Name: Danielle Moore
Where do you currently live? Grafton, WV
How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 6 weeks
Any issues during your pregnancy? I did really well actually! I worked 12 hour days up until I delivered. However, I did have Gestational Diabetes. I failed my 1 hr test, and tried twice to complete my 3 hour- one but ended in vomiting everywhere. So they ended up hair diagnosing me and checking my sugars four times a day. Eventually I did need mediation. I also had the PUPPs rash- which was NOT fun, but I convinced myself it was more mind over matter. Besides puking 6-8 times a day for 25+ weeks, I thought I did excellent!
Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant: It has taken us almost 2 years to get pregnant. A few months before this pregnancy, we were pregnant- which ended up as a missed miscarriage. However, for a few weeks progressed normally. 1st HCG- 75, 2nd HCG- 247. So when we found out we were pregnant again- we knew the importance of these numbers. We had hem drawn 2 days after Christmas (found out of Christmas Day!!!) , and we got the call our numbers were 898! 898.. What?! Instantly I thought of my really close friend who just did IVF- her numbers around the same time were on the 600s and she was expecting twins. When it came time for our first appointment, we sat in the waiting room, and on the Today Show was twins that married twins and one couple had twins! Less than 20 minutes later we were in that exclusive group!!
Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? Relax!
I am a Type a personality so in hindsight- that's not an easy task. I was so concerned with getting everything ready. My friend who was on hospital bedrest, who didn't get to complete everything she wanted- or attend her shower- was always in the back of my mind. I wanted to rush to get things done.
Also, I worried. A LOT. A twin pregnancy is stressful. From our 1st ultrasound where Baby B was much smaller, to the ultrasounds in between where they convinced me Baby A had club foot, to the last ultrasound where I was sent for induction due to Baby As low fluid- I worried.
I am a Type a personality so in hindsight- that's not an easy task. I was so concerned with getting everything ready. My friend who was on hospital bedrest, who didn't get to complete everything she wanted- or attend her shower- was always in the back of my mind. I wanted to rush to get things done.
Also, I worried. A LOT. A twin pregnancy is stressful. From our 1st ultrasound where Baby B was much smaller, to the ultrasounds in between where they convinced me Baby A had club foot, to the last ultrasound where I was sent for induction due to Baby As low fluid- I worried.
How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 37 weeks
Baby A's Information: Ella Faith
August 13, 2013
6:28 PM
4 lbs 13 oz
17.5 in
Baby A's Information: Ella Faith
August 13, 2013
6:28 PM
4 lbs 13 oz
17.5 in
Baby B's Information: Bria Cole
August 13, 2013
7:26 PM
6 lbs 13 oz
19.5 in
Are your twins identical? Fraternal!
Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? Vaginal! Praise The Lord!
After being told I needed to go to the hospital, my doctor informed me that she wasn't on call that night. The next night she was but not then. I was devastated. I picked her because of her twin experience and her confidence at natural twin births. After we ran home, packed, did dishes (yes- dishes.. We legit thought we would make it one more week) and switched cars, we returned and were started on Pitocin at 1:45pm.
Obviously I progressed slowly. 1-2-3cm for close to 24 hours.
24 long hours with no food. Finally around 2pm the next day- I was at 3cm, almost 4. They decided to break my water. Up until then I had no pain. Immediately after that- it was intense. My Inlaws just got there and I instantly wanted them to leave. I realized it probably wasn't going to get any better so I went for the epidural then. 30 minutes later, they arrived. After 4 different tries, they finally got it in. I knew something wasn't completely right when I still fully felt my left side. They instructed me to lay on my left side. Well of course that made it go numb, but not exactly for the right reasons. Each hour they would check me and each time they would say 3cm, 3.5cm, back down to 3cm. Finally the doctor at 430pm said she wanted to get the last doctor in who checked me for
Comparison. After an hour and no one returned I was getting tired and hungry. Finally at 6pm, the best site walked in-- MY OB! I was never so happy.
She reached down to check me and popped up with a strange look on her face. She had my favorite nurse- Nicole- look. She looked again and said "We are ready!" I started crying! I was fully expecting to be a 4cm again and be disappointed!
I was wheeled into the OR where they performed all twin births, to be met by at least 15-20 people. Andrew changed his clothes and we were ready! I felt the urge to push and within a few minutes and several pushes, Ella Faith was born! She cried and was immediately taken into the warming room and they yelled out her weight and I was shocked. 4.13?? Yesterday she measured 5.10! Andrew got to go back and hold her (he was apprehensive because he felt like I should hold her first --Awww). He came back quickly and as they were cleaning me up I said- I feel like I need to push. My OB said go ahead. I pushed once and my water broke EVERYWHERE! I was so embarrassed! Your are up High on the operating table and it obviously make a big splash. I was mortified! They ultrasounded baby B quickly and she did not flip! So I could push! I felt like I didn't push for that long- but in reality it was almost an hour. It was much more difficult this time as my epidural completely worse off on the left side and I was exhausted. Andrew was giving me oxygen on and off and after a little more effort- Bria Cole was born! 58 minutes later!
After being told I needed to go to the hospital, my doctor informed me that she wasn't on call that night. The next night she was but not then. I was devastated. I picked her because of her twin experience and her confidence at natural twin births. After we ran home, packed, did dishes (yes- dishes.. We legit thought we would make it one more week) and switched cars, we returned and were started on Pitocin at 1:45pm.
Obviously I progressed slowly. 1-2-3cm for close to 24 hours.
24 long hours with no food. Finally around 2pm the next day- I was at 3cm, almost 4. They decided to break my water. Up until then I had no pain. Immediately after that- it was intense. My Inlaws just got there and I instantly wanted them to leave. I realized it probably wasn't going to get any better so I went for the epidural then. 30 minutes later, they arrived. After 4 different tries, they finally got it in. I knew something wasn't completely right when I still fully felt my left side. They instructed me to lay on my left side. Well of course that made it go numb, but not exactly for the right reasons. Each hour they would check me and each time they would say 3cm, 3.5cm, back down to 3cm. Finally the doctor at 430pm said she wanted to get the last doctor in who checked me for
Comparison. After an hour and no one returned I was getting tired and hungry. Finally at 6pm, the best site walked in-- MY OB! I was never so happy.
She reached down to check me and popped up with a strange look on her face. She had my favorite nurse- Nicole- look. She looked again and said "We are ready!" I started crying! I was fully expecting to be a 4cm again and be disappointed!
I was wheeled into the OR where they performed all twin births, to be met by at least 15-20 people. Andrew changed his clothes and we were ready! I felt the urge to push and within a few minutes and several pushes, Ella Faith was born! She cried and was immediately taken into the warming room and they yelled out her weight and I was shocked. 4.13?? Yesterday she measured 5.10! Andrew got to go back and hold her (he was apprehensive because he felt like I should hold her first --Awww). He came back quickly and as they were cleaning me up I said- I feel like I need to push. My OB said go ahead. I pushed once and my water broke EVERYWHERE! I was so embarrassed! Your are up High on the operating table and it obviously make a big splash. I was mortified! They ultrasounded baby B quickly and she did not flip! So I could push! I felt like I didn't push for that long- but in reality it was almost an hour. It was much more difficult this time as my epidural completely worse off on the left side and I was exhausted. Andrew was giving me oxygen on and off and after a little more effort- Bria Cole was born! 58 minutes later!
Any NICU time? If yes, for what reason and how long? None! We felt so blessed. We did have to stay a week. Their weights were an issue a well as jaundice!
Did you have any complications after delivery? After delivery- I felt weird. Mainly dizzy, but I assumed it was the fact I have birth to two humans on no sleep. Everyday. A nurse or doctor would comment on how pale I was. I'm Irish anyways so I assumed it was just because I wasn't tan. They ended up checking my hemoglobin and it was 6.7, which warranted two bags of blood for a blood transfusion. Other than that- I felt great! I was moving furniture around the room that night!
How long did you stay in the hospital? 7 days
Did your twins stay with you or the hospital nursery at night? They stayed with us. I didn't even realize it was an option. We had such an awful time breastfeeding and latching I didn't even think twice about it. I mean I tried for years for these babes- I wanted to be with them every minute.
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
1) I wish I had packed more clothes.
No joke- the last day I called my sister to bring me more clothes because she worked at the same hospital I was in. She had already left for work so she called her friend and her friend brought me extra clothes. Not as glamourous as imagined leaving the hospital.
2) I'm glad I had my regular DSLR camera not just my iPhone.
3) I wish I would have brought all my hair styling items. If probably would have made me feel more human. But I was too concerned with leaving my husband out in the room with two babies!
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: Besides the moment we had Baby A and I felt a sigh of relief...
The next day, both girls were fed, changed and asleep In their own bassinets. We were sitting on the couch in the room just staring at them. Andrew asked me if it was everything I thought it was going to be. I said. It's even better.
How long did you stay in the hospital? 7 days
Did your twins stay with you or the hospital nursery at night? They stayed with us. I didn't even realize it was an option. We had such an awful time breastfeeding and latching I didn't even think twice about it. I mean I tried for years for these babes- I wanted to be with them every minute.
What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital?
1) I wish I had packed more clothes.
No joke- the last day I called my sister to bring me more clothes because she worked at the same hospital I was in. She had already left for work so she called her friend and her friend brought me extra clothes. Not as glamourous as imagined leaving the hospital.
2) I'm glad I had my regular DSLR camera not just my iPhone.
3) I wish I would have brought all my hair styling items. If probably would have made me feel more human. But I was too concerned with leaving my husband out in the room with two babies!
Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: Besides the moment we had Baby A and I felt a sigh of relief...
The next day, both girls were fed, changed and asleep In their own bassinets. We were sitting on the couch in the room just staring at them. Andrew asked me if it was everything I thought it was going to be. I said. It's even better.
If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? The first few days in the hospital are crazy. Labor is crazy. It's all a cluster and that's okay. Limit your guests! We never had a moment to relax between family, friends, doctors, nurses! Even before they were born, my Inlaws walked in right after they broke my water- it was intense pain. I don't want my husband to see me like that let alone anyone else. My parents couldn't sleep and showed up at 4am! We appreciated the concern and the food! (Yes food!) and willing hands to hold them, but we were overwhelmed. In hindsight I would say no visitors before they were born and limit them afterwards. My only regret.
Danielle's Blog: Moore Party of Four
Danielle is due with Baby #3: Jan 15th, 2016 and it's a girl!
No comments:
Post a Comment