Twin Birth Story: Aimee

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Name: Aimee 

Where do you currently live?  Grand Forks, ND

How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 7 weeks

Any issues during your pregnancy? I had a great pregnancy and was able to carry my boys to (almost) full term. Around 36 weeks, I had bad leg swelling and was prescribed compression sox to wear until the swelling subsided. They were NOT fun to wear (or be seen wearing!) but they made me feel better in about 24 hours. I wore them until delivery!

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant:  My sister-in-law was expecting a baby around the same time. It was humorous to watch her small, petite, adorable bump grow and compare it to my LARGE bump!

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? Take more pictures of yourself! I felt huge and immobile the last few weeks of pregnancy and DID NOT want to be photographed. My husband and I really wish we would have taken more photos….even if it was just to look back and laugh about!

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 37 weeks, 5 days

Baby A's Information:  Henry John
January 27, 2014
10:53 pm 6 lbs 9 oz 22 in

Baby B's Information:  Huck Vincent
January 27, 2014

11:04 pm 7 lbs 4 oz 20.5 in

Are your twins identical? No

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? I had a great and quick delivery. Both boys were delivered naturally (in about 45 minutes). I was admitted to the hospital around noon; I was induced and had an epidural.

Any NICU time?  If yes, for what reason and how long?  Huck was in the NICU for 5 days with a pneumothorax (partially collapsed lung). He had to be on oxygen for the first day and was given a few oxygen treatments until his lung healed on its own (day 4).
Since Huck was in the NICU, our boys weren't allowed to be together until they were 5 days old. We were not prepared for our boys to be separated after birth….it was difficult on everyone. Henry and I stayed at the hospital until Huck was discharged. We were so blessed to leave the hospital together as a family of 4!

Did you have any complications after delivery? 

How long did you stay in the hospital? 5 days

Did your twins stay with you or the hospital nursery at night? Huck was in the NICU, Henry flip-flopped between our room and the nursery.

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital? 
FOOD! I delivered very late at night and I was starving post delivery (they don’t let you eat all day). The kitchen was closed overnight. I had to take strong meds with crackers and a chocolate pudding (no joke)! By the time all of our visitors left in the middle of the night I realized they should have brought me something to eat. I made the choice to breastfeed – and I had a nursing specialist visit our room. She helped my husband and I learn how to use my pump and it was a lifesaver (since I exclusively pumped for over 10 months)! It was helpful to have my husband there because I was a little loopy and most likely wouldn’t have remembered how to work the thing anyway! If you are planning to nurse – bring your boppy pillow and coverup to the hospital. Depending on how long you are in the hospital – request your nurses! I called at the end of the night to request our favorite nurse was assigned to our room the next day. She knew our story and made us feel comfortable.

Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital:  I was terrified for delivery and the thought of being hospitalized was miserable for me to think about! With the advice from my OB, I decided not to read or prepare for delivery/birth at all….and it helped me. The labor process is uncomfortable and scary at times, but overall the staff and doctors take such good care of you. Our five day stay was great.
My favorite moment was FINALLY being able to hold my boys in the same room and leave the hospital as a family of 4.

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? Take it one day at a time! Every day is a new and different - there isn't much you can prepare for.