The Twins- a Birth Story
I had a surprisingly good night last night and I'm feeling like I have a bit of energy, so I might as well type my story. I'm 10 days post partum today.
I woke up on Thursday the 15th of January feeling awful and fluey which I had been for the past 2 days. I had high fever, aches and a rash but the midwife was thinking flu. As I had a follow appt for a suspected UTI in the morning, I thought I'd just wait until then as I could feel the girls moving quite actively and so would have been sent to triage rather than L&D and I didn't even want to get out of bed as I'd been sick just before midnight. In the end Darren and I decided that it would be better if he went to work rather than going with me, because that would mean he wasn't on the late and could care for me in the evening when my fever seemed to spike as it had for the last two nights. I would be taking taxis back and forth from the hospital after all, and D had all day Friday off anyway to go with me to my pre-op appt in preparation for the 20th's planned c-section.
I arrived at the hospital at 9 and went to the PAWS clinic as they had booked me in there because the antenatal clinic was full that day. The first thing they do in late pregnancy at the hospital is strap you up to a monitor for a little while just to check babies heartbeats. I'd done one the previous week when I'd been in to labour & delivery for my hip pain. One sensor for each baby and one for your uterus. Last week the uterus one hadn't even been used really, as the number stayed constant in the teens meaning my uterus was quite soft (I'd asked what it was for then) This time, within a few minutes of the machine being hooked up to me, I started feeling a bit of pain. I noticed that the middle number on the machine (for the 3rd uterus sensor) went up. You also press a button anytime you feel baby/babies move. When the midwife came back to check on me, we talked about it. She asked if I'd had a contraction. I said I think so, but I'd only really had a handful of proper contractions in the past few weeks, I'd could count them on one hand really. I'd had Braxton-Hicks, for a few weeks but again, not that many. Also my real ones had lasted seconds where BH ones had lasted up to a minute. These contractions though, rather than being an infrequent occurance started all of a sudden to become regular. They also, when I think back to it now, had mentioned it was hard at times to keep track of twin 1. I hadn't registered this at the time because the previous week the midwife had had a hard time, but not because it was difficult to track, but because their heartrates were in rhythm so it almost seemed like 1 baby and she was doubting her tracking skills.
At any rate, they began to increase in intensity and I began to need to breathe through them. Having found out I was having a c-section at 32 weeks due to positioning, I hadn't given labour much thought, just being able to recognize it. I admit, I associated labour with really really strong contractions and the tell tale water breakage. As I had no other symptoms of labour besides contractions, they seemed more concered about my high fever (well over 102 F) and the rash I had developed. Over the night since I'd noticed it, it had spread to all over my legs and tummy. It still didn't itch, but it was certainly scary looking. The doctor wondered if the antibiotic I had been on (which I'd finished the night before for a suspected UTI) could be calling the "possible false labour pains" and or the rash. Another doctor was called in for advice. Since they were having problems tracking babies, they brought in a portable ultrasound to look, and also to check positioning. Babies were checked out and deemed fine, albeit still in their awkward positions which had caused the booking of the c-section in the first place.
The doctor then decided to check my cervix. I'd read about cervical checks on pregnant and how potentially they can be quite painful. I was told "uncomfortable" as I stripped from the waist down. The doctor inserted this large speculum and.....
Holy shit I have never experienced such pain in my life. I was hysterically sobbing within moments while the midwife tried to console me. It was over quickly I'm sure, but it felt like an eternity. The doctor then exclaimed I was not dialated at all. They weren't however, happy with sending me home and wanted me to stay in a ward for a bit and continue to be monitored. At this time I was still sobbing and asked could I use my mobile phone to call my husband. This was around an hour or so after I had arrived. I called Darren, explained the situation and he started over from work.
When Darren arrived I was still at PAWS, waiting to be brought over to a ward. I'd even been to the toliet (and yes, cervical checks make you bleed...my entire pregnancy I'd not had a drop of blood, so that wasn't fun) Darren arrived and I was taken off the monitor and we walked over to a ward. The walking felt good, but mainly being off my back felt good. When I arrived though I was strapped back to the monitor.
After a bit of time on the ward the midwife decided, as I was here, why didn't we do my pre-op appt today instead which of course, I agreed was a good idea. Here was me thinking I'd just lay in bed the next day and not have to come out. I was still sporting my fever, only partially controlled by paracetamol (tylenol) which I was having every 4 hours like I'd had at home. I was on the monitor for large periods of time, where the contractions continued. They were a bit better when I was allowed up. I spent some time on a birthing ball, which I was pleasantly surprised is quite easy to sit on and did help through some contractions. I took two baths as well, which felt great. I tried to eat at lunch time, but I didn't manage very much.
At one point Darren and I began timing the contractions to find they were spot on at 8 minutes apart. The midwife didn't seem too concerned though, because they didn't seem to be increasing in intensity, rather some were big, some were small, and stayed at 8 minutes apart for hours. I had several specialists come to give me my pre-op information. After taking my second bath the midwife came to tell me that she was switching to the night staff who would then do a progress check on me. My look of fear must have said it all because she explained there would be no speculum for a cervical check this time and that midwives are much gentler than doctors.
The night midwife came and took some vitals, checked me on the monitor (which by then I'd made the coorelation between being on my back and more intense contractions and pain and was begging to be off) This was the first time I'd noticed the mention of twin 1's heartrate again. Apparently she was dipping every time I had a contraction. The midwife performed a cervical check and announced that I was 3 cms dialated and in labour. "You're having these babies tonight," was proclaimed. I was in a bit of shock and began to cry. Arrangements began to be made as we frantically thought of who we could call. Luckily I'd given my friend Flora a key to the house a few days before so we called her and off she went to get my hospital bag. My prep began. Luckily I'd been in the bath for dinner and I hadn't eaten for a while. I took an antacid like I knew I would be which they give you to calm your stomach in case you need to be put under general. The surgeon who would be performing the operation came to see me, check me out and talk to me.
Next we were wheeled down to a room near the operating theatre where I was put in a gown and prepped for surgery. It was all a buzz of loads of people coming in to talk to me as this was now considered an emergency c-section. A ultrasound was brought again so the surgeon could check their positions just one last time. They made me stay on the monitor. By this time the contractions were 5 minutes apart max, and very painful. I finally asked could I have something and I was given gas and air which helped a bit. I begged to be allowed to sit up. Then finally I was wheeled on the bed (a strange experience) into the anesthesiology room where they began to give me my spinal block. First you get this scratch in your back of local (which hurt a bit to recieve) and then the put the block in Then you wait for the numbness to take affect. I have no idea how long this took but the anesthesiologist began to explain everything and what he could/would do if I felt more pain or sick or anything. Soon he was happy with the block and I was wheeled in.
As they began I could feel pressure just as the midwife had described, along with this cappuchino machine sound which is the vaccum. It wasn't painful, just strange. Darren and I had chosen my favourite beatles album, Sgt. Pepper's and myself (and some of the staff) had began to sing along. It was good to have something to focus on. I was very grateful Flora had arrived before the surgery so we had it (and the camera of course.) At one point I felt sick and got medicine, but was still sick. I have to say that the antacid made it a little less unpleasant than throwing up bile normally is.
Within 10 minutes Rebecca Sage (formerly known as Twin 1) was born. I kept asking if she was alright until I heard the cry. Her apgar score was 5 which quickly went up to a 10. Apparently she was floppy when she came out and had a few puffs of oxygen. The doctor said she was shocked is all. This was at 10:16pm. At 10:18pm Charlotte Rose (formerly Twin 2) was born. Her apgar score was 4 but again, some oxygen and she was fine.
The surgeons began to stitch me up while Darren went over to take pictures. I was in shock and began to cry. Darren held each girl in turn before they had their vitamin k injections. At one point then they were massaging my uterus (or so I was told) and I began to feel intense pressure which felt painful. I was given gas and air to get through it. Then finally I was done. I was then lifted onto a hospital bed again which is a very strange feeling when you are numb from the chest down. I was brought to a room to be monitored for 30 minutes and finally given the girls to hold. I cried again. I was desperate to drink but told I had to wait a bit. The nurse monitoring me helped to take a picture of the new family.
I was then taken back to the room I was prepped in so we could get our stuff. I tried to feed the girls but they didn't really know what to do bless them. As I was wheeled back to a ward where I'd have my recovery the midwife explained that Darren would be asked to go but could come back in the morning as I needed my rest. Darren went right up to the ward with me and then left for home. I got put in my room and we settled the girls in their cots. In the end it turned out easier to have them in the same cot and they seemed to like it. I tried to breastfeed again but it wasn't happening. In the end I agreed to a top up of formula (they didn't pressure me, but I knew they needed to eat) but I did ask for it to be cup fed and not bottle. The midwife asked if they could take the girls to the nurses station to feed in case anyone needed buzzing in, which I agreed to. This was good because while they were away being fed, I fell asleep as I was still running my fever and not feeling so great. Despite being warned about gulping water, I did, and straight away sicked it up. Lesson learned.
I did breastfeed from the very next feed though. They weren't getting much and being topped up with formula, but I liked they were still getting some colostrum. I asked for a breast pump and began to express as well. They got more and more breast and less formula with every feed, even if it was from a cup.
On day one I had a lot of pain and by the evening of day 2 I had begged for further relief as the pain pills I were on was not enough. I ended up getting a shot of morphine. That was a new experience, one I won't soon repeat. Yes, it gave me the needed pain relief and I could sleep, but I was higher than I've ever been in my life. I can only assume the girls got fed during that time because I don't remember. Darren called and I apparently said "can't talk, morphy morphy" and hung up on him.
The next day I tried getting up but was in a lot of pain so only managed to sit up twice, getting a bit easier each time. By day 3 they were really eager to get the bandage off and the catheter out, which couldn't happen until I could make my own way to the toliet. In the end I managed it. The midwife helped me to the shower and we took the bandage off. I was promptly sick with nearly 3 bucketfuls. Apparently this is a very common reaction to the pressure being taken off. I was told that I'd be surprised at how much better I'd feel with the bandage off. Then the nurse showered me. I thought I'd be all bashful about nurses and seeing me naked and all, but I could have cared less and the shower felt great. Tonya (the midwife) was very kind and gentle. I also felt better having been sick, she explained that clearly my body wanted that out and that was that.
Every day in hospital I began to feel better. Slowly the girls began to understand the boob, Charlotte first and then Rebecca. They both had a lot of mucus and would sick up a bit, but they explained that feeding helped them to get it out. When my milk came in, the feeding became easier and they were off formula completely, having only boob plus expressed boob top ups via a cup. Darren even got to do some cup feeds, which he loved. I was still a bit scared about going home but never once was I pressured into going. They made it very clear that I would have a say in my leaving (as would they of course, if I or the girls needed to stay.)
I had a few more bumps in the road when an antibiotic made me sick and I decided I didn't want it anymore. I had my blood evaluated several times to check on my infection and a few rounds of IV antibiotics and fluids. By day 5 I could begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel as I began to feel like I could cope at home. The girls were latching much better and I was mainly relying on the midwives to do things I'd have Darren do at home. I almost went home on Day 5 but two things prevented it. First of all, the girls were weighed and had lost nearly their 10% and secondly, I was deemed anemic. They wanted me in for another night as the iron pills weren't there yet and just one more day to be sure I could handle the twins at home. That night when I was woken up to realise my babies were fast asleep and it was someone else's baby crying and keeping me up realised I was ready to go home.
On day 6 we had some more evaluations. My infection was deemed gone and I had started the iron pills the night before. All that was left was for the girls to have the heel prick test to check a few things including the fact that they were a bit yellow. It took nearly all day to get the test done. We ended up bringing them to NICU to get it as the machine there was much quicker. It was definately an eye opener to see all those little poorly babies and really reminded me to be so grateful my twins, although borderline transition in terms of premie versus term in time, were big and healthy enough to not need any additional monitoring. They were deemed mildly jaundice (not bad for 6 days old) and the doctor was happy for them to go home if I was happy to go home. I said, yes please!
I called my friend Angela who we had arranged would bring us home. By the time she had arrived we were still waiting for our paperwork. Eventually (after what felt like ages and ages) I got signed out. There was a slight hiccup when we realised we didn't know how to adjust the seats but eventually we figured it out and headed home. By this point their feeding schedule was out of wack because of the waiting around in NICU so I fed them and put them to bed.
It's been 10 days now and Darren and I feel like we're beginning to get the hang of it. Their personalities are definately shining through now. Rebecca is the fussier one at times, although Charlotte does have her moments. Daddy's better at burping then Mummy is but only Mummy has boobs. I was worried about not having a pump right away as we had been topping up, but both girls are improving in their feeding. They were weighed yesterday and are getting back up to their birth weights. Charlotte gained more than Rebecca so we are keeping an extra eye on her, even though she is still bigger than Charlotte.
Yesterday we also took our first walk in the pram/stroller. We only walked around the block but it took 30 minutes, mostly due to me as I'm still recovering. I ended up taking some pain killers afterwards but mostly I'm down to one at a time and only 2-3 times a day. Today I'm going to have a go at taking a bath. Lyn from work is also stopping by to give us a bath and some clothes. She's also been sent with strict instructions from work to take pictures. I haven't even got around to sending any to work, I've just been so focused.
On Monday we plan on taking our first trip to town if I'm up to it. We still need a few things we were going to get on the weekend but of course, never made it that far. We'd also like to get to the registry office and register their births. We have a month but no time like the present.
And now you're all caught up with my versions of events so I'll leave you with a picture:
I woke up on Thursday the 15th of January feeling awful and fluey which I had been for the past 2 days. I had high fever, aches and a rash but the midwife was thinking flu. As I had a follow appt for a suspected UTI in the morning, I thought I'd just wait until then as I could feel the girls moving quite actively and so would have been sent to triage rather than L&D and I didn't even want to get out of bed as I'd been sick just before midnight. In the end Darren and I decided that it would be better if he went to work rather than going with me, because that would mean he wasn't on the late and could care for me in the evening when my fever seemed to spike as it had for the last two nights. I would be taking taxis back and forth from the hospital after all, and D had all day Friday off anyway to go with me to my pre-op appt in preparation for the 20th's planned c-section.
I arrived at the hospital at 9 and went to the PAWS clinic as they had booked me in there because the antenatal clinic was full that day. The first thing they do in late pregnancy at the hospital is strap you up to a monitor for a little while just to check babies heartbeats. I'd done one the previous week when I'd been in to labour & delivery for my hip pain. One sensor for each baby and one for your uterus. Last week the uterus one hadn't even been used really, as the number stayed constant in the teens meaning my uterus was quite soft (I'd asked what it was for then) This time, within a few minutes of the machine being hooked up to me, I started feeling a bit of pain. I noticed that the middle number on the machine (for the 3rd uterus sensor) went up. You also press a button anytime you feel baby/babies move. When the midwife came back to check on me, we talked about it. She asked if I'd had a contraction. I said I think so, but I'd only really had a handful of proper contractions in the past few weeks, I'd could count them on one hand really. I'd had Braxton-Hicks, for a few weeks but again, not that many. Also my real ones had lasted seconds where BH ones had lasted up to a minute. These contractions though, rather than being an infrequent occurance started all of a sudden to become regular. They also, when I think back to it now, had mentioned it was hard at times to keep track of twin 1. I hadn't registered this at the time because the previous week the midwife had had a hard time, but not because it was difficult to track, but because their heartrates were in rhythm so it almost seemed like 1 baby and she was doubting her tracking skills.
At any rate, they began to increase in intensity and I began to need to breathe through them. Having found out I was having a c-section at 32 weeks due to positioning, I hadn't given labour much thought, just being able to recognize it. I admit, I associated labour with really really strong contractions and the tell tale water breakage. As I had no other symptoms of labour besides contractions, they seemed more concered about my high fever (well over 102 F) and the rash I had developed. Over the night since I'd noticed it, it had spread to all over my legs and tummy. It still didn't itch, but it was certainly scary looking. The doctor wondered if the antibiotic I had been on (which I'd finished the night before for a suspected UTI) could be calling the "possible false labour pains" and or the rash. Another doctor was called in for advice. Since they were having problems tracking babies, they brought in a portable ultrasound to look, and also to check positioning. Babies were checked out and deemed fine, albeit still in their awkward positions which had caused the booking of the c-section in the first place.
The doctor then decided to check my cervix. I'd read about cervical checks on pregnant and how potentially they can be quite painful. I was told "uncomfortable" as I stripped from the waist down. The doctor inserted this large speculum and.....
Holy shit I have never experienced such pain in my life. I was hysterically sobbing within moments while the midwife tried to console me. It was over quickly I'm sure, but it felt like an eternity. The doctor then exclaimed I was not dialated at all. They weren't however, happy with sending me home and wanted me to stay in a ward for a bit and continue to be monitored. At this time I was still sobbing and asked could I use my mobile phone to call my husband. This was around an hour or so after I had arrived. I called Darren, explained the situation and he started over from work.
When Darren arrived I was still at PAWS, waiting to be brought over to a ward. I'd even been to the toliet (and yes, cervical checks make you bleed...my entire pregnancy I'd not had a drop of blood, so that wasn't fun) Darren arrived and I was taken off the monitor and we walked over to a ward. The walking felt good, but mainly being off my back felt good. When I arrived though I was strapped back to the monitor.
After a bit of time on the ward the midwife decided, as I was here, why didn't we do my pre-op appt today instead which of course, I agreed was a good idea. Here was me thinking I'd just lay in bed the next day and not have to come out. I was still sporting my fever, only partially controlled by paracetamol (tylenol) which I was having every 4 hours like I'd had at home. I was on the monitor for large periods of time, where the contractions continued. They were a bit better when I was allowed up. I spent some time on a birthing ball, which I was pleasantly surprised is quite easy to sit on and did help through some contractions. I took two baths as well, which felt great. I tried to eat at lunch time, but I didn't manage very much.
At one point Darren and I began timing the contractions to find they were spot on at 8 minutes apart. The midwife didn't seem too concerned though, because they didn't seem to be increasing in intensity, rather some were big, some were small, and stayed at 8 minutes apart for hours. I had several specialists come to give me my pre-op information. After taking my second bath the midwife came to tell me that she was switching to the night staff who would then do a progress check on me. My look of fear must have said it all because she explained there would be no speculum for a cervical check this time and that midwives are much gentler than doctors.
The night midwife came and took some vitals, checked me on the monitor (which by then I'd made the coorelation between being on my back and more intense contractions and pain and was begging to be off) This was the first time I'd noticed the mention of twin 1's heartrate again. Apparently she was dipping every time I had a contraction. The midwife performed a cervical check and announced that I was 3 cms dialated and in labour. "You're having these babies tonight," was proclaimed. I was in a bit of shock and began to cry. Arrangements began to be made as we frantically thought of who we could call. Luckily I'd given my friend Flora a key to the house a few days before so we called her and off she went to get my hospital bag. My prep began. Luckily I'd been in the bath for dinner and I hadn't eaten for a while. I took an antacid like I knew I would be which they give you to calm your stomach in case you need to be put under general. The surgeon who would be performing the operation came to see me, check me out and talk to me.
Next we were wheeled down to a room near the operating theatre where I was put in a gown and prepped for surgery. It was all a buzz of loads of people coming in to talk to me as this was now considered an emergency c-section. A ultrasound was brought again so the surgeon could check their positions just one last time. They made me stay on the monitor. By this time the contractions were 5 minutes apart max, and very painful. I finally asked could I have something and I was given gas and air which helped a bit. I begged to be allowed to sit up. Then finally I was wheeled on the bed (a strange experience) into the anesthesiology room where they began to give me my spinal block. First you get this scratch in your back of local (which hurt a bit to recieve) and then the put the block in Then you wait for the numbness to take affect. I have no idea how long this took but the anesthesiologist began to explain everything and what he could/would do if I felt more pain or sick or anything. Soon he was happy with the block and I was wheeled in.
As they began I could feel pressure just as the midwife had described, along with this cappuchino machine sound which is the vaccum. It wasn't painful, just strange. Darren and I had chosen my favourite beatles album, Sgt. Pepper's and myself (and some of the staff) had began to sing along. It was good to have something to focus on. I was very grateful Flora had arrived before the surgery so we had it (and the camera of course.) At one point I felt sick and got medicine, but was still sick. I have to say that the antacid made it a little less unpleasant than throwing up bile normally is.
Within 10 minutes Rebecca Sage (formerly known as Twin 1) was born. I kept asking if she was alright until I heard the cry. Her apgar score was 5 which quickly went up to a 10. Apparently she was floppy when she came out and had a few puffs of oxygen. The doctor said she was shocked is all. This was at 10:16pm. At 10:18pm Charlotte Rose (formerly Twin 2) was born. Her apgar score was 4 but again, some oxygen and she was fine.
The surgeons began to stitch me up while Darren went over to take pictures. I was in shock and began to cry. Darren held each girl in turn before they had their vitamin k injections. At one point then they were massaging my uterus (or so I was told) and I began to feel intense pressure which felt painful. I was given gas and air to get through it. Then finally I was done. I was then lifted onto a hospital bed again which is a very strange feeling when you are numb from the chest down. I was brought to a room to be monitored for 30 minutes and finally given the girls to hold. I cried again. I was desperate to drink but told I had to wait a bit. The nurse monitoring me helped to take a picture of the new family.
I was then taken back to the room I was prepped in so we could get our stuff. I tried to feed the girls but they didn't really know what to do bless them. As I was wheeled back to a ward where I'd have my recovery the midwife explained that Darren would be asked to go but could come back in the morning as I needed my rest. Darren went right up to the ward with me and then left for home. I got put in my room and we settled the girls in their cots. In the end it turned out easier to have them in the same cot and they seemed to like it. I tried to breastfeed again but it wasn't happening. In the end I agreed to a top up of formula (they didn't pressure me, but I knew they needed to eat) but I did ask for it to be cup fed and not bottle. The midwife asked if they could take the girls to the nurses station to feed in case anyone needed buzzing in, which I agreed to. This was good because while they were away being fed, I fell asleep as I was still running my fever and not feeling so great. Despite being warned about gulping water, I did, and straight away sicked it up. Lesson learned.
I did breastfeed from the very next feed though. They weren't getting much and being topped up with formula, but I liked they were still getting some colostrum. I asked for a breast pump and began to express as well. They got more and more breast and less formula with every feed, even if it was from a cup.
On day one I had a lot of pain and by the evening of day 2 I had begged for further relief as the pain pills I were on was not enough. I ended up getting a shot of morphine. That was a new experience, one I won't soon repeat. Yes, it gave me the needed pain relief and I could sleep, but I was higher than I've ever been in my life. I can only assume the girls got fed during that time because I don't remember. Darren called and I apparently said "can't talk, morphy morphy" and hung up on him.
The next day I tried getting up but was in a lot of pain so only managed to sit up twice, getting a bit easier each time. By day 3 they were really eager to get the bandage off and the catheter out, which couldn't happen until I could make my own way to the toliet. In the end I managed it. The midwife helped me to the shower and we took the bandage off. I was promptly sick with nearly 3 bucketfuls. Apparently this is a very common reaction to the pressure being taken off. I was told that I'd be surprised at how much better I'd feel with the bandage off. Then the nurse showered me. I thought I'd be all bashful about nurses and seeing me naked and all, but I could have cared less and the shower felt great. Tonya (the midwife) was very kind and gentle. I also felt better having been sick, she explained that clearly my body wanted that out and that was that.
Every day in hospital I began to feel better. Slowly the girls began to understand the boob, Charlotte first and then Rebecca. They both had a lot of mucus and would sick up a bit, but they explained that feeding helped them to get it out. When my milk came in, the feeding became easier and they were off formula completely, having only boob plus expressed boob top ups via a cup. Darren even got to do some cup feeds, which he loved. I was still a bit scared about going home but never once was I pressured into going. They made it very clear that I would have a say in my leaving (as would they of course, if I or the girls needed to stay.)
I had a few more bumps in the road when an antibiotic made me sick and I decided I didn't want it anymore. I had my blood evaluated several times to check on my infection and a few rounds of IV antibiotics and fluids. By day 5 I could begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel as I began to feel like I could cope at home. The girls were latching much better and I was mainly relying on the midwives to do things I'd have Darren do at home. I almost went home on Day 5 but two things prevented it. First of all, the girls were weighed and had lost nearly their 10% and secondly, I was deemed anemic. They wanted me in for another night as the iron pills weren't there yet and just one more day to be sure I could handle the twins at home. That night when I was woken up to realise my babies were fast asleep and it was someone else's baby crying and keeping me up realised I was ready to go home.
On day 6 we had some more evaluations. My infection was deemed gone and I had started the iron pills the night before. All that was left was for the girls to have the heel prick test to check a few things including the fact that they were a bit yellow. It took nearly all day to get the test done. We ended up bringing them to NICU to get it as the machine there was much quicker. It was definately an eye opener to see all those little poorly babies and really reminded me to be so grateful my twins, although borderline transition in terms of premie versus term in time, were big and healthy enough to not need any additional monitoring. They were deemed mildly jaundice (not bad for 6 days old) and the doctor was happy for them to go home if I was happy to go home. I said, yes please!
I called my friend Angela who we had arranged would bring us home. By the time she had arrived we were still waiting for our paperwork. Eventually (after what felt like ages and ages) I got signed out. There was a slight hiccup when we realised we didn't know how to adjust the seats but eventually we figured it out and headed home. By this point their feeding schedule was out of wack because of the waiting around in NICU so I fed them and put them to bed.
It's been 10 days now and Darren and I feel like we're beginning to get the hang of it. Their personalities are definately shining through now. Rebecca is the fussier one at times, although Charlotte does have her moments. Daddy's better at burping then Mummy is but only Mummy has boobs. I was worried about not having a pump right away as we had been topping up, but both girls are improving in their feeding. They were weighed yesterday and are getting back up to their birth weights. Charlotte gained more than Rebecca so we are keeping an extra eye on her, even though she is still bigger than Charlotte.
Yesterday we also took our first walk in the pram/stroller. We only walked around the block but it took 30 minutes, mostly due to me as I'm still recovering. I ended up taking some pain killers afterwards but mostly I'm down to one at a time and only 2-3 times a day. Today I'm going to have a go at taking a bath. Lyn from work is also stopping by to give us a bath and some clothes. She's also been sent with strict instructions from work to take pictures. I haven't even got around to sending any to work, I've just been so focused.
On Monday we plan on taking our first trip to town if I'm up to it. We still need a few things we were going to get on the weekend but of course, never made it that far. We'd also like to get to the registry office and register their births. We have a month but no time like the present.
And now you're all caught up with my versions of events so I'll leave you with a picture: