Name: Faith
Where do you currently live? North Carolina
How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? We found out at our first ultrasound at 8 weeks. Seeing those precious miracles and hearing their heartbeats for the first time is a moment I will NEVER forget!
Any issues during your pregnancy? My pregnancy was sailing along pretty smoothly until I started having contractions at 32 weeks. I thought they were just braxton hicks contractions but it turns out they were actually a sign of pre-term labor and my cervix was funneling. I spent five days in the hospital on bedrest while they tried to get the contractions under control and gave the babies steroid shots. Then I was released to go home on bedrest until I delivered.
Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: So many! I will never forget feeling the babies kick for the first time. It's the most amazing, surreal, and honestly kind of weird feeling ever. I miss that so much!
Our gender reveal party where we found out we were having two girls was one of my favorite days ever!
I also remember being on bed rest and watching Food Network all day long, just drooling over all the delicious looking food. Why I ever thought that was a good idea for a ravenous pregnant woman on bed rest is beyond me!
Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? We went through a lot and waited a long time to experience the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth. I wish I had not allowed fear to consume me and rob me of complete joy and excitement at times. Pregnancy can be scary and overwhelming, but don't let fear and worry steal your joy!
How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 35 weeks, 2 days
Baby A's Information: Emery Grace
November 3rd, 2012
2:22 am
4 pounds, 12 ounces
18.5 inches long
Baby B's Information: Kinley Pearce
November 3rd, 2012
2:25 am
4 pounds 13 ounces
18.75 inches long
Are your twins identical? No
Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? I had a natural delivery. I was admitted to the hospital on a Friday morning at 35 weeks 1 day due to extremely elevated levels of protein in my urine. The on-call dr planned to induce me early Saturday morning, but my water broke on its own at 1:55am. When the nurses came to check me they discovered I was completely dilated and the girls were coming THEN! It was then like a fire drill as they tried to get me to the OR (where we had to deliver in case an emergency arose) as quickly as possible. I just remember them telling me to breathe, keep my knees together and not to bear down. I was in so much pain and terrified because it seemed like complete chaos. I kept saying "please hurry, they are coming NOW!"
After what seemed like an eternity we were in the OR and they told me that the next time I felt the urge to push to go for it. I didn't even know how to push but they talked me through it all. I just kept my eyes closed and pushed as hard as I could. I had no idea if I was doing it correctly and if we were making any progress, so I just kept my eyes closed. At 2:22am I heard the sweetest sound ever, Baby A, Emery Grace, was out and she was crying! I opened my eyes to see them take her straight to the team of nurses that would check her out. My husband whispered in my ear "you did it, honey!" and I thought "now I've got to do it again!"
They broke the water for Baby B and it seemed like forever before I felt another contraction and the urge to push. In all actuality it wasn't that long and I was ready to push again. At 2:25am our precious Kinley Pearce was born! They laid her on my stomach for just a few moments before taking her to the nurses. I was never more thankful to hear those sweet cries and know that both girls were here safely!
If you had told me that I would deliver them naturally without an epidural I would have laughed in your face! Although their birth was nothing like we had planned or thought it would be, God's hand was all over it.
You can read the full birth story on Faith's blog HERE
Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? No! The girls checked out beautifully and never needed any NICU time. At our hospital, any baby under 35 weeks automatically has to go, but we missed that cutoff by two days! It was such an answer to prayer after we had been in the hospital at 32 weeks and were prepared for the worst.
Did you have any complications after delivery? Immediately after delivery I felt nauseous and my blood pressure was extremely high. I think my body was just in shock after all I had just gone through. The rest of my recovery from delivery was one hundred times better than I ever expected.
How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital? 3 days
Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? The girls stayed in the nursery at night and the nurses would bring them to us every 2-3 hours for feedings.
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
1. My own pillow with a pretty pillow case on it and a sleep mask. (I like it to be completely dark and you don't get that in a hospital room.)
2. Comfy nursing bras and cute pajamas and robes.
3. A phone charger with a long cord.
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: We were blessed with lots of excited visitors while we were in the hospital, but looking back I treasure the quiet moments in the wee hours of the morning when it was just me, my husband and our two precious baby girls. I cherish those first hours alone getting to know them and falling even more head over heels in love by the second.
If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be?
Give yourself grace. Your pregnancy isn't going to look just like your friends' pregnancies with one baby. Find other twin mommies to connect with. Don't push yourself too hard and follow your doctor's and specialist's orders. They have you and your babies best interests at heart!
Faith's Blog: Walk With Me By Faith
Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? No! The girls checked out beautifully and never needed any NICU time. At our hospital, any baby under 35 weeks automatically has to go, but we missed that cutoff by two days! It was such an answer to prayer after we had been in the hospital at 32 weeks and were prepared for the worst.
Did you have any complications after delivery? Immediately after delivery I felt nauseous and my blood pressure was extremely high. I think my body was just in shock after all I had just gone through. The rest of my recovery from delivery was one hundred times better than I ever expected.
How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital? 3 days
Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? The girls stayed in the nursery at night and the nurses would bring them to us every 2-3 hours for feedings.
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
1. My own pillow with a pretty pillow case on it and a sleep mask. (I like it to be completely dark and you don't get that in a hospital room.)
2. Comfy nursing bras and cute pajamas and robes.
3. A phone charger with a long cord.
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: We were blessed with lots of excited visitors while we were in the hospital, but looking back I treasure the quiet moments in the wee hours of the morning when it was just me, my husband and our two precious baby girls. I cherish those first hours alone getting to know them and falling even more head over heels in love by the second.
If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be?
Give yourself grace. Your pregnancy isn't going to look just like your friends' pregnancies with one baby. Find other twin mommies to connect with. Don't push yourself too hard and follow your doctor's and specialist's orders. They have you and your babies best interests at heart!
Faith's Blog: Walk With Me By Faith
So cute!! And Love their names!!
ReplyDelete