Twin Birth Story: Kerry

If you'd like to contribute your own twin birth story, CLICK HERE to fill out our questionnaire!

Name: Kerry

Where do you currently live (city/state)?  San Francisco Bay Area, CA
 
How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 8 weeks

Any issues during your pregnancy? I had every single non-serious symptom of pregnancy there was. Heartburn from Day 1? Check! Sciatic nerve pain? Check! Carpal tunnel? You know I had it!! Severe swelling in my ankles? Of course! Even with all of that, I have to say my pregnancy was pretty easy.  I didn't feel great a majority of the time but as long as the babies were safe and healthy I just kept telling myself that all of this was temporary.

At 35 weeks I had extremely high blood pressure and was put on medication for the next week - I was also unofficially put on bed rest. I was told to take it easy and try not to do too much - I used that as my meal ticket to do nothing for my last week without babies. I have to say, I EXCELED at doing nothing!! :)

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant:  I was not a fantastic pregnant woman. "Glowing" is not a word I would use to describe myself during those nine months. But my doctor was a real trooper - she put up with me at our appointments and listened to all of my crazy aches and pains. However, somewhere around week 24 she told me to stop googling everything and that I was making mountains out of mole hills. Haha! One thing in particular I went to see her about around week 20 was my swollen ankles. Oh my Lord... to be more accurate my CANKLES. I was so convinced there was something wrong because surely healthy women don't swell this badly at 20 weeks right? Well, apparently I do!! My doctor was quick to reassure me everything was okay despite me shoving pictures of Miss Piggy in her face and saying "But this is what I look like!!! Do you SEE those ankles?!?!" Thinking back now, I may have overreacted just a tiny bit. ;)

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? It's worth it!! Every second of discomfort I felt, every time I was frustrated with my lack of energy and mobility, every time I complained about wanting to just feel like myself again.... it was worth all of it! Pregnancy may not have been my favorite thing in the world but I would go through it again in a heartbeat to get my sweet baby boys. They're the best things to ever happen to me and I wouldn't trade a second of it!

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 36 weeks 1 day

Baby A's Information: Tanner Charles
May 24, 2013
12:36 pm
6 lbs 3 oz
18.5 inches

Baby B's Information: Zachary Kenneth
May 24, 2013
12:37 pm
5 lbs 12 oz
19 inches

Are your twins identical?  No, they are fraternal.

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery?  I had a c-section and knew I was going to have one the minute I was told I was having twins. A natural delivery terrified me even with one and as soon as I was told there were TWO babies we went with a c-section. It ended up that Zachary was breech so it was our only option but starting the pregnancy with that mindset really helped me be at ease with a surgery. Truth be told, the entire pregnancy I just wanted two healthy babies at the end of it and I didn't care how they came. My birth plan was simple: happy, healthy babies.

Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? No! I was elated about it this! Both boys were perfectly healthy and at great weights when they were born (see Mom, a diet consisting of 99.9% carbohydrates CAN grow healthy babies!!!) so we were lucky enough that they were able to stay with us the entire time and we all went home after three nights.

Did you have any complications after delivery?  I had absolutely no complications regarding my recovery from surgery - everything was smooth sailing for me. I happily took my pain meds and took advantage of the fact that while we were in the hospital my husband had to change every diaper. It was wonderful :)

However! Oh yes, there's a however! I knew going into the hospital that I had an allergy to bananas and it meant I had an allergy to the latex in the bananas. But I had never had a reaction to latex gloves or anything so when I was asked (repeatedly) if I was allergic to latex, I said no. Well it turns out having a latex catheter in me for almost 24 hours wasn't the best thing for me. I had a pretty major reaction to it and my entire body broke out in hives. It was absolutely horrible! It took about two weeks and A LOT of calamine lotion until my body returned to normal. You better believe when I'm filling out my medical information now I tell them I'm allergic to latex!!

How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital?  Three nights

Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night?  The first night we kept the boys in the hospital room with us. We didn't sleep a wink!! Around 5 am we sent them to the nursery for a few hours and got some much needed sleep! We did the same thing the next night but on night three when we tried the nurses kindly suggested we get used to having the boys with us all night. They were already weaning me of their help!! Haha!

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital? 
1. I brought my own clothes to change into almost immediately - it made me feel less like I was in a hospital and more like I was in a very sterilized hotel room. I wore Motherhood Maternity yoga pants and nursing tank tops - anything big and roomy was my goal!!
2. My slippers were awesome. :) I really wanted to walk as much as I could in the hospital so I could prove to myself that recovering from a c-section wasn't impossible and to get out of that little room!! It was extremely small and the only place I was comfortable was the bed. But laying in a bed like a patient while all my family and friends came in and out - I don't know. It wasn't my cup of tea. So when people came we took lots of walks around the halls and my slippers were perfect for this!
3. My husband! Josh was amazing - he had never changed a diaper in his life and he changed every single one in the hospital! Rock star! I was so grateful for him and his support - I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Something I wish we had had in the hospital? A better bed for Josh to sleep in!! I don't know why they don't have "twin recovery rooms" with a second bed for the husband. It really would have helped him sleep better and feel more recharged for the days!

Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital:  Seeing my boys for the first time. When they brought them over to me after being thoroughly checked by the doctors I cried so many tears of happiness. They were absolutely perfect and I remember so clearly looking at them and thinking "Their noses are so cute!!" It was a silly thing to notice but I remember so vividly thinking that! Seeing my boys on the outside and knowing they're finally here and my life has changed for the better... I'll never forget that feeling!

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Oh my goodness, only one?! I'm so torn... I'm going to give two. I can't choose!

1. I had an uneventful pregnancy so instead of reading about what to expect while I was expecting, I read about what the heck to do when these little babies entered the world! I had no clue what to do with them! One of the greatest things I did was read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins. I wanted to have some sort of game plan for what to do when they got there. It ended up being the greatest thing I could have done! I don't know if I lucked out and have great sleepers or if it was all of the knowledge I had from reading the book (or a combination of both) but my boys have been fantastic sleepers from the beginning. At 12 weeks old they started sleeping 12 hours a night and we haven't looked back!

2. Find a doctor you trust! I couldn't have gone through those nine months without my doctor. She was patient, kind, understanding and entertained all of my crazy self-diagnosing :) While I was getting my spinal and Josh was waiting outside the operating room, I was a nervous wreck. My knees were shaking and I could barely string two words together without my teeth chattering. But when I heard my doctor's voice as she walked in the room, I calmed down immediately. It was like having a real friend in the room who I knew cared about me and was going to do everything in her power to ensure we were all healthy at the end of this. I cannot emphasize enough how important she was to me in the process. Find someone you can put your trust in and use that opportunity to relax!

 

 

 

---
We need your help!  Do you have any tips around your kitchen or home that have helped make life a little easier (especially since bringing the twins home)?  It can be big or small!  Email us at twintalkblog@gmail.com or leave your tip in the comment section below!