weight gains have been great and now the once premie babies have the cutest chunky rolls. It can be done, it is frustrating at times, but stick to it. You can do it!

DrD30 · May 2015

Mine were born at 35/3 spontaneous ROM with a c section for baby A being footling breech. My girl came home with us and I pumped and had breastfeeding established really quickly. My boy had transient tachypnea of the newborn and needed CPAP then feeding issues. I am pumping and he was being tubefed.

At 6 days old he is breastfeeding almost full feeds. This was after being told he had a weak suck and was uncoordinated. He never took more than 10mL from a bottle but just took 40mL by breast.

Seeing a lactation consultant is the KEY. I am so so so glad they were able to help me with my little "boob man"!

basil2 · May 2015

No experience with that timeframe (mine were born at 37.6 by scheduled Csection) but wanted to wish you well.
Confidence is key for successfully nursing twins (and if you've done it before that will help). I agree with the advice to spend time with the lactation consultants (my early term twins needed a little more nudging than my post dates singleton had- the help from the lactation consultant to get their latches right was critical).

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For those whose twins were born between 32-35 weeks--

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