Name: Briana Clayton
Where do you currently live? Wixom, Michigan
How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? I was at my 6 week routine ultrasound appointment! The biggest shock of our lives.
Any issues during your pregnancy? I had a perfectly healthy pregnancy! I even waitressed up until 28 weeks. :)
Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: The most memorable moment was trying to explain to my three-year-old how a baby was born- he asked if I was going to poop out his sisters. I said it's something along those lines and he then assumed I ate his sisters and that's how I got pregnant. I explained to him that they were given to us by God and he loved that answer. Nothing is better than the innocence of a child.
Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? I would've told myself to SLEEP! Enjoy your sleep, enjoy your "you" time, enjoy "one-on-one" time with your son!
You don't realize how busy things are about to get - you have an idea. But, nothing will prepare you for the world of twins! Sleep is the most missed thing now that I am a mom of three under four!
How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? I delivered the girls at 33 weeks 5 days. I got into a minor accident due to icy Michigan road conditions and went to the hospital to get checked out to make sure the girls weren't stressed out. I was contracting 3-5 minutes and dilated to a 3. So, we had a C section that night!
Baby A's Information: Ava Lynn
February 1, 2014
6:33 pm
4 lbs 8.5 oz
18 inches
Baby B's Information: Isabella Grace
February 1, 2014
6:34 pm
4 lbs 13 oz
18 inches
Are your twins identical? Our girls are fraternal and they run in the family on both sides. Of course we had no clue of such thing until we announced that we weren't just going to add one more to family; we were adding TWO!
Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? This time around, I had a c-section. We were preparing for the idea of a c-section for a few weeks prior when they told us the girls were transverse. We thought we might have had time for them to turn considering they always seemed to be in a different position during each growth ultrasound. But, God had other plans and we agreed on the girls being born through c-section at 33 weeks. We were on our way to Hobby Lobby before picking up our son at my mom's from a sleepover and the roads weren't good. I got into a fender bender.
After the mess of that, we went and got my son. I was contracting so I decided better safe than sorry and decided to get checked out. I went to the hospital closest to my house, which meant my doctors weren't going to be there but figured I would be monitored and sent home. Alex even dropped me off and I said I would call when they released me so he could be with my son. I was only there for an hour before they told me I wasn't leaving and I would be meeting my girls that night! I don't think my head wrapped around the fact that it was happening until I was in the OR and lying there looking up at Alex holding my hand. Within an hour of us finding out the girls were going to be born is when all our family ventured through the winter wonderland to be there to meet the girls.
I didn't have the ideal delivery and didn't get to meet my girls until after my entire family did; they were 4-hours-old. They gave me a glance of each girl, asked their name and off they went to the special care nursery at our hospital. They took me back to my room to monitor me and let me build the strength to meet my beautiful girls. I did everything I could and pushed myself to be able to stand just so I could finally meet them, and when I did it was perfect.
Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? Yes, both of our girls had an 8-day stay, which I believe is a breeze for a baby born at 33 weeks! All of our nurses were so shocked on how healthy they were and how big they were for being born so early. They still gave us an estimate of 1-2 weeks and some said, "We like to say their due date just to be on the safe side." It was a day by day journey and some days were an hour by hour thing.
Our sweet Ava is the one who had the most complications. She was on oxygen and had a breathing issue and even stopped breathing for 20 seconds. Ava also had an issue eating and required a GNT (Gastric Nasal Tube) placement to help her gain the weight she needed. Both girls had an issue keeping their body heat regulated so they were under a warmer but that didn't last long for Miss Isabella! She was a healthy little girl through and through and didn't have any issues! Ava fought her battles and, most importantly, she won!
Now you wouldn't be able to tell she was the little runt! It was the longest 8 days of my life, hardest 8 days of my life and made me realize how thankful I should be for my health.
Did you have any complications after delivery? Thankfully I did not have one issue! I was up and walking quickly after my surgery and was never in my room because I was always right next to my sweet baby girls.
How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital? 3 nights
Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? Unfortunately the girls were in the special care nursery their entire hospital stay.
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
Most importantly, my support system. I could not have gotten through any of it without them. I have hands down the best family and friends in the world.
But, the materialistic things would have to be all my own shower needs! Nothing is worse than hospital soap and nothing is better than your first shower after delivery! Also, my own clothes. I hated having to worry if my bum was being shown to the whole floor or, most importantly, my boobs since I did give my visitors a nice sneak peak apparently after I gave birth.
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: I would have to say holding my girls for the first time together. Nothing better than being able to hold both beautiful babies and looking down to realize I am a super hero for being able to carry such beautiful humans...HUMANS! Not just one, but two!
It's scary, beautiful, and empowering all in one. I am so blessed to be able to say I have twins. It's life changing.
If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? My only advice for any mom, twins or not: Enjoy every single moment. Time goes by faster than anyone could imagine - I learned that with my son. I blinked and his sweet little self was a big three-year-old who was head over heels in love with his baby sisters. It's hard to not take everything in but try with every ounce you have to enjoy the hard times along with the good times.
That's what shapes us all as humans! Don't be hard on yourself. You got this, mama!
Briana's Blog: The Michigan Mama
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