Twin Birth Story: Andrea McGowan

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Name: Andrea McGowan

Where do you currently live? Austin, TX

How far along were you when you found out you were expecting twins? 6 weeks

Any issues during your pregnancy? I had a fairly easy pregnant up until 35 weeks. I gained 9 pounds of water weight week 35, got the stomach bug at 36 weeks and 1 days pregnant, then found out on 36 weeks and 4 days I had gained 10 more pounds of water weight and had developed Preeclampsia and the girls were coming out that day. It was the day before Thanksgiving and I was supposed to be hosting my first Thanksgiving and my brother was going to propose to his now wife on Thanksgiving day. (Needless to say I missed the proposal but got an even better gift.)

Memorable/funny moment when you were pregnant:  Randomly I was pregnant at the same time as 2 of my other co-workers and we were all due within 3 days of one another but I was the only one pregnant with two babies. So when we would walk around the office building or go to grab lunch in the cafeteria we looked like a pregnant army walking around and when people would ask about our due dates they would look so confused as to why I was HUGE and my co workers weren't I would try to immediately inform them....I have TWO in here so stop judging. :)

Looking back, what is one thing you would tell your pregnant self? Honestly its easy to complain about the pregnancy part...gaining weight, low energy, nothing fits BUT I would say enjoy it because as far as having kids goes pregnancy is the easy part. You'll look back and think....I just thought I had it rough but now as twin mom you'll know what rough is.

How many weeks/days were you when your twins were born? 36 1/2 weeks

Baby A's Information:  Sloan Marion
November 27, 2013
6 lbs 7 oz
3:22 pm

Baby B's Information: Riley Aileen
November 27, 2013
5 lbs 7 oz
3:23 pm

Are your twins identical? Fraternal

Did you have a c-section or natural delivery? C-section, I always knew I would have a C-section my doctor felt it was the safest thing for all 3 of us. The C-section went great, the worst part was the magnesium they had to give me for the preeclampsia.

Any NICU time?  If yes, for what reason and how long? 6 days of NICU time, the girls were labeled "Growers and Feeders" they just needed a little temperature help and to learn to stay awake during feedings. It felt devastating at the time because the first night they got to stay with us in the room but by morning they were taken to the NICU and I felt like I had failed in some way but...now after the hormone haze I know it was nothing I did or didn't do they just needed a little push in the right direction.

Did you have any complications after delivery? I did deal with some complications of my uterus not contracting properly and I had large softball size blood clots that would not pass, I had to take 2 rounds of very un-fun medicine to cause mini-contractions to help pass them and if those meds didn't work I ran the risk of having to have a surgery to remove the clots. LUCKILY the medicine worked and after about 7 weeks things were right where they should have been.

How long did you stay in the hospital? 6 days

Did your twins stay with you or the hospital nursery at night? One night with us and 5 in the NICU

What are three things you are so glad you had (or wish you would have had) at the hospital? I got this great wrap/girdle type thing from the nurse that honestly helped so much with my back and helping me keep from slumping over due to the c-section it just held everything in and made me feel more secure. I brought flips flops for the shower and was super happy about that and I wish I had brought my own pillow and pillowcase.

Describe one of your favorite moments while you were at the hospital: Because of the preeclampsia I had to be put on magnesium for 24 hours after the c-section which meant I was not allowed to get out of bed or be alone with the girls without a nurse in the room. The day after the girls were born (Thanksgiving day) my husband had gone home to shower and Sloan had already been taken to the NICU early that morning and they informed me that after shift change they were taking Riley also. I was so devastated and asked if I could do some skin to skin time with Riley for a while before they took her, a really nice nurse offered to stay in my room and do her paperwork so that I could just hold one of my daughters. Riley and I ended up falling asleep for about an hour and it was such a sweet first mom moment for me.

If you had one piece of advice you could give an expecting mom of twins, what would it be? I feel like so many people tell twin moms this that it is cliche but TAKE HELP from anyone and everyone. Get a game plan in order for when the babies come home,ask family to come in shifts so that you can have help for longer rather than a bunch of help all at once. For me help saved my sanity and on a day when I didn't think I could keep going some kind of help would swoop in a grant me a small nap that brought me back from the dead.

Andrea's Blog: http://mcgowanmusings.blogspot.com

Andrea's Instagram: @ABMCGOWAN