Name: Ashley
Where do you currently live? Peoria, IL
How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 6 weeks, 4 days
Any issues during your pregnancy? My cervix started shortening at 32 weeks. After a weekend in ante partum trying to stop contractions, I was released to home bedrest with a prescription for Procardia.
Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: Because my gestational diabetes results were just barely passing, I tried to stay away from sweets as much as possible. But as March approached I kept thinking about shamrock shakes and decided to save it for a rainy day. One Sunday I was in a really sour mood so I announced to my husband that today would be the day. He started freaking out, thinking I was in labor. I burst out laughing - I wasn't in labor - I just thought today would be the day I'd get a shamrock shake!
Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? Sleep, sleep and sleep some more! Don't buy so many tiny outfits! They mostly wore pajamas the first few weeks anyway.
Baby B's Information: Blake Alexander
May 3, 2014
If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Somedays are going to be really really hard. But tomorrow is always a new day. Last night might have been the hardest night of your life, but then the sun comes up and you get to start a new day and maybe that's the day your babies smile for the first time, or reach out and coo at each other for the first time. Don't get bogged down in what happened yesterday - it will get easier!
Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? Sleep, sleep and sleep some more! Don't buy so many tiny outfits! They mostly wore pajamas the first few weeks anyway.
How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 38 weeks, 2 days
Baby A's Information: Alice Sommer
May 3, 2014
Baby A's Information: Alice Sommer
May 3, 2014
8:35 am
5 lb 15 oz
18 inches
5 lb 15 oz
18 inches
Baby B's Information: Blake Alexander
May 3, 2014
8:44 am
4 lb 15 oz
19 inches
4 lb 15 oz
19 inches
Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? One of each! Alice had been head down and low my entire pregnancy, while Blake was always transverse. My doctor was comfortable with turning Blake or a breach extraction, so we moved forward with plans for a vaginal delivery. I was induced at 38 weeks, 1 day but didn't progress on pitocin until I got an epidural 20 hours into the induction. I ended up dilating 3-10 in two hours and started pushing, but Alice was stuck. Four hours later I was begging for a c-section. My doctor suggested trying a vacuum assist instead and Alice was finally out. A team of midwives were with us in the OR to turn Blake, but his heartbeat plummeted and didn't recover. He was born by emergency c-section nine minutes after Alice.
Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? Blake had meconium in his water, but the NICU team pumped his lungs and decided he could go to the regular nursery and then room with us.
Did you have any complications after delivery? I lost a lot of blood and faced a threatened transfusion, but in the end I didn't need one. I also ran a fever so I was on 24 hours if antibiotics in the hospital.
How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital? 4 days
Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? They roomed in with us the whole time.
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
Twin Brest Friend pillow. I actually slept with it strapped to me so my husband could brig the babies to me all hours of the night and I was ready to go.
Huge water bottles - one for me and one for my husband. The nurses kept us both hydrated with ice water the whole time!
Pacifiers - my hospital wa baby friendly and very pro-breastfeeding. As a result they didn't provide pacifiers and recommended against using them. After two nights of trying to feed the babies and no milk, I finally snuck them pacifiers so I could have a little break. It made such a huge difference immediately!
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: Watching my husband take care of the babies. The first 24 hours I couldn't walk or get up to get them, so my husband did all the diapers, swaddling, soothing. He was such a natural immediately!
How long did you (the parents) stay in the hospital? 4 days
Did your twins stay with you or in the hospital nursery at night? They roomed in with us the whole time.
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
Twin Brest Friend pillow. I actually slept with it strapped to me so my husband could brig the babies to me all hours of the night and I was ready to go.
Huge water bottles - one for me and one for my husband. The nurses kept us both hydrated with ice water the whole time!
Pacifiers - my hospital wa baby friendly and very pro-breastfeeding. As a result they didn't provide pacifiers and recommended against using them. After two nights of trying to feed the babies and no milk, I finally snuck them pacifiers so I could have a little break. It made such a huge difference immediately!
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: Watching my husband take care of the babies. The first 24 hours I couldn't walk or get up to get them, so my husband did all the diapers, swaddling, soothing. He was such a natural immediately!
If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Somedays are going to be really really hard. But tomorrow is always a new day. Last night might have been the hardest night of your life, but then the sun comes up and you get to start a new day and maybe that's the day your babies smile for the first time, or reach out and coo at each other for the first time. Don't get bogged down in what happened yesterday - it will get easier!
With their twin cousins (6 months younger)!
No comments:
Post a Comment