Anyone else due in June "06

[AndreaR]

Steph - hope you are feeling better. Don't ever worry about coming to us with anything! That's why we're here.

Valerie - how are you feeling about the c-section? It was you who was worried about the wound healing, right? I think it was you.... Hopefully you won't have any issues. It's great that you have a date, and it's just around the corner! Congrats on the new vehicle purchase. I think you're going to be psyched that you bought a mini-van. We bought a station wagon right before we got pregnant, knowing that we'd eventually have a baby. We thought there would be enough room for the baby, the dog, and all the baby and dog stuff we would travel with. Well, we didn't count on two babies! As big as the station wagon is, we've come to the conclusion that we probably can't go too many places with two babies and the dog. He is a 100 pound yellow lab, and he takes up the whole rear section of the car. There's no room for a stroller! I never considered myself a mini-van person, but I'm thinking we might be in the market sooner rather than later. Otherwise, poor Morgan is going to be left out of a lot of family trips...

Andrea - your babies are soooo cute. I can't wait to see more pictures. How are you all doing?

Stacey - I've been thinking about you all day!!

Sherry - sorry to hear about the swelling. I probably don't drink as much water as you do (or as I should), but I try. The doctors and nurses keep telling me that it's inevitable with twins. As long b/p is good and there is no protein in your urine, swelling is no big deal. Well, no big deal medically. But gosh does stink to feel like a giant water balloon. I have completely stolen Ters' "Shrek feet" line. People love it...

Rachel & Missy - congrats on your weekly milestones. That's awesome!

Speaking of b/p and urine protein..........I went for my last appointments today. I had NST (good - only one minor contraction) and BPP (both girls quickly got 8/8, which was awesome, because I didn't have to lay down for too long). My blood pressure was a little high when they took it at the testing unit, but they use one of those automatic machines, and I have my doubts about their accuracy. Then I went to my OB's office, and his nurse took my b/p. She said it was "borderline" but she never told me the numbers. So when my OB walked in he was a little concerned about my b/p (I thought it was my ticket to going early!!), but he took it three times, in both arms, and it's fine. They also found protein in my urine when they did the office dipstick test, so they had to send it out for more testing. It was fine.. And he checked my cervix.....it's closed......So I'm not going early. I will have to stick it out these last seven (well, six now) days. The good news is that my OB is on call this weekend, so should anything happen (though I know it won't), he'll be there. I know, I know, the longer they stay in the better. But today was one of those days when I felt like I just couldn't be pregnant any more. Sorry that this post is getting long, but I just wanted to mention one thing...

Today I came to the realization that not only am I ready to have these babies from a physical aspect (the discomfort, the reflux, the swelling, etc.), but mentally I feel like I can't take it any more. I have had so much anxiety about becoming a mother, especially to twins, and emotionally I am just spent. I was surprised that I didn't start crying in my OB's office. I really, really felt like I was going to bawl my head off. Does anyone else know what I mean?

On my way home, I called my sister, who is awesome at listening to me and my woes. I was planning on crying to her. But my four year old nephew answered the phone. We had about a 10 minute conversation, and he totally cracked me up. I just couldn't be sad after that.

Thanks for listening.

Andrea

[miraclebabies2120]

Are these your first? I have 2 older girls and my twins are almost 9 months old. I was diagnosed with the TTTTS and was told my girls had no chance of survival. I gave birth 8 weeks early and they had minor issuses but everything work out. These girls are the best, and too me it's easy having twins. I am currently divorced so i am raising them on my own. If you have your significant other there to help you then you're set. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at celvin_klien_babe@yahoo.com

[Daniele'sTwins]

okay, agian I can't sleep and I am soo thirsty and can't drink! I have a doctors appointment at 11am (now 4:30am) and my doctor told me AGAIN not to eat or drink after midnight because after the exam he may decide to section me. Yes, this may be the day but Saturday he told my husband that he was going to be a daddy and he didn't deliver us and then on Tuesday he told me not to eat or drink anything because I was havign contractions every 5 minutes for like 4 hours and then he didn't section me so who knows what will happen today.

Andrea...congrats on your babies, they are BEAUTIFUL.

Steph...Just to let you know I am having a section too. As long as these babies are born healthy who cares how they get here! BUT your mom is right you will get a "spinal" sorry. You would get an epidural for vaginal or vaginal that turns into a section so you would feel stuff going on but it wouldn't hurt. If you are a planned section they give you a spinal and you are completely numb.

Valerie...getting close! My schedualed date is the 7th but then again here I am so thirsty and hungry because he said today may be the day. Who knows! I guess he is going to see if i am dialating more. Also, congrats on the new car!

Sherry...I am so swollen you can't even see that I have ankles! i attribute it to sitting in the car all day with my feet down. I ran a lot of errands with my mother and then we drove to Boston to pick up my aunt at the hospital.

Well, the birds are beginning to chirp! I am going to go brush my teeth so that I dont feel so thirsty. Wish me luck! I will try to write you about the appointment if I dont go in for the section right away because I know you will want to know.

[Daniele'sTwins]

ok, still can't sleep, still so thirsty and NOW I can't stand my DH! I honestly could B!tch at him for a whole day and that would not be enough time to get everything off my chest as to what he has been doing to be so insensitive lately! i honestly think he thinks having babies is having a picture to keep in his pocket to show everyone like it is a trophy. I BEGGED him last night to rub my back and he still wouldn't! I am possibly going to have these boys today and I can't even stand him! He has done nothing to make me feel comfortable or relaxed in any way.

He is sooo work focused and I honestly think he is one of those guys that doesn't like the look of a pregnant women. He keeps denying it but I swear it did not bother him one bit not having sex since December! The doctor even told us on Tuesday to go home and have sex and i was all for it and he said no! I mean granted we did try it the week before and I laughed the entire time because it was so awkward and uncomfortable we couldn't even finish but still! Shouldn't we try again?

I really wish we could sit and talk for a few hours but I never have a few hours with him. Now witht he babies coming I feel like we are never going to get the chance to talk about the things that are bothering me and it is going to cause more tension between us...UGH

I am sooooo thirsty!

I really hope this day turns out better.

[TMoT]

Daniele, hi! I think everyone else might still be sleeping, since you've risen with the birdies! But I'm here!!! 8o) ...I'm sorry about dh. I've been there in a major way. I guess, like Steph wrote (when I was complaining about my own dh), they're really from another planet and sometimes they have totally checked out and returned to the mother-ship. That must be where your dh is right now! ...Sure would do you good to have some intimacy and affection, for the moment though, even if it doesn't lead to sex -- even BETTER if it DID! You could use the "help" in getting some action going with those babies!!! ;-) ...For your thirst, maybe you can suck on a piece of candy? I've been told that's okay with epidural/c-section mommies. Sure wish there was more I could do/say for you. :throb: ...I would also add that the emotional tension is very high (and maybe dh is a bit in denial still -- I know my dh is! These are his first babies for goodness' sake!), so maybe you just need to "have it out" with dh and clear the air a bit. You love each other. You're making this BIG step together, and it's really important that you feel his support now. Wouldn't take "hours" to say that. Just grab him in the hallway and tell him. Maybe he just needs a quick "wake up call"...? You should try. And, my heart is with you -- with EVERYTHING that will/may happen today! I'll be waiting to hear! Love, love, and more love!!! :throb:

AndreaR, your resilience is astounding! You have come SO far, I can totally understand being psychologically, emotionally and (of course!) physically ready to have these babies now! I get the (latter mostly) feeling and I'm only at 33 weeks!!!!! (?!) Especially with all the ups and downs in the doc's office. Geez! Can't they offer you some peace and then actually GIVE it to you?!?!?!?!! ...Personally, as I've said before, I think the "mental" angle is also part of the process. When you get this far, you've had NINE MONTHS to get emotionally ready for having Baby/ies, and at this stage, wanting them OUT in your head is just as natural as all the rest of the (physical) preparation your body is going through to get ready to delivery them. In fact, I've noticed this throughout the "cycle" of Motherhood -- after conception, through birth and growing up, it's always just one step after another to greater and greater separation/liberation of the baby from the womb (metaphorically) *sniff sniff*. Don't know if you get what I mean, but my point is basically that what you're feeling/thinking now is completely normal and understandable. Just another "sign" that The Big Moment -- that first major step towards "separation" between Babies and Mommy (=delivery) -- is imminent. ;-)

Valerie, so glad about the girls' great NST scores but sorry you had to wait so long for the doc!! Since my doc consults out of a clinic at the hospital, I've experienced this kind of thing TOO MANY TIMES to count! So, I feel for you! ...I'm really excited that you have a DATE now, too! You must be thrilled! You have been such a trooper all along -- with the bedrest and GD stuff -- your long-awaited award is fast-approaching! I am so happy for you!!!! ...We also got a mini-van!!!!!!! Don't know why, but we decided on a Mercedes Viano -- I guess because it fits up to seven people (!) and still will have "trunk" space...! And, American makes are more expensive here than in the US. Otherwise, we probably would have gotten the Grand Voyager too! (My Mom has owned them since the original model and, until we were all out of the house, she wouldn't think of anything else!) Funny! We are all SO suburban now, aren't we?! Never thought this would happen!!! ...Well, at least we ordered ours in black with dark-tinted rear windows and we keep joking that it will look like an "FBI" (or "CTU"!) van...!!! ;-)

Now I know why I slept so much yesterday!! I had tummy troubles again (for @#$%'s sake!!!) all last night and had to take something against the cramping. I just CAN'T HAVE this kind of thing going on at _this_ stage of the game! I kept thinking it might be the babies (they were moving around like crazy, while I was moaning and groaning from the pain!), and, more than the pain, I was worried that it might be a "sign" that they were coming. Ugh! Terrrrrrrible!!! I just can't believe all this with this pg!!!!! Well, I've taking the cramp medicine and hope it'll work because today (another holiday here!) we were planning to go get the baby beds! We were also planning to pick up the pack-n-go things from Graco (here -- but they're at a premium! Yikes!) -- two, in fact. ;-) Then, someone is lending us a big, wooden bed/play-pen with adjustable levels. So, we'll have a bed for them on each floor! Whew! Less struggle for Mommy -- and isn't that what really counts??!? ;-)

Well, gotta get cracking! Hope you'll be okay, Daniele. I'm thinking about you! Also curious to hear from Stacey, and hope everything is all right! xoxox

[TMoT]

miraclebabies2120, congrats on your baby girls! They sound like real fighters -- and they must get their strength from their mom! Your story is very encouraging and THANK YOU for being willing to share your experience and support with us!!!

[AndreaR]

Daniele - HANG IN THERE! You are not alone. My DH is very, very similar. Steph and Sherry are right: men are from another planet. I think I've told you guys this before, but I see a therapist, and every session I complain about something DH has/hasn't done, and 90% of the time, my therapist responds with, "that is a classic gender difference." It used to make me so angry that, here I was, paying her to make me feel better, and it always felt like she was defending him. But over time, it has sunken in, and I think I understand what she means. Men are just programmed differently. It doesn't mean that we let them "get away" with everything; we just have to understand where they're coming from during these situations, so that we can act accordingly. Basically, we have to be smarter....that's the way I look at it. The other big thing, like Sherry said, is that you have to communicate. You probably have tried to tell him how you are feeling and what you want, but he doesn't get it. So you just have to keep trying. You have done an amazing job through this pregnancy, and I'm sure your DH is incredibly proud of you. Hang in there. Good luck at the doctor today. I'm sorry you're so thirsty. Can you have ice chips? YOU MIGHT HAVE BABIES TODAY!!!! YIPPEEEEE!!! We'll be looking for your update. Thinking of you and praying for you, too.....

Andrea

[AndreaR]

Sherry - I have had stomach issues for the past few weeks, myself. I have pretty bad diarrhea, with mild cramps. I thought it was all the Maalox I've been drinking due to reflux (and it still might be), but I'm not sure. I think it's actually a combination of that and the position and movement of the girls. I keep forgetting to ask my OB about it. I did mention it to the NP when it first started, but she thought it was nothing to worry about. I've just accepted that this is what it's going to be like until the girls arrive. I feel really bad for you, though, because you've had so many of these issues throughout the pregnancy. Thanks for the supportive words about my emotional state. You made me feel a lot better. It's always helpful to hear the wisdom of other mothers. Enjoy your holiday weekend - don't overdo it!!

Well, today looks like it's going to be a "good" day. Thank God, too, because yesterday was soooo bad. It's supposed to be raining, but the sun has just peeked out. The landscapers are off today. It's nice to have the place to myself.

I'll check in with you all later.

AndreaR

[twinsmakethree]

Hi everyone!

I hope all is well. I have a minute so i thought i post my story and try to answer post.

Well the day i went into labor we were just finishing up on baby projects and i worked extra hard to make sure I would dilate some more. I can testify that when you feel like you are at the end and cant take it anymore you probably are very close ( so hang in there) I remember crying because the night came and i felt like I just couldnt be pregnant another day. Anyway i kept running to the bathroom so I thought maybe my water broke. Once we got there we saw the water didnt break but i did dilate to 4cm my dr. did not want me to go home because she felt I was close( but she was not going to induce either) so she told me to wallk the halls for 2 hrs straight and I did crying the whole time not from pain but it started feeling so heavy!! I was contracting but didnt know it matter of fact i didnt feel any contractions for a long time.

Finally it was time for my epi( that i didnt want)when the guy came to place it in he stuck my spine 3x( he said it was because of my slight curvature) I literally wanted to die it hurt bad because of that once the medicine went in it started numbing me then I remember saying should I feel like this and the nurse said like what then I couldnt breathe and I went out my husband told me that the nurse ran and called a couple of codes and drs from everywhere came in with the heart machine and other machines He said they kept trying to talk to me me but I was not responsive they had to place me on oxygen and was going to incubate but the ephriden got my heart started and when I came through they were frantic about the babies because their heart rates were going down.
They said what happened was that my blood pressure went rocketing down and the medicine began to numb my waist up numbing my lungs and working towards the heart! God Is Great!! My usband said he was thinking of the choice I made earlier that I made earlier about choosing the babies and letting me die he was really frantic!
The delivery went well I pushed about 3x for the first baby then the ultrasound showed that the second was still transverse so they went inside to try to move her but she kept moving back( and she is stubborn) so I had to get the c-section and they used something other than the epi!!!!
That was fine and after 24hrs of morphine I ddint need any medicine and was walking around with difficulty( the pain is now as my uterus contract but it is manageable and the incision is extremely small, I just wish i could move more)

Ok I have to go ruwaydah is crying i'll come back

Andrea

[EBTwinz]

Just a quick post. Brady came home last night and we are on our way to pick up Ethan!!!! :yippee: They are completely healthy and just needed a little extra time in the hospital to learn to eat. We had a great night w/ Brady. He is a pleasant baby. But, let me tell you, it's so hard to sleep when they are right next to you. I was so worried he would stop breathing. And then he will make the cutest little grunting sounds. I love him sooo much!!! I can't wait to get his brother home!!

Thank you, everyone, for all your support. You are fabulous women and I admire the strength in all of you! I can't wait until you have your babies. It's the best feeling in the world!!!!!

:throb: ~ Lisa

[vthompson]

Lisa - YEAH!!! Babies are home! I am so excited for you.

Andrea - Oh my God!! I cannot believe all of that happened to you. Thank God you are ok! Your DH must have been terrified! Did you realize at the time that any of that was going on?

Andrea R - I am glad that you are having a good day! I am sorry that today was so emotional. Just keep counting down the days, the delivery will be here before you know it. As for c section, I am pretty terrified, but I find if I don't think about it, then that is better for me...probably not the most healthiest approach. However, that is what I have to do to try and make it through the next 11 days. I just hope it doesn't hurt as bad as I think it will and that I heal properly.

Sherry - I guess we are both mini van moms now!

Daniele - All I can say is to hang in there. I am so sorry that you are feeling so terrible. I cannot imagine the emotional roller coaster you have been on. Make sure you post after your appt today, unless you are having babies of course! As for your DH, I agree with Sherry, just stop him in the hallway and tell him how you are feeling. You need his support now more then ever.

Well, DH took the day off today so we are just laying around watching TV. It is really nice to have him home! I will check in later.

Valerie

[newmomx2]

Hello Ladies -

Andrea - thanks for sharing your story - that must have been so scary...but fortunately everything worked out for the best and now everyone is home safe and sound...

Lisa - I am so happy to hear that both your boys will be home today - that is such great news !

Today is my last day of work - YEAH, still getting phone calls about every 20 minutes - some to wish me luck some to get some last help/questions answered before I am gone. I had to give someone 90 days notice today - so basically I told him he has 90 days then he is fired - so that is the last HR deed before I leave and the firing will be the first thing I do when I return - how odd...this plus another girl on my team resigned and today is her last day, I will probably do some phone screens while on maternity..

My boss also called me to say good luck and that when I get my head above water at home to call and check in ! He is working to get me a raise in my absence - (15%) I think he wants to ensure I return to work...for as much as I would like to be a SAHM I make 2 1/2 times what my husband makes so that is not really an option for us - fortunately I have flex options available at my company and plan to explore these.

Well back to work for my last 3 1/2 hours WAHOO !!!

Only 4 days to go until I see my little men !

[qbanmom5]

I AM SOOOOOO LIVID RIGHT NOW I COULD SPIT!!!!!!! I called the peris office yesterday an hour away where they did the lung maturity test. It is a satellite office to the one where I go 2x a week. Anyway the idiot on the phone said she couldn't read the results and was faxing them to my ob. I knew the peris office up here was getting a copy so I called them and apparently the only person who knows how to read the results was gone for the day. Again I was told that my results were being faxed to the ob and I should call there for the results.

Flashback to yesterday morning, I called the o.b. office to let them know that my lung maturity results were being faxed there and that I was having chest pains. The other idiot girl on the phone said its from the terbutaline she bets and I SHOULD GIVE IT MORE TIME (its been 3 weeks since they upped the dose and I researched on the internet that it could cause heart conditions). She assures me that someone will call me. At 4:00 pm I call again to tell them the lung maturity results should be there and the dr.'s b@#$% wife answers and says she will have the dr. review them and call me.

Needless to say, no one had called by 9:30 this morning. I call my fave nurse at the peri's. and she is looking into everything. Meanwhile, I call my ob to b@#% about no one calling me back and the 3rd fool on the phone says "he was in surgery all day yesterday and today he is not in the office". Who the hell cares and who the heck is on call when he is not there?

I just got a call from my nurse!! The lungs are mature enough for delivery and the peri is writing a letter to proceed with delivery!! Only problem is the o.b. is not there and we have no clue who is covering for him!! I will have to let you all know what happens! Today may be the day, but in light of all the crap I have had to endure it could be tomorrow or even next week. I will keep you posted via Little Terri. Love you all, Ters

[sgarrett]

Valerie: Congrats on the mini van, we recently got a Nissan Armada and it is fricken big I am scared to drive it! I mean we use to have a Tahoe a few years back and I wrecked it three times in the garage, how the heck am I going to manage this beast!

AndreaR: I totally understand where you are coming from with the mentally can not take it anymore. I feel the same way, and I am only 34 weeks. I wake up every morning and think OK I made it through one more day. It is very frustrating, and a twin pregnancy is definetely so much harder than a singleton. Hang in there this will soon all be behind us.

Danielle: My 1st husband was about as unsupportive as they come, and I called my Dr (who was great) and had him call my hubby into the office just to explain to him all the emotional things I was going through. He had no idea I asked the doc to do it, and he listened b/c it came from another man and not me "whining". Of course this was when I was prego with one baby, this twin stuff is a whole different ball game. I do not know your doc situation but I thought it was worth mentioning!

Andrea: Wow that is so scary, I am so glad everything is OK. How does the epi start "going the wrong way?" I bet your DH was terrified.

Lisa: Congrats on getting the babies home! That has to be a wonderful feeling, cannot wait to be there!

Missy: 4 DAYS! Wow, you have got to be so excited and nervous at the same time! Can not wait to see baby pics soon!

Ters: Your doc is the most unbeleivable jerk I have ever heard of! To bad we are not all in the same state and we riot his office! I am sorry for the added frustrations but that is great news on the babies lungs.

Today has been a better day for me, I actually got some sleep last night and b/c of the holiday weekend work has been really slow. Most of my clients took today off, so it allows me to take it easy too.

Everyone take care and have a great holiday Monday!

Staci

[vthompson]

Staci - I haven't actually driven the new car yet. I am vey uncomfortable driving now so I am hoping that I can actually do it once the time comes!! I hope you don't wreck your new car!! :)

Ters - Your doctor makes me so angry!! I agree with Staci, if we all lived in the same state, we could riot his office! I am so anxious to find out if you have these babies this weekend!! At least you will be done dealing with that a** of a doctor!

Missy - Wow, I can't believe you are so close! I am still amazed you were working through all of this. I hope you have a few days to yourself before the little ones arrive.

So, this is going to sound crazy, but I decided to actually shave my legs today, it has been over 2 weeks. It was really hard and uncomfortable but I did it. Then, I get dressed and realized that my right leg still has hair all over! I was so mad...it took so much out of me to even do it. I actually started to cry! I feel stupid, but I am really frustrated.

Valerie

[swineland]

Hi all!

Well, I'm feeling much better today and thanks again for all your support and good words of advice. I can't remember if I posted the update or not, but yes the section is still planned for Wednesday and my doc was totally cool with that.

Danielle, I am wondering if you are having babies today?!! We all can't wait for your update. Sorry you have to keep "fasting" on these days where you have an appt.....that's gotta be hard. I know how thirsty I've been lately...like a camel! With regard to my mom and the "spinal tap" comment, I am well aware that I WILL get a spinal with a c-section. My mom was referring to having them vaginally when she said "besides you'll get a spinal tap". She didn't even know what she was talking about and I was so annoyed that the only thing I could think of is.....it's an EPIDURAL, NOT a spinal tap!! Thanks for trying to clear it up for me anyway :)

Andrea, what a scary scary experience you had with your epidural...I cannot imagine! Jeez...... I am glad you are safe and okay and that your little babies are healthy!

Valerie, that's cool about DH being home today....laying around and watching movies all day is the best. Unfortunately, I have this gigantic list of things to do this weekend and I feel like I have this "burst" of energy to get it all done...so, no lounging for me! Well, maybe a little ;)

Ters, your OB's wife answers the phone?? At the office?? That sounds odd right there. He has got to be the biggest jerk-off I've ever heard of and I can't believe he treats his patients like that. Perhaps, when all is said and done, you should write a strongly-worded letter to him and let him know what you think of his practice and his bedside manner. Just b/c he's a doctor and passed all his tests, doesn't mean he SHOULD be a doctor. I'm so sorry you ended up with a moron like him for an OB !

I guess I'm going to run along...I have to go to Target for a few things and the longer I sit here the worse my chances get for actually going!

Had my pre-surgery bloodwork done today and everything is all set! Also, I spent 4 1/2 hours (yep, you heard right!) at the salon getting a variety of highlights, lowlights and an awesome cut. I have a TON of hair...it's straight as can be and each strand is very soft and fine, but there is a lot of it. It always takes that long for me to get my hair done. Anyway, I feel much better and tomorrow I'm getting a pedicure. Also, we are having a new king size plush pillowtop mattress delivered tomorrow for our new platform bed (Sherry!) and I can't wait to sleep on it!! Our mattress sucks that we have now...it's so old.

Ok, I'm really going now.... chat later!
Steph

[qbanmom5]

It's me and yes, I am home. I went in for the NST and both babies did really well. I was having some contractions (stopped taking my terb last night cause I was so pissed --I know, I know). They monitored me for a while and they even gave me yet another cervical exam (10% effaced still closed -cervix of steel also apparently). The nurse told me that there isn't anyone covering for the dr. because he always shows up when there is an emergency (what?!!). She was going to fax my results to L&D and have them try to do something but the peri said that we now have to leave it to the o.b. to do what he needs to do. I am immediately frustrated and upset because his usual m.o. is to do nothing. Anyway, the babies looked really good, the fluid on both was good and they were moving around a lot. So, she told me to go home and if I continued to have contractions or they got stronger or closer together I should go to L&D.

Dh, the kids, and I went to lunch. My phone kept ringing while I was at the dr's and it was my mom. So when we went to lunch it was ringing again in my purse and I didn't bother to look until I had missed the call. Well, it was the o.b.'s office!! They actually called me back and left me a message that they are schedule me for C-Section for Thursday June 1! I tried to call back but they must have run out the door and won't be back until Tuesday. But anyway, I have a date and soon I will never ever have to deal with this #$%$head again. And he thinks he is tying my tubes in 4 weeks HA! I'd rather go to T.J. and have it done there (not really serious) than ever see him again!

Don't worry, I came home and took my terb again. If I hadn't heard from him I was going to go on a 5 mile hike and was even considering how I could break my water without risking injury/infection. That is how desparate I felt just waiting for him to get back to me. Anyway, glad i don't have to resort to those measures. Hope you guys don't think I am too nuts, just hormonal and worried about my baby girl.

I am going to go clean up a little and get everything extra ready now that I know we have a date and that my babies are being taken care of!
Will write later, Ters

[qbanmom5]

I forgot to mention I saw a post of Georgie's (May board maybe) and she had almost the same thing happen as Andrea. Pretty scary! She could feel them poking her for numbness and said she could feel her legs and feet but then realized she had gotten numb above the waist! That is really bad. That's probably why the other hospital I was going to deliver at doesn't do epidurals!?

Anyway, talk to you later, Ters

[vthompson]

Ters - I really cannot believe all this drama with this stupid doctor! How does anyone you meet talk highly of him? He seems like a complete moron! Well, at least both babies are doing really well and you do have a date for next week. If I were you, I would definitely not let him tie anything of mine! Don't they usually do that after your c section, you mentioned in 4 weeks. BTW, what doctor doesn't have someone on call for them???? Doesn't he have anything else to do in his life? That is crazy!

Steph - It sounds like you had a very nice day of beauty. Good for you!! I can't believe you are delivering next week, too!! It is the week of babies!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

Ters - oh, where do I begin?? I guess the bottom line is that you saw the babies and they are active and have plenty of fluid. AND you have a date! Same as me!! I am so sorry that this has been such an ordeal for you. Just think, six more days and it's all over.

The stories from Andrea and Georgina have me petrified for the epidural / spinal. My OB said I will probably have a spinal, since it is a planned c-section. When I asked him what is the difference, I didn't understand. I should have asked him to clarify, but I didn't. All I remember is that it has something to do with the time they need you numb. Do any of you know the difference?

Andrea - I am so thankful that you are okay after that very, very scary experience. You are so right, God is good.

Steph - I can't believe you had it in you to sit in the salon for 4 1/2 hours!! I got a pedicure today, and it was all I could do to sit there for 1/2 hour. I wanted to get a manicure, too, but I couldn't stand it. You must be so happy to have your hair done. It sounds beautiful. There's nothing like that "stepped out of a salon" feeling. I am bummed that I am not going to get to squeeze in another hair coloring before the girls arrive. Again, I just can't sit through it. My hair dresser offered to come to my house to do it, but I haven't arranged anything with him, so there probably isn't time. Oh well, I figure everyone will be looking at the girls and taking their picture, not mine. So it's okay if I have a little gray poking through.

Valerie - I know how you feel about being frustrated about shaving your legs. You try to do something good and it just backfires. Hope you are feeling better.

Lisa - Thanks for posting - you must be soooo excited to have Brady and Ethan home. Congratulations! Keep posting - let us know how it's going!!

Missy - FOUR DAYS!! Hooray! I can't believe that you are still working, and it sounds like you aren't really going to stop when the babies arrive. You are an incredible woman.

Daniele - Do we have babies?? Hope you are doing okay. Can't wait to hear from you.

Andrea

[qbanmom5]

Girls/Jason

In response to your question about the tube tying, it would make sense for him to do right after the c-section but since he hasn't seen me since March (!) we weren't sure if I was going to go vaginally or section. Also around week 30 I found out that I need to sign some consent at least 30 days in advance of the c-section. I called in and they told me I had plenty of time. When I went in person at like 32 weeks again I was told (by the nurse) that I had tons of time and that the dr. had to be present to sign or authorize it or something I didn't quite understand. They told me he would do it when he saw me at 34 weeks (which would have been too late anyway) but they then re-scheduled me from Fri (his usual office day) to Thursday (nurse day) and the rest is history. When I complained at the last visit, they said he prefers to do it 4 weeks after the c-section anyway (whatever).

According to the peri's nurse who has worked with him for years, he used to be very attentive and thorough with his patients. In the last few months, she has heard various complaints from others who also never see him and other things that have her wondering what gives. SHe is guessing mid-life crisis. I heard from my nurse that the dr's wife has been telling his patients that he is away on a conference. That same day he was seen picking up take-out in his lamborghini!!! I am encouraging my kids to study medicine cause from what I see the most challenging thing about it is studying it. Once you're done with school you can come and go as you please and bill up the yazoo.

Steph: Can you believe the wife answers the phone? She has an office and everything I think she may do the billing. (convenient for her).

AndreaR: I don't know the difference either, but I think I may need to find out. So for a c-section you get a spinal and not an epidural or either one? Knowing my dr. he'll give me a general anesthesia so he won't have to deal with me.

Oh, I have to tell you a really funny one from DH (hope I haven't told you already) but you know how I never see the dr? DH says he is going to walk into the OR with mask and hat on and it'll be like that Tool time show (tim allen) where the neighbor never shows his face and you only see his eyes? I was cracking up just imagining it. Then he'll walk out and I won't see his face again. Pretty funny.

Anyway, will check back later after I research the epidural and spinal question that now has me curious. Ta-ta, Ters

[AndreaR]

Ters - well, at least you still have a sense of humor about this whole thing. I was laughing at your comment that the doctor will put you under general anesthesia.... and your DH's joke is pretty funny, too. For some reason, though, it just doesn't seem that far from a possibility. Like I said before, you are one tough cookie. Luke & Leia are lucky to have you for their mom, just like your three older kids.

[AndreaR]

here's a link to some info about spinal versus epidural.......i haven't finished reading it yet.

http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/22581.htm

[vthompson]

Ters - I am interested in the difference between spinal and epidural. I did not realize there was a difference. Let us know what you find out. Mid life crisis, my a**! Maybe if he had someone to be on call for him once in awhile he wouldn't need so many days off to not see patients! Tell your DH his Tool Time joke is a funny one!!

Andrea R - I am also afraid from the stories regarding the c sections. I just cannot imagine going through all of that.

I feel like a major bit** tonight! Ever since the stupid shaving leg issue, I am so crabby. Everyone, everything is making me insanely angry...especially the feeling I have right now like my food is just sitting in my throat and not digesting! I know I only have a week and a half to go, but all of these pg symptoms are just making me angry tonight for some reason.

Talk to you all later!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

Valerie - you are not a ***** - you are a woman who is 9 months pregnant with twins. anyone in your condition would be the exact same way. i am feeling the exact same thing about the food not getting digested. that's why i'm sitting here at the computer so long. i really want to go to bed, but i know if i lie down it will be horrible. hope you saw my link about the spinal vs. epi. i found it helpful.

[qbanmom5]

Thanks girls, and thanks for calling me a tough cookie Andrea. I don't really ever think of myself that way cause I am always so emotional and cry at the drop of a hat but I guess I am pretty resilient to bullsh$#t. Does anyone remember who or where the list of items for the hospital bag is. I am just now getting around to putting mine together and would love to find it.

Val: Sorry but I was laughing about your leg shaving. I know you didn't think it was funny but I can relate sooo much. I was trying to do the bikini area the other day and I almost twisted into a pretzel trying to lift my belly while bending almost all the way to the side to see. Impossible. and with the little mirrors in my bathroom! Never. I should actually have left a huge hair mess for the doctor to have to maneuver around. :crazy: Anything to make him really earn his pay!

I will check out your link Andrea. I started cleaning bathrooms and haven't had a chance to do a search. Now my back is hurting.

Ta-ta and good night all, Ters

[swineland]

Ters.....I was just laughing thinking about your stupid doctor and how you said you should leave your "jungle" down there alone and let him deal with it. I think what you should do is go to a waxing specialist and have them carve out an "up" arrow and the words "cut here moron". HAHA......wouldn't that be a nice surprise for him!!! :rotflmbo:

Well, I'm just sitting here waiting for the doorbell to ring. We are expecting our new mattress today, but here is NO 4-hour window! It's just any time from 7am to 10pm today they could come. Of course, it IS next day delivery (I only ordered it yesterday from Rooms To Go) so we were willing to wait it out to get it faster.

Slept ok last night, which is a shock. I only got up 2 or 3 times to go potty. My hips have been KILLING me again....every time I lay down. Then it radiates down to my thighs and eventually I get those leg cramps in my calves. Anyone else having painful hip/leg issues in these last weeks??

Well, have a wonderful and SAFE Memorial Day weekend everyone!! I have a feeling that with at least SOMEone, it is definitely going to be a memorable one :)

Talk soon,
Steph

[TMoT]

Hi, Gals!

Andrea, your post scared the dickens out of me! Giving birth is truly a life and death situation, but terrifying when it gets this literal! I am SO happy you pulled through. How awful that must have been for all of you! :'-( ...Now I'm only more leery of epis than I was before -- and I have a curvature in my spine too... :-(( *sigh* ...So happy you are all okay! Yes. God is great. Amen.

Ters, what a MESS!!! "Mid-life crisis" = he's busy with his mistress! Even his wife is probably embarassed to admit it, but it's a pity that you have to suffer the consequences!!! ...Well, I'm stressed about you wanting to get those babies out so quicky without a REAL thorough check-up (but the lung test results were good, at least!), though I understand your impatience with the entire situation -- and you can't be blamed one iota!!!!! You ARE a great mom and only getting "greater"! ;-) ...Try to chill out now a bit, since you have your date, and all between now and then is for you to take extra special good care of yourself and those babies. :throb: :throb:

Steph, how exciting to be getting that new mattress!!! I INSISTED on replacing our old one very early on in this pg because I thought it'd be unbearable otherwise (and also that it was my arrogant "right" to demand a comfortable sleep, given the circumstances)!!! (?!) ;-) ...And, I'd love to see your hair, but I can just imagine how good it makes you feel! It took me a full four hours in the salon the other day too, but to me it just seems like that much more "indulgent" when it lasts so long (and -- gulp -- costs so much!)! ;-)

AndreaR, thanks for your sympathy about my tummy troubles...! :-( SORRY that you're going through the same thing now too though!!!! It IS normal in the last month (or so!) to have softer bowels (since babies are squeezing our lower intenstines, etc.), but I always worry about how much water, nutrition, etc., I'm (=they're!) losing when this happens. ...Dh was suffering a bit of the same thing too, though, so we figured it was either something we ate or another bug (?!!?!)!!!! GAH! If it's not in the water, I still wonder if we're not all just guinea-pigs here for some kind of virus experiments being carried out by The Man in these parts....!!! (!??!)

Valerie, I've had my really beeeotch moments recently too. Just the hormones, too, so please don't feel too bad. ...Hate to say it, but it's true: You're entitled!!!!! (?!) Hang in there, it'll pass!!

...Guess maybe Felisha, Heather and Tina (and Daniele??) are having their babies... That IS exciting! I can't wait to hear.

Dh and I went and got our two pack-n-plays yesterday, and are busy (him too!) nesting this weekend. :-) I've had SUCH acid and -- YES, Steph!! -- leg pain/cramps these past couple of days though, I'm inconsolable! Popping charcoal tablets like they're going out of style, but nothing seems to help. *blech* I'm hanging in there though.

Hope everyone else is okay and much love to all!!! xox

[qbanmom5]

Hi gals,

Thanks for worrying about me Sherry. I just feel like I had to take matters into my own hands. My ob had the results of the level II since 5-18-06. He never called nor was concerned about it. The nurse who did it is supposed to have 20+ years experience and she wasn't concerned either. When I went in on the 23rd and they saw drops in her heart beat my fave nurse looked in my chart and (though I love her) I mentioned Leia's low weight and delayed measurements and then she realized that no one had done anything about it. I don't think if I would have mentioned it that she would have even seen it. As she explained it wasn't even so much the weight which was 2 weeks behind but her abdominal circumference was 4 weeks behind!!! ( Supposedly not good). It wasn't until then that people actually paid attention. At that point, either the peri himself should have re-measured for accuracy or the o.b. should have requested that I be re-measured but no one did. All I had to go by was some nurse's measurements, and the other nurse insisting that I need to be delivered ASAP. You are right a thorough exam was in order but no one seemed to want to do one. All I kept thinking about was little Leia shrinking away malnutritioned and weak. I know I tend to exaggerate things (remember Blossom) but I couldn't even sleep thinking about her withering away. Yesterday when I saw that she was moving well and her heart is doing well and I have a date, I felt better. What a surprise it would be if she comes out weighing 5 lbs and I was all stressed over some fool's careless measurements!

Steph: That is hilarious about the arrow. Wish I would have thought of it but I have shaved myself bald now. Sorry if its TMI but since I can't see it was all or nothing. I could always write it in with marker. Knowing him he would give me a vertical incision and I would end up looking like Frankenstein.

Hope I hear about some more babies coming soon. Are you all taking robes to the hospital? The one my mom gave me is soooo huge it actually fits around my belly but it almost reaches the floor too. I don't know whether to take it anyway and maybe hand stitch the bottom or just wear the hospital gowns (which aren't the easiest for breastfeeding). Which leads me to my next question. If Leia is under weight and small will they let me breast feed or will they bottle feed her? I had a dream that Dr. #$%# head said I couldn't breast feed and demanded she be formula fed for the calories. I can't believe he is even a #$% in my dreams. I guess it depends if she ends up in the NICU or not? And probably depends on her sucking reflex/strength? Poor Luke, I feel like he is already being neglected and he is not even born yet. I think I understand now why DH is all stressed and frustrated with me and has no more patience. Just when things seem to look up I focus on the negative.....I drive myself crazy!

Back to the hospital bag. I have a couple of outfits for each. A couple of T shirts, socks, hats, mits, blankets for babies. Change of clothes for me, slippers, pj's, contact lens case, carmex, socks, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, mousse, make up, toothbrush, toothpaste. Am I forgetting anything? With my other kids I always got diapers and wipes at the hospital is that still common practice or do I bring my own? My pjs are maternity ones of course but its pants and a button top. Those who have had a c-section before (are there any of us?) Do you think the pants will bother me?

I am also having horrible leg/crotch pain at night and cramps on my hamstring and calves. Probably not enough water (cover your ears Sherry:crazy: ). Also, the other day I had green poop. TMI again, I know. I don't know what that was about since my stomach wasn't hurting and I hadn't eaten anything green. I thought about you all wondering if anyone else had that problem.

I imagine the board will be slow since its memorial weekend. I will be checking in regularly since I have nothing else to do. I helped the kids clean their room this morning and after doing the kitchen and bathrooms yesterday my back is aching.

Ta-ta, Ters

[qbanmom5]

I just read a post by Teresa on the May mommies new thread (first years). Her epidural also went up and she felt like she couldn't breathe and was panicking. I am starting to freak out. It seems to be more common than I thought!

Btw, does anyone watch the Sopranos? Anyone else walking like Vito?

Ters

[JacobsMom]

Hi Everybody!

I finally have a few minutes that I'm not attemptimg to breastfeed, sleep, or break down and cry. LOL! The boys are actually BOTH sleeping at the same time, and there is noone here checking vital signs on me or them. I swear I will be glad to get home so I can actually REST!

The boys were born Thursday morning at exactly 36 weeks. David William arrived at 9:08am weighing 6 lbs, 12 oz. and was 19 3/4" long. Tate Michael arrived one minute later at 9:09 am and weighed 6 lbs, 7 oz. and was 19" long. They are perfect! Praise God!! They both came out screaming with very healthy lungs, and have been rooming in with us since about 30 minutes after I got to my room from recovery.

They are both latching on and sucking very well, but we are hoping that my milk comes in really soon, cause they are feeding constantly but are still hungry. We finally gave in last night and gave them about 1 1/2 oz of formula each so we could could all get a couple of hours of sleep. I was just so exhausted from lack of sleep for the last two days. My husband was very insistant but I was very emotional about that decision, but after trying to pump and getting literally only a few drops out, I finally had to give in for their health and mine. They are a tiny bit jaundiced but supplementing with the formula will most likely take care of that as well. Their pediatrician was very supportive of that move, but thinks once my milk comes in fully that we will have great success.

Well I am trying to attach some photo links so hopefully it will work.

Me right after we checked into L&D
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/jamesp_photos/Friday069.jpg

David William
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/jamesp_photos/Friday074.jpg

Tate Michael
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/jamesp_photos/Friday075.jpg

Proud Big Brother Jacob with Tate
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/jamesp_photos/Friday085.jpg

Mommy Stacey with David and Tate
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/jamesp_photos/Friday092.jpg

Daddy James with David and Tate
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/jamesp_photos/Friday099.jpg

It has been a very rough couple of days, but it is so worth it!!!! I don't remember feeling this bad after Jacob, but then I was 30 not 39 and there was only one so I wasn't nearly as stretched out and sore as I am right now. I am actually doing much better today, even without the epidural and IV pain meds. I'm only allowed vicodin now. We are all supposed to go home tomorrow, another prayer answered! I will catch up with everybody when I can.

Bless you all. I am so glad I have had all of your encouragement and support going through this experience. Keep cooking girls. We are testament that 36 weeks can be perfect and healthy.

Gonna go try to grab a quick shower before the boys wake up. Luxury! I can put on my own clothes now too since the iv and epi are gone. No more designer hospital gowns for this new mommy!

Love ya,
Stacey

oops - gonna have to change my ticker soon

[qbanmom5]

Congratulations Stacey!

Your babies are beautiful and so big and healthy!!! God bless you and your family!

Love, Ters

[AndreaR]

CONGRATULATIONS STACEY!! What wonderful news. The boys are beautiful. I especially like the picture of Jacob with Tate. Jacob sure is a cutie! It sounds like you are doing great, great, great! We knew you would. You look fabulous in the pictures. Absolutely glowing. I'm interested in how the supplementing turns out for you. Hopefully your milk will come in soon. I spoke with my lactation consultant today (she was prepping me for the hospital), and she said the most important thing is to keep trying or pumping so that the milk has a chance to come in. I'm sure you already know that...

Ters - my poop is orange.... I will never share as much with anyone else as I have shared with you ladies. Not even DH. I am taking a robe to the hospital, but it is a short one (down to the knees). I am also taking pants and not a nightgown. When I had surgery on my uterus last April, I stayed in the hospital gown all four days. I don't know how soon I will be able to put on pants. I remember it was pretty difficult to have anything touch my incision. I am bringing my maternity pjs that I'm wearing now. Even though my stomach will be smaller, my everything else will be the same size, and I figure the extra room in my belly area will help the incision. I haven't packed my bag yet. What am I waiting for??? I did pack a bag for the girls. I only packed a coming home outfit for each of them. The hospital provides tshirts and receiving blankets (which is all they wear when they're there). I'm counting on them not having to spend any in time the NICU. I didn't pack wipes (because the nurse told us not to use them in the early days - only a cloth w/ plain water) and I only packed a few diapers, because the hospital will provide. I am REALLY counting on the hospital providing everything for them while we are there. Don't worry about neglecting Luke already - at this point it's all theoretical. When they both arrive, you will give them the love and attention they need. Sometimes, you'll have to pay more attention to one than the other. But in the end, it will all even out. You are a great mother; nothing is going to change.

Sherry - Sorry to hear about all of your pg symptoms lately. It really is hard being us, isn't it? Enjoy the nesting, but make sure you take it easy.

I bawled my head off today. My DH was changing a lightbulb in our closet, and I could hear him muttering away, so I said, "can I help?" And I had to repeat myself three times because he didn't answer. I thought it was because he couldn't hear me, but I think he was just ignoring me because he was frustrated. So upon my asking a third time, he pokes his head out of the closet and says (in a rather mean way, if you ask me), "how the he77 are you going to help me in your condition?". So, OF COURSE, the waterworks just started. I just felt like all I do is sit around on my big fat bum while he takes care of everything, and I can't help at all. I just wanted to let him know that I wanted to help. All he had to say was, "no thank you." Of course, he felt awful when I started crying, and everything turned out okay. Oh, I'm so ready...

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. I have a feeling we'll be hearing about more babies soon.

xoxo
Andrea

[qbanmom5]

Andrea: I have been bawling for days. My lower back is aching so bad I can hardly walk. My kids are on eggshells cause they know I am about to break down at anything and I just feel like a total heel. Soon this will pass. I'll probably still be bawling from exhaustion and fatigue but at least (hopefully) not from pain. I am growing more and more worried about the c-section and the recovery. Anyway, I wish there were a way I could sleep until Thursday so no one (including myself) has to deal with my moods anymore.

Anyway, thanks for being so wonderful, Ters

[sgarrett]

Stacey: Your babies are gorgeous! I am so happy for you and I have to admit so jealous. I just cannot wait to get these babies out of me and hold them, kiss their little feet, smell them etc........

Andrea: I understand the helpless feeling it drives me nuts. My DH freaks if he seems me do stuff I am not suppose to (bend over to pick something up) but I can tell sometimes he irratated with me constantly having to ask him to do stuff. I cannot wait to not feel like an old handicapped, fat, out of shape woman anymore!

Ters: Total Soprano's fan here, my very fav show. Yes I love the Vito reference, I remember somone earlier compared it to Fred Sanford too. Three times now I have had to get an electric cart in stores - it is soooooooo embarrassing. I just get worn out so easy. My teenage son took a pic of me on the stupid thing to humilate me with! Try not to worry to much about the C section, I know it is scary. But for every story you hear bad stuff their is a million more where everything was fine!


Cannot wait till this all over, 2 weeks and 5 days until I am 37 weeks but hey who is counting????


Staci

[sgarrett]

Geesh, it is amazaing the typos I type now that I am prego! I have got to start proofreading my stuff better, people at work must think I am an idiot not pregnant! Do y'all notice that you feel dumber pregnant? I feel so scatter brained and make stupid mistakes, these babies are sucking all my brain power!

[vthompson]

Valerie's DH here, our wonderful twins Kayley (5lbs 10oz) and Corey (5lbs 3oz) arrived this morning at 7:05 and 7:08am. Valerie's water broke last night around midnight and after a painful night everybody is happy, healthy and waiting to go home. Valerie will post more when she is able but everybody is doing great!

[AndreaR]

VALERIE!!! CONGRATULATIONS! :throb: :throb: Wow was I surprised to see that post when I just logged in. Many thanks for Valerie's DH for letting us know. Good thing you shaved your legs - you needed to show them off! I'm dying to hear how it went - was it c-section?? Welcome to the world Corey and Kayley! Glad everyone is doing okay. Can't wait to hear more.

xoxo
Andrea

[JacobsMom]

Congratulations Valerie on your new babies!!! I think your due date was the closest to mine. I hope you are enjoying your precious blessings as much as I am mine!

EPIDURALS - I had a scheduled c-section and we planned all along to have an epidural. My OB recommends it for all her scheduled c-sections. It is her preferred method for pain management. Mine went pretty well, although it was not fun getting it. I do not like needles at all and he had to stick me several times with the numbing medication. It is a sharp quick sting followed by a burning sensation, but it goes away pretty quick. It took him three different tries to get the catheter in place. You will feel a lot of pressure as they do this. I ended up in tears, but once it's done it's not so bad - as long as you don't have the complications!! The nurse who was with me was great. She is a mother of twins too. She talked me through the whole thing. I kept telling myself it's all for my babies. And it's definately better than natural childbirth!! LOL! They left my epi in until this morning with a button I could hit for an extra boost of pain killer when I needed it. They backed it way down after the surgery so that I would get feeling back and be able to function, then turned it down on Friday morning, and again Friday night. They gave me darvaset when they removed it, and now the strongest thing I can have is vicodin.
The surgery itself isn't "painful", since the epi blocks sensations to the nerves, but you will feel a lot of pressure, tugging, and pulling. But trust me on this, once they put those precious babies in your arms, it is worth every single thing you had to go through to get them! And this comes from a BIG BABY when it comes to ANY kind of pain. I cry at the mere thought of having blood drawn! I am terrified of needles.

PAJAMAS - because of the epi and IV I had in, I had to wear the hospital gowns. The ones at my hospital snap at the shoulder so they go on and off without bothering the lines you are tethered with. They are also handy to pop open and drop for breastfeeding. Since they removed the epi and IV, I am wearing my own pjs. I chose to bring shorts sets, and another set with long pants and a top. Both tops button up the front, but I find it easier to just lift the top up. I have a set of nursing pajamas with the slits, but they were never comfortable. I have not even put on my nursing bra yet. Mine is the Bravada sports bra type and I couldn't put it on with the iv and epi lines. Since my milk isn't in yet either, I'm not real swolen or leaking yet, I'm more comfortable going natural. I did bring a robe that I wore to walk the halls earlier tonight.

We have had one small complication tonight. Both boys have been a tiny bit jaundiced. David's billirubin levels were a little bit high - I think she said they were 11 or so. The pediatrician recommended putting him under the lights overnight to break that down. We agreed to go ahead and do that so they took him about 8pm and did bring him back to eat at 11pm. We had just finished feeding Tate about 12:30 and put him to bed, when the nurse came in and said she was looking at his vitals and realized his levels were 12. something, even higher than David's! She went ahead and took him to the nursery for treatment too. They will give both boys a bottle for their 3am feedings so they can stay under the lights, and will bring them back to me for the 6am feedings. Although I am sad to have both my babies gone to the nursery overnight, they feel that this will take care of the problems and we can still go home tomorrow. It's a fair trade off, and James and I will actually get to sleep through the night tonight, which is most likely the last time that will happen for the next couple of months or so.

So I'm off to bed. Take care everybody. I'll post again once we are home.

--Stacey

[EBTwinz]

I finally have a free moment to log on and I saw that Valerie and Stacey had their babies!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Valerie: I can't wait to hear from you. I hope you are feeling okay and it sounds like everyone is healthy and doing fine.

Stacey: You're babies are beautiful!

I know some of you were wondering about the epi vs. the spinal. I had the spinal b/c of the c-section. Honestly, it wasn't bad. I was more terrified of the thought of being in surgery and started to panic when I went into the delivery room. The anesthesiologist missed the first time but got it on the second try. This is the same woman who missed a vein in my hand for the IV. The IV in my hand hurt worse than the spinal. I couldn't feel anything except for a small ***** when they put the numbing stuff in first. Then your legs go numb, instantly and the rest of the c-section happens so quickly. Next thing you know, you have two babies. One side efffect I experienced was a lot of shaking in my arms and chest. Almost like I was cold. But, it went away after an hour and the feeling in my legs came back w/in a couple hours. I was out of bed the next day. It's hard to walk, at first, so don't push yourself too hard. I showered by the second day and honestly, after one week, I felt normal. I lost so much weight and can almost wear my pre-preggo clothes. My skin isn't too loose and I have minimal stretch marks. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel. :)

The babies are doing great. We had our first doc appt on Sat and both are gaining weight. Ethan is up to his birth weight 5.12 and Brady is up from 4.13 to 5.2. They eat a lot!!! I am having a hard time getting them to breast feed but I pump and supplement formula. I didn't want to give them formula, but b/c of their size and some of the problems they had when they were first born, the nurses encouraged me to fortify my breast milk w/ the formula to help them gain weight. Well, it's working. They usually sleep at the same time. Brady was up for at least 4 hours yesterday and we couldn't get him to go to sleep. We had two fussy babies last night. Dh and I are working on very little sleep. My parents came down yesterday and my mom is going to stay w/ us for a while to help out. Thank God!! I need the help.

Well, I will try to check in as often as I can. If anyone has any more questions about the c-section, feel free to ask. It's really not that bad. It hurts for a couple days and then you feel normal again. It's a lot better than being 36 weeks pregnant w/ twins!!!!

Hope you are all feeling okay. Hang in there!! You are all almost there!!!! :throb: :throb: :throb:

~Lisa

[teresa67]

Congratulations Stacy and Valerie!!!


Sherry......I hope you are feeling better, I don't know how you take those charcoal tablets:crazy: , maybe you should use tums, my dr said that is what is recommended because of the extra calcium. The girl's are doing great, they are growing so fast and eating ALOT, they keep me busy All the time, I honestly forget to eat, but that's a good thing lol.

[AndreaR]

Hi all -

Stacey & Lisa - so good to hear from you both. Thank you so much for sharing the details of your experience. I'm sure the other first time moms will agree: the more information the better. You both have made me feel a little less nervous about my c-section.

Lisa - I can't believe you are almost back to your pre-pregnancy clothes! That is wonderful! And no stretch marks!? It sounds like you were definitely meant to be a mom of twins. That's awesome. Glad to hear your mom is coming to help you. Probably not as glad as you....hee hee....

Stacey - I hope David & Tate's jaundice is better and that there back in the room with you. Although it must have been nice to get a good long chunk of sleep (were you able to sleep?).

It is a beautiful day here, today. My inlaws (MIL, FIL, SIL/BIL & 3 nieces) are coming over for a VERY casual cookout. It was my idea. The landscaping is just about finished, and the yard looks so nice. I just wanted to hang outside and celebrate the weekend. DH is doing everything, so it shouldn't be a big deal to have a little party. I wish our pool was ready, because it's going to be very warm today and tomorrow. Oh well.

I hope you all are doing well. I can't wait to hear more from Valerie!

Teresa - your girls are SOO cute. I can't believe how big/old they look.

Ters - four days to go for you and me!

Andrea

[swineland]

Hey everyone! Hope you are all having a great Mem. Day weekend......despite our aches and pains :crazy: Although, I was just telling DH this morning that there's not a lot of us left on here that are still "cooking", as it were.

CONGRATS Valerie!!! I cannot believe you were just posting on Friday about how DH was home with you, watching movies all day, etc. THEN, all of a sudden, here you are with babies! I am so excited for you and I can't wait to hear some updates/see some photos :yippee:

OKAY, so I am getting a bit stressed here b/c, of all things to happen, my DH thinks he is getting SICK!! He's laying on the sofa, sucking on cough drops, taking every available cold/flu med he can find and it only seems to be getting worse. I feel bad for him, of course, but I'm more concerned with the fact that in a little over 48 hours, he is supposed to be in an operating room with me as we welcome the boys via Csection. I will just be devastated if he is sick enough to not be able to be in the OR with me. The timing is just ridiculous. So, of course, part of me is almost a little "mad" at him, which is silly considering I know he doesn't want to be sick as much as I don't want him to be sick. Does anyone know what the rules/protocol is for being in the OR? If he had just a little sniffle by Wednesday morning, would he still be allowed in with the mask/hat, etc? Also, since I don't want to get sick, I've asked that he not come in the bedroom too often as 1) it's where I sleep and I don't want to catch anything and 2) the pack n play is in there and I don't want his germs getting all over it. Poor guy, he feels like a leper...... So, if this were your situation, ladies, how worried would you be???

Well, I better run.....I'm getting hungry!!
Steph

[ChastityLove]

Hi Ladies! I am from the July board as my due date is July 21st but I know that I will be delivering in June! I have been reading all the posts on this board the last week or so. How exciting for all of you who have had your twins! I am in my 33rd week and on Procardia due to an irritable uterus. My twins are weighting 4lbs. 3 oz. and 3 lbs. 12 oz. as of 32 weeks. My cervical length is 2.4. I am hoping to hold out until 34 weeks but I swear these two feel like they are going to break their waters because they are so active! Twin A's head is pressing right on my cervix (sonographer had to do a transvaginal just to get his head measurement during the ultrasound!). I see that many of you are scheduled for C-sections and I am wondering if that's what you've all chosen or if your Dr. persists that you have one. Reasoning I am asking is because both boys are head down and their heart rates are always really good. I did have a previous C-section with my son 3 years ago and my peri says that he wants to see the report on it to see what type of incision was made on my uterus before he okays a VBAC. What do you ladies think? Am I crazy to try a VBAC?
Thanks so much for letting me crash your board!

Chastity

[qbanmom5]

Valerie: WHat a surprise!! I am soo excited for you guys and can't wait to see some pics.

Stacey: Thanks for sharing your story. I hope the boys get over their jaundice soon and get to go home with you. Thanks also for filling us in on the section and the pjs. I may just use the hospital gown and my own robe.

Lisa: You lucky dog. No stretch marks, minimal skin, and lots of weight lost? Are you breastfeeding? Great job!!

Chastity: Welcome to the board. This is going to be a first c-section for me after 3 natural births. My dr. apparently prefers them because they fit nicely into his schedule. Both of mine are head down, but now I really need one since baby A is "growth restricted" and a c-section is safer for her. Good luck!

Steph: OOOH that sucks about DH being sick. They are such babies too when they are ill. We can walk around with an extra 50+ pounds, aching back and crotch, heartburn, emotional wrecks yet they get a little cold and its the end of the world. I don't know if your DH is like that but mine is. I don't know the protocol for illness in the OR, but I will be praying he gets over it really quickly! You need the support there with you at that moment!

So it sounds like some doctors prefer epidurals and others prefer spinals? I tell you mine will probably give me a general..... I already told DH all the things he needs to say and do in there: I am breastfeeding so no bottles (unless little Leia is too small and weak and needs some formula), plenty of pictures, footprints on his shirt and in the books, and he is not to engage in small talk with the dr. He talks to everyone and anyone and usually has them laughing in minutes. The dr. is bad enough without the distractions. Besides he might actually think we like him.

Enough for now, will write more later. Wonder where Danielle is? and Heather? Tina too...Felisha...????

Later gals, Ters

[AndreaR]

It's so quiet here the past couple of days, and I'm trying to figure out whether it's because of the long weekend or is everyone having babies??

Chastity - welcome and congratulations on your twins. I'm schedule for a c-section on 6/1, when I will be 37.5 weeks. I am having a c-section due to issues w/ my uterus. Plus Baby A is breech, so I don't really have an option now anyway. I think if you really want to try a VBAC and your doctor(s) think it's safe for both you and the babies, then go for it.

Ters- speaking of doctors, you are really cracking me up lately with your remarks about your doctor. I think you have a great attitude given EVERYTHING you've been through. Thursday is three short days away; everything is going to go swimmingly. Keep up that great attitude; it's inspiring (especially at a time when it's so easy to get down).

Steph - so sorry to hear about DH's ailments. I really hope he's feeling better by Wednesday, so that you are not worried and he can be with you. I have no idea about the protocol for the OR, sorry.... And I totally know how you feel about being "mad" at him. Of course you're not really mad at him, but it's understandable to be disappointed in the situation. You are hours away from delivering. You need him now more than ever. I will pray that he gets better soon. Could it be allergies?? I also have a lot of head congestion and a sore throat, but I'm convinced it's allergies and not a cold (am I in denial?). Even though I don't usually suffer from allergies, I've heard that the pollen/mold are historically high right now, and everyone is suffering.

Last night I had chest pains - but I'm convinced it was heartburn. I propped myself almost upright in bed to sleep, but I just couldn't get comfortable. I'm so tired; I just want to sleep. I keep telling myself to get used to it.

Have a great day, all. Please check in if you can. I'm praying that everyone is okay!!

Andrea

[mommyof4at26]

congrats to valerie and stacey i hope your all doing well:clap: :yippee:

[LucasMom]

Hello all,

I have been MIA, things are a bit crazy here, with Lucas and the twins, and all of us getting used to the whole change.

Logan and Dylan are doing wonderful. At their first week checkup, the doc said they looked great. Both had lost a few ounces, but are feeding wonderfully, and he will see them again this Wednesday to see that they are now gaining. They are sleeping at night about three hour stretches, and are on basically the same schedule.

As you know, I went vaginally, and had an epidural, which ran out in about hour 16 of labor. This was also the time that my body decided to jump from 5 to 9 centimeters in a very short period of time. I felt ALOT of pain, but got another epidural put in before pushing. It was an amazing experience, and I was able to feel the boys being born, but also stay focused on the task. They were born 11 minutes apart. My fear of the epidual was conveyed to the nurse, and I told her about my bad experience last time, so she informed both anestheiologists, and they were very gentle with me.

On pre baby body...The first 4 days home, I was swollen like a whale!! My ankles and feet looked like water balloons and were painful to the touch. My whole body hurt and I just looked horrible. I started taking vitamin B6, which is a natural diuretic (doctor told me), and within 2 days, all th fluids had drained out of my system. I am at my pre-preg weight, and just need to wiat for uterus to return to it's proper home! Stretch marks are there, but not bad, and will fade and become smaller, once I can start exercising again.

Yesterday was the boys bris ( a Jewish ceremony of circumcision). This is very traumatic for a mom! The Mohel ( a jewish doctor who performs circumcision) does a service at the house, usually with family and close friends, and does the ceremony and the circumcision. Be glad that it usually gets done in the hospital where you don't have to hear the baby cry!!

BTW- CONGRATS TO ALL THE NEW JUNE MOMMIES AND DADDY (JASON!)! The struggle was well worth it!

more later, babies crying!!

Mindy

[JacobsMom]

If anyone has any more questions about the c-section, feel free to ask. It's really not that bad. It hurts for a couple days and then you feel normal again. It's a lot better than being 36 weeks pregnant w/ twins!!!!

AMEN, SISTER!!!

Although I'm on my fourth day now and just now feeling almost normal. I do ok as long as I keep my pain meds current. When I woke up Sunday morning, after sleeping almost 6 hours I was in so much pain I thought I was going to die trying to get out of the bed. I had slept on my side and my nurse call button was behind me. I had to pee so bad that I HAD to get up. I'm sobbing, gasping "Help me, oh God help me" every couple of seconds. My hubby is lying there sleeping 4 feet away, and I'm just assuming he doesn't hear me. Then he rolls over and blows me a kiss. I muttered something like "as if" or "kiss off" or something. He never did get up and help me! When I bitched about it later, he said I never asked him for help. I said, I only cried "Help" like 50 times, and he said, well you were asking God to help you and I knew that I'm not God. I said well when it became apparent that YOU weren't going to help, I had to resort to asking someone who would! I was soooo mad at him. But I did manage to make it to the potty by myself, thank you very much. And hit the call button on the way. The nurse brought me my pain meds and everything was ok after a while. I heard him tell his mom, she had a lot of trouble getting up this morning, but she finally got mad enough that she was able to do it. I guess he thinks he's making me stronger or something. I think he needs to pamper me!

Please don't think he is a total jerk, I think he was just exhausted and out of it. He has been up with the twins more than I have these past few days. He has done everything but actually nurse the babies. He gets one up, unwraps him, checks his diaper, and hands him to me. I nurse him, then James takes him and gives me the other baby to nurse. Then James gives him his bottle, changes his diaper, burps him, swaddles him back up, rocks him to sleep and puts him back to bed. Comes and gets the second baby and does it all again, while I go back to sleep. So I really don't have any room to complain that he is exhausted.

JAUNDICE UPDATE - keeping the boys overnight on the Bili-lites didn't get their levels down enough for us to go home Sunday morning. We had to stay all day Sunday and keep them under the lights all day. They brought the lights to our room, so at least we were with them. The plan was to check their levels at 5pm Sunday night to see where they were. My OB decided there was no reason to send me home if they weren't leaving, so she postponed discharging me until we found out about Tate and David. The pediatrician came to talk to us after she got the labs and said they were still a little higher than she would like and she wanted to keep them on the lights over night again. She said she would rather keep them an extra day than send them home when they were so borderline, only to have to readmit them later in the week. We agreed, especially since my OB said I could stay too.

It was a very long and emotional day. I was hurting a lot from gas and all this food that I've eaten that is still in my system. I still haven't had a BM yet. I was just feeling miserable. And then the stress of having the twins under the lights just made it worse. I only got to hold them about 20 minutes every 4 hours to nurse, and they had to go back under the lights. I know this is a minor complication compared to what could have happened, and that some babies have to go to NICU and their parents can't even hold them at all. I'm not sure I would have the strength to go through that. I really admire you mom and dad's who have no choice in that matter, and my heart goes out to you. I guess it was just everything that built up over the day finally got to me. At one point, I was in the bathroom and ended up sitting in there for 45 minutes sobbing my heart out. And what tragic event set off this crying jag you might ask? I dropped my underwear on the floor and couldn't pick them up! :rotflmbo:

I also ran away for a while yesterday to find a "real" toilet. I hate the toilet in my room. The toilet seat has these flanges on the bottom near the hinge that dig into my butt every time I sit on it. It is rediculous! I can't get comfortable on that thing. So I went to try to find a plain old commercial toilet with the split open seat in front. I thought if I could sit on a comfotable potty, I might be able to go. Still no luck, but at least I got out of my room! LOL!

We had a pretty good night. We sent the boys back to the nursery after the 3am feeding. My milk is starting to come in now and I needed my nursing bra, which I realized was in the diaper bag that my hubby had left in the car. He went to get it for me and took a load of stuff out when he went. All the nurses were teasing him that he had finally had enough and was running away. He told them that he'd be back, and they said, no you won't you can't fool us. You're gonna get to that car hop in and go home and go to bed. I'm kinda surprised he didn't!

They brought the boys in about 6:30 this morning. Both of them nursed for almost an hour together, and were still hungry. Ok - so I know my milk is coming in, I guess it's not going out yet! Poor babies. Poor boobies! LOL! They said that Tate's levels had dropped to 9.1, but David's were still around 11. Tate is off the bili-lites :clap: , but David has to stay on for now. We are waiting for his pediatrician to arrive and examine him to let us know if he can go or not. We are going stir crazy in this room and really want to get them home. Jacob hasn't been up here since Saturday morning so we are really missing him, and he us, and he is going nuts wanting to be with his baby brothers!!

Well both boys are starting to stir. It will be time to feed really soon, and I need to run to the potty. Wish us luck that we get to go home!

TERS - that is hilarious what you wrote about your hubby not being allowed to chat with the doctor! Mine is like that too, never meets a stranger. My daddy was the same way.

Gotta run. Check in later

Stacey

p.s. Somebody please tell me how to change the ticker in my signature. The boys are 4 days old as of 9:08-9:09 this morning!

[swineland]

Whew...what a nightmare going on over here.

Everything's fine with me and the babies, nothing related to that. BUT, DH is TOTALLY sick...bad head cold, congestion, etc. I am just BESIDE myself about what to do, if there even IS anything I can do. In 36 hours, he's supposed to be in a sterile OR by my side during the c-section. THEN, he's supposed to hold the babies and stay overnight in the room with me?? I just don't think so. I'm telling you, if I have these babies and my husband cannot be in there with me to share the experience....I will be devastated. My mom has already offered to be in there with me, of course, she's been dying to be a part of all of this all along. I think when I told her he was sick, she was secretly happy. Anyway, it just wouldn't be the same looking into the eyes of my mother instead of my husband. :cry: He keeps saying "I've still got time, I'll get better". I'm like, you've got ONE day, and even if you felt 99% better, you still would be JUST getting over a cold and I don't think it's going to work. I'm so frustrated. I'd even be willing to cancel the c-section and wait until he was better, but my inlaws are on their way down today, my parents are driving up tomorrow, hotels have been booked, flights have been made...it's all planned already!!

To boot, I was making my bed this morning and accidentally stepped on the laptop that my best friend JUST let me borrow (we literally just got it Friday afternoon) and I opened it up.....the damn screen is cracked!! It's going to have to be replaced for about $400 I'm thinking. I just sat there and stared at it thinking, you've got to be kidding. I cannot believe I just did that.

Anyway, sorry for the rant.....
I'm going to go get my last pedicure and hopefully try to not think about all the stressors going on right now.....yikes!

Steph

[JacobsMom]

Quick note about circumcision. The doctor who was to do them checked the boys yesterday and said they were too small. I'm not sure if she meant the babies or the penises!! LOL! She said to wait a few weeks and have my pediatrician refer us to someone who could do it on an out-patient basis. I agree Mindy, I'm glad I won't have to be in the room for that!

[JacobsMom]

Oh Steph, I feel so bad for you and your hubby. Has he been to the doctor? Maybe if can get on antibiotics for 24 hours before the surgery he can be in there with you. I don't know what i would have done these last 5 days without James here. I'll be praying for you!

[AndreaR]

I have a quick question for the new mommies.... are you keeping track of the babies schedules (eating, diapers, naps, etc)? If so, what are you using to do so? I remember someone posted a link to a spreadsheet, but I can't find it. It may have been someone on the May board now that I think of it...

[TMoT]

Hi, Gals! Sorry I've been MIA, but I've been feeling pretty yucky these days (Andrea, the hard-to-breathe/very tired thing, plus reflux -- ick!), and I've missed so much action!!!

Valerie and Stacey: CONGRATULATIONS on your healthy and happy babies!!!!!

Valerie, I can't believe it went so quickly! And, I'm so happy it seems to have gone well -- since you're all "ready to go home"! Please post to let us know everything is okay with Kayley and Corey. Two more little angels in the world now! :throb:

Stacey, so sorry about the jaundice and feeding ups and downs, but looks like things are stabilizing for David and Tate (and YOU!) now, so I hope you'll all get to go home soon! Sounds like your dh is being a doll, in fact (I guess you realize that!), although, imho you DO deserve pampering! Please take good care of all of you, and welcome to the boys!! :throb:

Mindy, CONGRATS on the boys' bris (ouch!), and wonderful to hear how well you're all doing! You're a true inspiration!!!

Lisa, I'm so happy all is sorting itself out for you too -- that the boys are growing and you're settling into your new family life together. Aww. Awesome!! :throb:

Steph, so sorry about dh's cold, but can't he come into the or anyway?? Can't they just put a mask on him and make him stand to the "side" at the very worst? Seems such a shame if he couldn't be there -- after all you've been through (together) with this pg!! :-( Well, I'll say a special prayer for his health, but honestly, it seems to me that, since you've already been exposed to whatever he has, how much of a difference would it make if he IS there during the surgery...? Have you asked the doc??? (And, btw, as long as you're b/f-ing, the babie swill be protected by your immune system too: just another thing for them to have to contend with in infancy -- nothing big -- as long as they are healthy in all other respects, God willing!!) Well, please keep us posted!!! xx

Ters, green poo could be from your iron tablets... Just a thought. ;-) How are you holding up now otherwise? Any further looks at little Leia's condition??? Btw, my baby boy was only in the 30th percentile for tummy size two weeks ago, and now he's measuring even bigger than average. Don't forget those approximation "windows"!! Gee, sure would like them to take another close look at her size just so you/we wouldn't worry though....!! xx

Teresa, SO GREAT to hear from you! I've been thinking about you so much and wanted to make a "visit" to the May thread, but I've just been so pooped these days... :-( For the moment, I'm feeling a bit better. Needed a snack and a pee, so I thought I'd try to "catch up" on all the thread action. I'm glad I caught your post too and absolutely AMAZED at how big and beautiful your lovely daughters are! You're all still in my thoughts and I can't wait to join you on the other side of pg!!!!! ;-)

Otherwise, I'm just biding my time and trying not to be miserable. The weather here has been TERRIBLE, so that just hasn't helped. :-( Getting lots of support and love from kiddies and dh, though, so at list that part is nice. :-)

Got an ob check-up on Wednesday, so I can "see" where the babies are, but not sure there'll be a lot of mommies left around here to share that news with!!! ;-) ...I have a feeling that, after June 1 (Ters!), this thread is going to become a really lonely place for this mommy holding out till June 27!!! ;-) I don't mind "bringing up the rear," though, as long as we keep having such wonderful and inspiring stories!

Well, can't wait to hear from all the MIA mommies, and HANG IN THERE AndreaR, Missy, Ters, Steph, Rachel, et al.!! :spitwater :throb: :spitwater

[mmzill]

Lisa, Valerie, Stacey (I think I'm leaving someone out . . . . sorry)
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad that you babies are doing well. Valerie I can't wait to hear the details.

Well, Nathan came home on Thursday, so we are all together at last! I'm really tired this evening, so I'm not going to post long, just wanted to check in. There are new pics http://photos.yahoo.com/mmzill

Hang in there to everyone else! You are almost there.

~Monica

[AndreaR]

CONGRATULATIONS FELISHA! That is wonderful news. Glad everyone is okay. Can't wait to hear more from you and see pictures!!

Jeez, babies poppin' left and right. I'm not sure who's still left.... Steph, Ters, Daniele(??), Tina, Sherry, Rachel, Missy, and me, of course. Am I missing anyone?

I have to say, these last few days have been killer. I can't believe how different I feel than I did last week. I know I only have two more days, but I don't know how I am going to make it. I can barely move. It's incredible. I don't know how anyone makes it past 37 weeks. I really don't.

It's so nice to hear from all the new mommies (and daddies), and I'm very grateful that for the most part everyone is doing okay. Pretty soon we'll all be chatting about diapering, feeding, lack of sleep, etc. I hope everyone sticks around, because I am DEFINITELY going to need your support when these girls arrive, probably more than I did during this pg!!

Monica - great to hear from you, and congratulations on bringing home Nathan. You guys must be so relieved to be together. The pictures are beautiful. The boys look so happy to be together. And you look fantastic!!

Sherry - I am planning on being here Wednesday afternoon to hear about your appt. I hope it goes well.

AndreaR

[AndreaR]

Sherry- I just noticed your ticker! You decided on names! Congratulations. I am sorry if this happened weeks ago and I'm just noticing now. You must be very relieved. Cool names, too!

[vthompson]

Hi Everyone!! I have missed all of you so much! We are still in the hospital...we will either go home today or tomorrow. Today is DH's bday so I hope we get to go home today. Well, I have not even begun to look at all the posts, there is ALOT to catch up on!!

Well, both babies are doing fabulous! I truly cannot believe they are here! I love them so much that even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes! This whole experience is better then I ever expected. I even think I have fallen in love with DH all over again! He is such a wonderful father. Ok, enough of my sappiness!!

Here is the story...Friday night, DH and I were watching TV and all of sudden, I had a gush of water come out. I jumped up and went to the bathroom and it kept coming out so to the hospital we went at midnight. Ironically, DH had just packed the new mini van that night with my bag and the car seats. I guess the babies knew that! We got there and they said we would be delivering by c section. The doctor on call said he would come in at 6:30 am for the surgery. In the meantime, the contractions were TERRIBLE! By 3am, I was laying in bed crying. The nurse came in and I told her there was no way I was going to make it till 6am. I was really annoyed because if I was having a c section then why the he** did I need to go through labor. Well, she said she could not give me an epi because I was having a spinal for the surgery. They gave me something else through my IV, I really don't remember much after that. DH said I fell asleep and was pretty out of it.

At 6:30am they took me back to OR and gave me my spinal. I cried for the first 10 minutes of laying there. I felt really stupid but all of my fears just came out. The nurses were wonderful. The Thompson twins were born at 7:05am and 7:08am. Kayley was 5lbs 10oz, 18 inches and Corey was 5lbs 3oz, 17 1/2 inches. They took the babies to the nursery because Kayley was much lighter in skin color then her brother. It turns out she was fine, they just wanted to observe them. They were back with us in recovery about 2 hours or so after the surgery. It was amazing to finally hold them!! I still can't believe it!

Well, since the birth, I really thought I was just going to die the day after the surgery because the pain was so intense. I cried a million times that day, everytime I tried to get up. Each day gets a little easier, but still feels pretty bad! Breastfeeding takes a lot out of me! But, I was so excited because the babies finally got it yesterday! My milk still hasn't come in, so we have to supplement, but they are both sucking and latching. Corey LOVES it, which is funny! I do have to say that I was not prepared for how exhausted I would be after the c section. Sometimes when I am feeding the babies, I literally feel like I am going to pass out in a deep sleep. At night, we have been sending them to the nursery. I felt so bad, but I feel so much better the next morning and then we spend all day with them.

Well, I truly feel like I could go on and on about these little ones so I better stop! We are still trying to post pictures and having a terrible time doing so. I tried to post one to my ticker and it said to make it smaller so DH did that and it still saids it is too big. We also tried to put the pictures on my Yahoo photos page, but they are not loading. Any other suggestions? I want to show you guys!!

Ok, I hope everyone else is well! I really have missed all of you!! I never would have gotten through this pg without all of you. Congrats to anyone else who has had babies! I will take a look at the other posts soon!

Valerie

[JacobsMom]

CONGRATULATIONS FELISHA!!! :clap: I am so happy for you!

WE GOT TO COME HOME! :joytears: :yippee: We got home Monday @ 3:30pm

David's bilirubin levels still were not low enough for the pediatricians liking, but she gave us the choice to leave with strict conditions about his care. He had to consume a minimum of 2 oz. of formula or expressed breast milk every 3 hours. We have to document his feedings and poops and bring him in to be checked first thing in the morning. If his levels have dropped to 9 or lower, we get to go back home. If not, he has to be readmitted for more phototherapy with the bili-lites. I'm praying that this works!! :pray:

Jacob was so excited to have us home. We were already 30 minutes late getting David fed, so that is the first thing we did. We let Jacob have the honor of giving him his first bottle at home. He was so proud and of course we took pictures! His enrapture of the twins wore off pretty quick though and he was back to playing Spiderman on the PS2! LOL! He will find them a lot more fun when they are a little older. Our cat didn't know what to think about these strange creatures we brought into her house. Tate was still in the carrier as we were getting David ready to eat. I watched the kitty walk over and smell Tate's feet. I think her whiskers must have tickled his foot cause he kicked. The cat jumped back and hissed at him! It was so funny!

My house looks WONDERFUL! James' mom, dad, brother, sis-in-law and even Jacob have worked their tails off this weekend. They boxed up tons of clutter and cleaned the rest. She emphasized several times that she did not through anything away. It is all boxed up in the garage. I haven't been brave enough to take a peek at the garage yet! LOL!. I figure once I am feeling better, I can start going through at least 1 box a day until I get done. My Sister-in-law kept worrying that I was going to get my feelings hurt, but my MIL kept telling her she had told me she was going to do this. I am so thankful that she did. My babies were able to come home to a healthy home that they can breath in without all that dust and clutter sitting around. And I can have people come over and see the babies without being embarrassed about my house.

Everything went really well yesterday until the 3:30 am feeding, where we didn't get David back down until almost 5:15. Anytime we would put him down, he just kept stirring and getting agitated. My MIL went back to bed and I went to the bathroom. Came back he was wide awake again. I got him up and we came to the computer to check up on all of you. He was still fussy and rooting around so I breastfed him again about 6am and he went on back to sleep. Well about 2 minutes after I laid him down and came back to the computer room, I heard my mother-in-law in there with him. He was wide awake again. I went ahead and got his bottle ready for the 6:30 feeding. He sucked down all but about 1/2 oz. pretty quick. I'm hoping that his sudden burst of hunger means this is all working for his good. I just got done eating breakfast. I need to go wake Tate up and get him fed so I can call the doctor at 8am.

I have to call the pediatrician's office at 8:00am and set up an appointment time. We have to stop by the hospital to have his blood drawn first so they can check the bili levels. She said to go ahead and bring Tate in also for the check-up. Thank goodness he is in the clear and doesn't need the blood work done too. I know I will cry when they stick David's little foot!

Well I'm off to feed Tater and get a shower. I'll let you all know how it goes. I hope I manage to get through today. I have been up since 3:15am!! and it's 7:45 now!

Later,
Stacey

[TMoT]

CONGRATS, Felisha!!! Can't wait to hear about Thomas and Maya, but I know you have your hands full! Please post when you can!!:throb:

Valerie, the news about Kayley and Corey is so AWESOME!!! Thank you for sharing it all with us!!!!! :throb: Everyone is amazed at how quickly those little ones arrived, and you did it all with such grace! CONGRATULATIONS to you and dh, and hope you will all be home soon!

Stacey, so happy you are all home now -- and that your house is so beautiful and clean as you describe! What an extra special treat -- and so sweet of your MIL and SIL!!! Enjoy showing off your new babies and please keep us posted!!! ...btw, you'll have to go to lilypie.com to get a NEW sticker to add to your signature if you want to put in the one for new babies!!! ;-)

AndreaR *sniff sniff* THANKS for sticking around for news about me!!!! :-) And, yah, it's been about a month since we (FINALLY) decided on names (just after Ters and her dh figured out theirs in fact -- protocol, you know!!)... ;-) Thanks for your nice comment on the names we chose too. We are happy! Whew!!! ....I am so excited for you now too! Try not to think about it (:rotflmbo:) and these next 48 hours will just fly by!!!!! :throb:

Today, I had a good resting day. Boys will be home soon though, so I gotta get in my last few moments of peace. Take good care new mommies and babies, and the same for all you incredible troopers still hanging in there!!! xox

[qbanmom5]

Hi all!!!

Congratulations Valerie, Stacey and Felisha. All our little ones are coming quick!!! Valerie that was so beautiful and touching the way you described your experience. I was in tears!!! Enjoy your tiny little bundles and do keep us informed of everything!!

I am just foul this morning. DH decided this weekend he was going to paint the whole house (I had been telling him for months and just figured it wasn't going to happen). As usual he decides to leave things for the last minute. My father and his wife are coming this morning to bring me some stuff I couldn't get from the shower. Meanwhile, since DH is PAINTING (!) that leaves me to clean bathrooms, mop, clean kids rooms, etc. I am soooo upset! I don't feel like moving much less cleaning. And my father and his wife are sooo high maintenance he always does a white glove test walking through the house and i am not in the mood. Also they are bringing some groceries from the Cuban market (there isn't one where I live) and I just know she is going to start opening drawers and cupboards to "help" put things away. I swear I am not in the mood.

Also, I pushed my NST from 12:30 to 1:45 cause my dad said he was coming early. It is now almost 11:00 and he is not here so I am going to have to cut the visit short! I forgot to mention, we had some friends come over this weekend (while DH has been painting) and they live an hour away so they stayed Saturday until Sunday night. It was the couple and two of their kids. The 10 year old girl and my girls made an absolute mess of their room and the garage (where we keep some of their toys that don't fit in the room). Their 6 month old baby drooled and spilled milk on our furniture and all over the floor and the parent's didn't even care. They didn't bring a play pen and since we have all tile floor they couldn't put him down so someone had to carry him the whole time! I got out of the shower and found that his mother had put him in Leia's bassinett (which has been washed and was covered) for his bottle. She even hinted that I take my brand new play pen out of its box (for the first time ever) so she can put her kids in it! Her husband had more sense and said "no, thats for the babies leave it in the box". I am surprised she didn't ask for my breast pump to express her milk! What a nightmare. I am exhausted and pissed off. Sorry if I sound like a @#$# but enough is enough! Hope you are all faring better than I.

I'll write later, Ters

[PaulaP]

Hey all! Congratulations to Felisha, Valerie, and Stacey! You are so blessed and I am so happy for you!

Steph- Best wishes! I pray that all goes well!

AndreaR and Ters- are ya'll both delivering June 1???
I'm still with ya'll....hanging on too. I'll be 37 wks tomorrow- Thank you God.
I am truly blessed to have made it to this point and don't get me wrong, I want them to hold on as long as they can, but I am getting very restless. I've had two very emotional days and had never really wanted these babies to be born as bad as I have during these days. I have called upon God many times to grant me strength and courage. And I'm still holding on! But it feels as if the walls are closing in on me. I can hardly wait to do "normal" things again. Drive, go to the store, go and do as I need to without relying on everyone else. Thank God I have had absolutely wonderful help. I don't know how I'd have made it without my family and friends! But over 8 weeks of bedrest is beginning to take its toll. I'm so jealous of you all that can still come and go.

Went to the dr. today, and he's still not giving me a date of any kind. He thinks I'll go into labor on my own, though I am not at all convinced! My b/p continues to stay somewhat high, esp. at their office, but it is usually ok here at home. Sooooo, he said that unless something changes, we won't even discuss doing anything until next week. AGGGGHHHHH! I go back on Thurs. for b/p check and scan of babies. We are not measuring them anymore and that makes me a little nervous. I feel like they're still going to be so much smaller than most of the other twins born recently. I've gained a monstrous amt. of weight, but people still say that it doesn't look like there's 2 in there. How much closer to a mama moo cow do I have to get????? It makes me nervous when they tell me that, like something is wrong with me or my babies. Then I have to smack myself and remember to place all of my faith in God. He has blessed me and dh in so many ways and I am so, so grateful.

I'm praying for all of you on the board, babies in the world and those in the womb. Take care and I'm anxious to see more good news, very soon!!!

-Paula

[swineland]

Hi everyone!

Well, I wanted to post my last message as a pregnant woman. Today has been filled so far with excitement, anxiousness, running around, tears, etc. I woke up early this morning to find an even sicker husband, dog vomit in the hallway, cat vomit in the living room and barely time to eat my cereal before having to call the dr's office to get DH in for some relief. Needless to say, I cried my eyes out thinking "THIS is what my last day is going to be like???" It's since gotten a little better. My MIL and FIL are here and they are helping us get stuff done, which is a relief. My parents are on their way and should be here w/in the hour. I managed to get out and run a few errands and then came home for a nap. Now, I'm just watching the clock, amazed at how little time is left. It's a surreal feeling and I keep trying to keep it in "check", not getting too "heavy" about it all....just keep it light and positive.

I want to thank each and every one of you for all of your support, words of advice, senses of humor and just being such great "girlfriends". Even though I know we haven't officially ever met, I feel like I know you all and I am honored to have gone through the last 9 months with you a keystroke away.

Rest assured that as soon as I can, I will post with all the juicy details of tomorrow and the birth of my sons. And of course photos, too!

All my best to you Andrea and Ters as you deliver on Thursday.....hang in there!

(BTW, Ters, I cannot believe the wife of your visitors putting HER baby in YOUR babies bassinet!! What nerve!)

Much love to all of you :throb: :grouphugg

Steph

[sgarrett]

Congrats Valerie and Felisha! That is wonderful. Felisha where did you have your babies? I am in Nashville too, just curious about the hospital, I am having mine at Baptist.

Stacey and Lisa: Thanks for the info about C section, I am not sure which way I am going yet, but I am getting scared and the more info the better.

Steph: So sorry about the sick hubby that totally bites! Has he called his doc?

I had a crappy weekend, I am just so tired of being miserable! We live on a golf course with tons of nature trails and creeks and usually we go to the creek almost every day with our dogs. Since I cannot get around very well we have hardly gone, but I was determined to go this weekend. We drove my DH's truck as far as we could to the trail, we had chairs and water that my hubby was carrying for me. This is a very short trail to the creek it is not like I was hiking, I made it down the first part which is what I was worried about b/c it is steep and almost to the creek when I stepped in mud slipped and fell right on my big butt in the mud. I just started bawling! I listed every individual complaint to my husband, some days it just seems like you can not take anymore, mentally and physically. We sat my chair in the creek so I could cool off and I just sat their sniffiling for the longest! Than we went to the doc today, and I know it is best for the babies to be there until 37 weeks but I can't help but secretly wish they would just come as long as they were OK. Aiden weighed 5 lbs 8 oz and Isabelle is 6 lb 5 oz. My cervix is totally closed, and Isabelle (who has been head down for two months) did a total flip and is now feet down. When the doc told me no change I could not even speak b/c I knew I start boo hooing again. As soon as he left the room I bawled all over again! My poor DH keeps try to make me feel better by saying how proud he is of me and how every day is better for the babies, and I know that it is - I am just worn out you know? It seems like every day something new starts hurting.

Thanks for letting me vent! I cannot wait to be posting baby pics and congrats to all those new mommies out there!

[mommyof4at26]

congrats to jason,mindy,andrea,valerie,felisha,and stacey for having babies i hope everyone is doing good, i hada us and they scored 8/8,babya is 6lbs 7oz and babyb is 6lbs 9 oz,i am still closed my cervix is measuring at 2 and a half cm long,so my official date is 2 weeks from thursday,hopefully i go before. well keep:spitwater :spitwater :spitwater and :yippee: keep cookin

[LucasMom]

CONGRATS TO VALERIE, FELISHA, STACEY and ANDREA!!

Did I get everyone? We are going so fast over here, and I know we have another rush of mommies going in this week, so the bestest of hugs and luck to all of you welcoming your new ones into the world this week. Congrats for holding on so long!

I am sorry that I am unable to catch up on all the posts right now, I read when I can, but as you all know, things are BUSY over here!!

Check out the pictures under my signature. Logan is the blue towel and dylan is the green!


If you get the chance, check out Surviving Motherhood on TLC at 3:00 or 10:30. My show was on today at three, but replays next week. I'll let you know when, but I am on the panel all week this week. I am the pregnant one!!
Mindy

[TMoT]

Steph, just wanted to write to say GOOD LUCK with everything for tomorrow and I KNOW all will be super! We'll be waiting with open hearts and eyes for the news about your boys and you. I'll be thinking/praying about you!

Staci and Paula, you are both doing AWESOME! Your posts touched me SO much and you both give me inspiration! Hang in there (how many times can we say this?!?) and keep us posted on any "changes"! (Staci, your dh is right! Just hold on!!!!!)

Ters, SORRY about the obnoxious visitor invasion!!!! And that you're stuck with all these chores to do now! What a time!!!! Well, the consolation is that in +/- 48 hours, you'll be welcoming little Leia and Luke into the world! And isn't that more than reward enough?!! ;-) xx

Mindy, sorry I can't check out the show (drat!), but the pictures are adorable! They sure look identical! Any word on that yet??!??!

Well, I had a pretty quiet day thanks to the generosity of the school-friend moms again! :'-) Tomorrow will be different -- ob visit and a lunch date (with my boys :throb: :throb: ). I will check in to see how everyone is doing...

Take care ALL!! XOX

[AndreaR]

Steph - GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! Your post made me cry, thinking about everything that you are going through the day before you deliver. But mostly I am very excited for you and will be praying for you, DH and the babies.

Mindy - I did remember to watch your show, but the irrigation guy showed up before it ended, so I didn't see the whole thing. It was so cool to see you on TV. Your boys are so adorable. How is Lucas handling being a big brother? He was so cute on the show.

Staci - Hang in there - you can do it! Just think of how far you have come. Your DH sounds great. Lean on him as much as you can. You are very, very close. You can do it!!

Paula - yep, I'm going in on Thursday...time has slowed to a crawl. You hang in there. Even though you don't have a date yet, you'll be going soon. You've made it to 37 weeks! My peri stopped measuring the babies, too. The last measurements we had were two or three weeks ago. He said that they've been growing fine all along, and it's so difficult to get accurate readings at this point, that it's kind of senseless to try to measure. As long as their heart rates are good and the fluid looks good, he's not worried. Don't fret too much that people tell you that you look great for twins; it's a compliment! Trust me, it's MUCH better to hear that you don't look like you're carrying twins than to hear some of the things that I've heard (and other ladies here)...

Ters - how are you holding up? How did your appointment go today? I can't believe the houseful of people you've had. God bless you for dealing with it all so gracefully.

Sherry - good luck tomorrow at the doctor!

I have to share the cutest thing... my friend Jan came over today with her two year old daughter, Samantha. She was holding Sammy on her lap while she was talking to me, and Sammy kept turing Jan's face to her so that she could kiss her mommy on the lips. It was so simple, but it was just so sweet. She did it about six times, and after each one, she leaned back and gave Jan the biggest smile. I had been feeling really crappy all morning (and a little sorry for myself, truth be told), and that just melted my heart and made me realize how wonderful it's going to be to have two little girls to kiss me on the lips like that. I'm going to keep that mental picture in my head for the next day and a half, and try to remind myself that all of these aches and pains are going to pay off in spades very, very shortly!

Andrea

[TMoT]

Andrea, your story about Sammy was SO touching! It's so true and aren't we all SO blessed?!??! *sniff sniff*

While I "have you here": My ob appt was great! BOTH BABIES ARE HEAD-DOWN -- for the first time in MONTHS!!!!! :yippee: Doc says my cervix is "closed, but short" which means things are really starting to happen! I'm SO~ happy!!! ...He (not my usual ob, but same hospital) said we can be happy that we've made it to 34 weeks so we're sure their lungs are "ready," and added that they would probably want to induce at 38weeks if I haven't gone into labor by then ("to avoid the risk of fetal distress on one or the other of the babies"). News to me -- but not bad in any way! Otherwise, he said things look great for a vaginal delivery and he really hopes that'll work out! :D Whew!

Well, the clock is ticking! Steph will be going to the hospital soon and Andrea and Ters have only one more day left -- WOW! Rachel, Paula, Staci (Heather?) -- is it just us left then? Geez. We need another Roll Call!!! ;-)

...Hang in there, gals! And BEST of everything to Ters and AndreaR (but I'll be checking in again later, I hope)! Can't wait to hear how everything goes!!!

:throb: :throb: :throb: xox

[mommyof4at26]

goodluck today i hope everything goes good:spitwater :yippee:

[vthompson]

Kayley and Corey....

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=9bwfk2qr.1wtlgc4r&Uy=-cmv0g9&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

[mommyof4at26]

valerie your babies are so cute congrats:clap: :yippee:

[Jillmami]

CONGRATS to all the new moms/babies!

I was wondering what others are doing as far as feeding schedules. Every 3 hours? Longer at night? Anyone have a baby that does not like to be in the crib/bouncy chair but on a human?

Things are going well with both babies. Noah is about 6 pounds now and our daughter TJ is up to 4 1/2 pounds. She is a slow weight gainer but is gaining none the less. They only cry when hungry, otherwise they are pretty relaxed. Noah has gas issues and doesn't like to part with his poo. :o( Not comfy for him I must say.

How is everyone else getting along? Ours enjoy the bouncy chair as well as this gliding bassinet my hubby got that goes front to back or side to side.

Any good tips to pass along?

Hope all is going well and good luck to those of you that are almost at the finish line!

[sgarrett]

Jill, Valerie, and Mindy YOUR PICS ARE SO CUTE! Babies are just such sweet little angels, ecspecially at that young age.

Mindy: What day does your show reair? I would love to see it. And is that 10:30 CST?

Thanks for all the words of encourgement, some days are just harder than others. It is great to be able to "talk" to people who truly understand what you are gong through.

Take care all,

Staci

[AndreaR]

Valerie - Kayley and Corey are soooo cute!! What great pictures. You are absolutely beaming in your picture. Congratulations again. I hope all is going well.

Sherry - Sounds like good news from the doctor. You are getting close. I know you feel like you are far behind everyone, but you're really not. It could be any day now!!

Jill - so nice to hear from you. TJ and Noah are gorgeous. It sounds like things are going pretty well, all things considered.

Steph - I am praying for you!! I was just saying to DH, "Steph is having her babies RIGHT NOW!!"

We just got back from our pre-op visit to the hospital. I was really hoping that they'd want to just take me today, since we were there and all, but no such luck. But, we are go for launch! We have to be there at 9am tomorrow. We are bringing a lap top, but I'm not sure if it will work. I will post as soon as I can.

I'm not sure if I'll post again today, so I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped me through these last few months. I don't know what I would have done without you. :throb: :throb:

AndreaR

[PaulaP]

Valerie, Stacey, Jill, and Mindy- love your pictures! You all have absolutely precious babies!

Congratulations Felisha! It's great to hear that your babies are doing so well!

AndreaR- thank you so much for all of your encouraging words. I can hardly wait to hear how everything goes for you tomorrow. I know things will be great and you will have some beautiful babies. Best wishes!

We are still holding on here and absolutely no action. The babies seem to be moving less, I hope that means that they're ok. The dr. said that their movements would change but that I should still feel some movement on both sides. I think, not positive, that I am feeling them. I go back to dr. tomorrow and hopefully they will scan them and I can catch another glimpse so that I will feel better. My nst on Tue. showed good heartbeats, so I guess that's why the dr. didn't seem too concerned.

Well ladies, take care of yourself and your babies- here and waiting to be born.

-Paula

Does anyone know why my ticker will not show up? It stays in this code. Help!
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://bd.lilypie.com/33Ism5.png" alt="Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker" border="0" width="400" height="80" /></a>

[mommyof4at26]

i now have s set date for june 15th at 8am if i havent gone before then,i will be 36 weeks tomorrow lets take a poll who thinks i will go before the 15th? and who thinks i wont?WELL i hope it will be soon.:spitwater :yippee:

[sgarrett]

Felisha - Your babies are gorgeous! I love the pics of them yawning they are so cute! What hospital did you go to and who is your doc? I am going to Baptist and my doc is Dr Hirsch. Congratulations!

Staci

[ChastityLove]

How exciting that more are having babies! I am getting excited just reading everyone's posts! I had my first NST today and the boys did well. I however, did not. I got very light headed from having to recline back and started to feel crampy. The nurse took me off the monitors, Thank goodness, since I was almost done anyway. I feel like these two are right in my vagina and I swear that Baby A is still pressing on my cervix! I really feel like they are going to break their bag of waters any minute! Is anyone else feeling this way? I am hoping that the Dr. allows me to go off my Procardia after next week (34 weeks) so that I can try to go into labor on my own by 36 weeks. I am SOOOO ready for these two! Is everyone else feeling so uncomfortable and like you can't move? I just keep saying "one more week" EVERY week! ha ha
Congrats to all who are having their babies! Good luck to the rest of us who are still going "one more week"!

[twinsmakethree]

Hi Everyone just thught i check in and give a quick update

Wow we have been busy. i am so proud of everyone for having these healthy beautiful babies!! Congrats to Val, Felisha and Steph and everyone else i might have forgot! And good luck to the ones going in tomorrow!

Well everything is really good here. They went to there two week check up Ruwaydah went from 4 13 at birth to a whopping 5 6 in just 10 days!! The girls eat really really well. I do not have them on a strict schedule but I do try to feed every 3 hours they are strictly breastfed and i feed together most times. They pretty much do everything together including poop. We slep well for the most part I pretty much give them a wipe down at 9 every night to signal bed time then i feed them and change them for the first of the night they wake up pretty much every three to four hours although last night they stayed up with us watching the game and they actually slept really long but i notice if they feed for the whole 20 min they sleep like a log.

i am back to my normal size range and caN PRETTY MUCH FIT MY PRE PREGNANCY CLOTHES :clap: a lot of that is because I only gained 20 pounds with them
My stomatch is a little discolored but no real extra skin flab and my incisions are doing pretty well i can move around alot although i can not lay on my sides at all!!!

well ok i am going my breast is so full right now i have to go and beg one of them to relieve me

Cant wait for the new babies we are almost totally finish and moving on to our next phase!!

Oh I would like to know what was the first thing everyone did once they were able to see their feet again you know what I did???? Shaved:yippee:

andrea

[swineland]

hello everyone....just wanted to let you know that all is well and that our beautiful boys were born this morning via a super easy c-section. Evan Gray was delivered @ 7:49am weighing 6 pounds, and his brother Bailey Owen was delivered @ 7:50am weighing 5lbs 15oz. I am woozy from the drugs and extremely tired, but otherwise doing good! Will write more when i get home on Fri or Sat.

love,
Steph

[TMoT]

Felisha!! What a story!!!! I'm so happy Thomas became active and really glad they didn't make you go home when you were 3cm dilated! What on earth would have happened then?!?!?!! ...The pictures are lovely! You all look so beautiful -- and the ribbon in Maya's hair is SO cute!!! :-) I personally am really encouraged by the fact that you got to have them both vaginally too! You must feel exhilirated -- like all our new mommies at this point! ...Please keep us posted on their growth and hope you last on your new mommy (again!) "high" for a while!!! :-)

Wow, Steph! That was QUICK!!! :yippee: CONGRATULATIONS that everything went so smoothly and that Evan and Bailey are finally here!! :yippee: ...What happened with dh after all?? I hope he got to be there and share in all the excitement!?! WONDERFUL that the c-section was so easy too. I hope you heal FAST and that you'll all be home and "settled in" in no time! Take good care of yourselves and please keep us posted (with pictures!!) when you get the chance!!! :throb:

Andrea, how wonderful that the babies are growing so much so quickly (and that you're "shrinking" just as fast)!! You must be delighted!!! It's also awesome that they're on the same schedule -- just to help make things easier for you! :-) ...Congrats on getting into your pre-pg clothes, and on that First Shave! You probably feel like a new woman now -- in a lot of ways!!! :-)

Paula, try drinking some fruitjuice and resting quietly to see if you feel the babies moving... They are so squished in there by now, it's just getting harder and harder to move -- only little hand/foot movements and the occasional (very occasional) "sweeping" leg or arm movement. If you're really anxoius though, ask your doc!!! ...And about the ticker, sometimes they just don't load quickly because of too much internet traffic. If it's not working correctly now, though, you might have to go back and update it... (?!!) xx

Rachel, CONGRATS on your 36 weeks!!! Personally, I don't think you'll make it till June 15, but I really hope you DO, just to diminish all the nicu etc. worries (not because I don't care about your suffering, though -- because I DO)!!! ;-) :throb: Tell you what: If you make it till June 15, I'll try to make it till June 30 (since we're two weeks apart)!!! :D

...No news for me today. Plumber was here ALL morning fixing our very temperamental boiler (!), so I'm late for my late-morning nap!! :-(

Take care all you brooders (Staci, Rachel, Paula, Chastity, et al.) and I'll be checking in later for news about Ters and AndreaR!!! Yahoo!! xox

[mommyof4at26]

sherry you got a deal,i will post again tomorrow afternoon after my doctors apptointment.have a good day everyone and congrats to steph:yippee: :clap:

[EBTwinz]

Valerie: The babies are ADORABLE!! You look so happy!! I am so proud of you! And don't worry, I cried a little bit in the surgery room too. It's normal. I was terrified and couldn't wait for it to be over, even though the whole process wasn't that bad. And I know exactly how you feel about your dh. I fell in love w/ mine all over again, too. I feel like I am 18 again and I don't want him out of my sight. Keep the updates coming and hopefully you are home w/ the babies.

Felisha: CONGRATS! The babies are beautiful!

Andrea: CONGRATS to you too! (I can't remember if I congratulated you or not). Your babies are adorable too!

Steph: CONGRATS!!!! I am so happy to hear everything went so well for you! And the babies are great weights! Can't wait to see pics!!!!

ANd anyone else I left out, CONGRATS on your new bundles of joy!

Things are pretty crazy around here. The babies had a check up today to have their weight checked and they each gained 9 oz in 5 days!!! Ethan weighs 6lb 3oz, and Brady is up to 5lb, 10oz!!! I am so proud of them. I can't get them to breastfeed. I wonder if they have nipple confusion b/c they were given bottles in the hospital. When I try to b/f they won't latch on or will only suck for a short time. Plus, when I pump I only get 2-3 oz every 3 hours. I feed each of them 2.5 oz every feed so I am afraid they won't get enough if I strictly b/f. Anyone have any advice or having the same problems???

Well, I can't wait to start our new ventures together and share advice for our babies. HOpe the MIA mommies are having their babies and are feeling okay. ANd I hope the preggos mommies are hanging in there. Soon you will be holding those precious babies.

Talk to you all soon,
Lisa

[vthompson]

Hello Everyone!! We are finally home, as of yesterday afternoon. I have been reading the posts, but have not had time to post myself. I feel bad because now that I finally have a second to post, I am too far behind to respond to everyone. I hope no one is upset...I feel bad...but, then again, that seems to be my theme the past 2 days.

Here is what is going on...Lisa, I am so glad that you posted about the b/f because that is exactly what I came on here to post about. It makes me feel better to know that someone else is having the same problem. Since we have gotten home from the hospital, the babies are fighting me on b/f. They are rooting around for the breast, opening up for it, sucking for a few seconds, and then letting go. Eventually, they get so frustrated that they start crying. Then, I start crying because I am so frustrated for them. So, then we are all crying. Eventually, their crying gets so severe, that we give them an ounce or two of formula. They were being supplemented at the hospital with formula, after they b/f. They were doing great, though with both. I just do not know what to do anymore. My milk seems to be finally coming in on my right breast. I thought this would make things better. I have not tried to pump yet, maybe I should...I just don't know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to all the mommies who have had babies!! I am so happy for all of you!!

For all of you still hanging on, I know things seem very rough right now. Try and hang in there, your little ones will be here before you know it!!

Again, I am sorry for not responding directly to everyone.

Valerie

[sgarrett]

Valerie and Lisa: Sorry for the b/f issues I am anxious to hear if someone has advice. I too want to try and b/f two and am nervous about it.

Sherry: I love your posts they are always so positive! I am generally a very happy person and have been so miserable this last month how do you do it??

Steph: CONGRATULATIONS! I can not wait to see pics!

Chastity: I totally feel your pain! I keep telling my husband I just know an arm or foot is about to "pop" out any minute. (lovely visual, huh?)

We go to the doc Monday b/c he is a little concerned about their differences in weight. He said we "might go ahead and do something" I am keeping my fingers crossed, I cannot wait to get these babies out but I a want them good and fat and healthy too!

Staci

[TMoT]

Hi, Valerie and Lisa!! Sorry about the b/f blues (it really DOES make you cry, doesn't it?!?), but it sounds like nipple confusion in both cases, and maybe a bit of colostrum-leftover in Valerie's case, too. :-( First, bottle-nursing is SO EASY that, after that experience, the babies really dislike having to work hard at b/f. I'm afraid that you've got to be "consequent" with them, though -- to get them to latch on properly _for each and every feed_ (no matter how frustrated you all get!! :-( ) and to +work+ to nurse. Otherwise 1. they won't "learn" how to breastfeed (=unlearn bottle-feeding); and 2. you'll have more trouble getting your milk supply up to speed to "accommodate" them.

Valerie, in your case, it could still (also) be that your milk hasn't fully come in yet, and colostrum is MUCH thicker than breast-milk (=that much harder for the babies to nurse!), so they can get even more frustrated. It will probably get easier for them when your milk comes in, but it still won't be as easy as bottle-feeding! In the meantime, I definitely suggest you start pumping (to get/keep your milk supply going) and urge babies to b/f -- if you really want to do it! Unfortunately, they are "lazy" now (caused by the bottle-feeding), but they will respond to b/f if you are persistent with them. It may seem cruel and painful (and the tears will probably flow at first!), but they will get the hang of it soon, I promise!

Oh. In either event, if you are concerned about Babies "not getting enough," though, at least try what they do in my hospital here: Have the babies "lap" the formula and/or breast-milk from a cup, and STOP giving them bottles!!! That way, they will get the nutrition they need (?) _without_ you contributing to nipple confusion. ...Sound like an idea?????

Well, see what you can do, and I wish the best of luck to both of you!!!!! And, btw, you should perhaps pose your question/dilemma to the b/f thread here too, and I'm sure you'll get a lot of (more?) helpful replies to your post there!!! Love and strength to both (all!) of you!!!!! :throb: :throb:

Rachel -- you're on! Let us know how your doctor visit goes -- well, I hope!! :-D

Staci (just saw your post!) -- DRUGS. ;-) Just kidding!!! lol ...Don't forget that I'm the last one due on our thread, so it's "easy" (relatively speaking) for me to remain positive! By the time I have it as bad as the rest of you, you'll all be busy nursing-away and what-not with your precious newborn babies to even hear all my complaining!!! ;-) ...Honestly, though, it might just be that I've already had two pregnancies and can see "the light at the end of the tunnel" = those beautiful babies and the joy they bring to our lives -- to get past this difficult stage. Plus, it'll probably be my _last_ pg, so I want to cherish it (despite everything!) as much as I can... :-) I also drink LOTS of water and eat salmon (omega-3) regularly, and I REALLY, REALLY think this helps immensely with one's personal outlook! I keep telling everyone that this is the key, but I guess you all just think I'm a nut!!! (?!!) 8o)

Otherwise, for me, boys are off to their dad's again, so dh and I are going to veg and watch a movie. Tomorrow, we get to see the Dalai Lama! Wow. Neat-o!! :-)

Hope all is well with AndreaR and Ters! Can't wait to hear from you, Ladies!! xox

[TMoT]

Valerie and Lisa, I reread my post and wanted to add one more thing. When I say "be consequent" with the babies while you're trying to b/f, I know this sounds very blase, and I know that it is REALLY difficult to do, in fact too! What I want to suggest, in addition, is that you do all you can to remain calm and cool in the face of the babies' frustration. Take deep breaths, _do things slowly_ and try not to give into the feeling of panic/frustration that is probably overwhelming the atmosphere at the time all this is going on. Stress and panic, unfortunately, make it all that much more difficult to b/f (and for your milk to let-down, which is what the babies become impatient for), so you really have to work, YOURSELF, to stay as calm, cool and collected as you can, in the face of some pretty daunting challenges (=the worry that your babies aren't going to eat -- and what can be more stressful/scary than that??!). Rest assured, though, the calmer you are, the more calm you will make your babies. And dh's role in the matter is equally important. He will have to stay calm too and maybe will even have to help cool you and the babies down as well. Whatever the case, _take your time_, be confident in knowing that you're going to get the food to those babies no matter what (so they don't have to worry either), and try to see "past" the immediate screaming and crying situation. Then, everything will come together -- again, I promise!!! Just keep repeating to yourself "breathe... breathe... breathe... breathe...."... And you'll get there!!!!! :-) :throb:

[vthompson]

Sherry - Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. After I posted, DH and I decided to stop supplementing, unless the ped tells us otherwise next week when we go. The afternoon feeding was extremely long, like 3 hours. We started with Corey, because he has always been the better latcher. He tried and tried. When he got really upset, DH took him to calm him down. We then went to Kayley. Same thing happened, so we switched again. Corey finally latched on. I actually had to cut him off after 40 minutes. Kayley then came back and after a lot of tries she also latched on and fed for about 40 minutes. Not sure if that is too long, too short. I hope it was enough. I am assuming it was because neither of them cried afterward and both went to sleep. Well, the next feeding did not go as well. Corey fought for awhile, but finally did latch on again for about 40 minutes. Kayley kept trying and falling asleep. This went on for about 2 hours. Finally, we just couldn't get her to wake up, tried everything. She wasn't crying so we are letting her sleep until next feeding. All together, she probably got about 10 minutes, though of latch time. Their next feeding is in about an hour or so. We will go again. It was very frustrating but I did not cry. I stayed very calm and just kept reassuring them and me that we were all trying hard. Both boobs are starting to hurt and get hard so I am assuming milk is coming in soon. I wrote this entire post, hoping you would read it, Sherry and let me know if you think we are doing the right thing or if you have any other suggestions. I am worried about Kayley, but I have to assume that if she was truly starving, she would be up crying, not sound asleep.

Sorry for such the long post, but I just feel lost!

Valerie

[Jillmami]

RE: breastfeeding

Our hospital had me use a nipple shield. TJ will feed with that no problem, however Noah has trouble latching on now (used to do just fine at hospital) and gets hysterical since there's not milk flowing as with a bottle. It IS very frustrating for all involved. Almost seems easier to just stick with bottles. However the pumping is KILLING me. After feeding two babies, you have to pump, clean bottles/pump materials, etc. It is a pain but well worth it. I am meeting with a lactation specialist next week. Will pass on any info that I get. I have tried also without the shield and only TJ will latch on for a min or so. Our home health nurse recommended starting them on bottle, then switching over to breast to see how they do. She also recommended having the babies lie on my tummy and just explore as we did in the hospital, after they have eaten. I will try the breastfeeding after a bottle tomorrow. Will let you know results.

Good luck to you all with the bf. Again, I'll let you know what the consultant has to say. She offers free phone advice. Maybe there is someone like that in your area?

[newmomx2]

I have not read any posts since Saturday - so I am sure there are many babies by now - but just wanted to check in and give an update - I will find time later to read more and write more.

I was 38 weeks 2 days - and didn't need my induction date 2 days later.

Corey David - 5lbs 15oz 12:16pm - Vaginal
Tyler Edward - 7lbs 5oz 4:15pm - C Section



My water broke Sat 27th at 4pm - when I got to the hospital I was only 1 cm dilated ! But before they could start pitocin we found out my platelet count was 77K which is below the threshold for an epidural - we had several long talks with the doc and we went ahead and had the epidural (risk was a hemorage in my back and immediate back surgery - very scary !)

Well I did not deliver Corey until the next day at 12:16 pm. Tyler was head down but my uterus was distended the pitocin stopped helping and I tried for 3 hours but could not get him to come down into my pelvis - Meanwhile my platelets dropped again and they had to do an emergency C-section. I needed a platelet transfusion but all is well.

Needless to say I was in the hospital till yesterday - Boys are very healthy and came home with - it is mommy with all the problems !!

I'll write more later !

[sgarrett]

Wow Missy that sounds like it was a scary experience. I am glad it all ended well with two healthy babies that get to come home. Congratulations!

Staci

[vthompson]

Lisa - We had a very fussy night with the twins last night. By the time we got them both to sleep, they woke up an hour later to eat. At one point, I was just sitting on the couch with tears streaming down my face as they struggled to breast feed. I was just so exhausted. We ended up giving a bottle to each of them last night at about 2am because the trying to b/f went on for almost 3 hours and both babies were just crying and crying. I started pumping today and gave Kayley the breast milk from a bottle after trying to b/f with no luck. Corey has latched on successfully for each feeding today so far. Keeping our fingers crossed...This is just so frustrating. Well, I do feel better that Jill wrote back today to say she is also having the same problems. Hopefully her consultant has some answers for us.

Sherry - Thank you again for all your advice, I feel bad constantly asking now. But, like Lisa said, I really trust your advice.

Lisa and Jill, you mentioned using breast shields. They gave me what I thought were breast shields in the hospital to make my nipples come out more. However, they are not used during feeding, there is no place for the baby to latch on to the nipple. What exactly do you guys have?

Missy - Congratulations on the birth!! That does sound like a scary situation. I am very glad that everyone is well!

Valerie

[Daniele'sTwins]

Hi Efveryone...I have not read a thing since the last thing I wrote so please forgive me for not addresseing you if you have already had your babies, which I am assuming many of you have.

I HAD MY BOYS on May 26 at 1:16 and 1:18 pm by an emergency c-section. I went to the doctors that day ang they noticded that baby b's heartrate kept dropping so they sent us over to the hospital (thank God my DH) was with me.

I had Nico Paul at 1:16pm, he was 5.0 lbs
and Luca Paul at 1:18, he was 5.9 lbs.

Both Boys are doing SO WELL. I am nursing them both. They have already gained weight. They needed no time in the NICU, or even special care nursery! They are both a little jaundice but nothing that concerns the doctors at all. I love being a mom so much already! I do not like not sleeping though. I am SOOOOO busy right now but I will post pics and try to read your posts asap.

[PaulaP]

Congratulations Missy and Daniele! Sounds like you are all doing just great!

Does anyone know how AndreaR and Ters are? I didn't see a post from either of them....

Well, the surgery coordinator at my drs. office called today and tried to give me a date for next week. Of all days, guess when--- 6-6-06. I told her that I really didn't want that date if any way possible. She said that she'd call the hospital to see what she could do. And wouldn't you know it, she never called me back. I was so hoping to have a date to look forward to. But I guess I get to wait the weekend to see what they can do. Ideally, I wanted Wed., my 38th wk, but I may just have to take what I can get.

I hope that all cooking mamas are still well and those with new babies are adjusting.

-Paula

[mommyof4at26]

hi congrats to missy and danielle,well i had my ob appt i am 1cm dilated and having wierd contractions on and off, i had blood tests done because of all my swelling,if i am still like this in 1 week they will induce me before june 15th.well have a good weekend:spitwater :spitwater

[TMoT]

Hi, All!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MISSY AND DANIELE!!! :throb: :throb:

Sorry that your experience was so touch-and-go there, Missy, but I am SO GLAD that you and those babies are healthy and stable (and home!!) now!! :-) Things can only get better and better from here on out!!! Please take care of yourself!!!

And, Daniele, what a relief that they were paying such close attention to your boys and got them out of there in time!!! Also so AWESOME that you're feeling well and the babies are thriving! Hope it just keeps going wonderfully for you all!!!

Paula, congrats on the date! I'm sure it'll work out to be what/when you want. Just please keep us posted! :throb:

Valerie and Lisa (and Jill?), sorry to hear about the b/f struggles, but -- believe me! -- I've been there!! Tears streaming and everything. It takes a LOT of strength, stamina and positive thinking to get through these early days, but I promise you, you will all get there!!! :throb:

To be honest, I've never used breast-shields in my b/f "career," and I wouldn't even know where to begin! I thought, like Valerie, that they were "closed" and used to make your nipples stick out more. In "normal" cases, though, the average woman doesn't need that "help." Just have to make sure that, when babies feed, they put the WHOLE NIPPLE in their mouths, and unless you have nipples which don't distend on their own (medically, a relatively rare condition), the babies' sucking should do the job to get the nipples out and get the process "working." Imho, introducing other objects into the b/f process -- unless you have a really easy-going baby -- only makes things more confusing for them. But that's just my experience/thoughts... (?!)

Also, as a rule, I never broke off a feeding before Baby finished it off himself, and I always let him nurse until he decided he'd "had enough," Val. That, to me, was the only assurance I had that Baby was "full." ...If you're uncertain about them getting enough, though, (besides weighing them regularly) just check their BMs... Are they pooping (green, runny stuff in the beginning)/peeing on a regular basis, and how much? And, do they cry for food or are they content -- but NOT lethargic?? The diapers are your best indicator that babies are eating enough -- along with their general disposition, and obviously, weight-gain. ;-)

Babies have different eating "styles," though. In the case of my ds#1, he could nurse --literally-- for HOURS before he would "wrap up." He was just a 'gourmand' eater (and this is still very much part of his personality, in fact!!). DS#2 was (as I wrote before) VERY quick -- ate a lot and did it very efficiently. Two very different scenarios. Bottom line -- something you may come to notice, but what's hard to know from the start -- is that your babies have different eating "styles" and you'll have to find your way with accommodating that as much as possible, while strking a balance with your own needs for a "schedule."

Also, Val and Lisa, don't forget what my lactation consultant said (and what I experienced both times too!) about Babies' eating patterns shifting: After the first 3-4 days, babies will want to feed more at night and sleep more in the day. (Go figure!!) Eventually, this pattern changes again, but you have to be prepared (get sleep whenever/wherever you can -- i.e. when babies are doing the same!), to be able to nurse them during the ("fussy") nights through this period (=a couple weeks at most, if I recall)...

Val, have you tried the cup idea? I would keep expressing to keep your milk flowing (Lisa too), but try to get rid of the bottles. That will only increase the frustration factor over time. Some babies (Lisa?) can handle switching from bottle to boob more easily, but I've only seen that work totally seamlessly with older babies and -not- newborns -- whose sucking muscles and reflexes are still only just developing....

Lisa, about milk supply: The best way to increase milk production is to nurse. (!!) Sorry to put it this way, but that's actually, physically how it works. If the babies are resisting the breast (and, remember, they get lazy from bottle drinking!), you'll HAVE TO pump to keep your supply up. Not a lot of ways around that. ...Of course, YOU still need to eat, DRINK ;-) and SLEEP enough too, but, normally our bodies can handle a serious amount of stress before we stop being physically able to b/f -- so don't worry about that happening! DO make sure you keep :spitwater -- I'm not joking! -- though...!!!

Also: SIZE absolutely DOES NOT matter!!! ;-) Your breasts are like milk "factories," which produce milk on the fly. They can be big or small, but they all function in the same way. Babies nurse, the milk lets down, and you can feed and feed ALL DAY if Baby wants it that way. Of course (again!), you still need to nourish yourself to be able to do this indefinitely, and, don't forget what I wrote about b/f burning the same calories per hour as SWIMMING! So you need to make sure you're replenishing those burned calories in a healthy way, otherwise you'll just give yourself more (physical) stress. And you don't need that!!!!!

When I pumped, I averaged about 4oz. total as well, Lisa, so I would say what you're getting is "normal." HOWEVER, since you are feeding TWO babies, I would imagine that you should be getting out maybe a bit more than that. The babies are still relatively small at this point, so maybe 2.5-3oz (=5-6oz overall) per pump would be about right. Don't forget that if you're feeding them THEN pumping too, it's going to be that much more difficult to "squeeze out" those extra few drops of milk from your boobs for the bottles, though. ...But, since you're not tandem nursing, have you tried feeding from one boob and pumping from the other simultaneously?? This, as I've written before too, is really the best/easiest way to pump. Otoh, why not then just let the other baby latch onto the free boob, in the meantime, and spare yourself the whole pumping/washing/sterilizing cycle (as Jill wrote about)?!? ;-)

...One of the things I ask myself for both of you (Lisa and Valerie) is how your let-down reflex is going and what the milk you've pumped looks like in the bottle (i.e. does it separate into "cream" and "watery stuff"?)... Just to know that you're actually producing that rich milk the babies need... In my own experience, the babies' nursing brought on the let-down reflex much better than pumping (especially "mechanized") ever did, and it's important to guage because: As I wrote before, the "rich, nutritious" milk only comes out for babies after the let-down reflex kicks in; and, if your milk doesn't let down, babies can become frustrated that they're not getting the "real" food they're looking for. This can make them cry, which makes you more stressed, which makes the let-down all the more difficult, etc., etc. It's a vicious cycle, which is why you really need to try to stay as calm as possible even in the face of their ranting, etc. (Btw, Val and dh, way to go with managing that the way you did in your first post there!!!) Only when you are NOT stressed will your milk "let down" properly. Only THEN will Babies get the food they're screaming/working for, and only THEN will they stop crying and manage to eat properly (and give you some corresponding peace)! So, as I also wrote before, try to keep up the "no panic" approach that Valerie and her dh did so well with in that first post, and remember that it is The Way that is going to get you furthest with b/f-ing your babies over the long run...! ;-)

Val, I also never had my babies feed on a "schedule." When they cried and wanted to be fed, I fed them. In the beginning, this was more often, but over time, it averaged every four hours or so (a pretty "normal" benchmark, you'll find). My lactation consultant also said to envision feeding +every two hours+ in the beginning for twins, because of their relatively low birth-weights and because their tummies are so small! Don't forget, their stomaches are now only the size of a WALNUT (!!) -- so they need to be "replenished"/fed in relatively small amounts, but rather frequently, till they/their tummies get bigger.

...That is also why TANDEM FEEDING is so widely advised for twin b/f moms!!!! If you have to be feeding so frequently, you should definitely be feeding both babies at the same time, if possible -- to cut down on the overall number of feeds, and to give yourself a sufficient break in between! ...LATCHING ON is key to being able to tandem feed well, though, so you really need dh's (or someone's!) help with this part of the program, especially in the beginning when everyone's getting used to the whole "process." Whatever you do, please make sure the babies get the WHOLE NIPPLE in their mouth before you let them feed. Anything less (eg. "dangling" on the end of the nipple!) will only make their nursing less efficient (=air intake which fills them up even though they haven't eaten enough), and will wreak havoc on your nipples (ouch!). If you can, please consult your lactation consultant on this point (=have her SHOW YOU exactly how to do this, if possible!!) to make sure you're getting it right, and/or look in a b/f book -- like the La Leche League one I recommended to you all previously!!!! (Or check out the LLL site online. I think there are LOTS of very good tips there!!!)

Btw, GAS could be one reason why babies "feed" for a while, then stop, then want to feed again after only a short time. They "feel" full at first, but after the gas comes out, they're hungry again... So, be sure to hand off to dh every once in a while during babies' feed (esp with SLEEPY/LAZY feeders -- like Kayley, Val), to let him burp Baby and put her/him back on your breast right afterwards. This will keep Baby awake (hopefully!) and will also respark her/his zeal for eating. And, btw, the only trick I know to keep sleepy eaters awake is to pinch/tickle their feet and or (cruel, I know!) to put something cold on their piggies to "stimulate" them during feedings. Sounds horrible, but they survive it!!! ;-) ...Was also thinking, Valerie, that maybe Kayley is like my ds#2 (although he was 10lbs+ at birth!), who ate under ten minutes and then was done. You will just have to keep the b/f going with her and see (and remember to watch her bms/weight-gain, as I said)....

Jill, about what your home health nurse suggested: I think the exploring idea is fantastic -- but BEFORE eating, instead of AFTER -- otherwise, I can't see what the babies' motivation is to seek the breast....(?!) Even if they smell your milk, they will not necessarily be interested in "rooting it out" if their tummies are already full. ..."Hunting" for the breast is definitely the way to stimulate the nursing reflex in Babies -- but it seems as though your babies are already doing okay as far as wanting to eat and being _able_ to nurse, aren't they?? Now, I guess, you're interested in getting them more interested in the +breast+ per se, than in the bottle... Am I right??? ...In that case, I would say I am not certain that trying to b/f AFTER bottle-feeding (!), is going to make any progress as far as b/f goes for you all. To me, that would essentially be the equivalent of asking babies to do something very _easy_ to get food (=bottle feed), followed by asking them to do something very _difficult_ to try to get the same food (=breast feed). The latter is just not destined to work -- especially if the babies aren't even hungry any more! -- and you would only be contributing to the nipple confusion they're already apparently facing. ...Have you tried the breast milk from a cup idea, Jill???? As I've written previously, this is what they do in my hospital to avoid nipple confusion, for newborns especially (and, btw, no pacifiers either!), and the babies lap up the milk like little kitties. They get the milk they need, but they don't get the confusion which the different drinking styles (bottle vs. breast nipple) would otherwise give them.

Again, just my two cents..... And, to be honest, before you try the advice from the nurse, Jill, I think it might be worth calling your lactation consultant and having a chat with her about what would be the best thing to do right now (i.e. before your meeting next week). That is also great advice you gave to Lisa and Valerie too: Gals, if you can't get a lactation consultant (on the phone?) via your hospital, there are La Leche League consultants (=volunteers) ALL OVER THE WORLD who are more than willing to give excellent and _free_ b/f advice to new b/f mommies. AND they often have multiple b/f - experienced people who are members and dedicated to helping in just our kind of situations. PLEASE get in touch with these ladies. They (like my mom) are TRULY SUPER!!!!!!!

I've posted this link before, but here is the page with the local LLL contact info so you can find a group in your area and get in touch with them -- FAST!!!! :-)

http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html

...Okay. I've blabbered on enough here, and it's WAY too late for me to tell you about our encounter with the Dalai Lama (!) today. Suffice it to say, though, that it was wonderful although rather TRYING to remain seated in 2+ hour shifts!!! We'll be going back over the weekend (he's giving a special three-day lecture on Buddhism) and to receive a special blessing for our whole family, on Monday! :)

...I also got the last few items for the hospital bag checked off the list today too, AND we have arranged to get the baby announcements (something custom-made and very special!) ready as well. Getting there, getting there, getting there...! Only thing is that Artemis decided to flip around again and is now head-up once more! What am I going to do with this strong-willed little lady?!!! She's showing her colors already, I suspect. Mom and Dad (and her three brothers!) are going to really have their hands full with her it seems!!!! ;-)

Well, finally, off to bed. Hope everyone, with babies here and on the way, is doing well, and I'll check in again later in the weekend!
xox

[TMoT]

Rachel, just saw your post and worried about you! If you're already 1cm dilated, though, doesn't seem likely you'll make it to 15 June anyway, right? Well, hang in there and I'm hoping/praying for the best for you. As long as you are :spitwater :spitwater :spitwater , that is truly the best you can do! Way to go! :throb:

[Nicunurse]

I am fairly new here I have done more reading than anything. I am officially due July 18 but if all goes right I will be c-sectioned June 30. I am currently 33+ weeks with twin boys. They are both laying transverse so there is no way they would try to deliver them vaginally. So far it has not been to bad the worse for me has been the carpal tunnel pain that is horrible and I pray it goes away when I give birth. I see how healthy these babies are and I am hopeful that things for me will also turn out good. I feel pretty good no pressure and so far my cervix is long and closed I have had some funneling with twin A and my doctor is threatening to take me out of work which she might on monday when I have to go see her but we'll see. I thought by now I would feel worse but let me not way that to loud. Only 3 weeks left I pray for mercy. Anyway it was very nice reading everyone's post Congrats on all the babies and hope to talk to you soon.:clap:

[mommyof4at26]

sherry, i dont know if ill make it to the 15th but who knows our bodies are so difficult well ill talk to ya later:spitwater :spitwater :throb:

[sgarrett]

Felisha: That sucks that they would not get the lactation specialist for you. But you certainley should not feel like a failure. I had to quit breastfeeding with my son for the same reason and that was just one baby! I used to live right around the corner from Stonecrest off of Waldron Rd. Small world! My son went to Lavergne High until we moved to Kingston Springs 2 years ago. We should try to do lunch in a couple of months once we have this getting around with twins thing down! Sorry you are having to deal with fighting kids at a time when the last thing you need is stress!

Looking forward to seeing more baby posts soon!

Staci

[swineland]

Hi everyone!

I have tried posting two of the longest emails to you guys and the website has responded w/ "invalid thread" both times....and when I went back, all of my text was gone!! So mad!

Anyway, don't have time to write everything all over again, but wanted to include a link to all of our photos.
www.flickr.com/photos/wineland
Enjoy!

BTW, those of you who are having a hard time breastfeeding.....don't feel bad. I don't think I am going to be able to do it. Not happening very well, bad latching and crying babies= STRESS for me, which in turn = STRESS for babies. So, we're supplementing with formula and everyone around here is happy happy.

Steph

[JacobsMom]

Hi Everyone,

STEPH: Your boys are so darling!!! Thanks for sharing the photos.

FELICIA: I loved your photos. The one of you and Maya where your faces are right together is so beautiful! I will have to have someone do photos like that of me and the boys. Who took them? Your daughter looks so grown up. I hope she will be a big help to you. Maybe once your nephew leaves and she doesn't have anyone to fight with. You really don't need that added stress! My son Jacob is 8 and he has done really well this week. He is feeling a little bit neglected, but he understands. He and Daddy have spent some alone time together so that helped. He snuggled up on the couch with me last night while I was nursing. I was playing a Lullabye CD that I sang to him almost every night, and it just brought back so many memories of when he was a baby, especially when Tate looks almost exactly like Jacob! We both ended up in tears!

Today has been a VERY difficult day for me. I had my staples out on Thursday, and a small part of my incision was inflamed and leaking some fluid. When I got up this morning, it was bleeding freely! Not a whole lot, but enough to worry me. I called my doctor and talked to one of her associates who was on call. He said that it is normal for it to drain like that but if it kept on and if I was worried to go to the ER and have it checked out. Well, we thought it would be ok, but then after lunch I had my hubby look at it and he thought I should come and get it checked. The blood had soaked the steri-strips and some of them were coming off. We thought, we needed to at least get it rebandaged, so we headed in about 2pm. Well they decided they needed to do a CAT scan to make sure there was no abcess. So at the minimum, we were going to be at the hospital until 8pm. I was so ticked, but ok, I need to make sure everything is ok.

Well about 10 minutes before they came to take me for the scan, my hubby told me they were going to admit me and keep me overnight so they could pump antibiotics in me!! I lost it. I started crying so hard I could barely breathe. :cry: Bad enough I had to stay, but his timing really stinks. He could have at least waited until after the scan, but NO!! Did the guy not realize that news was going to make me hysterical?!?!?!?! I was completely devestated. And to make it worse, I'm stuck here all by myself. He had to leave before I even got taken up to my room so he could help his mom with the boys. She and Jacob had been alone with them since 2 and it was after 8pm when he got home and they were due for their next feeding.

I do NOT have an abcess - thank GOD! But they are worried about the inflamation and slight infection. I was allowed to eat dinner and am pretty much in for observation. I am in the OB/Gyn surgical ward which is next to the L&D ward where I delivered last week. This is also where I was taken after delivering Jacob. The nurses told me James could bring the babies up and spend the night with me. They would bring a bassinet for them to sleep in. But my hubby wouldn't do it. He said he was too exhausted to spend the night in the hospital helping me take care of the babies, that it would be better for everyone - including me - to keep the babies at home. Well I say NOT. I was an emotional wreck and needed my babies!!! I have not even nursed them at all today. I have been pumping to try to build up my supply and to see how much I'm making. I get about 2 oz. each time - about 1 oz from each breast, the left produces more than the right.

I am stuck here in this darn hospital completely unprepared. I didn't bring anything to do, like a book to read, thank you notes I could have written, my cell phone so I could call my friends to commiserate with me! I feel completely cut off from everybody! My hubby did call one of my best friends when he got home and she called me and told me her family had just finished praying for me. She was really concerned about me and told me that David and Tate will be fine for one night without me, that I needed to make sure I got well so I would be able to take care of them. That helped some. I finally got resigned to the idea and calmed down.

I was aggravated at myself that I didn't think to bring my breastpump. I asked for one and they did bring me one to use. I was able to get 2oz from each breast after not pumping or nursing for 8 hours. They are storing it in the nursery freezer for me to take home with me. I plan to pump several times during the night if possible. I was really wishing I had my laptop with me so I could catch up with all of you, since I haven't had time to do it at home. I had asked if there was internet access on the floor and they said no, but they did have computers pn the 1st floor I could use. Well, about midnight they disconnected my IV, and I dont have to get another drip until about 4am. I asked if I could leave my room and go downstairs. They said I could so here I am.

Well it is now a little after 1am and I need to get back to the room so I can pump some more. The doctor assured me that the antibiotics they are giving me will not affect the babies in any way, and that my milk will be safe for them to drink. I'm really hoping that they will release me first thing in the morning. I really want to get home to my babies! This totally STINKS!!!!!!

Well, I'm off to pump and get some sleep. I'll post an update when I can.

HUGS! :grouphugg

Stacey

[TMoT]

Stacey, :aww: ! What an AWFUL night!!! :-(( I could box dh for not coming by with the babies for you, but maybe he was right after all... (?) If your body is trying to fight a possible infection, you need to rest and try to keep up your resistance. Of course, no amount of rationalizing all this to a woman who wants to feed her newborn babies (and whose milk is flowing in the meantime!) is going to work though!!! (?!!) Good thing your best friend was able to get through to you a bit nonetheless. ...I hope, after your post, that you were able to go back to your room and get some well-needed rest. ...Please keep taking care of yourself, 'cause "when Momma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy!!!!" Lots of hugs! xox

Steph, so great to hear how well everything is going! :clap: The boys look SO wonderful -- chubby and healthy and ready-to-go! :'-) And the picture of you as "happy patient" is adorable too. You are simply glowing! (And, btw, your hair looks great! ;-)) Well, keep up the good work, Mommy. How wonderful to hear that you're all "happy happy"!!!!! :-D

Felisha, SO SORRY about the stressful visitors and the problem with the b/f consultant! :-((( After my first two delivery experiences, I've learned to take "helpful guests" with a grain of salt... It's wonderful that they're there, but sometimes they're more work/stress than help. When it gets to be too much, you just have to say "that's enough." And, when really bad: "Go home now"! ;-) Sometimes just managing on your own, although difficult, is much more peaceful, reassuring and confidence-building -- as you well know, I'm sure! ...In my own case, I think I am going to call a "hiatus" for about the first 3-4 days, and only after that will I invite/allow "non-immediate family" to come around. Going to just feel my way with this (esp 'cause I want to really get the b/f thing down, if possible), but I am lucky because dh will be here. He's also going to be in charge of the "visit timer" -- maybe I'll even teach him some secret clue for when to politely request visitors to leave.... ;-) ...And, like Staci said, PLEASE DON'T feel bad about the b/f situation, although what happened with the hospital was truly unfortunate. Sure sounds like you did all you could to get things rolling, so I'm sorry they were not supportive/cooperative -- right when you needed it most!!! ]-( It's still maybe not too late if you really want to try to b/f -- and I'm sure the LLL people I posted about would be more than happy to "come to your rescue" -- but don't stress too much about it. Your babies are happy and thriving in the meantime, and that is the MOST IMPORTANT thing! Way to go, Mommy!!!!! :clap: xx

Staci, you are such a trooper! How are you holding up?? :throb:

Well, that's all for me, now. Gotta go get the day in gear -- another lecture with the Dalai Lama (I think I'm really learning something -- even through the French translation!), and more nesting (=packing our hospital bags?) later. The boys will be back tonight, so the usual chaos will kick in then -- but, of course, that is something I just L-O-V-E! :throb: :)

Take care, all! xox

[CanadianChick]

Hi everyone
Just a quick note to let you all know that we had our babies on Wednesday via c-section, I was 37weeks exacetly, and unfortunately had to spend the week before their birth in the hospital due to high blood pressure, but WOW was it ever worth it.
Hilary and Jillian were born at 839 and 840am.
Hilary weighed in at 6lbs 4onz and 19inches long and
Jillian weighted in at 5lbs 5.5onz and 18.5inches long.
Both babies were in perfect health and stayed with me and my hubby in our room the hole time, aside from a few blood sugar and eating issues they have had no problems or concerns, we all came home yesterday and are doing great, just have some issues with breast feeding but it's getting better.
Congratulations to all the new mommies and daddies out there, looking forward to reading all about the new munchkins.
Cant wait to read about how everyone is doing.
take care
kirstin

[TMoT]

CONGRATULATIONS on Hilary and Jillian making it safe and sound into the Big World, Kirstin!!!!! :throb::throb: You've been away for SO long -- no wonder!! Well, I'm glad you were in such good hands and that the girls arrived with no complications!!! What a splendid job!!!!! Awesome that you all got to stay in the hospital together, too, and I hope that means you're healing well, etc.! ...Well, best of luck with the b/f and please post some pictures when you get the chance! xx

Ters and AndreaR -- still no word?! Thinking LOTS about you (ALL) and hoping/praying for some good news soon!!!!!

Nicunurse, Staci, Rachel, Paula, et al. (anyone?) how are you all holding up??? ...Today I'm feeling pretty good, just fatigue (and some grumpiness -- anyone else?!? ;-)) more than anything... Boys are back from their dad's and we still have one more day of vacation before they have to go back to school! :yippee:

Take care all and stay in touch so we know you're okay! Hope all the new mommies are holding out well too!!!! :throb:

[PaulaP]

Hey Sherry! I'm still here and hanging on. Seems like my boys just don't want to come into the world. No contractions, no anything is happening here. So I guess we're waiting on the c-section.... whenever that turns out to be. I'm hoping to find out something tomorrow. Hope that you're doing well and having a good day. I've really enjoyed reading your b/f advice. I look forward to reading more.

Hope everyone else is doing well and having a good day.

-Paula

[newmomx2]

DH is upstairs trying to figure out how to load pictures to photobucket so we can share with family, friends et al....

My mom is in the yard throwing a ball for the dog and both boys are sleeping in their cribs (have been there about 2 hours). PHEW - they even slept between all feedings last night and the feedings were about 4 hours apart.

I was VERY persistent with breast feeding and have been able to get them to do 30 minutes each feeding each and then I supplement with 1oz or less of formula - hoping I can cut out formula and pump in about a week - I still want DH to be able to feed he really loves to participate and it is awesome he is home till August 3rd with me ! For all the ladies having trouble with BF my advice is patience I cried allot at first when I couldn't get them to latch on and then had to supplement all night with formula in the hospital - my boobs never got in engorged just slowly got fuller with each feeding - I am very happy to be blessed with breast feeding - I will do as long as I can. Biggest issue now is finding some nursing bras - I waited cause I didn't know how big I would be ! I am having DH take me to kohl's tomorrow to pick some up.

Wow some of you ladies amaze me with the weight loss stories. I gained 50lbs and I have lost 30lbs in the first week - curious to see how the next 20 go...I was able to put on my 5mth maternity pants today and some short sleeve maternity shirst that I couldn't even squeeze into before !

I will never be in a bikini again - my stretch marks are quite amazing they are nearly to my boobs - battle wounds I suppose - but SO worth it. I can't believe how much I love my little men !:clap:



Stacey - how aweful, I cried when I read your post and then immediatly felt my incision - it is a little red and sore - I get my staples out on Tuesday - hope all is well, I am also very sore from the vaginal delivery - I really don't recommend doing both !! Stay positive you will be home to your angels soon.


uh oh baby crying gotta run...write more later.

[megzmom]

hi everyone I AM AT CELEBRATION HOSPITAL WITH MY TWO BOYS~BENJAMIN & ZACHARY. THEY WERE BORN CSECTION ON FRI THE 2ND. I AM USING THE HOSPITALS TV SCREEN AS A COMPUTER~TOO COOL. BOTH BOYS ARE EXCELLENT AND ALL OF US WILL GO HOME TOMORROW.

A-ZACK WAS 5.0LBS AND 17 1/2in
B BEN WAS 5.4LBS AND 18in
both boys were and still are perfect-they eat pretty good. I am suppplimenting with formula less each feeding. Ithink my milk is coming in.

As soon as pics are developed I will post.

I really missed you all. I will read the posts after I nurse the boys.

[megzmom]

Steph-where did you delivr?

[TMoT]

CONGRATULATIONS, Heather!!!! Sounds like things went great -- and so wonderful to hear from you!!!!! Welcome, Zack and Ben! We can't wait for the pics! Hope you're feeling okay, and way to go with the b/f too!!! :throb:

Missy, way to go with the b/f for you too!! :clap: And I'm so glad those little guys are letting you get some good sleep in. Really makes a difference doesn't it?! ...Also SUPER that dh can help you with the feedings and that he'll be home for so long. You are all so blessed! Well, enjoy, and thanks for sharing! :throb:

Paula, it's going to be _fine_! Just hang in there. They will certainly make their presence known when the time comes!!! We just never know these things... How far along are you now? Isn't there still the chance for an induction, or do you have to have a c-section??? ...No matter what, please just keep taking care of yourself/ves!! xx

Time for bed. Nighty-night, gals!

[qbanmom5]

Hi guys-

I haven't read anything except congrats to Missy and Danielle and a long post on b/f by Sherry that I must read but wanted to catch you up briefly.

Both babies were born on 6-1-06 at 10:20 and 10:21 am via C-Section. Get this: Leia weighed in at a whopping 5 lb 14 oz and her little brother weighed 5 lbs 3 oz. She was bigger than him!! I couldn't believe it. Anyway both were perfect and beautiful and perfectly healthy. My milk just came in today so I have been supplementing with formula which I swore I wouldn't do but I caved. Anyway, they latch on great and I plan to continue with just breast from here on out. They are wonderful and beautiful and I am sooo in love. We all came home together today.

I am trying to post a quick pic. I dont' have time to update the ticker and all that. I love you all. The c-section recovery sucks and if I thought I looked like Shrek before now I look like Shrek on steroids! Anyway, gotta go. I will be back later to read. I have been thinking about you all and missing you bunches. BTW, the dr. was actually very pleasant before during and after the procedure so I can't complain. Plus, the nurses all say he gave me a small and very nice cut. I have nothing to compare it to but I will take their word for it.

Kisses to all, Ters

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/qbanmom5/DSC01759.jpg

[LucasMom]

CONGRATS TO ALL THE NEW MOMMIES!!

Steph, Heather, Missy, Ters, Kirstin, Danielle...I know I am missing people, but my brain is more fried now than when I was pregnant.

Things are going great. Just wanted to check in and see how everyone was, and it looks like all of our hard work is paying off with a bunch of healthy babies!!! Yeah, June MOMMIES!@!!!!

Logan and Dylan are growing like weeds over here, and last night we went to a wedding and left all three kids with my parents. Having my husband home the last two weeks has been wonderful , and he is going back to work tomorrow, so I am missing him already. The boys are sleeping at night in about 3 1/2 hour stints between feedings, and we are getting a little sleep. Love sleeping on my stomach again!!!

Will catch up on posts tomorrow during naptime, and see how all of you are, and post some new pics.

Thinking of all of you, and Stace, sorry about your incision and being unprepared, that really sucks!

Love,

Mindy

[qbanmom5]

Little vent,

When I was writing earlier I went and took a shower. I felt great. When I got out, I found that DH was feeding Leia and had just fed Luke 2 bottles they gave us from the hospital. I was sooo disappointed and he was sooo proud that he was "helping me out". I didn't say anything, but I am so bummed that I want to breastfeed only. I told him, "I want to breastfeed and its important that every couple of hours they nurse". His response is "I don't think its gonna work out cause I don't think you have enough milk". It almost turned into a fight. I am still on my emotional roller coaster, even more so I think and if he can't back me up on this then I feel totally screwed!

I just went to the bathroom and pumped, 2 oz from both. Not much but its a start. I feel like they have had enough formula and bottles already. I don't want him to help me in that way. I would rather he make dinner for the older kids or clean up or something. Oh and to boot he said "They are so good. They just eat and sleep its so easy to take care of them." I want to strangle him. I felt like a juggler at the hospital with both crying and me burping one and feeding the other all the while trying not to pop a staple. I feel so misunderstood. And now, he is asleep like he is the one in pain and up since 4:00 am.!!!

Thanks for letting me vent. love, Ters

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e120/qbanmom5/DSC01759.jpg

[teresa67]

Ters 2 ounces is great, that is right on schedule. And the more you nurse you will begin making more milk, it's all supply and demand, the more they suck the more you make. Breastfeeding is great and you can do it, just be firm.

[TMoT]

WELCOME Luke and Leia!!!!!! :throb: Ters, since it took you so long to post, I've been nervous for you all!!! (!?) SO HAPPY to find that the delivery went well (and just a neat, little cut!), and that the babies are big, healthy and eating so well!!! BOO for dh giving them bottles -- although, of course, he was just "trying to help"!!!! Go ahead and tell him EXACTLY what you would like him to be doing, and that you plan to proceed with b/f -- not to exclude him, but to do the best possible thing you can for your babes. ...You've earned this right, and he'll understand, I'm sure. (??!) ;-) ...Well, GREAT to have you "back" and keep taking good care of all of you!!! xox

Mindy, so nice to hear from you too!!! And to hear that the boys are thriving so well! :-) Sorry dh has to go back to "the real world" now, but haven't you been LUCKY (!) that he's been there for two weeks and you've gotten to spend so much time as a family...?!! :throb: I'm so glad for all of you!!!

Teresa, WONDERFUL to "see" you too!! :throb: I really think about you a lot and hope everything is going well with the girls, b/f and the rest. Even though I don't get to see too many posts from you these days, you are still in my heart every day as a big inspiration. :throb: Please keep taking care of yourselves and keep in touch when you can!!! xx

For me, we all went for our "long life" blessing from the Dalai Lama this morning. :-) It was really nice, and the boys and I held out for the entire 2.5 hour ceremony! I'm so proud of us!!! I followed that up by barfing up my lunch though (!!!!), and I really think it was just a case of reflux, plus "exotic" food, plus a bumpy car trip... UGH. Not pleasant!! :-(

A dear friend of mine who had twins two years ago just dropped off a bunch of stuff for us too (including a pile of cloth/reusable diapers -- "back-up," I figure, for the infant potty training thing!)! :) And "convenient of convenient," she had a boy and a girl, too, so LOTS of "matching" b/g stuff in the same sizes! :throb: Can't wait to go through it all, but a nap is definitely first priority now. Really feel like I'm getting to the end of my physical energy, and looking for a way to "lock in" some serious cocooning for the coming weeks. Sure seems like time is more of "the essence" now than ever....!!!

Take care ladies, and hugs to all! xox

[LucasMom]

Here we are this week!

Dylan is the froggy, Logan is the other one!

[sgarrett]

I am sure I am going to miss some people, that is what I get for not logging on all weekend.

Heather, Kirstin, Ters and Steph: Big Congrats to you all! Steph your pics are amazing, you look great! The babies are adorable. Ters, I think it is impossible for men to truly understand what we are going through here. At the doc office today my hubby picked up a Glamour mag with this girl in a bikini and says "honey are you going to look like this right after the babies are born?" He thought it was funny, I wanted to reach into his chest and pull out his still beating heart! What can you do, they try!

Stacey: That totally sucks having to go back to the hospital. Sorry you had to go through that crappy experience.

Sherry: You continue to amaze me, I had to leave church Sunday b/c I could not sit after 1 hour and they were going over, I could not imagine doing 2.5 hours! Do you wear a S on your shirt and have a cape?

Isabelle weighed 6 lbs 15 oz today and Aiden was 5 lbs 10 oz. The doc is scheduling a C section in two weeks. Isabelle is breech and he does not think that will change at this point. I begged him to do it in one week, (offered a bribe and threatened to sit on him) to no avail.

You all should enjoy this, I wanted a BLT sandwich so bad yesterday, so we went to Waffle House. My huge tummy would not fit behind the booth! They had to put a chair on the end. How embarrassing! It is not like a lot of really fit people eat at Waffle House, if you cannot fit in their booths you know you are a fat a$$!

I should have an exact date tomorrow. I will let ya'll know.

Take care,

Staci

[mommyof4at26]

hi everyone just letting you know wendsday i am going into the hospital to start the process,so by thursday evenng well have babies. originally it was gonna be the 15th but i have had bad headaches and my bloodpressure was a little high i am also retaining alot of water.so 3 more days at the most i will be 37 weeks:clap: :throb: i will keep you updated

[mmzill]

Hey everyone........congrats on the beautiful babies! It's so hard to believe that it is June and so many of us have had our babies! They are all so so precious! To ALL the mommies...you all look radient! Being a mom is so rewarding. To those of you still waiting. . . . .it won't be long.

My life has been a blurr. Between feeding twins and feeding twins, there's not much time for anyting else! I think they were going through growth spurts over the weekend, because I didn't feel like I got out of the rocking chair at all. I am breastfeeding and it's going well - but at times it is very draining (litterally :crazy: I'm certain my brain is somehow being sucked out through my boobs!) The boys are doing well. Eating about every three hours, but I feed them sooner if they wake up or let them sleep longer if they don't. I let them nurse until they seem done, then burp them (that is a must, or they spit up everywhere) then try to feed them some more, but it is very difficult to get a sleeping baby to latch on to the breast. I have tandem nursed them a few times, but enjoy nursing them one at a time better. I feel like I can spend better time with them that way. When they nurse together I don't feel like either of them gets enough, because one will fall off then gettin him back on makes the other come off. I think once they are older and can find the nipple themselves I may try tandem again.

Valerie and Lisa, I hope you don't give up on b/f altogether. It can be so so frustrating! When Nathan came home from the hopsital he had some nipple confusion. He'd get very upset when the milk wasn't right there. I would squeze some out so he'd think it was there and after a few attempts, my milk would let down and he would stay on. They are both latching well now. :clap: Sherry said about everything I was thinking re: b/f. So I won't repeat what she said.

Well, so glad to hear from everyone. Oh, at the dr's on Thursday Anthony weighed 5'11"! and Nathan was at 4'5"!!!! Yeah~They are growing. It's hard to believe they started at 2'15" and 2'3".
~Monica

[mmzill]

Hey Lisa - we must have posted at the same time.

Burping - my husband won't get good burps either! It's so aggrivating, cause he goes back to sleep then I have to deal with the fussy kid! grrrrr! I find letting them sleep up right either on my chest or in their bouncy seat helps. Also, laying them flat for a couple minutes till they start squirming, then pick them up and a lot of times a burp will come right out.

Sleeping- the boys sleep by me all the time. No No or not, it works!
Bath - our guys screem throught their baths, so did our daughter, but it didnt' take long until she loved them.

OH yeah - i was figuring yesterday. It takes about 1 hr to feed and burp one baby, times 2 - so there are at least 8 feedings in a day, 8 x 2 = 16hrs!!! That leaves 8 hrs for us to sleep, eat, shower, take care of other kids. No wonder we are exhausted!
~Monica

[qbanmom5]

Hi all,

I need help!!! Sherry where are you!! Luke does not want breastfeed!! He cries and spits out my nipple. Occasionally he will suck a bit and doze off if not too hungry. If he is starving he will scream and scream until I give in and give him formula (or fight with DH about the baby screaming). Leia was doing o.k. except my milk really came in today and nobody wants my right boob cause it is soo engorged. I tried a hot rag, hot shower, manual expression, and pumping it but I can hardly get anything out of it. I don't know what is wrong but I barely get a trickle and its rock hard. i don't know what to do. I can keep using the left but then the right won't keep making milk. otoh I can't keep making milk that is not coming out. It is like my let down is not happening or something. HELP!!!!! I am going to have to formula feed their next feeding.

Ters

[qbanmom5]

O.K. I feel really stupid, but apparently a very important part of the pump had fallen out when I sterilized it this morning, and that is why my right boob wasn't getting expressed. Now that I figured that out, it feels better and so do I but how do I get Luke to like it and not scream his head off???

[TMoT]

Ters, can you reach a b/f consultant in your area asap (through La Leche League or your hospital)?!???!!?

http://www.lalecheleague.org/Web/California.html

Luke is definitely pissed off about the breast thing now that he's had the bottle -- he just doesn't want to work for his food, and I can't say I blame him!!! If you've managed to express anything, can you try feeding him breastmilk with a CUP to see how that goes??? It'll be at least as easy as the bottle, but it won't require the "wrong" sucking action that is causing his nipple confusion (and frustration)....

One thing I can suggest for the engorged breast is (someone else already posted about this and I've heard it previously too) cabbage leaves...! Put a couple on your breast and they'll take the swelling down to a point where you can express at least.

...And, have you tried expressing -by hand- on the swollen breast??!?? In your condition, that is the first thing I would try. You need a cup large enough to "catch" the milk spray (you might even "attach" a funnel to a normal cup somehow, or use a wide-mouthed coffee-thermus or something), but it sometimes actually goes easier/faster by hand than even with a pump -- especially if you're engorged. Do this by really "working" the breast ducts with your fingers -- find which ones are most sensitive and gently but firmly "squeeze" them from above the areola down to the nipple for each "stroke" (think of when they made you try milking a cow in elementary school -- same thing!). If you do this rhythmically and manage to "work" the whole breast with each stroke (changing your angle occasionally to make sure all the ducts get some 'action'), your milk should actually let down, too. Besides babies' sucking, this is the most organic way you can get milk out of your breasts, so it should help with let-down, and it works best, imho, on swollen/engorged breasts. If you can just get _some_ of your milk out this way, when the breast is a bit less constricted from the pressure of all that milk, then you can switch to the pump if you prefer. Thinking about my second ds, though, I probably expressed as much by hand with him as I did with the pump... (?!) Go figure.

Well, I hope this is a good start. Please also CALL LA LECHE LEAGUE (and check out their site) too! These women are truly fantastic, and they will hold your hand and guide you -as much as you need- especially in these early days!!!!!!!

And, of course, GOOD LUCK -- let me know how it goes!!! xoxoxox :throb:

[TMoT]

Ters, LOL! Try the cup thing. Do that long enough to get Luke to forget the bottle, and when your milk really starts to flow, you'll have to (hate to say it) "coerce" him into b/f. Just BE FIRM (with dh too -- man! Shall I talk to him for you?!), as Teresa said. ;-) :throb:

[Jillmami]

Monica - don't forget us pumpers! that's an additional 30 minutes each time. so figure an additional 3-4 hours/day. That leaves 4 free hours! Thank goodness my husband is a wonderful help and lets me sleep for 5-6 hours each morning. I stay up at night and then he takes over in the am for me. :crazy:

Glad all the babies are doing well! As for the parents, hang in there. It does get easier with each passing day. There are still nights where I am up with one baby or the other unfortunately. But that too shall pass.

Take care!

[TMoT]

Sorry Gals! I just wanted to reply to Ters, then read the other posts too. They were so enjoyable!

Staci -- you big FAT A$$!!!!! :rotflmbo: What you said about the Waffle House was so TRUE -- and diplomatic!!! lol I L-O-V-E that place, and they don't have any here (obviously!), so if you go again anytime soon, please think of me (not just 'cause I'm a fat a$$ too!!) and order extra hashbrowns with onions -- yum!!! Btw, congratulations on those terrific weights and on your date -- please let us know when it will be! ...And my t-shirt says "2" (so people will stop gaping), and, nope the cape doesn't cover my fat a$$...! ;-)

Rachel, I'm going to be so lonely now!!!!! ;-) Well, GREAT FOR YOU, though!!!! And now I'm off the hook for that "deal" we made -- but I'm still gonna shoot for 37 weeks too! Way to go! ...Take good care of yourself in the meantime, and please keep us posted!! xx

Lisa, you know me, but sleeping with the babies is totally NOT a "no no"!!!! ANYTHING which will allow Mommy to sleep that much longer (and feel that much more assured and calm) is F-I-N-E. :throb: As I've mentioned, I am _planning_ to have the babies sleep with dh and I -- as long as he is okay with it. And, more recently, he's been whining because I threatened to keep them on the other side of me so he wouldn't roll over on them -- he sleeps so heavily!!! To make it safe, just go out and get one of those travel bed-rails from Safety1st at WalMart, and put that up on your bed where they might end up sleeping. Just GIVE yourself that option. You deserve it!!!!

Co-sleeping babies: I've heard the same thing from other twin mommies about having to separate their babies for sleeps. If you feel bad, just take advantage of letting them sleep together when you can (i.e. if they're already asleep when you put them in bed). Otherwise, don't feel guilty at all about ensuring that both of them get as much sleep as possible -- even if that includes having them sleep separately!!!

Burping: I say the same thing as Monica. Just keep their heads above their tummies long enough for the gas to work its way out, and insist that dh do the same thing. Gas is a TRUE NIGHTMARE for babies (and the lower it goes into their bodies, the worse it is for them -- then you get colic and the like too!!), and it's really insensitive (even CRUEL!) for fathers to leave babies to suffer like that. No wonder men aren't mommies, right?! ;-)

Monica, you sound like you are doing a SUPER job!!! :-) B/f really is as though your brain is being drained right through your boobs -- along with everything else (intelligence, common sense, energy)! But it's so worth it, isn't it??!?

B/f Brain Drain: Please try to remember what I wrote in the past about replenishing your Omega-3 fatty acids while you're b/f too!!!! It will really help keep your brain sharp (I promise!), while the babies are still busy, literally, consuming your brain "cells"!!! It'll also help you avoid depression which is so common in these first three months post-partum. Just a word to the wise, though... ;-)

Monica, your calculations about feeding are just right -- which is incredibly scary! But your thoughts on tandem feeding really struck home. it's probably really good when they're totally used to the breast, latch on well, etc., etc., as you said... Till then, though: GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! And I can't believe how much your babies have gained in the meantime! It's just amazing!!!!!!!!

Sleep Deprivation: Since we're "forced" to work on babies' schedules instead of our own in these first months, it's really important (like I need to write this!!) to SLEEP WHEN WE CAN! In the past, I remember often feeling _too_ exhausted (or wound up, or NERVOUS that Baby would wake up RIGHT when I had managed to fall asleep and then I'd become a worse wreck!) to just fall asleep when Baby slept. But I read a good tip somewhere: When you are laying there trying to calm yourself down, tell yourself over and over again "sleep, Mommy, sleep..." and you will FALL ASLEEP!!! I swear!! It really works. Well, it worked for me (both babies), and I'd be curoius to know if it might work for anyone else too...???

Also: DRINK WATER!!!!! (Same applies as during pg, but maybe not as extreme!) Keep your brain hydrated and -- even without sleep (and even with b/f!) -- you will feel better/have more energy!!!!

Also, as I mentioned: Let babies sleep close to you. The less "up and down" you need to do during the night, the better for all involved. When my babies were older, we'd both fall asleep, virtually, with them still nursing. I'm not a heavy sleeper though -- and I never feared suffocating them or anything -- so I wouldn't recommend the latter for mommies who fall asleep and sleep like rocks (anyone??!). But, even that "arms length" thing with the crib in the same room as you will definitely give you more peace in these early weeks/months, and that is peace which is certainly well-earned!!!!!!!!

Okay. I'm going to stop advising here. Sorry if I'm sounding the Mother Hen, again. Just that reading your posts reminds me SO MUCH of how it goes in the beginning after birth. Delirious and joyful and EXHAUSTING! Well (as hundreds told me and I really took to heart): ENJOY these early moments as much as you can too!!!!! They really fly by SO FAST, the time (even though it doesn't seem like it now!) will be gone in an instant and you won't have realized it. Despite all the (continuing) misery, these moments are so, so precious. I'm sure you all realize that, but just to say it again... ;-)

Btw, any news from AndreaR???????? Andrea????!?!?!:throb:

Take care, new mommies! And hang in there, the rest of us!!! ;-) xox

PS A link to a movie about a family with triplets, just to keep things in perspective!!! ;-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GE6zQ8FWok

[TMoT]

Jill, so many cheeks!!!!!! :-D I LOVE your pictures! You are doing a super job! Keep at it -- we're rooting for you!! xx

[mommyof4at26]

sherry i will still post all the time and i will hope for 37weeks for you,i will post this weekend when we get home asap.remember one thing:spitwater :spitwater :spitwater :spitwater xx rachel

[newmomx2]

http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/mandjdietzpics/

[AndreaR]

Hi all - I haven't read any posts - we just got home from the hospital today. I hope you are all doing well.

The girls are here!! Isabelle Lois and Madeline Patricia were born on Thursday, June 1, as planned. Everything went really well. Things are crazy as we get adjusted.

Sorry I don't have time to post more. I will get back on as soon as I can so I can catch up with all of you and give you details.

I never EVER thought I'd love anyone as much as I love these two little girls.

xoxo
AndreaR

[JacobsMom]

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NEW MOMMIES!!

I finally got out of the hospital late Monday afternoon. I started out in the ER Saturday afternoon about 2:30pm. I was an emotional wreck! My hubby did bring the boys up on Sunday and spent about 6 hours. L&D sent down two bassinets for us to use while they were there so that was nice. I was able to breastfeed two feedings while David and Tate were there and spend lots of loving and cuddling time with them. It just killed me to be away from them! I also sent home a bunch of breastmilk I had pumped for the boys to eat that night and the next day. James took the boys home about 7pm, and I spent another lonely night. He had brought me my laptop so I wouldn't get bored, and wouldn't you know it, I never could access the wireless network. That sucked! I got a pretty good night's sleep Sun night.

I was expecting to be released Monday morning. I was hoping it would be early because my hubby started back to work, and my MIL couldn't bring the boys up by herself, so I knew I wouldn't get to have them until I got home. My OB came by about 7am and checked the incision. She said it was a lot less red and swolen. I told her it didn't hurt anymore and wasn't even that tender when she was pressing on it. It was still draining a little bit. She said if the infectious disease doctor said I could go home with an oral antibiotic, she would let me go. She had the exact same thing happen to her with her last child, so she completely understood what I was going through. She said she'd be back at lunch to check on me. I spent all morning watching all the baby shows on Discovery Health and TLC. The other doctor never showed. The nurses couldn't or wouldn't tell me anything about when he would get there. Around 11am, my OB stopped back by and I told her the other dr. hadn't shown yet. The nurse started another IV drip at 11:30 that takes 2 hours to complete, so I knew I was stuck there until at least 2pm.

When the drip came out at 1:45, she said I was due for another one at 4pm. I told her she better find that doctor and get him in to see me before then, cause she wasn't putting another IV on me until he had checked me. I was pretty much being a major b**** by this time. An hour later, he still had not shown up. I called my OB's office crying and told them what was going on. My OB had the hospital get in touch with him on an emergency page. He was in my room within 10 minutes!! I wish I had thought of doing that hours earlier!! He said he would prefer that I stay in the hospital on the IV's until the infection cleared up, but couldn't give me any indication of how long that might be. He said he could release me on an oral antibiotic but it wouldn't be as strong as the IV's and I may end up right back in the hospital. I told him I was willing to take that chance. I needed to be home with my babies for my emotional well being. I had my discharge papers within 15 minutes!! My hubby and the whole family picked me up 45 minutes later. I was a free woman by 4:00pm. So much for that scheduled IV!

I had been so worried that the babies would not want to nurse after being off the breast for so long. David took right to it the first time I tried and he nursed for almost 30 minutes. Tate has become really lazy with the bottle, and I couldn't get him to wake up enough to nurse. It was so discouraging. We had stopped to eat on the way home from the hospital and had to run by Babies R Us after that. When we finally got home, Tate was hungry enough to wake up and he nursed great. I am so thankful for that. I was able to nurse 2 feedings before going to bed last night. My MIL and hubby fed the boys around 3am and let me sleep, and I got up at 5:30 and nursed Tate, my MIL had already fed David, which kinda upset me. I would have rather her woken me up to nurse him. I'm going to assert my authority as mommy today and insist on nursing all feedings, or at least that if they have to have a bottle, it will be breastmilk. I brought home over 9 ounces from the hospital that did not get used last night. They fed the boys fornula overnight so they wouldn't have to warm up bottles! ARRRRGH!!!!

Well I'm going to go eat breakfast and get my big boy up. He is attending Vacation Bible School at our church this week. I need to make sure he is ready to go when my friend comes to pick him up in and hour.

BIG HUG!

--Stacey

[TMoT]

AndreaR, CONGRATULATIONS on the girls!!!! Can't wait to hear more and see pics, but it's wonderful to hear that you're home and everything went well!!! :throb:

Stacey, so glad you're home too and that the boys did such a good job of picking up again on the breast! :yippee: Hope it just gets better and better and that all the drama with your incision is OVER! Please keep us posted!

Missy, Tyler and Corey are adorable! How is everything else going??? Hope you're all doing great and that we'll hear more soon! xx

Rachel, I can't wait to hear how it goes for you too, but I'm sure it's going to be FINE! Today, I celebrated 35 weeks by sleeping almost all day! Whew! I really needed that!! Now, only two+ weeks to go...! ;-)

Hope everyone's doing okay. xox

[PaulaP]

Hey Ladies! I'm still here and holding on to my boys. The dr. told me on Monday that the only date that he could officially put me on the calendar would be Tue and he already knew that I really didn't want to do it then if any way possible. The hospital has no other available "slots" so I'd have to wait until Monday the 12th (I REALLY don't want to do that!) So as long as nothing happens before then, I go back to their office on Thur. My b/p has been elevated for a while now, so he thinks that he can send me on to the hospital from his office for b/p complications. My b/p stays pretty calm at home, but goes up considerably at the drs. They ran blood labs on me again last week (6-1) and they were still normal. And my urine has stayed protein-free, so I'm hoping that we can make it until Thursday. Wed. (tomorrow) is actually the beginning of my 38th week. DH, drs. and I are truly amazed that nothing has happened yet. I'm convinced that my boys have set up housekeeping and have decided not to come out on their own. Plus, A is head down and B is breech, so we are planning to do a c-section. I'm not all about hoping that B will turn..... I'm going to go ahead and opt for the section.

Again, congratulations to all of the new mommies! All of your babies are so beautiful! It feels like an eternity before I'll see my boys, but I know that it really won't be that long now.

I've so enjoyed reading all the posts about b/f and all the "fat" posts. Ya'll have really helped keep my spirits up! Thank you with all of my heart!

Take care and I will talk with you all soon!

-Paula

[sgarrett]

Stacey: What an emotional ordeal. I am so glad you are home and the b/f is going well.


AndreaR: Congrats!!!

My doc scheduled my c section for June 21st. That puts me at exactly 38 weeks. At 37 weeks I am going to start jumping jacks though. I am so fricken miserable!!!!!!! Who all is left out there still prego? I know Sherry Super Woman is hanging on but who else?

Take care all!

Staci

[sgarrett]

Hi Paula:

We must have been posting at the same time. My babies are the same way, A is head down WAAAYYY DOWN, can not down without my legs spread down! And B is breech with her head stuck up under my ribs! It hurts! I have decided she is on time out as soon as she is born!

Count down is on!!!!!!!

[mommyof4at26]

today i had my last ultrasound and baby b is breech so my doc called and said instead of me going in tomorrow at4pm for induction he scheduled a c section for thursday morning,im really bummed bbut oh well 2 more days.so i will post more when i get a chance sherry hang on :spitwater :spitwater

[TMoT]

Gulp. I guess it's just us and Rachel -- who'll be going in soon too!!

Staci, LOL about Baby B being on time-out the moment she's born! :rotflmbo: Think I'm going to threaten Artemis with that too, but worried that it might just backfire on me...!!! ...I just realized that you're SIX DAYS ahead of me! Of course I'm still holding on! I'm the LAST ONE due on our thread!!!!! Lonely at the bottom...! ;-) ...Well, I think it's great that you'll be going in at 38 weeks. If the babies are both head-down (LOL), will they consider an induction instead, or do you have to have a cesarean?? Anyways, Babies might even be here on their own by then! Just so long as it's after 37 weeks though (will you kill me for saying that?!!)!! ;-) xox

Paula, you're doing SUPER too!! Looks like you might get to go in on Thursday then?? WOW! Then, that'll only leave Rachel, Staci and me! ...Incredible!

Anyways. It's late and I've been going through more (TONS!) of hand-me-downs for the babies. It's a LOT of work, wouldn't you agree -- not to look a gift-horse in the mouth, of course!!?!?!?

Sleep well and take care! xox

[TMoT]

Rachel, just saw your post...! SO SORRY that it is going to be a c-section, but you know it's gotta be what's best for the babies!!! Geez. Too bad the doc won't deliver naturally as long as Baby A is in position. But, still. Just two more days and then they'll be HERE!!!!! :yippee: Don't be discouraged! You've done everything you can to get this far, and I'm sure if you had a bit more time, those babies would come into position -- and they still might anyway! Then, I wonder if they would just do an induction. We can keep hoping anyway...!!! :-) You hang on, too. I'm thinking about you! :throb: :spitwater :throb:

[sgarrett]

Sherry: The plan all along was to go for a vaginal birth until Isabelle did these last minute gymnastics. If she moves again we will try. The other concern is her being the one breach and she is weighing an estimated 6lb 15 oz while her brother is only 5 lbs 10 oz. Her head is right up under my rib cage, on the ultrasound Monday they could see her literally banging her head into my ribs! I love your baby names by the way, what are the middle names?

Rachel: Sorry for the delay and having to C Section but WOW two days how cool is that? Of course I am sure they will be the slowest two days in the entire world, but it is still pretty exciting!

All of you mommies out there who had a c section, what is the recovery like? Can you get up and down stairs?

Take care all,

Staci

[JacobsMom]

Hi Everyone,

I finally got my ticker updated with a photo of the boys! Yeah me! :yippee: I figured it out, and actually had some extra time today to get it done!

I'm feeling pretty good. I have an appointment with my OB in the morning for her to check my incision. I'm hoping it is looking ok. From what I could tell it looks a lot better than it did last week before I went in the hospital. It doesn't hurt much at all. Most of the pain I am still having is internal.

Nursing seemed to go pretty well today. The boys are getting the hang of tandem nursing. I have one of those EZ to Nurse Twins pillows and it works pretty good. It gives them plenty of elevation to get to the breasts and there is still lots of room for them to grow into it. It also allows me to have my hands free once they have latched on to rub their cheeks, tickle bellies, or feet to keep them nursing. It also helps relieve the strain on my back from supporting their weight. I must say, there is not much modesty in tandem nursing. I've been wearing a tank top with built in bra around the house and saving my nursing bras for when we go out. When I nurse, I just pull the shoulder strap down and expose the breast. With both down, and the babies latched on, I'm pretty much laid out there for anyone to see. It's pretty comical actually, especially since my boobs are bigger than my babies' heads!!!!

My main concern is that they are not getting enough milk to satisfy them. Twice today they nursed for about 30 minutes and went to sleep. But when we put them in the bassinet, they woke up and were obviously hungry. I decided to go ahead and bottle feed them the last of the breast milk I had expressed at the hospital and both of them sucked down 2 oz like they hadn't eaten in several hours. I know I'm making milk, because I can express 2 oz every 3-4 hours pumping for 15-20min, I just don't know if they are sucking hard enough to get the same volume, even nursing for longer periods of time. I'm not giving up though. I am so determined to do this.

David's cord came off during the night, and Tate is about to lose his. We gave both boys a sponge bath today. My MIL bought a little mesh seat that goes in the sink or tub. It's pretty neat. We bathed them in the kitchen sink. They seemed to enjoy it for the most part. Tate was still a little hungry when he got his so he protested about it taking too long. We have not found the baby bathtub in our attic yet, but will need to do that soon, since they can have real baths with the cords gone. I think they will really enjoy those. Jacob sure did, and at 8 1/2 he still loves taking long baths.

Well duty calls, both my boys are waking up. It's time for dinner!

HUGS!
Stacey

p.s. The boys have to have the PKU test done tomorrow. NOT looking forward to that!

[JacobsMom]

All of you mommies out there who had a c section, what is the recovery like? Can you get up and down stairs?

Staci

Hi Staci,

When I had a c-section with Jacob 8 1/2 years ago I had a great experience. I delivered at 9pm on Tuesday night. I was up about 7am the next morning walking around on the nurses orders. They removed my catheter and I had to get myself to the bathroom after that. I pulled my little epidural IV pole all around with me. I was up changing diapers, sitting in the rocking chair, was able to take a shower. They removed my epidural and my staples on Thursday morning before I left the hospital. We lived in a town house at the time, and I was able to manuever the stairs. I didn't do it much, I mainly stayed on the gound floor with Jacob and we only went up at night for bed. I had a bassinet downstairs that he slept in during the day, the few minutes I wasn't holding him, that is! LOL! I also had someone else carry Jacob up the stairs just to be on the safe side. We went to Babies R Us the day after I got home, and to the mall the following day. Then when Jacob was 8 days old, we traveled 400 miles to take my MIL home and for my family to get to meet the new baby.

Well, this time...I don't know if it's because I'm old now (39) or because the whole twin pregnancy thing made the difference, or a combo of both, but I did not recover quite as quickly. I got up and walked when I had to go to the bathroom only. It was quite painful to do so. I didn't even change a single diaper until the boys were 2 days old!! After they took my epidural and IV out on Saturday I was able to get around better. I guess maybe I just didn't want to have to deal with the stupid pole. I made myself walk some on Saturday, and then on Sunday when my babies were under the Bili-lites, I was so stir crazy that I walked a lot. The more you move, the better you will be able to get around. I found if I sat around in the bed all day, it was a lot more difficult to get up and painful to walk. I also think that after we got home, I was too active. We went shopping, out to eat, I did laundry, and some house cleaning. That's probably why I ended up back in the hospital with an infected incision! BTW, this time they left my staples in for a week, it's now been 12 days, and my incision is still leaking a little fluid, so it is not completely closed up yet!

Please don't try to do to much. Do NOT lift the baby in it's carrier. Do not lift anything at all heavier than your baby! That probably includes not carrying both of them at the same time! We are being so cautious trying to keep me from having to go back in the hospital that I can't even carry the diaper bag now! If you have people there to help you, by all means let them!! Don't try to be Supermom - that will come later, after you are healed! You have carried these precious babies all this time, you deserve some pampering! Enjoy it while it lasts!

Hope my testimony gives you a little perspective. Just remember, that no one will ever have the same experience. I wish you and the other ladies in waiting a blessed delivery and speedy recovery!

God bless,
Stacey

[AndreaR]

Hi all - I still haven't had time to read any posts - I hope everyone is doing okay. I am fine, and I think about you all every day, but I don't have the time or energy to get on the computer. Maybe when things settle down a bit. Madeline had to be admitted to the NICU yesterday because she can't maintain her body temperature. They think it's because she is small, but are keeping her for 48 hours and doing all sorts of tests to rule out infections. She had to have a spinal tap to check for meningitis. Watching them tap her back (on top of all of the other needles she had stuck in her) was the single worst moment of my life. DH spent the night with her and I came home to take care of Isabelle. It's been crazy, but my parents are here and are a huge help. I really do think and pray for all of you every day. I miss you guys, but I just can't find the time to get on the computer right now.

xoxo
AndreaR

[vthompson]

I miss all of you so much!!! Every time I log in to read posts and post myself, the babies wake up or I am just so tired, I don't read posts for a few days at a time. I never realized how hard it would be to just find a minute to chat with my "Internet Friends". :)

Congrats to everyone who has had their babies. It seems as though all of us June mommies did really good and have some beautiful babies!! I loved everyone's pictures! I am still trying to add a picture to my signature but I constantly get an error message saying the size is too big. Both DH and I have tried to make it smaller, but have not been successful.

For those of you still sticking around, try and hang in there. It will be here before you know it!

I agree with Lisa, the first month of the babies lives seems 50 times worse then that last month of pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, being a mom is better then I ever imagined. However, it is really hard...plus, my "baby blues" emotions don't help the situation!

Well, b/f still not going as well as I would like. I bought the nipple shields and that is the only way I can get either baby to latch on now. I start them out on it and then I periodically pull it off and try to get them to latch...not very successful at this. However, they are getting breast milk and I am trying really hard. I think b/f is the single hardest thing I have ever done! The pediatrician and the visiting nurse/lactation consultant that we have seen this week reassured me that the important thing is that the babies are getting breast milk. They also both told me to always keep in mind that the babies were 4 weeks early and are not as strong at sucking and swallowing as a full term baby. Needless to say, I am going to keep working with them...but at the same time, I am trying really hard to not beat myself up over it. I think there is definitely some nipple confusion. However, last week was TERRIBLE with both DH and I getting up with every feeding. So, we decided to take turns at night...DH takes one feeding with pumped milk and I take the other feeding. I was just crying all the time from exhaustion.

Well, enough about me! I have read the posts, but I apologize for not responding to everyone. I just missed way too many.

Staci - C-section...I agree completely to take it easy when you get home and to try and walk as much as possible. The pain for me was worse after laying in bed at night and trying to get up to go the bathroom in the morning. The first 48 hours were the worst for me, especially after they took the catheter out and I had to walk to the bathroom, the pain was overwhelming. However, with each day, it got easier and easier.

Felisha - I would not feel guilty at all about switching to formula. You have to do what is best for you and the babies.

Andrea R - I cannot imagine how emotional that must have been to watch your poor little one go through all of that. I would have cried!

Stacey - I have the same problem with my babies. They will nurse for 30 plus minutes, fall asleep and as soon as I pick them up, they will start crying and act hungry so we will give them some breast milk or formula to try and satisfy the hunger. I personally think that they are just not as strong as we think when it comes to sucking. The lactation consultant told me to try squeezing my breast (pumping it in a sense with your hand) as they suck to try and get more milk into their mouths. I did that at the last feeding and everyone went to sleep and did not wake up for more. BTW, what an emotional roller coaster you have had being the hospital. When I read your post, I wanted to write you and try and give support, but the twins had another plan in mind for me! Just know that I have been thinking about you and I am very glad that you are finally home!

Baby Sleeping Problems - Last week was HELL in our house with their sleeping problems. They would fall asleep and as soon as we put them into their bassinet, they would wake up crying. It was miserable. We both fell asleep several times holding the babies or with them laying next to us. Which, as Lisa mentioned, has been ingrained as a big no no. However, that was the only way we were able to get any sleep. On Monday, we went to the pediatrician and she said to put them in their carriers and let them sleep in those. Well, so far, so good! We put both carriers in the bassinet of the pack n play next to each other. After they feed and they are asleep, we put them in the carriers and they sleep wonderfully (knock on wood). The doc told us that they can scrunch up in there like they were when they were inside of us. It is hilarious because when we take them out and put them on the changing table to change their diapers, they have the biggest stretches! I hope this helps!

Well, Corey is "squeaking" away so I better go! Again, I miss all of you so much! I really hope as things get calmer and we figure things out that I will have more time to post and respond to everyone!

Valerie

[qbanmom5]

Hi all, I have been busy as heck as you can all imagine. I am still sooo overwhelmed and frustrated with the b/f thing. I have been on hold with La Leche for the past couple of days but after 30-40 minutes I just can't. I am on hold now and about to throw the phone out the window. Luke will now latch on if he is not tooo hungry. Leia was a champ but yesterday put her foot down and had a fit until I gave in and gave her a bottle. I am pumping only enough to feed them for the next feeding then have to try to squeeze in another pump session or two before the next. I am not making that much milk though. The right breast only makes a little over an ounce at a time then quits. That was the engorged one but I don't get it cause I pumped it like crazy for the first couple of days. The left breast makes between 2-3 oz per pump. My crappy bag spilled this morning though and my precious 4 oz spilled. I have no plan for their next feeding except to let them scream and somehow latch them on and cry (me and them). So far, both will only latch on if I am lying down next to them so tandem feedings are out cause I don't have big enough boobs to do that. Tried them both on a boppy yesterday and that was hell. Everyone was screaming.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Sherry I am not sure if I understand the cup thing? Wont my few and precious ounces just spill everywhere? I can't imagine him lapping it up if I can't even get him latched on? I figure even if I can't get them to latch on I could pump and give them breast milk anyway. Only problem is I don't have time to pump enough to get a supply going. I don't want to formula feed!! I am about to hang up with La leche. Don't these people know we are busy!!

Is anyone else totally swollen? It has gone down a little, but I still look pregnant! Maybe they left one inside? Also, with all the getting in and out of bed, making meals, doing laundry, etc. I think I popped a stitch inside. I get my staples out tomorrow so I will see if its an outside thing or inside but it hurts like heck on the same spot on my left side. I know I am not supposed to be doing so much, but my mom who was supposed to help me decided she is too sick and left. DH has to work or else we starve. Sucks but that is life!

Talk to you later, Ters

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[vthompson]

Ters - I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time. I have also spent countless hours crying while I try to b/f. Although most people will disagree, I have found the nipple shields to be really helpful. I found them at Babies R Us and Baby Depot. They are supposed to be a short term solution. But, at least they are both getting breast milk and the crying has been reduced drastically. I would be very aggravated about the LaLeche thing, too. The last thing you need to be doing is spending time on the phone. I was very swollen until recently. My feet were the worse. Hopefully, it will begin to come down soon. The docs in the hospital told me that the swelling can last up to a month after delivery because of everything that is pumped through your IV. Hope this helps. Hang in there! You are doing the very best job you can! :)

Valerie

[swineland]

testing

[twinsmakethree]

Hi everyone sorry i have been MIA but everytime I decideto get on the girls either wake up or sleep overcomes me.

Anyway congrats to all the new moms i did look at everyones pictures and the babies are gorgeous we have been doing a great job I hope thats encouragement for those who are still holding on!!

Ok well bf has become a slight chore. Sometimes i feed together and sometimes seperate, I have been in the most craziest positions with these girls at night. Nusaybah has to be in just the right position or she will have trouble latching also i find i have to wait until her eyes are open or its frustrating.

sore nipples- rub your milk on them and let them dry or try lanolin, i use lanolin and its ok to breastfeed with it on

bathing- Ruwaydah hates it.. i do every other night *I like to breastfeed right afterwards although with Ruwaydah its best before to cut the fussiness down.

sleeping in my bed- oh yes!!!! its easy i said i will stop when there 1 month:crazy:

my incisions- are healed and the sscar is barelly noticeable i really cant see it, my stomatch is flat and guess what I lost all my weight im smaller than when i started, but i have to definately tone the skin up!!!

oh and i thought i wasnt producing enough eithr, but the dr said as long as im getting the same amount of poopy diapers as feedings im good. Remember the breastmilk digest fast so it goes through quicker and they will be hungry more, but if you notice that they are relaxed after a feeding or a good amount of wet diapers and poopy ones your doing great. their stomatches are small so they will have to eat more. One time Nusaybah ate for 45 min straight but she slept well too!

The schedule I try to get them up at 8 pm and wash them if its bath night and let them sleep and feed again at 10 or 1030 then from there its every three hours they feed for 30 min or so in between. last night they slept longer it was nicee

Question- they do have terrible gas any suggestions I burp them afterwards but it doesnt stop the gas at all

Ok both are waking up will check in later hope everyone is doing well


Andrea

[Jillmami]

Andrea, our son has terrible gas also. You can just feel how hard his little body is around the tummy/back area. It seems to be worse for parents since we are so helpless. I spoke to the ped about it and he said that at the 2month visit, he never has to discuss gas issues with parents so hold on. We have tried gripe water which worked for our daughter but nothing helps with our son. I was told that some babies are just gassy; it's due to their immature digestive system. The first 3 months of a baby's life are like the 4th trimester. They are still growing and developing unlike other mammals who are born and run/walk/do what is necessary. Hang in there. We use blankets from the dryer on his tummy and swaddle him with those nice and tight. We also have those sleep positioners which we use to keep Noah on his side and squish him in to keep a bit of pressure on the belly. Massage has also been effective. It's hard to watch him suffer though. I want so much to take that pain away. They will grow out of it and not remember it when older.

[LucasMom]

Ters and Val-
Regarding swelling...YUCK!!! It sucked so bad to be done with pregnancy and be sooo swollen that I could stick my finger into my ankle and leave a huge imprint! My midwife suggested vitamin B6, available Over the counter at any drugstore, 400 mgs a day. It is a natural diuretic. Within three days, the swelling was gone. I lost 40 pounds in a week! All fluids! Hope this helps.

Mindy

[qbanmom5]

Thanks for the B6 tip!! I will be trying that. They seem to be latching on better to day but they are nursing in tiny spurts. Then sleeping for a while then waking back up for more. Is that normal? I dont think I can do that all night long though.

Val: What are the nipple shields for? Does it feel like they are on the bottle? If so, will have to try. My nipples are soo huge from all the "activity" that it just seems huge for them to put in their mouth..Would the shield help in that area?

Ta-ta, Ters

[TMoT]

DARN! I started a post earlier then lost it! ARGH!

Well, so much going on -- it's like old times here! ;-) Sorry that the b/f is causing everyone such anxiety, but things will calm down soon, I promise.

Just a couple of things that come to mind...

Gas: Be CAREFUL of what you're eating yourself. I've written this before, but, foods which give us _mild_ gas (beans, cabbage, broccoli and veggies of that kind, plus _diary_ products, spicy foods (of course), AND anything that is fermented), WREAK HAVOC on babies' little tummies!!!! And, of course, what you eat passes through the breastmilk, so you gotta experiment a little to see what the cause is... Jill is right about babies' maturity being an issue. They are so much more sensitive than us - especially NOW... But, depending on the baby, this "sensitivity" is something that can last for a while, or simply go away.... ...And, btw, GAS also explains why babies are "full" one minute and "hungry" the next. This is a real important point for you to be thinking about/working on....

The Cup (Ters): (Carefully) pour your breastmilk into a normal plastic cup and tilt it to where Baby can use her/his tongue like a kitty cat and "lap" the milk up. They NEVER use bottles in my hospital and this is how they manage it. Hard to believe it, but just try and see!!!!! (And let us know how it goes). Stacey, you might try this to help cut the nipple confusion going on in your parts too... ;-)

Continuous Feedings: Andrea is RIGHT! Babies' tummies are only the size of a WALNUT (or smaller!) right now, so they need to eat often to be nourished -- they get full fast, and they get hungry again just as quickly. As my lactation consultant said, newborn twins will require feedings _every two hours_ :eek:. Hence the beauty of tandem feeding, if you (all) can get the hang of it... (?!!)

"Are they getting enough?": Again, what Andrea wrote is right on the money. If the number of diapers (pee and poo) equals the number of feedings, you are doing just FINE. God has given us this milk-producing equipment for a reason, and it works. Don't feel insecure -- or, Heaven forbid, that you need to "supplement" -- about this point. You are all doing a SUPER job, babies are growing and feeling well, so no need to worry!!!

Baby Blues: I don't want to start preaching about it again, but pleeeeease consider eating fatty fish (esp salmon and cod) and/or taking Omega-3 supplements now...! The last trimester of pg and the first trimester of b/f are the MOST IMPORTANT for babies' developing brains. So, they literally ROB you of these essential fatty acids (which your own brain needs to function "normally" as well), and if you don't replenish the fatty acids via the food you eat and/or supplements, you will "suffer" -- emotionally, mentally, etc. -- yourself! Lack of Omega-3 is linked to the baby blues, post-partum depression, or whatever you want to call it, so if you don't replenish it for your own brain (AND to pass on to babies), you are taking your chances... Btw, everywhere in the world EXCEPT in the US (don't ask me why!!), omega-3 fatty acids are included in baby formula for the reason I mentioned: it is necessary for healthy brain/nervous system development. One more good reason for you all to be breastfeeding: You're doing the best you can to give your babies what they need for them to develop, body _and_ mind!!! ;-)

Fatigue, sleep deprivation: You also need to be (echo, echo) drinking LOTS of water!!!!! ;-) Even if you don't get enough sleep, you'll still feel better if your brains and bodies are properly hydrated. ;-)

Only because I care about you, ladies.... :throb:

Ters, sorry about the La Leche League hold-up. Is this the first time you've called them? And you don't have a private person's number to call directly??? I'm disappointed. I'd even give you my own mom's number if I knew she'd be up to online consulting, but she's doing that now (for breast cancer fighters) as a full-time job. I'll check with her about it though... ;-)

AndreaR, sorry about little Madeline, but please try to keep your confidence up. Everything will be fine, I'm sure! I love hearing about her and Isabelle. Please post some pictures when you can and keep taking good care of yourselves!!! Lots of love! :throb:

Staci, I hope _your_ Isabelle cooperates and goes head-down! I have a feeling she will. Just faith in Mother Nature, I guess. ...I think mine are head-down now too, but I can't really tell for sure. I think Artemis keeps shifting from head-down to transverse and back, but her brother seems pretty much in place. Too bad our well-behaved little boys aren't in first place, eh?!?! ;-) ...Btw, they are "Artemis Rose" and "Darius Dominick Ernest." We had (?) to give him two second names because we couldn't choose between the two longest living members of my and dh's families...! Rose is my lovely grandmother's name (passed away - sniff - five years ago now). Dominick is Grandma Rose's brother, and Ernest is dh's grandpa!!! :-)

Btw, our idea for the birh announcements (got it from this site!) is to take a picture of the twins in their Great Grandpa (Ernest)'s hands... He has massive hands, and they will (maybe?!) be a bit on the small side, so it should be beautiful... The picture would also be "spanning" four generations of dh's family, which is also really neat, if you ask me! ;-))

...Well, today was a tough day. MIL had to come and rescue us from the normal Wednesday adventure. I just couldn't manage it (feeling less super every day, Staci!), so SHE did the restaurant, skate-park, etc., routine with the boys today, and they all really enjoyed themselves, apparently!!! :-) DS#1 was "worried" about me, though, MIL said... :'-) ...I just slept. Whew. Seem to be needing more and more of that these days -- when circumstances (i.e. my bladder!) cooperate!

No news otherwise. Just hanging on for The Big Day and kinda starting to revisit that initial "shock" feeling I had when I first found out I was pg with twins. As the moment draws nearer, it's becoming all the more surreal for me to think that I'll actually have TWO little babies to take care of very soon!!! That's why, even despite all the misery, you are all such an inspiration!!! :-) ...Thank you SO much!!!!! :grouphugg

Hang in there New Mommies and Mommies-to-be!!! xox

[TMoT]

PS
Rachel, BEST OF EVERYTHING tomorrow!!!! I'll be thinking about you and praying that all goes well -- which, I'm sure, it will!! Please drop us a line when you get the chance. :throb: :spitwater :throb:

Paula, any news about going in tomorrow for you too??? If you end up going on to the hospital, I guess you won't get a chance to tell us?? Well, either way, I'll be thinking about you, too, and hope it'll all go fine!! xox :throb:

And nicunurse??? Are you still out there and hanging on?? Drop us a line to let us know how you are too, okay?? xx

[vthompson]

Ters - I got the idea about nipple shields from Lisa and Jill. I didn't know what they were so I looked them up online. They are shaped like bottle nipples and you actually "wear" them on your own nipples. It is supposed to help the baby latch on if they have nipple confusion. You then wean them off as time goes on. They have been a God sent for me, although I realize they are a short term cure. But, at least I feel a little better about the situation.

Valerie

[PaulaP]

Hey Sherry! I go in tomorrow, but I still don't know for sure what is going to happen. My b/p has been staying higher at home, so I'll have to wait and see what the dr. says in the morning. I'm trying not to get my hopes up just yet, but if God sees fit, maybe we'll have babies tomorrow night!

I'm learning so much and getting more nervous too as I read through everyone's posts. There is so much to learn and I just hope that you will all continue being here to help!

Take care all and hope to let you know some good news soon!

-Paula

[mommyof4at26]

hi everyone i go in at 6am,sherry godbless you i will post asap xx:spitwater :spitwater :yippee: :clap:

[KKMOTO]

Terri- I hope I spelled your name right. I had an idea about breastfeding that may or may not help you. Most babies love to "pacify", when they are not hungry so is they might enjoy you as the human pacifier- they don't have to work for food but they can practice latching and sucking- meaby there would be less stress. 2 other things I did - squeeze a little milk and rub it on your aerola((sp)) before nursing- then it will taste good and you could all pump for just a minute or 2 before nursing so that the "lazy" baby doesn't have to wait so long for the let down.

Good luck, Sorry to crash your thread. I know breastfeeding can work for you:)

[swineland]

I'm baaaaaack!

Hi everyone! Jeez, it's been ages..... Rest assured I check in every day to do a brief "scan" of the posts and by the time I'm done, something or someone needs me and I can't post. Although, I DID write two really long posts just after the delivery, but both were lost when I hit submit and I was too pissed off to write it all again!!

This board is just kickin' with babies!! I am so happy to see that for the most part we have all gone pretty much to "term", twin-wise. For those of you NICU moms and ones dealing with return trips to hospital, etc....I truly truly feel for you. Hang in there.

Reading all of your posts lets me know that we all are having/have had pretty much the same experiences so far with recovery, sleep schedules and, of course, breast feeding! DH and I decided to discontinue my efforts to breastfeed, which is totally fine with me. I mean, I would have LOVED for it to work out, but one thing we as a new family don't need right now is stress. The boys weren't getting what they needed out of my measly 1 oz here or 3 oz there from pumping, so we had to supplement with bottles, and then of course there was the bad latch, etc. So, I'm thinking, wait.....I'm going to bottle feed, breastfeed AND pump?? I just can't do all of that. I need to be here for my babies in more ways than just feeding. Anyway, I truly admire and envy those of you who can, and are, making it work. Good for you!! For us, formula was the obvious choice. My pediatrician had no problem with it at all.....said that me being at the top of my game was really important and that I should be comfortable with my decision. So, that made me feel good. He's been a ped. for 25 years and has total faith in the formula products that are out there, for the most part. We have been using Similac Advance, in both ready to eat (2 oz bottles from hospital) and just yesterday I made the first round of the powdered stuff. They seem to tolerate it very well and are burping really good, too.

They had their first appt. 2 days ago and they are just an ounce or two shy of their birthweights! So, we know they are getting enough and gaining weight. Doc said everything looked perfect.....circumcision site is healing well and the cords are really drying out. Wonder when they'll fall off.

My mom got sick with a cold and had to leave after 3 days of being here.....which totally sucked. So, we called my MIL to see if she could fly down early and she said that SHE is getting sick too! I was like, oh crap.
However, DH and I put our heads together and said ok, we can do this. What's our plan? So, here's what we do: I take 2 percocets :) and go to bed at 7pm. I sleep like a champ until 1am, then I take over and he sleeps until 8 or so. Then, with the exception of maybe an hour nap or so, we're both up during the day to help each other out with feedings, etc. Now, this is only the second night we are doing this, but last night it worked out pretty good. I make a big pot of caffienated hot tea before my "shift" and I am good to go.

C-section recovery: Yesterday I went to Target by myself and it wasn't that bad! I am definitely NOT lifting anything I"m not supposed to...just lightweight stuff. But the getting out and walking and not staying too still is definitely a big help. The worse part was the first 48 hours, of course, and I agree that getting out of bed that first time was pure torture. I'm down about 25 lbs and the uterus/belly is getting smaller every day. Yes, it needs toning at some point, but I'm happy to be getting my prepregnancy size back. I finally have clothing options again!!

Here is a link again to all of our baby photos:

www.flickr.com/photos/wineland

I need to run real quick.....one of my little nuggets is stirring!

My love to you all...I miss our daily "chats"!!
Steph

[swineland]

oh my gosh...I almost forgot! HEATHER! Get this......I delivered at Celebration hospital too, 2 days before you did. When I was discharged and was being wheeled out of L&D with the babies in my arms, a nice family stopped and said that they too were with someone who just had twins! That was Friday June 2nd.....I think it was your family! I had NO clue at the time, of course, but knowing you live in Kissimme, it had to be you. My doctor is Robert Lemert, with OB/GYN Associates. There's also Dr. Winger and Dr. Reinoso. I know a lot of people also see Marcantel and Crider. Anyway, congrats to you! Did you enjoy your stay at Celebration? It's such a nice hospital. Although, I couldn't WAIT to get home. I pushed for an early release and after having the section Weds morning, we were out of there Friday afternoon. The constant knock on the door, visits from the nurses, lab staff, food delivery, housekeeping, chapel, webpage lady....it was all too much. I just wanted to put a big do not disturb sign on the door. Plus, my day nurse was a little on the condescending side and I had to give her some lip.

Anywho, glad to hear you are well and what a neat coincidence to have seen/spoke in passing with your family. Small world.

See ya!
Steph
(p.s. those tv/computer terminals they have in the room are really cool, except I got tired of pecking out the keys to type an email.....my arms would get tired!)

[swineland]

it's me again!

I need to know: How long are you guys waiting before you take the babies outside? I mean, excluding the necessary trips to the pediatrician's office, I wasn't sure when it's safe to take them, say, for a quick walk around the block. Or a short trip to Target, etc. I see the SMALLEST babies all the time in stores and stuff...I'm sure we all do. I certainly don't want to risk them getting sick or anything...I guess I mainly just want to know if and when we can put them in the stroller and walk around the block for 15 mins. Any ideas???

Also, Valerie, my DH and I also tried the "let's put them both in the bassinet and we'll all try to get some sleep" idea. It was HORRIBLE. Neither one of us slept at all b/c when one baby wakes up or cries, the light goes on and then both of us are awake. Hubby has really bad insomnia anyway and if he doesn't get at least a few hours every night, he won't function. So, anyway, now we take turns and "ground zero" for Operation:Babies is out in the family room. The pack n play just stays in the bedroom, I don't think the kids like it so much. They seem to fuss a lot when we put them in it. Instead, I just finished feeding them both, changing them both and then tried them in their car seats...bingo! They're sound asleep :) And mom is proud and happy b/c she can actually handle feeding two babies and changing two babies all by herself. What an ego boost.

Ok, signing off....
Steph

[sgarrett]

Thanks everyone for the C section info, I am just a little nervous about it. Our main family room is upstairs and it would suck to stuck downstairs all the time!

Andrea: I am so sorry Madeline has to go back for tests, I am sure it will all be OK but I know that has to be scary and stresful!

Stacey: The baby pics are so cute, they are little dolls!

Ters: So sorry for the b/f frustrations. It sounds like a pretty common theme on this board. But it also seems like it gets better and better as the babies get a little older. Hang in there!

Sherry: I love your names, I wanted Isabelle Grace to be Isabelle Rose after my very favorite Aunt so bad, but I lost that battle with my hubby. I am glad you were able to get some rest, how sweet that your little boy was worried about mommy. How old are you other children?

Take care everyone!

Staci

[ChastityLove]

Hi everyone! It looks like I am going to be a June mommy! :yippee: I saw the Dr. today and we discussed delivery options and he is recommending a C-Section. He doesn't see any real benefit to trying a vaginal with all of the risks with twins. And at this point, I am just ready. So I will have an amnio scheduled for the 36th week (they should be calling me soon with date and time) and they have my C-section "tentatively" scheduled for the 27th at 8 am. Thinking that I have to go another 2 weeks is killing me right now because I am so full of babies that I can hardly move but I am happy that we have a date!! There is the possibility that my water may break during the amnio and if it does then we will deliver then so we will see. As long as these two boys are healthy I really don't care about what day it is!

So glad to see everyone having their babies and doing well. I wish you all the best and hope to stick with the breastfeeding frustrations right along with you!

Chastity

[sgarrett]

Congrats Chastity on getting a date. I am in the same boat scheduled for the 21st but sure hoping I go at 37 weeks instead of having to wait for 38. It is nice having that date!

[TMoT]

Well, no news from Paula, so maybe that means she's having babies??! :yippee:

Rachel, can't wait to hear your news!!!

Chastity, congratulations on things moving so quickly! I'm sure lots of the mommies on this site would tell you to keep them in there AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, but we don't have control over everything, do we?!? ;-) 27 June is my actual due-date (38 weeks). Wouldn't it be cool if we gave birth on the same day?!??

Steph, I never hesitated to take my babies out after they were born, although I also wouldn't stick them in the faces of passing crowds (esp little kids!) either!!! Otoh, it's hard to avoid exposing them to other peoples' germs, etc., and after all, it's not bad for them. Just because you're +not+ breastfeeding though, you need to be that much more careful. Their immune systems are not developed, and they aren't getting "extra coverage" from you... Lisa, ditto for your babies too, I think? So it's good that you're being cautious. One of my friends ONLY took her baby out in his Baby Bjorn when she knew they'd be encountering crowds. Then, she could keep his face away from prying hands, noses, etc. More difficult with _two_, but just a thought -- kinda like Lisa mentioned about Jerome's canopy....

Lisa, I'd say if Ethan is 7lbs and wanting to eat more, by all means, give it to him!!! Would also explain why he's not sleeping more than a couple hours at a time = he might be hungry! As far as feeding goes, you should really expect that their appetite (and sleeping times) increases over time. (Makes sense, of course!!) Is also why I so advocate "baby-lead" eating: Feed them until they're "full." They don't tend to gorge themselves at this age. Later on, they might, but then you'll be the wiser... ;-)

Staci, how ironic! I was pushing for Artemis Rose Grace (to have as many 2nd names as her brother), but dh made me choose!!! #@$%!!! ...My "big boys" are 5.5 and 7 years old, and they're AWESOME! :-D DS#1 keeps saying "I can't wait till these babies come!!!" :'-)

Sleeping in car-seats: I also noticed that this helped for my boys when they were little and fidgety. They feel more "cozy" in there (snug, like in the womb), and you can even strap them in so they can't "fight" sleeping... They just give up and poop out. :-D You just have to be careful, in case you haven't been warned, that the shape of car-seats is not good for baby's back, though. When they are this little, they are supposed to be kept as flat on their backs as possible (hence those car-seat insert-cushions which I guess everyone has?). For this reason, they're, technically, only supposed to be in their car-seats for a maximum of forty minutes (!) at a time.

Sleeping "Pointers": Along the same lines, here is something my physiotherapist recommends to get babies to sleep (two things, actually):

1. Heat up a wheat-bag pillow (like those cherry-pit pillows you've heard about, but the grain is "finer"; or use a normal heating pad or a hot-water bottle), and put it in baby's bed before s/he goes to sleep. The warmth calms them down a lot....
2. Roll up a towel or two (or use the wheat pillow) and place it/them along babies' sides, so they're "snug" in between the towels/pillow. They get the same "comfort" as being in the car-seat, but they're on their backs....

I haven't tried either of these ideas, but if any of you do, please let me know how it goes....

Today was another quiet day for me. MIL picked up the boys from school, then she helped me sort through and organize even MORE hand-me-down clothes for the babies!! I swear, I'm up to my ear-balls in clothes now! I really have TOO MUCH! Not complaining, but my brain gets fried just trying to organize it all (age, season, gender, etc.)....!!!

Tomorrow's Friday, and we're through another week then. Whew! Can't believe how fast it's going (am I really saying this?!)!!

Hope all you mommies are cherishing these precious fleeting moments -- and taking LOTS of pictures! -- too!!! :-) xox

[mmzill]

Lisa - I would definetly feed Ethan as much as he wants to eat. They know to stop when they are full. Besides, I think chubby babies are the cutest ever!

We are good, just busy and quite tired. I've got to get off here to go to bed.
~Monica

[swineland]

Hey everyone!

Just sitting here doing my "shift". Although both boys fell right to sleep after their 3:30am feeding, so I'm going to take advantage here in a minute and try to get a few winks on the sofa.

I just wanted to let you all know who are breastfeeding that I have a brand new, never used Nursing Nest by Peaceful Pea. I bought it obviously with the intention of nursing, but as you all know, we've gone a different route. Anyway, here is a link to the product in case you are unfamiliar with it: http://www.peacefulpea.com/nursing_nest.html
This one comes with the light blue terry cover. I bought it at Baby Depot for 39.99, but they have the crappiest return policy ever and now I'm stuck with it. So, if anyone would like to have one, I'll sell it to you for what I paid, but I'll ship it for free.

Hope you all are doing well. We are settling in quite nicely here. The boys are little angels and we are slowly doing our best to keep them awake for small parts of the day and get their body clocks oriented to day/night. So far, it seems to be working. They are already getting tummy time and love laying in their Einstein playmats and watching the sights and sounds. (By the way, the tummy time thing was actually mentioned to us by the ped.....I thought you had to wait a little while, he said no, go for it. They won't do much, but they WILL make some small attempts to lift their head.....)

Thanks Sherry for the info on taking the kids out. I just would like to get some fresh air with them and get out of the house a bit. I realize with not breastfeeding they are missing out on the "immunity insurance", however I am not planning on taking them near anyone....just outside for a walk. They DID get SOME breastmilk in the very beginning and I was able to give them a couple feedings using 2oz's of pure breastmilk and several feedings with the breastmilk supplemented with formula. Also, the car seat sleeping thing is interesting. It sort of made me laugh, though, when I read that they are only supposed to be in them for no more than 40 mins. So, if you have to drive somewhere and it's more than 40 mins, what do you do? So many do's and don'ts out there.....

Anyway, if anyone IS interested in that nursing pillow...let me know.
Wonder how Danielle is? She must be quite busy...haven't heard from her in a long time!

Well, take care all....
Steph

[Jillmami]

Has anyone found a schedule that works for you and hubby to get the most sleep possible??:sleepy: It's just my husband and me every day and we've tried a few different scenarios. Ideas...???

[swineland]

Hey Jill...

What DH and I have been doing is this: I sleep from 7pm to 1am and he stays up with the babies. I then relieve him at 1 and he sleeps from then until 8 or so. We are each getting 6-7 hours of consecutive sleep each night that way, and while, yes, we are still somewhat tired during the day, it could be MUCH MUCH worse. We've been doing this for 4 nights now and it seems to be working really well. We are both up during the afternoon and have enough energy to do other things, chores, laundry, etc. around the house. Of course, keep in mind I am not breastfeeding or pumping....so, this scenario may not work for you if you are the only one who feeds them.

Steph

[vthompson]

Hello Everyone! Hope all is well!

Schedules - During the day, DH and I both take care of the babies until he goes back to work. After their 11 or 12 midnight feeding, I go to bed and DH settles babies. He then takes the 2 or 3 am feeding. He goes to bed and I take the 5 or 6 am feeding. We each seem to be getting about 5-6 hours a sleep, not much, but better then 2 or 3. I breastfeed for the feedings and DH gives a bottle of pumped breastmilk for his. We are trying to work out the best schedule for when he goes back to work in July.

Car Seat Sleeping - I thought the same thing, what if you go somewhere that takes more then 40 minutes? So many rules. My ped was the one who actually suggested the car seat sleeping and that is the only way we can get the babies to sleep. The way they curl up in their car seats is the same way they would curl up without the seat so I am hoping all will be ok.

Going out with babies - Our ped told us not to take the babies into big crowds for the first 2 months...we have taken them outside, and I can see taking them with us to stores and restaurants and such. I think basically, you just need to make sure they are protected and not let every stranger that comes by hold them...

Lisa - Our babies are similar with getting up. They eat, and then want to play games, as I call it, and don't fall back to sleep for a little while after eating. However, they still wake up 3 hours from the time they stopped eating, even if it took them 1 to 2 hours to fall asleep. We need to work on that. As far as eating, Corey has just started acting like he is hungry before it is technically his time to eat. This morning, he ate 3 times to his sister's 1 time...basically, he woke up every hour to eat while Kayley waited her 3 hours in between feedings. Today, I feel like a milk machine!

Well, babies are stirring so I gotta go. I can't believe I actually had time to post!

BTW, I hope all is well with everyone who is having babies this week!

Valerie

[twinsmakethree]

Valerie

i wanted to give my girls bottles as well as breastfeed as well, do you see any nipple confusion I was afraid it might be to soon, also do you ever give them a bottle or just your DH. Thanks


Andrea

[mmzill]

We are giving both bottle and breast. But the bottle is only a couple times a day.

I think that once they get the hang of the breast and are doing that really well, it's not a big of a deal to give a bottle a couple times a day. It's nice to actually see how much food they are getting. :)

[sgarrett]

Andrea,

That is my plan too, at the b/f class they said to avoid nipple confusion no bottles or pacis for the first 4 weeks.

Staci

[qbanmom5]

Hi everyone! Glad to read that we all are having similar issues and I can't wait till we have all had our babies!!!

B/F: Going much better. Luke is latching on like a champ! They both prefer the left breast though but when they are half asleep I offer the right and they take it. It is still not making as much as the left but I continue to pump. My schedule at night sounds a lot like Val's. Only difference is if they both wake up at the same time DH and I will wake the other for help. Not much consecutive sleep going on. Also, haven't been able to tandem feed once. I feel so awkward and am afraid their heads will bump or necks will snap. Just when I get one latched I try to add the other and then it falls apart.

I haven't taken them out yet. We live in the desert where it has been 100 degrees easily. I hate going out in the heat so I figure they will too.

Otherwise, everything else is going well. They are each taking between 2.5 to 3 oz per feed which is great but I don't think I am making enough for Luke who sometimes keeps crying and fussing after nursing. I will often give him a bottle of expressed milk afterward if I have but if not I give him a little formula. I am using Avent and Soothie bottles and found that they don't cause so much nipple confusion as those disposable ones from the hospital. Once I ran out of those, Luke has been latching on much better. ]

Well, gotta go. Anyone else have rotten luck pumping? I try to do it while they are napping but inevitably someone ends up waking up right after and I have to feed what I just pumped cause my boobs are empty and sore.

Lots of love, Ters

[AndreaR]

Hey everyone - I quickly scanned the posts and am glad to hear from everyone. It sounds like we are all experiencing similar issues (makes sense, huh???).

Madeline is still in the hospital. They have confirmed that she has no infections (including meningitis - did I tell you she had to have a spinal tap!?). Although she was born at 37.5 weeks, the other day, they assessed her deveopment as 35 weeks. They think she did not build enough fat cells during the last weeks of the pregnancy, and so she doesn't have the ability to regulate her body temp. Yesterday they began adding calories to her feedings (mostly expressed breastmilk, sometimes formula). I go in once a day and try to nurse. She gained an ounce yesterday, which is awesome. Once she gains more weight and can hold her temp on her own, she can come home. We're hoping for Monday or Tuesday.

Isabelle is doing fine, although I suspect she misses Maddie. We're having a hell of a time nursing. We're definitely experiencing nipple confusion. Because she is also underweight, we need to supplement my b/f'ing with formula (I don't have enough milk to nurse and pump for two yet). She loves to just lay at the breast, and sometimes she tries to latch, but mostly she gets frustrated that the milk doesn't come pouring out, so she just lays on the breast, knowing that sooner or later we'll put a bottle in her mouth. I read that someone had success w/ nipple shields, so I'm going to get some today. I also am going to try to find larger flanges for the pump, because my nipples are getting really sore and I think it's from rubbing on the plastic. I also think it's hampering my ability to produce more milk. I am going to call the lactation consultant and try to get Izzy back on the breast, but for right now, it's just too frustrating for me and for her. Plus, when we give her a bottle, we know how much she is drinking.

Sleeping....ugh.... we are on a four hour feeding schedule, and it takes over an hour to feed and then pump. Right now DH and I are both getting up in the middle of the night (we set the alarm). I tried to convince him to split shifts like I read here (Steph? can't remember....), but he says he doesn't mind. I'd love to skip a pumping session now and then, but until I produce more, I'm afraid to. The good thing is that Isabelle sleeps almost the entire time in between feedings. We have a pack n' play in our family room, and she is very content to sleep in there. She actually sleep better amid commotion, so that's good. We hold her a lot though, and I try to do at least one skin-to-skin session a day.

That's it for me - Oh, did I tell you that they are the most beautiful kids ever? They both make the funniest faces..... I haven't had time to download any pictures, and I have no idea how to post them to the board, but I will try when I have more time.

I really miss you ladies. It feels good to be here again. I didn't realize how much I depended on your support. I will try to get on more often, although I don't know what I'll do when Maddie comes home (and DH goes back to work).

:throb: AndreaR

[JacobsMom]

Hi Everyone,

I am doing great after my recent hospital stay. There is still a small hole in my incision site that is leaking. My hubby has to pack it with gauze twice a day so it can continue to drain. I'm still taking an oral antibiotic to fend off infection. Almost all of my incision and abdominal pain is completely gone. I am getting around great. If I could just get this dang fluid off my calves, ankles, and feet I think I'd be completely normal. At my last dr. appointment on Thursday, I was 8 lbs lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight. WOO-HOO!

The boys had their 2 wk checkup on Friday. David is 2 oz from his birthweight, and Tate is 3 oz under! They are doing great. My doctor declared them PERFECT! But then we already knew that. LOL!

I have been using the Playtex disposable nursers with the liners and the clear "natural latch" nipples. They do very well on those and don't get so gassy. I have not been able to find the orthodontic one for newborns, only for 3+ months. For the times that we are out and about and middle of the night feedings where we give those 2 oz. bottles like from the hospital, I replaced the plain latex nipples with NUK orthodontic ones. They work great and are shaped like the compressed breast nipple. Less confusion with those.

Breastfeeding has been hard to get established but has been going better and better. Will write more about that later. I have been able to tandem nurse with the EZ to Nurse Twins pillow. It is awesome and the only way I could do it. It is pricey (about $50) but I was fortunate enough to find one at a mothers of multiples sale for $15. Worth every penny!

Well, babies have just been fed and we are headed out to JC Penney to pick up my pregnancy portraits and then to Target to get a few more things for the babies.

Later,
Stacey

[twinsmakethree]

i now forgot who i wanted to respond to I think my tiredness is effecting my brain!!! Anyway for those who are pumping a good way to save time and get a good amount of milk ( if your not already doing it) is to pump one side of your breast while you nurse on the other, the let down is pretty good at this time and you can pump much more milk.

Nipple confusion- thanks for the info I just started given them a paci one takes it sometimes the other does well it does not confuse them at all matter of fact when they do the initial "lick" they frown when they find out its not the real thing,lol I think i will probably wait another week or so to introduce the bottle to them only for the middle of the night feedings and outings, I will have my husband do this then maybe they will be ok. Im nervous because when i did this with my first daughter she took to the bottle more and rejected my breast!! that was painful!! But i need some type of relief at night right now im working on very little sleep. i thought while i was pregnant that the feedings would be nothing since i get up everytwo hours to go to the bathroom, boy was i wrong, i dont know whyits so different. But i wouldnt trade this experience for anhing in the world!!!!


Going out- I took the girls out and around people and children yesterday it was ok I only let people i trust hold them after they washed their hands. The hardest thing was the children because they wanted to be so close to see them but I just told them to back up and explained in children's terms why then before you knew it they were reminding each other to back up, it was cute so that went ok but i am not going back out for another two weeks or week and half, that took alot out of me I'll probably just run necessary errands but no more big events until they are one month not long from now

Also my pedi said hav people use the hand sanitizer lotions that they work really good if the person cant wash their hands.
Ok I am going to see if I can get some sleep now so I can be awake for tonight

Ill try to get back on tonight once i remember what I wanted to say to everybody
Andrea

[vthompson]

Hello Everyone! I am so glad that I found some time to read the posts today. Just when I am really down and feeling like a bad mom, I read the posts and find out that I am not the only one having problems.

Last night was really bad and today has not been much better. At the 3:30 am feeding, I could not get Kayley to latch on at all, even with the nipple shield. Then, as I was struggling with her, Corey woke up and cried as if he hadn't eaten in days, even though he just got done eating for close to a half hour. I just got so frustrated that I ended up giving them bottles of breast milk. As I sat on the couch feeding them, I just cried and cried. There are times that I feel like I am just not as good at being a mom as I thought I was going to be. I love these 2 so much that I cannot even describe it. It breaks my heart when things do not go as I planned, such as b/f. I just want to give them the best start in life. I seriously thought about giving up b/f all together last night and either switching entirely to formula or just pumping. Well, this morning, I went in with a whole new attitude and decided to just work really hard with them at weaning off the nipple shield. Corey finally latched on without it. I was so happy, then he refused to do it with the next feedings. Kayley just wants nothing to do with my breast unless it has the shield. I am glad that I am using them because otherwise, they weren't eating. However, I feel like a failure because I am unable to wean them off of it. I realize that they have nipple confusion, but I just cannot do it all by myself and DH has to help me at night by giving a bottle. Last week when we were not doing this, I was just so exhausted I thought I was going to die.

The other problem we are having is sleeping. Once they are asleep we put them in their car seats and they are sleeping better, not as well as we would like, but better. The problem is that it takes them forever to fall asleep after a feeding and if we put them down before they fall asleep they cry. This causes the feedings at night to last forever trying to get them to sleep. Last night was really bad. We think they may have their days/nights mixed up. Is that possible at such a young age? Well, today we decided to have some "play time" after each feeding to get them used to being stimulated more during the day. Of course, it has been really hard. We put them on their play mat after eating and then do some "tummy time". I cannot remember who mentioned it on here, but I stole the ideas from her. Anyways, they just keep fighting their sleep. We have to continuously rock them or their carriers to get them to stay asleep or they cry. I just feel so lost sometimes...

Sorry for such a long post, but I just really needed to vent. Any advice/suggestions/experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Stacey - I am glad that you are feeling better since your hospital stay. Does it hurt to pack the incision with gauze?

AndreaR - I am so sorry that Maddie is still in the hospital. BTW, I love that name! Very cute. I really hope she gets to come home soon!

Ters - I am not good at tandem nursing, especially at night when I am feeding and DH is sleeping. It is just too difficult to get them both in the right position and feeding. Pumping is also an issue. I really try to pump after every feeding, but sometimes, the babies just don't allow it. As of last night, we were completely out of breast milk so I have been trying to pump a lot today.

Those of you using formula, if you use the powder, do you need to boil the water first?

Talk to everyone soon!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

Valerie - I have felt the exact same way as you did about not being a good mom, and I have spent many hours crying during the past week (and not just about Maddie being in the hospital). I think it's all hormonal and perfectly normal. It is not easy being a mom of newborn twins. You are doing a fabulous job. Try to take it one day at a time. I am having very similar issues to you, and I know exactly how you feel. Chin up - they'll be going to college before we know it.

AndreaR


ps. I finally made a new ticker...

[2littlebabies]

Hi ladies.. and congrats to all the new mommies.. it's so helpful to read all your posts w/ your little ones!!! I'm due July 6th, but recently was scheduled for a section at 37 weeks (actually 36 weeks 6 days)... they didn't say anything about having an amnio done.. did anyone go ahead w/ a section w/o an amnio first.. how far along were you when you had your section..

I'm nervous about the surgical delivery, but they are telling me it's what's best for the babies.. baby A is breech / transverse and if my water was to break on it's own we could be in an emergency situation!

thanks for your input.. I know you've got your hands full! :)

Laura

[mommyof4at26]

hi everyone we just got home. isaac and jacob are here and were born at 858am at 6lbs 13oz,and 859am at 6lbs and 15 oz. by c section, i was throwing up from the time they gave me a spinal block till that night.and i am still nauseated.isaac was in special care nursery he was having problems with fluid in his lungs,and jaundice but camedown the next day,i willpost pics soon,rachel

[megzmom]

Hi all. Sorry I haven't posted in forever. The babies are 9 days old today. They were able to go home with me on the 3rd day which was a blessing. The smaller one Zach gained weight and the bigger one Ben has lost weight.

B/F- I haven't read many posts but I have had some similar problems I think. They are off by around 1/2 hr which I can handle. The whole process takes an 1 1/2 to feed, burp and change. Is that normal?:confused:

MIL-my mil has been with us for almost a month now. On one hand its a huge blessing. She cooks and cleans. But she also feeds the babies formula and doesn't wake me up. I can't sleep when the babies are in our room so I put them in their crib which is the same room she is in for now. We all had a huge cry today and worked it out.

First I do what some of you are doing. I pump while I feed one baby-excellent for let down. Just like with my dd, my r breast doesn't produce as much. THen I hand off that baby to MIL or daddy to finish feeding with that expressed bottle. I then repeat process for other baby.

Tandem-only successful once in the hospital with lactation consultant sticking my nipple into their mouth and a miracle night when MIL helped me.

I am only able to pump out 1 oz from each side plus have them nurse for 15 min. Is this normal????? Not enough to fill them anymore. So I supplement 1-1 1/2 oz of formula. I'd love to produce more. ANyone heard of how I can increase? :confused:

[megzmom]

oops forgot to add pictures of Ben and Zack

[megzmom]

oops again. I can't see the picture. I went to User CP and to edit pictures. I can see the thumbnail but no picture shows up on my posts.

What did I do wrong?

[AndreaR]

laura - i had a planned c-section at 36w 4d. i did not have an amnio before. my doctors both agreed that i didn't need one if i delivered after week 36. although we have issues w/ low birth weights, both girls' lungs are very healthy.

rachel - congratulations! nice, big babies!! glad to hear that both babies are healthy.

heather - congrats to you, too. when you b/f one baby and pump at the same time, and then switch babies, do you switch breasts?? just wondering. it must be frustrating that your mil doesn't wake you up, but you need your rest, too. it's hard because we're trying to build our milk supply and every feeding counts...believe me i know. i just went to whole foods and bought some herbal tea that's suppsed to help w/ milk prodcution. my sister used it, and it worked for her. i can't remember the name of the herb. i also bought pill supplements of the same herb. i will let you know. it sounds like i am producing about the same amount as you.

i have more to say/ask about breastfeeding, but dont' have more time. i'll be back.

sherry has been gone for a couple of days..... maybe she's having babies? i dont' remember reading about anything planned. does anyone know?

hugs to all - hang in there everyone - i'm having a hard time with eveything, but it's all worth it.

AndreaR

[megzmom]

AndreaR-I try to switch breasts. Every other time though the boys switch their desire and end up on the same breast. I try to remember who likes which and in what position (football or across the stomach) but they keep switching on me.

They are so identical I had to put a small string anklet on Ben to tell them apart. When they are toget I can tell them apart most times but usually can't :(

[LucasMom]

Hey all,

Hope all are coping with the new and wonderful changes to your lives. Not much time to post, but as a new and proud mommy once again, I feel the need to show you all pictures of my little guys. First pic is tired mommy and her boys, second pic is Dylan, Lucas and Logan hanging on the floor.

Hang in there everyone...

ps-Don't remember who asked, but just my two cents on the going out with newborns thing. They have been EVERYWHERE with me the last few weeks. For walks, to Target, the supermarket etc...we were the same with Lucas, which I know not many people are, but to each his own. Keep strangers hands off of them, and keep the stroller hoods up for the most part, but you do NOT have to stay inside (unless your doc says to). Yo will go crazy!! The best advice I ever received was to ease the transition of a new baby, assimilate him into your schedule, do not let him or them in this case, dictate your life. They go out to dinner with us, as Lucas did as an infant, and because of this, we have a very polite, very well behaved healthy 3 year old, and his immune system is FINE. As I said, this is just us. It keeps me from feeling helpless and losing myself also.

[JacobsMom]

I'm due July 6th, but recently was scheduled for a section at 37 weeks (actually 36 weeks 6 days)... they didn't say anything about having an amnio done.. did anyone go ahead w/ a section w/o an amnio first.. how far along were you when you had your section

Hi Laura,

My doctors scheduled my c-section for 36 weeks because my babies were getting so big. They were 6-12 and 6-7. They did not even discuss doing an amnio, which I would have refused anyway. We had originally only planned to go 37 weeks in the first place before delivering. The boys were perfectly fine in regards to lung development. I am assuming that is what the amnio is for. They both came out screaming their heads off and had no problems with fluid or anything. We stayed in the hospital for 5 days, but that was because of their having to be under the bili-lites for jaundice. The kind they had was because of our blood type differences so they had to treat it more aggressively than they might have otherwise. Since you will be 37 weeks, I wouldn't worry about anything. My doctors consider 37 weeks full term for twins. I wish you the best! They are so much fun!

Stacey

[JacobsMom]

i just went to whole foods and bought some herbal tea that's suppsed to help w/ milk prodcution. my sister used it, and it worked for her. i can't remember the name of the herb. i also bought pill supplements of the same herb. i will let you know.

Andrea,

Is the pill supplement Fenugreek? I have had several people recommend it to me, and my pediatrician said it was ok for my to try it. My friend Christy took it with one of her kids and said after 3 days she had to quit cause she was producing so much milk. She pumped what the baby didn't eat and stocked her freezer! I found some at GNC and it is about $8 for 100 pills. And a big bottle of 200 pills was $13. I plan to do some internet research on it before I buy it to see how many you are supposed to take and if there are any side effects to worry about.

My MIL is leaving in the morning, a week earlier than I had thought she would. I don't know what I'm going to do. We have two doctor appointments this week and I'm not supposed to drive yet, although I feel fine and think I can with no problem. I'm more worried about lifting the stroller and the carriers than I am about driving. It's really put me in a bind. My hubby has planned out his time off for the rest of the year and only has 2 days left. I hate for him to have to waste half a day just to take me to the doctor. That's just stupid. All of my friends have kids and we can only fit one person in our car. I guess I will just have to drive. I'm sure I will get chewed out by my OB, but I really don't see what other choice I have.

Well, one of my babies is calling. Gotta go.

Stacey

[2littlebabies]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!!! I'm hoping for nice strong babies. At last measurement (at 34 weeks) they were 4.5 lbs a piece so I'm hoping that they have gained another lb since then! :)

All of your babies are beautiful and I'm excited to join you on the "other side" :)

Laura

[JacobsMom]

HEATHER: I had to chuckle at your idea of putting a string on one babies' ankle. We have been told that David and Tate are identical, but we all can tell them apart quite easily. I had been really worried about that. We had planned to paint Tate's big toenail, but thankfully we didn't have to.

MINDY: I finally got to see your Surviving Motherhood episode Friday. It was so neat to see someone that I "know" on tv. You looked gorgeous, and Lucas is adorable. We were facing a lot of the same things with Jacob having been the center of attention for so long, and he is 8, so we were really worried how he was going to react when the twins came. He has done great! He is so proud of his little brothers, and has been a great help. I hope that Lucas adjusts well to the new family dynamics.

VALERIE: It doesn't hurt when he does it. He has to clean it with peroxide first which stings a little bit. I don't even feel the packing at all. The first time he did it, I asked him did he get the gauze out yet, and he said he was done repacking it already! LOL!

GOING OUT: We have been all over with the boys too. We've been out to eat 4 times, made 3 trips to Target, 2 trips to Babies R Us, and numerous trips to the doctor for me and the boys! People see the double stroller, and it's like a magnet. I haven't really had a problem with anyone getting too close, and noone has tried to touch them. With my MIL leaving, and me having to do it all alone while hubby is working, I can't see us getting out nearly as much. I think we will be homebodies for most of the summer. I do want to start walking, and am thinking if it's not too hot, I may push the stroller to the neighborhood pool so Jacob can swim. There is a big covered area with tables where I could sit with the boys. I really want to put them in the water, but I can't even get in yet. Does anyone know the minimum age you should let babies get in the pool? We have a "baby" pool at ours that is really shallow so the water is usually pretty warm. The boys got their first water bath yesterday and loved it, so I'm thinking they may really like the pool. Jacob was a December baby so he didn't get to swim until he was 4 or 5 months old.

Well, I'm gonna go grab a quick nap before the boys wake up again to eat. Later.

Stacey

[TMoT]

CONGRATS, Rachel!!!!! SO GLAD to hear that Isaac and Jacob made it into the world with ease, more or less! ;-) Sorry about your nausea and Isaac's fluid/jaundice, but I suppose that all has passed by now??? I sure hope you are all doing well and home soon/already(?)!!! And please write to tell us how it's going with your four little ones! You are a real SUPER TROOPER!!!!! :clap:

...Otherwise, just checking in to say "I'm still cooking" (AndreaR -- thanks for asking!)...!! (?!) It's so nice to read everyone's posts and see that you're all settling in as parents to twins!! Isn't that exciting??!? What a special thing we've all been blessed with -- and you ladies are as inspiring to me as always!!! :-))

...Belgium is having a heat wave!!!!! Last week it was in the 40s and this week it's in the 90s! (!?!!) I'm swelling up like a pumpkin, but :spitwater :spitwater :spitwater as always -- to keep the complications at bay (I hope)!! ...Artemis is good and breech, so at this rate, I'm just hoping Darius will engage before her so we can avoid a c-section, but it's all in God's hands now... ;-) Just a couple more weeks till we're full-term, and MAN am I proud of these little ones -- just like all of you I guess!!! :-)

Still living like a rock star (ar ar!), and tooling around to family events this weekend in our new black van with tinted windows -- a/c full blast! ;-) Also got our birth announcements lined up and ready to go, more or less...

Any advice for these last two weeks before the babies are here, from you ladies on the "Other Side" now???!! ;-) You know, I'm all ears! :-D

Well, take care everyone -- and Staci, Paula, nicunurse, how are you all doing???

BIG hugs! xox

PS My doc gave me the same advice as Mindy/Stacey/et al. shared with everyone about taking Babies out: To avoid the baby blues, she even said -- no matter what the weather -- to strap ds1 in his Baby Bjorn and GO OUTSIDE/take a walk with him _every_ day! He's probably the most social little man I know too (greeting people/strangers everywhere we go!). His grandparents call him "His Honor, the Mayor" (Meneer de Burgemeester)...!! (?!!) lol xox

[LucasMom]

Thanks Stacey, I can't watch the episode without bursting into tears!~Lucas is doing AWESOME!!! He has surpassed even our best wishes for a "good transition". The show was great, and 3 out of four of the ladies are coming over tomorrow and bringing me lunch so we can paly catch up, although we email eachother all the time. I looked like a big cow! But I am honored to have a keepsake, kind of like your professional photos, that I can look back on as a record of my pregnancy and Lucas' childhood. Doesn't he look great on camera? My little ham!

Well, I must extoll the virtues of the "Miracle Blanket". We had pretty much not really been swaddling the boys, and had the blankets as a gift, had used them once or twice, but the boys didn't really react to them , so the became a fixture in the blanket drawer. Last night, my husband pulled them out, and tried on out again, figured out we were using it incorrectly, and we swaddled both boys in theirs after the midnight feeding. (play organ music...) I slept until 5:15!! they both woke up hungry, ate and fell right back asleep! I feel so rested, and I managed to get some love from the hubby while they slept all snug! Woth every penny, they look like they are in heaven!

Sherry, you are close now Mama, and you have been doing all of the things you should be leading up to the big event. I must say, as an anomaly, I have been feeling especially amorous since all the major swelling went away, so I'd get in some last minute "love" if you could, since as you know the quiet moments are about to become few and far between! Other than that, I am SURE you of all people are prepared. Also, spend some QT with the older kiddies, before all he@@ breaks loose.

The boys are identical, and like you stace, we can tell them apart for now. Dylan is smaller, and just looks different than Logan to me. My mom did paint a toe on Dylan whe I was at a wedding last weekend!!

Off to do more laundry!

Love,
Mindy

[teresa67]

Sherry,

I'm so proud of You!! You've done such a great job of taking care of yourself and growing those babies. I can remember all too well the last days of pregnancy and know you are ready for these babies to be born. The best advice I can give you is don't worry. Everything has a way of sorting itself out.
I fretted that I didn't have everything ready for the babies, but after they came it was easy enough to get whatever is really needed and really you see that everything else you worried about wasn't really that important anyways. If there is any place you'd like to go, like a quiet dinner with your hubby and you, you should do it now, later even the thought of getting 2 babies ready to go out and hoping they stay asleep through a meal will be tiring at the beginning. Have a talk with your hubby about calling a truce at 3a.m. when your so tired and he has to work the next day and doesn't want to wake up with a crying baby....when your already feeding one lol....*happened last night*.......that you won't scream at each other:crazy: Other than that I can't wait for your little bundles to get here. Sending lots of love and prayers for a vaginal birth lol your way.:throb:

[sgarrett]

Still here, had a pretty crappy weekend, it really hot here 90+ degrees. My feet and ankles have swollen so much, if I bend my toes towards my knees there are three seperate creases! It is so gross. Sleep just does not happen anymore so I am feeling pretty zombie like. Can not wait for the babies to get here, does not sound like that will change the sleep issue much, but at least I will have my little angels to play with! My Aunt came in town yesterday to help me out, it is so hard for me to let someone else do stuff in my house. I feel so guilty if she does laundry or anything. I think that is what has driven me the most insane lately is that feeling of helplessness. I am usually so active.

Oh well, I really did not mean to get on hear and whine and complain so much! I love seeing all the new baby pics, I am anxious to try the twin B/F out, it sounds pretty hard. It is great to hear everyones advice though.

Take care,

Staci

[teresa67]

Staci are you the only one left? I hear ya on the swollen feet, I had them bad. Good thing is that almost 2 months later I remember I was terribly miserable, but it's a far distant memory, I'm too busy now taking care of the babies. You don't have much longer.

[qbanmom5]

Hi All!

Just checking in to see how my buds are doing. Staci and Sherry: Whoo -hoo! You can do it guys! You are awesome.

Val: I feel just like you. B/F is soo hard and I can't find time to pump and make more milk. Luke is a little porker and doesn't seem to get full no matter what! I feel so guilty giving them formula supplements but then I tell myself " Yes, breast is best, but a sane family and home situation is very important too and if I am all stressed out over it, so is DH and then so are the other kids, etc. It affects everyone. I just try my best and thats all I can do. Just try not to let it get you down when it doesn't work and keep trying. As long as you're not all worked up over it. I think I am going to try the fenugreek to make more milk. Maybe I won't need to supplement with formula anymore. Maybe I will. I am trying not to stress over it and just be glad that they are getting most of their feedings from me. And besides, even if you exclusively pump and bottle feed they are still getting your milk!

Don't remember who asked about the amnio, but I had one at 35 weeks to test for lung maturity. They were mature but I did not have them until 36 weeks 2 days. All was well and they were 5 lb 14 oz and 5 lb 3 oz. No Nicu for anyone. Everyone is different though, good luck!

Ttfn, Ters

[TMoT]

Staci, I'm feeling ya with the SWELLING! Man!! :-( We're in the 90s now too and -- no a/c in the house! -- I'm looking in every shadey nook and cranny for relief! Drinking like a fish -- ha, ha -- but it's only BARELY working. I find cold foot baths, talcum powder with menthol and just lazing under the fan helps -- a bit. I hope the heat will pass, for our sakes, really soon though. Here this (SUCH a heat-wave) is strange though. How about where you are???

Teresa, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your words of support and encouragement!!! :throb: :throb: It's feeling kinda lonely here these days with just the few of us still holding on to our bundles _inside_!!! ;-) With all the births, though, it's really like looking into the future :eek:, so I'm actually trying to cherish these last, relatively "quiet" days till the babies come... ;-) And i'm also trying not to stress about what's ready and what's not ready. Like you said, what's not "done" now will just get taken care of later -- or never, if that's the way it goes. Besides, I'm just too big and awkward to keep on top of things anymore, so I've GOT TO let it go anyway (sound familiar, Staci??!)! ;-) ...Btw, I think of you now every time I get up out of the bed to pee at night and have to steady myself on whatever available piece of furniture I can find! It's such a chore and a spectacle! Remember those days??!?!?!!! ...Well, your babies look wonderful and you are doing a SUPER job (and I'm also going to take your advice about the early-morning shouting matches, I promise!). You are still a breath of fresh air, Teresa, and thank you again for being so sweet!!!

Mindy, THANK YOU too!! :) :throb: Dh and I actually had some "intimate time" this weekend, and aside from worrying about the possible implications of that (!!), I think we really needed it! Nothing like a stressful situation which also causes a rift between you and your partner. :-( Something we definitely need to avoid, right? And especially AFTER the babies come!!! ...I'm so reassured to see that you and your dh (and the swaddling blankets -- gotta remember that! ;-)) are making it work. You're an excellent example to follow. :-D Thank you!!! xx

Well, I have an ob appt on Thursday to see if anything's "happening," and I'm actually starting to get the feeling that Artemis is _not_ actually breech after all (?!)... Here's hoping for that vaginal delivery (lol Teresa!) and that they're still doing fine (they sure feel BIG these days though!)! ...I'll keep you all posted.

Take care, and I hope all you new mommies get some rest!!! Back under the fan for me now... xox

[vthompson]

Hello Everyone! Just wanted to check in real quick with everyone. Thanks to everyone's support about my "meltdown". I reallly appreciate it! I am just so glad that I have all of you. I truly do not know what I would do without you. Well, it seems just as we think things are working themselves out, something changes in the plan and DH and I have to readjust. B/f is just not going well at all. So, the new plan is I am going to pump exclusively and we are going to feed them bottles. When they eat from the bottles, they are full and content. When they eat from the breast, like today, they wanted to eat every hour for about 4 hours today. They cried histerically like they hadn't been fed in days. Then, when we gave them a 2 oz bottle of breastmilk, they were perfectly fine. I figured since I am pumping after every b/f session anyway, we will try this and see how it works.

A couple questions for anyone who is in a similar situation: Is anyone else doing this? If you are, how often are you pumping? Also, how do you know when it is time to increase their bottles from 2 oz? Do the babies let you know or is there a time frame to follow? How are you warming up your breastmilk in the bottle? If using formula, do you boil the water first or just use tap water? Sorry so many questions....

Poor Corey is going to the ped tomorrow. Ever since we brought him home, his eyes have been very goopy. When he went for his 1 week appt, the ped said it was probably a blocked tear duct but gave us drops to use for 3 days just in case it was an infection. Well, it got a little better but now it is right back where is started. Now, he has some slight discoloration on the white part of his eye. I am really kind of worried. Say some prayers for him that it is nothing serious...

Advice before babies come - Get some sleep! :) I knew this would be the case, but I was never prepared for how tired you really can be! However, it is all worth it!

BTW, Mindy, where can I get one of these blankets? Also, I finally got to watch your show, too, during a late night feeding! You looked fabulous and your son is adorable! It was really cool to watch a show with someone I know!

Congrats to all the new mommies! I love looking at all the pictures. Hang in there to those of you who are left! I can't wait to hear your birth stories!

Well, the babies are ready to eat and I need to go pump! Talk to everyone soon!

Valerie

[swineland]

Hello to all!

Just checking in after reading all the new posts and seeing how everyone is hanging in there.

Sherry: you are doing so great! Gosh, it's funny to see you are at 35 weeks, when you've always been "bringing up the rear" on this board. It's finally your turn!! I can totally identify with the heat......in Orlando, it's been 95 or so everyday and the humidity is, well, unbearable. Of course, we're having our first tropical storm this season, so today and yesterday it's all rainy and yucky. Anyway, hang in there girl!

Valerie: Glad to hear you are doing okay too! I applaud you, all of you, for trying to hard to make the breastfeeding thing work. To answer your question about preparing bottles, here is what is working for us. As of yesterday, I increased their intake from 2 oz. at each feeding to 2.5 oz. They are just ravenous! I think they are going through the first "growth spurt" and since they eat every 3 hours, iinstead of 2, I decided to give them a little more to satisfy the after-eating "I'm still hungry" displays. Of course, we don't force them to finish, so some feedings yesterday they only ate the regular 2 oz's...other feedings they were smacking their lips wanting more. Just like us, sometimes we're hungry, sometimes we're not! Anyway, as far as preparing the bottles, I do not boil the water. Instead, I have actually been buying "Nursery Water". It's filtered bottled water sold in a regular gallon container that has been fortified with flouride and is made specifically for preparing formula and other "baby" needs. It's $1.09 a gallon at Target and lasts a long time. I bought 3 gallons on Sunday and I'm still only halfway through the first gallon (I've made 80 oz. of formula from that).

Heather: Hope you are doing well......did you see my post about the hospital and seeing your family??

Things here are going pretty good. We are still doing our "shifts" and it's working beautifully. DH got 8 hours of sleep last night and I got close to 7! Of course, he's still off from work, so there are none of those demands to worry about. In two weeks, when he goes back, we'll re-evaluate the schedule and see if he can still function staying up until 2 am each morning. We've been trying to have some nice "adult" time by renting movies, picking up sushi and splitting nice cold bottles of wine :) That's one advantage to my not breastfeeding I guess! My MIL is in town now and she is here to help for the week. It's nice to have an extra hand to help with the double feedings, though I usually try to feed them both at once when it's just me. DH likes to do one, then the other. But I find if I put one propped up in the boppy and one in my lap, I can hold both bottles and let them go to town. Then, when it's time to burp, I turn the one in the boppy over so his tummy is against the pillow and I pat his back that way. It seems to work.

Not much is new. I am having a ball going through my closet and dresser drawers and rediscovering all my clothes! It's like I got to go on a shopping spree but I didn't have to pay for anything :) Not that everything fits, not by any means, but slowly I am getting back into things.

Well, I better run.
My love to you all and, again, recent photos are at www.flickr.com/photos/wineland

Ciao for now!
Steph

[swineland]

Well, I posted a long post and it got lost! I hate that!! Anyway, I'll attempt to recreate what I wrote.

Lisa, I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your baby photos....they are beautiful! They are all beautiful.....all of our babies on here. Also, I'm sorry the breastfeeding thing didn't work out for you, as it didn't for me either, but I think you should be comfortable with your decision and not look back. I, too, felt a little guilty, but then you have to realize that, in the grand scheme of things, it's not the end of the world and your cuties will be JUST fine with formula too. Mine are eating Similac and are wolfing it down. They have no problems digesting it and hardly ever spit up. They are up to 2.5 oz per feeding, 8 x a day. They would eat more probably too. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you're not the only one who is not breastfeeding and you are still a terrific mom. Don't let anyone give you a guilt trip.

I'm so tired of DH watching the World Cup....it's on ALL DAY LONG. He helps with the babies a ton, of course....but I could care less about soccer ('scuse me, FOOTBALL) and it's driving me nuts!

Anyway, I'm going to eat some lunch...

Check in later
Steph

[swineland]

P.S. Lisa, it doesn't necessarily mean that your incision is infected....but if it is red and irritated, perhaps you should get some "granny panties" that don't rub against the site. That's what I had to do. I sent my mom to Target and she came back with white cotton "briefs" from Just My Size....they're huge! I showed them to DH and said "wanna see something sexy?"....he was horrified! hahaha. BUT, it did really help to not have the top of my normal underwear rubbing the incision. BTW, are you or anyone else still bleeding a lot?? I'm gettin' tired of these pads!

[qbanmom5]

Hi everyone!

I had the same question about the incision. One tiny bit on the end is getting pink and puffy but not painful. I will try different undies since mine usually do land right there.

Also, my left boob is a little painful. Not the nipple but the area where the cleavage is. Could it be that the pump only covers so much and the area around it is not getting drained? I tried massaging it right now while Leia was nursing but now its even more tender. B/f is still coming along. Sometimes they will take and sometimes i need a quick bottle. The left boob is now making 3 oz most of the time (yeah!) Left is still stuck on 1 1/2 to maybe 2 oz. What do i do? I don't pump as much as I should maybe every 4 hours and none at night. Do I pump more? I just don't have the time. Right when I finish someone wakes up and my boobs are empty. Sherry, any words of wisdom?

Val: I found that when I was making 2 oz bottles they would drink all of it and try to even suck the air. So I upped to 2 1/2. Now I had to up it to 3 and even though they don't always finish all of it, I give them that option. Luke is still starving all the time though. Don't know what is up with him. Especially at night. Last night I gave him both boobs then DH had to make him a bottle cause he was still hungry. Sometimes he will feed for like 2 hours and then he is due again. Leia is sooo good. She is easily satisfied and patient. God knows i wouldn't be able to handle 2 Lukes!

Yesterday they were both in the bassinet of the Pack and Play and I was changing Luke's diaper. Well, I turned him on his side just a little to wipe him and he peed on his sister. Poor girl. She kept right on sleeping! And I had just taken them a bath.

Both umbilical cords are now off! They are getting nice and chubby and more alert. I tried the mat time yesterday but they weren't really getting it yet.

I am so jealous of all of you who are fitting into their old clothes. Anything that was tight then is just not happening yet. It is all still in my belly though. I am still waiting for all the swelling to go down I still look a little pregnant. After 4 pregnancies the last of which was twins I guess its expected for it to take a little longer.

Anyway, glad to read up on all your posts. Staci and Sherry good luck and like Valerie said, Sleep now!!!

Ta-Ta, Ters

[TMoT]

Hi, All! Thanks for the nice "last minute" enjoyment tips!! ;-) I'm feeling like a @#$%-on-wheels at the moment, though, so I just don't know about that "quality time with dh" thing! ;-) Do hope it'll pass, otoh, 'cause I'm sure I'll benefit as much as him from us getting to spend a little 3-on-1 (!!) time together...!! ;-)

Eyeball goop: If you've still got milk in there, it's totally safe to rinse babies' eyes, nose, ears, etc. with breast-milk -- to ease infection and give them relief. You can try it and see... ;-) Val, I'll still say a prayer for Corey too, and please let us know how it goes!!!

Ters, sounds like you might be working on a plugged duct, and yes, it can be from the angle the pump is at when you use it. Try hand-expressing like I wrote in a previous email to gently get the milk out of those painful places. If the ducts are plugged, that can also explain why babies "prefer" one boob over the other.... You can also alternate warm/cool compresses on the breast to get relief and get things start moving again... Good luck and let me know how it goes!!!

...As for me, I'm just trying to fight the heat still. Puffing up and seeking refuge where I can...! Met a friend for brunch today and sat out in the 80-90 degree heat for four hours like a ding-dong (but it really didn't feel that bad!), and she took pictures of me on our walk home! :crazy: I'll post them when she sends them through -- after censorship of course!!!! ;-)

Today I'm 36 weeks!! :yippee: Does that sound like light-years ago for you all, or what??!?! Anyway, it's a big watershed to me, and I really think babies'll be on their way soon. I'm even suspecting that they're both head-down now and pushing 6lbs a piece!! Just trying to keep some perspective (and patience!) in case we go all the way to term. We will see!

A storm is moving in now (hooray!), so I'm going to try to turn in while the air is a bit cooler in the house! ;-) Take care ladies!!! xox

[cbparker]

Hi ladies! I am from the July board but have enjoyed reading here to learn what I can expect soon! I just had a couple of quick questions, and I know you all are swamped, so just if you get a chance...

What are some of the physical signs that my body is getting ready for delivery? I have had very frequent soft stools that past couple of days, and I can't seem to get enough sleep even though I nap for 2-3 hours during the day. Are these "preparation" signs or just the joys of the last few weeks of pregnancy?

Also, I know each hospital and doc is different, but for those who had c-sections, were your husbands allowed in the room with you when you got your spinal, and if not who held you up and helped you breathe? I am terrified, and since I already know we will be having a section all the info I can get will help calm my nerves.

Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. All of your babies are beautiful!
Belinda

[vthompson]

Hello Everyone. I do not have time to post because one of the babies are beginning to stir. However, I just wanted to say hello!

Corey's eye is going to be fine! I was so afraid that he was going blind or something...yes overly paranoid I know! She gave us some stronger drops to try and if that doesn't work, she said there isn't much else we can do. She said a blocked tear duct can last up to a year. As for the yellowing, she said that he is still a slight bit jaundice and by 4 weeks it will go away. What a relief! Thanks for everyone's prayers and good thoughts! Sherry, it is funny that you mentioned the b/m thing because when the visiting nurse came, she also said to use b/m to clean it out. She said it has a natural antibacterial effect to it.

Lisa - The boys are adorable! I was laughing because Corey makes some of the same faces as your boys, with the eyes and what DH and I call the "O Face"...when he forms his mouth into an "O" position. Too funny!! Also funny is that you mentioned the incision issue. Just last night, the sides of my incision seem to be sensitive and bothering me a little bit. Yesterday I drove for the first time and started to carry the babies in their carriers. I wasn't sure if I did too much with all of that, but I am getting ansy. I have my check up on Friday to have the incision checked. Originally, the ob told me not to drive or lift anything over 10 lbs for 2 weeks. It has been 2 1/2 weeks so I thought I was ok. We will see! I just hope I didn't tear anything. I have actually been wearing my maternity underwear still because they go over my stomach a little bit instead of sitting close to my incision.

Sherry - I am so excited for you!!! I can't wait for your babies to come!

Ok, I wanted to keep posting, but I really gave to go now. I will check back later. Sorry that I don't have time to respond to everyone!

Valerie

[AndreaR]

Sherry & Paula (I think you're the only two left?) - I feel for you gals. I know it's hard right now, especially with the heat. I wish I had advice for you, but I was so miserable the last few days, nothing helped. I guess I'd just say, if you find anything that gives you relief, no matter what the cost, do it!! You deserve it! Nearly two weeks later, I can barely remember what it felt like to be that pregnant. The second they took out Madeline (Baby B), I felt immediate relief from the pressure of having two babies inside of me. The reflux went away instantly, every sympton (except swelling) went away the second the girls were removed from my uterus. YOU CAN DO IT! YOU MADE IT THIS FAR!!!

Feeding - Breastfeeding with Isabelle is taking right off. I'm so happy - although it seems like she wants to eat all of the time. Because she lost so much of her birth weight, we were giving her up to 60 cc's of formula after I nursed, but now she takes little or none. I guess my milk supply is in! I have been drinking the fenugreek tea off and on, not sure if that helped. She is latching on better, too, now that she's bigger and stronger. Madeline is still soooo small (4 pounds 12 ounces) and while she latches on pretty good, she gets tired very quickly from sucking, so I have to limit her nursing minutes, then we give her a bottle of breastmilk with added formula for extra calories.

We're still very paranoid about Maddie's temperature, so we keep her double swaddled (on top of a tshirt and an outfit) with a hat. DH is worse than I am, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, it's coincinding with some beautiful warm sunny weather here, but DH won't even let me open the windows to cool down the house a bit. It's 80 degrees in the house! Ugh! We take her back to the pediatrician on Friday for a weight check. I will ask him about the house temperature then. Did I tell you she's home?? I can't remember. Anyway, she's home, and we have VNA (visiting nurse) coming two times per week.

STROLLER QUESTION: I know many of you have the double snap-n-go and the graco snugride seats. Did you have any issues putting it together/getting the seats to click in? We called Baby Trend yesterday, and the woman helped us a little with putting it together, but then she said, "the car seats might not actually click on to the bars, but the straps should keep the seat on tight." I do NOT want to use it if I can't get the seats to click in. Any advice?? I'm going to look on the equipment thread as well.

DH goes back to work tomorrow. My parents are still here, so I should be okay this week. Next week is a different story. I'm trying to solicit help. There's no way I can do the feedings by myself.

Anyone else's DH bugging them?? I am sure it's the hormones and the lack of sleep, but I am ready to throttle him. And he's WONDERFUL. He does so much. My mom says he's just a little "twitchy." He gets all worked up about Maddie's temperature and how much the girls eat - he has forced too much food on them more than once, only to have them puke it all back up. I try not to get angry, but it's so hard to control my emotions right now.

Love you all.......
AndreaR

[ChastityLove]

Hi all! I am the newbie to the June board originally from the July board. I will be 35 weeks on Fri. and I am scheduled for a C-section on the 27th at
36 weeks 4 days. Secretly I hope my water breaks at 36 weeks! ha ha

AndreaR- I bought the Snap n Go and I have Snugride carseats. The top part of the car seat should "snap" under the bar but the bottom part is strapped in with the straps. You probably won't really hear the snap but if you pull up on the car seat it won't come out. The straps pull pretty tight so I don't forsee the carseats coming out in any way. I know that there are different bars for different brand car seats (I'm sure that you noticed that in the instruction book, I wish they wouldn't have attached all the bars, that confused me at first!) Hope I helped!

cbparker- I had the loose stools with my first pregnancy a few days before my water broke. I know they say that it's your body's way of preparing for birth but not sure on the time frame..... Also, when I had my C-section with my son they did not bring my husband in until I had the epidural and was strapped to the table. Not sure how every hospital is.

I have been reading all of your posts and I have to say that I am scared of the breastfeeding issues! I am considering just taking Fenugreek from the beginning to make sure that my milk comes in good! Is that crazy?
I am having alot more BH contractions throughout the day now instead of just at night. I am having the normal issues of not sleeping well and feeling like the weight of my uterus is pulling every ligament in my abdomen area!
Babies are definitely filling me up from pelvis to right into my ribs. Bending over is just not an option! ha ha

Hope all continues to go well with all of you and thanks for sharing your experiences!

[mommyof4at26]

hi everyone all is well i am so excited for you sherry your getting so close i have to go but i will write and post pics bytomorrow luv ya:spitwater :throb: :spitwater :spitwater

[swineland]

Quick reply:
When I had my c-section, DH was brought in after I was already on the table and had the spinal administered. I was real loopy when he came in, I remember that. The OR nurse was the one who held me forward and helped me through the spinal (which was a piece of cake).

Hope that helps!
Steph

[vthompson]

C Sec - I had the same experience as Steph...the nurse helped me with the spinal and DH came in after that. There is a lot about the delivery that I don't really remember...perhaps it was the nerves. Is anyone else experiencing this? I don't really remember DH coming in, I just remember him being there. It is weird!! Ok, gotta go!

Valerie

[EBTwinz]

Spinal question: I had the same experience as Steph and Valerie. The nurse was the one who helped me through the spinal and to be honest, it didn't even hurt. Then all the sudden, I was numb, dh was brought into the room and Ethan was born. It happens so quickly. I don't remember parts of my c-section either. I was really nervous and just wanted it to be over. I just remember shaking in my arms and chest, like I was cold.

Val: Glad to hear Corey is okay. I think it's cute when the babies do that little face. Dh calls it their "ducky" face and tells them to do it when there is a baby girl around. He thinks our boys can pick up all the chicks! LOL!

Steph: Thanks for the encouragement re: the bf issue. I feel bad that I can't do it but I am relieved to get rid of the pressure. It's nice to know I am not alone. : )

Gotta run, baby crying...
Lisa

[qbanmom5]

Hi all! I didn't realize but a lot of us had c sections. My experience was the same as everyone so far. I had the spinal and a nurse helped me. It was really strange how fast I was completely numb (from the chest down). I didn't have trouble breathing but I did feel loopy. I kept asking for DH but they had to prep me and all that. I think the dr. was even in before they let DH in. As soon as he came in they started cutting (I only know because I could smell burning flesh). They were born a minute apart. Do be warned, as soon as it was over and they took me to the recovery room, I started itching. My eyes, nose, eyebrows. Mainly my face. I kept trying so hard to move my feet but they wouldn't budge. That felt really wierd. Then, I started to get nauseaus and vomited all the way to my post-partum room. They gave me some phenergan and the nauseau went away. Oh, one more thing. You can't have anything to eat like 8-9 hours before surgery, and since mine was scheduled for 9:00 am I couldn't eat or drink (or even chew gum) after midnight. At about 3:00 am I woke up with bad heartburn and probably shot nerves and threw up. Needless to say my stomach was wayyyy empty. Well, the only meal I got the day of the surgery was at about 6:00 pm and it was beef broth, green jello, and a popsicle. Breakfast consisted of the same exact thing and they were going to keep me on a "clear liquid lunch" until I insisted that I couldn't breastfeed on an empty stomach. So, if you guys hunger easily, be warned. I was famished!

Anyway, I remember the c-section clearly even though I couldn't see or feel anything. It was an experience like none I have ever had! Oh and one more thing, I was kind of embarrassed at first to call the nurses for help or anything but don't be. Use them while you are there cause when you get home they will not be available for you and you will really wish they were. Also, stay on top of the meds cause if you expect them to bring them in when its time they probably wont.

Luke has been very very fussy and whiny for the last couple of days. Could it be colic already? He cries and cries and I try one thing after the other and nothing seems to work. He acts really hungry like sucking everything crying but when I try to give him the breast he will use it to pacify himself but once milk starts coming out he screams and lets go. He grabs his pacifier and sucks and sucks. Then he spits it out and keeps screaming. I burp him for what seems like forever but no relief either. Any suggestions? They do have stuffy noses I think since our a/c broke and they have the ceiling fan overhead. Could it be he feels sick? It sure looks like colic though.

Good luck, Ters

[swineland]

Yeah, I forgot to mention about the itching too. I didn't remember that part of it until Ters posted, but yeah, when I was in recovery my face itched like crazy!! Also, the spinal does hit you pretty fast and it's not like you are this wide awake and alert head with a numb body....my head was just as loopy as could be. All I wanted to do was fall asleep. I remember DH coming in and my doctor was already in position behind the paper drape, ready to begin. Then my BP dropped and I said I think I"m going to throw up and bam, I did. I continued to throw up off and on all day, but it went away by late evening.

Gotta run! Feeding time!
Steph

[TMoT]

Just a quickie...

Ters, could Luke have gas?? I posted (a LONG post) about this before but comes down to that he might be sensitive to milk products, veggies like broccoli, beans/legumes, spicey food, etc. If he's acting like this, the first thing you need to do is think about what _you_ are eating, and remember that what you had for breakfast, he has for lunch (=he eats what you ate about four hours after you do)... Just a thought, and good luck!!! xx

I'm off to bed, but I've got an ob appt tomorrow, so I'll post again then. Take care, ladies!! :throb:

[swineland]

Quick question: Now that the babies cords have fallen off, how often can we/should we be bathing them??

[teresa67]

Lisa it's the formula. Iron constipates them like it constipates us.

This is what my ped recommends. Start out first giving 1 oz of water, if that doesn't work 1 oz of water with 1 oz apple juice

You can use children's suppositories, cut in half.

That should work. My children always get so constipated on the formula, it only seems to get worse. I give Hallie 1 oz water, 1 oz apple juice and add a tablespoon of prune juice.


As far as the umbilical cord, just keep it clean, you can use neosporin and that should clear it up.

[mrsthesun]

I already posted on the grandparents thread but I wanted to post here since this is the thread that I visited a dozen times a day when my daughter was pregnant. I would pass along the information to her. You answered many of our questions and kept me sane!

Cayden Michael was born yesterday by c-section at 9:12 a.m., weighing 7lb.9 oz., 21" long. Campbell Patrick was born at 9:13 a.m., weighing 6lb. 8oz and was 19 1/2" long. Neither spent one minute in the NICU and both are taking to nursing "like ducks take to water", according to one nurse. My daughter carried these babies until 36 weeks, 5 days. I am so proud of her that I could burst. The boys are gorgeous.

Good luck to all of you!
Now offically "Nanny"

[TMoT]

Official "Nanny"/mrsthesun, CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby grand-sons!!! :yippee: You must be tickled to pieces! And what a great Nanny (and Mommy) you've been all this time keeping abreast of all the twin-pg-mommy news for your daughter! ...How wonderful Cayden and Campbell seem to be doing -- and so big, too! Your daughter really did do a great job and you have every reason to be proud! Congrats, again, to you all!!!!!

Bathing: There's no real prescribed "norm," but you don't have to overdo it for sure. When babies are "dirty," give them a bath. Otherwise, you risk drying out their sensitive little skin... By all means, keep their bums clean -- and watch out for diaper wipes. They don't clean as well as they appear to, and often leave traces of "stuff" on babies (including perfume and other things babies can be sensitive to). I often used water with some baby oil added on a cotton "strip" to wipe babies after a soiling. Cleans well and comes completely off -- no/less risk of rash....

Ters, I was also thinking your "plugged duct" might be ticking Luke off. Also, be careful to "back off" a bit the moment your milk lets down. It can gush and cause baby to sputter, "choke" a bit and cough. Don't know if that's what's going on, but another thought....

For me, we had a great check-up today!!! :yippee: In fact, both babies ARE head-down (which means they haven't moved for two weeks!!), my cervix is half it's "original" length (now =2.5cm or so), and is slightly opened in the front. Position is still "posterior," though, as doc said; but she could feel Artemis' head...! ;-) I've been swelling more, but no protein in my urine and bp is normal, so no worries. We also saw babies practicing "breathing" on the u/s, so good sign for thier lung development! :-) About induction, etc., doc said since this pg is going so well, we will do a weekly heart monitoring for the babies and have weekly appts from here on out, but we'll only consider induction at week 39.5 if they haven't come by then...!!! I guess most of you would not have welcomed such news, but I'm pretty psyched about it! :-) Then, to boot, while I was dressing, I overheard the doc tell dh she thought this has been a "beautiful pregnancy" because things are going so well so far...! :D I'm so happy and so proud of these babies (already). Whew.

DS2 had a "modern dance" performance at school today, which I managed to attend after my appt and blood-work. I must say, he did super. :-) It was so awesome to see all those little bodies jumping and squirming all over the place! I even managed (JUST) the walk home with the boys and MIL (who had come also to see the show). Tonight, though, dh is going to a performance _without_ me!!! :-((( This is the first event since my pg started that I will NOT be going to with him, and I'm feeling kinda sad about it!! Guess I just have to accept my limits -- and the end of my rock star lifestyle! ;-)

Well, ladies, I'm taking the good with the bad today in that respect, but very happy overall. I hope you're all managing well and that we'll hear more (and pics!) from Rachel soon! Staci, Paula, Chastity, nicunurse -- how are you all doing???!? xox

[JacobsMom]

Hi Everyone,

I am feeling great today! It's been pretty hectic here, but usually it's when my hubby is home! LOL! He is driving me crazy insisting that we give the boys bottles. I have been feeling so stressed that I have not been producing enough milk to keep the boys satisfied cause lots of times they will still seem hungry after nursing for 30-40 minutes. So my hubby fixes them a bottle which they suck right down. Then sometimes they are satisfied after nursing for 10 or 15 and fall right back asleep for 2-3 hours. Well I found out doing research on the internet last night that sometimes they are just fussy and you shouldn't offer a bottle. Try a pacifier first cause maybe they just need to suck on something to sooth themselves, and if you give a bottle, they pretty much have no choice but to drink it, even though they may not need or want it. Then that interferes with the next time they are to nurse which can throw off your whole milk production! ARRRGH!! But my husband thinks he knows better than the experts so you can't tell him anything!

I have been nursing both boys exclusively today since I took over from James at 1:30 this morning. James had JUST finished giving David a bottle - which ticked me off cause I REALLY needed to nurse, and I had to wait until about 2:30 for Tate to wake up to nurse him. Why the h*** didn't he wake me up 15 minutes earlier so I could nurse him instead of giving him another stupid bottle! We really got into yesterday evening cause he literally made me take Tate off my breast and give him a bottle cause he had just nursed 1 hour before. He just does not/ will not understand that he is sabotaging all my attempts everytime he gives them formula. Well I have been feeding both boys on demand all morning and they have done great. They are both getting fed and are happy and content in their bouncers, until they fall asleep again.

I am so frustrated that I do not have his support, that I am considering giving up breastfeeding all together and maybe try pumping every two hours and giving the expressed milk in a bottle. It would be a LOT simpler and quicker, but I feel like I'd be cheating the boys and myself out of that special time. I love having my babies on my breast. I nursed Jacob for 14 months and that was our time together. I don't know what we are going to do. I am buying some Fenugreek today to try to boost my milk supply and see if that will help. David actually sleep from 1:30 to 6:00 today!! I don't know if that was a one-time thing or not. Man, if I could get them both sleeping through the night like that, it would make a HUGE difference in my household!

Well enough venting. I had my doctor appointment on Tuesday. She said the incision was closing up well and I didn't have to pack it anymore. Another couple of days and it should be healed. I go back in 3 weeks for my regular 6 wk checkup. I just about fell off the scale when the nurse weighed me. I have dropped 45 pounds since delivery!!!! :eek: And 23 of that was since last Thursday. I guess the fluid is finally coming off. I am 31 pounds lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight, and 18 pounds lighter than I was when I got pregnant with Jacob 9 years ago! It's been over 10 years since I've been this weight! If things keep going like this, I may break below 200 again!!! WOO HOO! :yippee:

I also asked my OB if I was cleared to drive. She answered I guess so since it appears you drove yourself here today and did ok. I told her I was feeling fine and was not in any pain anymore. Jacob has been a big help. He helps me get the stroller out and set up, and lift the carriers in and out of the car. He is starting to remember to hold doors open for us! LOL! We ran some errands yesterday and we are handling it pretty good.

Well, I need to run. Gotta go buy more diapers and retched formula!

BTW, someone had asked about preparing and heating formula. When we mix the powdered formula, we use bottled "Nursery" water. We feed it to them at room temperature and they don't seem to mind. It's a LOT easier on you in the long run if they will take it at room temp. For refrgerated breastmilk or formula, we fix the bottle (playtex with disposable liners) and drop it into a cup that is filled with very hot tap water. It only takes about 2 minutes to take the chill off and get it back to room temp. It takes longer to warm up a thicker bottle.

Later,
Stacey

[vthompson]

Very busy here today!!

Stacey - I am sorry that DH is being such a stinker! Try not to let him influence your decision...easier said then done. You do what is best for you and the babies...if that means continuing to breastfeed, then go for it. If it means pumping, then don't feel guilty for that either. The last thing you need right now is to stress out over feedings. Congrats on the weightloss! You should be very proud of yourself!

Sherry - It sounds like you had a wonderful appt! You have done such a great job throughout this entire pg! Keep it up!

Steph - I was told to bathe them 3 times a week...we usually try every other day or every 2 days.

C-sec - Reading everyone's experiences brought back my own memories that I had forgotten about. The itching was really bad! I forgot about that. They gave me benadryl and that helped a lot. I agree about the pain meds, the nurses do not remember to bring them so make sure you call them when it is getting close to your next dose and do not be afraid to ask them for help. Ters was right, when you get home, you wish you could bring one of them with you to answer your questions!

Gotta run,

Valerie

[qbanmom5]

Hi,

Thanks Sherry for the advise. I am thinking maybe its coffee I am drinking? I hadn't drank any in the morning for the first week and a half because by the time we all got out of bed it was late. The last few days DH has been bringing me a cup in the morning. Maybe the caffeine? It doesn't bother Leia at all. The plugged duct is much better. They have been emptying that breast completely and I massaged it in the shower under hot water. I think its gone now. I am pretty sure its some sort of gas problem. I will have to pay better attention to what I eat.

Everything else is going o.k. Nightime is the worse with the interrupted sleep. Makes me feel exhausted all day long when I have so much to do. Also, I have relatives who want to stop by and see the babies and I soooo don't feel up to company. I don't know why but instead of seeing it as an opportunity to relax and let others help I see it as work: Having to make sure the house is super clean, preparing something for the guests to eat as well, doing and putting away all the laundry, getting myself "presentable", etc.

Anyway, gotta go make lunch. Talk to you all later, Ters

[ChastityLove]

Sherry- I am still here and thanks for asking! I can't believe that you are still carrying those babies!! Good for you! I am so physically challenged right now due to being so full of babies at 35 weeks that I cannot imagine going until 38 weeks!! You are a brave woman!

I am wondering if anyone has used the Fenugreek supplement. I am nervous about the milk supply issue. Mainly because I didn't seem to produce alot with my son but that could have been due to stress and cluelessnes. ha ha
Just wondering if it really works......

I am puffy today. At least my feet and ankles are. Think it's just the heat and not enough water today. We will see how they look in the morning. The babies move constantly. I think because I am constantly contracting and they just get irritated! I don't think that my Procardia is working for me anymore. Everything looked good at my NST and visit with the nurse. She said to just keep taking the Procardia to satisfy the Dr. but if these babies are ready then they will come regardless. So I am still drinking water and not doing much. Can't wait for the 27th!!

Chastity

[qbanmom5]

Hi, I was also wondering about the fenugreek and what other milk boosting supplements are out there. I am still only getting 1 1/2 to 2 oz from each breast and each of the babes is drinking 3 oz so clearly its not enough. I am supplementing with formula and try to make sure they get breast milk (at least a little) at every feeding. I will be trying to pump every 2 hours and maybe that will work. Once it starts to dwindle is it possible to work your supply back up or is it all downhill from there. I really want to keep trying, I was able to tandem feed for about 10 minutes today till Luke starting screaming. Apparently his boob went dry or something. He is sooo picky. If it is too full and coming out too fast he cries and if he isn't getting it fast enough he cries too. Typical man :0 Where is Jason these days anyway?

Ta-ta, Ters

[swineland]

Hey!

For those of you who are formula feeding, or supplementing with formula, how many ounces are your little one's eating?? My boys are 2 1/2 weeks old and are completely ravenous about every 2 1/2 hours. We had a 3 hour thing going on, but the last few days it's been more like every 2 hours instead. I know they are going through a little growth spurt, which is going to yield hungrier babies. We are preparing 2.5 ounces of formula in the their bottles, sometimes they eat more, sometimes they eat less. They are definitely gaining weight and are filling out more. Just curious as to what you other moms are finding works for your babies at this point.

Thanks!
Steph

[TMoT]

Stacey, hang in there -- you are doing GREAT!!! I'm sorry dh is sabotaging your work, too, but I guess you're just going to have to tow the line with him. I KNOW they won't listen to US tell them how good b/f is, but maybe you could get your doc or lactation consultant to provide a "professional opinion" and express your need for SUPPORT to him, on your behalf, if that might be possible??? Well, hang in there! Just have to get through these early-ish days, then when the routine kinda establishes itself, things tend to get better -- as you know from your experience with ds, I guess??!! Well, good luck, anyway! I am/we are all thinking about you!!!

Ters, ya. I'd definitely say "ix-nay on the offee-cay"!! ;-) Sounds like you're beginning to understand Luke's feeding style really well, anyway, and yes it could just be that he's "picky." DS1 was the same with me, but I stuck it out and am so glad... I know there's a drug (market name is "Motilium"), that is technically for "upset stomach, nausea and vomiting," but has the side-effect of stimulating milk-production (!!!), but it is not available in the US!!!!! (Don't ask!) In any event, NURSING is the best/most sure way to get your milk supply UP; and, as long as you're producing something, you can always start to produce MORE, don't fret. The most important thing at this point is to get them latched on well and make them WORK to get the milk out/flowing. You might have to relinquish "tandem" for that, or alternate it with one-on-one feeds -- to make sure they're "drawing" enough each time to get your milk supply UP for the next feeding. I can't stress enough that the more they NURSE (even more than pumping!), the more milk you will have. That's the bottom-line. And, oddly enough, this issue of "not enough milk" is mainly a phenomenon in countries where it's easier to supplement, and is rarely a question in places where women rely exclusively on b/f to feed their babies. Just something to think about...! ;-) In all cases, GOOD LUCK!!!!!! And, btw, my Mommy said I could send you her email address, Ters. So, I'll do that in a PM for you, okay??! It's been a LONG time (12 years!) since she b/f'ed, but she was still happy to talk to/encourage you, if you need it....!! ;-) xox

BIG HUG to Valerie, still our thread "cheerleader"!! Val, I hope everything is going well for you too! Please keep us posted on your "doings" with the babes!! xx

Okay. I had a major disappointment last night! The "last big outing" dh and I planned was side-railed by my tummy -- and a vomit-y feeling (sorry, tmi!) that just wouldn't let up. We watched Robin Williams' HBO special instead (Man! Was that hysterical!!), but I was still bummed. ...Boys will be at their grandparents' till tomorrow, though, so if "brunch" stays in okay, dh and I will try to do some non-baby errands today anyway -- and, hopefully, dinner OUT tonight, as all you lovely ladies suggested! ;-) Well, wish us luck!!!!!

Take care, all. I'm thinking about you LOTS!!!
Love,

[vthompson]

It has been really slow on here lately since I last posted. I hope everyone is doing well!! Are more mommies having babies?

Fenugreek - I was logging on to ask about this as well. I went ahead and bought some and took my first dose this morning. I found a website that said to take 6-12 pills daily. I am starting off small and taking 2 pills 3 times a day and see how I and the babies do with this. I am only pumping about 3oz every 3 hours, which is not enough. I know nursing is the best way to boost your supply, but it just didn't work for us. I read up on the fenugreek and the side effects. Basically, it can cause some tummy problems, but may not so I am just going to watch the babies and myself carefully. Does anyone have any experience with the fenugreek and can offer some tips?

Feeding - We usually feed the babies 4 oz of formula at night and 3 oz of breastmilk during the day (I am not pumping out enough to up them to 4 oz of b/m). Believe it or not, they usually finish all 4 oz at night. During the day, they eat the 3oz and then usually get up 2-2 1/2 hours later to eat again so I think they need 4oz during the day, too. At night, after they eat, they usually sleep for 3- 3 1/2 hours. They are 3 weeks old. I asked the ped about it, and she said to go ahead and try 3 or 4 oz if they appear hungry. It is amazing how much they are filling out since they were born!

Well, not much new here. It is amazing how quickly the days go. I am busy all day with baby stuff. I cleaned my house today for the first time since I got pg...DH was the one doing it. It exhausted me but felt good at the end when everything was spic and span! I also put tons of frames around the house of the babies. I can't stop taking pictures! They just do such cute things!!

Well, it is almost time to eat and then we have a grad party to go to. We are trying to time it up so the babies will be sleeping. That way, people won't ask to hold them and we won't have to worry about germs! I know, I am crazy!!

Talk to everyone later!

Valerie

[JacobsMom]

STEPH: When we give the boys formula, we usually offer 2.5 - 3 oz. at each feeding. Most of the time, they finish it all or leave about 1/2 oz. Today they were still really hungry after nursing, and David drank an additional 2.5 oz or formula, and Tate drank 2 oz. After breastfeeding only they usually sleep 1.5-2 hours. After having formula, they will usually sleep 2.5-3.5 hours. Today we gave bathed them, and fed a bottle at 2:30 pm, and they are still sleeping at 6:15. I guess the bath wore them out. I am about to go wake Tate up to nurse. I'm feeling pretty full after 5 hours.

My current plan of action is to nurse on demand during the day. (When my hubby isn't home, this goes well.) Offer a bottle before dinner (like when hubby gets home from work). Nurse again around 9:30, and then take a nap. Get up about 12:30-1:00 to nurse again. Give formula around 3:30am and nurse again when they wake up. I go back to sleep with them until about 9am and start all over again. I'm really ok with giving them formula two or maybe 3 times a day, but NOT every other feeding. And definately NOT after each time I nurse. That's just going to teach them to nurse half-heartedly and get done, and then their daddy will give them a bottle that they don't have to work for! GRRRR!

I bought some Fenugreek today. The research I did on the internet recommended 3 pills 3 x a day. I will start with that at dinner tonight. I'll post in a day or so to let you know how it worked. If this doesn't do it, my next option is going to be to pump exclusively, although I really don't want to have to resort to that, I just love nursing too much to abandon it completely.
My pediatrician's stance is that I should nurse as much as I can, and supplement the rest of the time. He said that in his 25+ years of practice he has only had one mother of twins who was able to breastfeed exclusively.

Baby up. GOtta go.

Stacey

[chrisallen]

Well, I am joining you ladies SO late in the game it almost seems unfair, but I tried to get the gist of who everyone is and where they are at, and I just decided to jump in! You all seem like a nice bunch of ladies that I wanted to join ya!

I'm having a scheduled c-section this Thursday, June 22nd, and am expecting twin girls! That is, if baby B doesn't get her head down before then, then maybe we'll wait for labor to happen on it's own. I'll be 38 weeks on Thursday, and I think I'd carry these kiddos until the end of time if the Doc would let me, lol... my body is good at being pregnant, I guess! (Just sucks at GETTING pregnant...)

I have a 2 year old son, Zachary, who I am just so in love with these days that my heart hurts every time I look at him lately, thinking it's not gonna be just the 3 of us any more after this week. I am terrified that things are going to change so much... but I know it will be ok. people have done it before me and survived... lol... I just need to stop stressing out about what I can't change!

Anyways, wanted to drop into the fray and say HI!

[AndreaR]

Hi gals - sorry I've been MIA for a few days, but you must know how it is. It's amazing how quickly the hours pass and you feel like you didn't accomplish anything (except feed/change/soothe two babies - which is actually quite an accomplishment). This will be a long post (unless one of the girls wakes up).

Things are going well here. Little Maddie has been home for almost a week now, and she's doing great. We went to the pedi on Friday, and she is back to her birth weight (5 lbs even)! We are very excited about that, because the more weight she gains, the more fat cells she accumulates, and they help her maintain her body temp. Isabelle is also doing very well, although she's not quite back to her birth weight (6lbs 8oz). She's just about 3 oz away, so I'm not worried. Plus, she's nursing like a champ! I'm so proud of her. We really had a tough time getting started, but now it's working beautifully.

Here's our feeding approach: For most feedings, I try to tandem nurse. I get Isabelle latched on first for a minute or two, so that she gets my milk to let down. Then, I get Madeline on the other boob. She's still small and a weak sucker, so anything I can do to help her along seems like a good idea. Madeline stays on for about 10 - 15 minutes. If she's eating vigorously and easily, I let her stay on for the full 15. If she's pokey, I take her off at 10 minutes. The NICU nurses, the lactation consultants (I can't tell you how many I've spoken with in two and a half weeks), and the pedi all agree that if she is having a hard time sucking, she may be burning more calories than she's gaining, and we don't want that! When Maddie is done, I hand her off to DH or whomever to have her bottle (I've also done it myself twice - the EZ2nurse pillow is great). She gets two ounces of breastmilk with powdered formula added for extra calories. Every once in a while, we don't have enough breastmilk, so we have to give her all formula. She is on the 24 calorie stuff. Isabelle stays on the breast for about 20 - 30 minutes. Basically, until she falls asleep. Then I rouse her a little and offer her a bottle of formula (just one ounce). Until she gets back to her birth weight, the pedi wants us to be sure that she's getting as much as she wants. Most times she'll drink a little formula, but sometimes she refuses altogether. After I give Izzy her bottle, we put the girls down (quickly if we're lucky), and I pump out the rest of my breasts. I double pump, which I really hate doing, but it's supposed to help maximize your milk. One of the lactation consultants told me that I should be emptying my breasts 8X/day. We have 6 feedings per day, so I'm supposed to pump twice in between. Sometimes that happens; sometimes I'm just too busy/tired. I have fenugreek capsules as well as tea. I have only had the tea so far, and it seems to work. The packages says to drink three times per day. I also notice that if I drink a lot (of anything), it helps my milk. So keep drinking ladies!

My c-cection experience was similiar to all of yours. I had a spinal, which I was TERRIFIED about the entire pre-op time. It was actually a non-event. I had myself all worked up over nothing. I know that some women have bad experiences, but it didn't really hurt that much for me. Thank God. I did not get itchy, but I did get really nauseous once the girls were out. And it felt like forever from the time they took out Madeline (baby B) until they finished closing me up. DH said it was about 20 minutes. I almost threw up on the table, but they gave me some medicine, and I avoided that. I did throw up quite a few times into the evening, however. That stunk. I was really out of it during and after the procedure, but I think it might have been from the morphine they gave me. I recovered really well from the c-section, even though I had lost quite a bit of blood and was very anemic right after. I tried to get out of bed that evening, but I got too dizzy, so I sat down. The next day, I got up fine, and the nurse took me to the bathroom and took out my catheter (ouch!). And then I was up for good. I spent most of the days in bed, but I got in and out easily, and I tried to walk the floor two or three times a day. I've been fine ever since I got home. I don't know why - I think God was really good to me, since there we had so much else to deal with when Maddie had to go to NICU.

Steph: the nurses told us that the babies don't need to be bathed very often, as long as you keep their bums, faces, and hands clean. Too much bathing dries out their skin. We've been doing it 2-3 times per week.

Stacey: try not to get too frustrated w/ breastfeeding. I know how you feel. I was at my wit's end about a week ago, and then bam! we turned a corner and things are going much better. The more you nurse, the more your milk will come in. And drink lots of liquids. Sorry about your DH. I'm having DH issues, too, but this post is already too long. I'll save that for another day. I hope you two are able to come to an agreeable compromise.

Chastity - congrats on making it so far in your pg! You won't be long now. I don't think you need to start taking fenugreek now. It seems to work pretty quickly. But I'm no expert.

Sherry - Congrats on the great checkup! I can't believe you are psyched about going 39 weeks. God bless you. Sorry that you had to cancel your outing last night. I was really nauseous the last week of my pg. Mostly due to reflux. Boy, I sure don't miss that!

We went for our first walk today. I know a lot of you have been taking your babies out and about, but we're petrified to get them close to people. The pedi (who is pretty tame about most things) was pretty clear that we should avoid people as much as possible. He continues to remind us that they haven't even made it to my actual due date (today, as a matter of fact). So we haven't taken them anywhere except to see him. Today we went for a walk in the neighborhood. It was very, nice - the whole family. I can't believe how out of shape I am! I couldn't breathe! But it's also very hot and humid today, not good breathing weather.

Well, that's our update. I hope everyone is enjoying fathers day (am I the only one who wasn't able to get out and get DH a card/present?).

There are quite a few MIA mommies (Danielle, Heather, Missy, Mindy...) I wonder how everyone is doing.

AndreaR

[sgarrett]

We have babies! Aiden Byers and Isabelle Grace were born June 13th at 5:10pm and 5:14pm. Aiden was 6.7lbs and Isabelle was 7.8lbs. I have not had time to read the posts but I wanted to check in. Will read more later and give ya'll the whole story.

Staci

[sgarrett]

BTW how do you insert pics?

[vthompson]

Staci - WOW!! Those are some big babies! Great job!!

Quick question...for those of you that have had c-sections, how long are you waiting to have sex? I know you are supposed to wait 6 weeks, but does that really apply if you haven't had a vaginal delivery? Sorry, TMI, but DH and I attempted today, in the heat of the moment of course, and we couldn't. It just felt very abnormal to me...kind of hurt and burned...if that makes sense. Anyways, I was just wondering, especially for those that have had babies before, is it going to feel that way the first time or was I right for stopping? It has been 3 weeks since the birth so I thought we might be ok, but I guess not. I hope I didn't injure anything.

Valerie

[Jillmami]

Where does everyone have their little ones sleep during day/night? When do you plan on graduating to cribs in the nursery?

[TMoT]

Staci, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! I _KNEW_ since we hadn't heard from you that you were having your babies! :'-))) I'm so happy for you and SO impressed by their weights! Way to go!!!!!!!!! ...Can't wait to hear the story and see the pics (only way I know to insert pics is by uploading them into the ticker where you're prompted to do so when "building" the ticker -- anyone else??!)!! Hope it all went well for you and that you're all doing super! :throb:

Christi - congratulations on your twins too!!! I'm technically due on 11 July myself, but pretty much expect to be a June mommy as well, so here I am! More than happy to share these last few days (?!!) with you on the thread -- along with PaulaP (??!!), nicunurse and ChastityLove -- who, I hope, are all doing well for the moment too! Ladies?!?! ...Btw, Christi, I had the _exact_ same feeling with my ds1 when I found out I was pg with ds2... I was really clingy and almost jealously guarding my and ds1's relationship!! I didn't know HOW I would manage to love ds2 in the same way, but VIOLA! At his birth, I saw this beautiful, big bundle of joy and I absolutely fell in love again -- for the second time! And, now I KNOW, it's going to happen again (and again, and again)...!!! Call it the "mystery" of a mother's (and father's) Love... It is truly magical. I can't wait until you experience it for yourself!!!!! xx

Today, we are 37 weeks and I am so proud of these babies for hanging in there so long!!! :yippee: I'm proud of myself *sniff sniff* for keeping them in here so long, too!!! ;-) In fact, I've been extremely emotional these days (besides everything else), though, so I suppose it won't be much longer now... (?!) For the rest, runny bowels - check; swelling - check; reflux/nausea/vomiting - check; general fatigue and feeling of total pg "saturation" - check!!!!! HOWEVER, still no sign of my mucous plug, so maybe these kiddos are planning to stay in there another couple of weeks!! Who knows?!?! :rotflmbo: Doc just has us going to weekly monitoring and ob appts in the meantime, to make sure everything with me/them is fine -- which, I'm very glad to say, it IS! :-)

AndreaR, so NICE to hear from you and thanks for the support! :-) In fact, thank you to ALL of you for the words of encouragement!!! Only you can know how valuable and treasured that is to me at this point!!! :'-))) ...A, sorry to hear that you're having "dh issues" -- I really feel for you and send a BIG (((HUG))) and tons of moral support across the miles!!! ...I'm so glad Maddie is home now too, though, and that you're all finding your "equilibrium" again, little by little. I am thinking about you!!!

Stacey, you too! :-) Sounds like you are making great progress with the b/f! You have all the emotional support I can send you virtually too! You are doing a GREAT job!!!!!

Val -- WOW! Sex already?!?!! :D Great for you!!! Otoh, I think it's good that you stopped when things didn't seem "right." I suppose six weeks is a good benchmark for c-section healing too (although I can't say with certainty). You HAVE had surgery, sweetie. Might be good if you just give your body another three weeks to heal... Of course, that doesn't mean you can't find other ways to enjoy you and dh. I personally think that kind of "couple bonding" after a new Addition/S to the family is _really_, _really_ important! Way to go!! :-)

Jill, as long as dh and I can manage it, my plan is to keep the babies in bed with me and or very near my side for at least the first year...! (Mostly for b/f; but, I am a freak about these things, I know!!) After that, they will be joining their big brothers in the room next door on the bottom bunk/s (together or separate, whatever they/we "prefer"). They have cribs, but I've never really used cribs in the past, actually. Dses have both gone from by-my-side straight into their own "big" beds with a safety gate (like from Safety1st)... Well, that's the plan, but we will see how it goes, for my and dh's, and the babies' sake...! ;-)

...My big accomplishment for the weekend was trekking a mile in the blazing 90+ degree sun to attend a "small families" picnic and hang out with all the twin families -- ugh!!! By the time we got to our destination, almost everyone else was packing up to go home (!!), and the mommies I _did_ see were not exactly the pinnacle of "calm, cool and collected" in dealing with their little ones, as I had hoped. So, I had a very frightening look into The Future, and was not too reassured!!! :eek: ;-) Anyways... Reality is Reality, so I guess we just have to accept it and go forward...!!! ;-)

Well, sweet Mommies. I am glad everyone seems to be managing well and to know I'll be joining you soon -- more or less! -- on The Other Side! ;-) I'll keep you posted about me when I'm not too hot/tired (!!), and I'll be thinking about you all too! Hang in there!

[LucasMom]

Congrats Staci on the great weights!
Sherry, you are right there MAMA! Awesome job!
I didn't even honestly realize I'd been MIA, things get so busy around here!

I have put new photos on my signature...Logan and Dylan at one one month, a pic of mommy and daddy on date night, which was wonderful!, and a pic of one very tired daddy and his boys on Fathers day.

We are doing well here. The boys are getting huge, probably at 9.5 pounds already! Our next checkup is July 5th, so we'll know then. Sleep patterns are not consistent right now, some nights they go 4 hours a stretch, some (last night), they don't want to sleep. They take 4 oz. formula every 3-4 hours right now. They sleep wherever I am during the day, and at night, we have been putting them in their crib since about week 2. They usually do at least one 3-4 hour stretch in the crib, the other one either in car seat, our bed, depends on what mood they are in.

I will tell you, the boys both sleep better on the belly, which I will only do if I am there to monitor them, like daytime naps. Both have pretty bad gas, and this seems to help with the gas and little bit of reflux.

Other than that, life is going as normal around here, the "new normal" as we say. My check up is Friday, and yes we have already...done it.:crazy:
I'd say, your body is ready when it tells you it's ready. I had a vaginal delivery and we waited about a month. It was still a little sore, and we didn't go crazy, but I waited with Lucas 6 weeks and that is the general rule, although midwives will tell you different.

As far as those of you who saw the TV show, Lucas is doing AWESOME with the twins. He is an excellent big brother, very loving, no resentment towards them at all. I can't wait for them to start interacting a bit more, and sleeping through the night a bit more, but other than that, I cannot complain.

I miss hearing from all of you, and hope you are enjoying your new additions. Send new pictures!!!

Love and kisses,

Mindy

[TMoT]

Beautiful pics, Mindy! You're an inspiration! *sniff sniff* Keep up the great work at your "new normal" and please let us know how the pedi visit goes with those adorable hunks of yours!!!! xox

[teresa67]

Sherry I was thinking about you last night. I thought I haven't seen her in a couple of days.......I wonder is she had the babies. How are you feeling?

[swineland]

Hi everyone!
This'll be a long one.

Mindy, you look great! I watched the TLC show and I know you were complaining about how swollen you were and how then how you lost like 30lbs immediately afterward....I can tell! Your face is all small now :) (I mean, not that it was huge....you know what I mean). Anyway, your family is precious and I am glad you and DH are having date night and other, ahem, fun!

Sex: we have not yet. I had my c-section 3 weeks ago tomorrow and, although I feel great and my incision has healed perfectly, my doc said "nothing in the vagina" for 4-5 weeks. Not that we can't have some fun in many other ways, but to be honest, doing this shift thing, we are both dog tired! We have had date night though...which consisted of a 5pm dinner at Chilis :) We are not used to eating that early, but with my new 7pm bedtime, I guess it's early bird specials for us! Also, we got out Friday afternoon for a matinee of The Break Up w/J. Aniston.....it was SO funny. We are both big fans of the Vince Vaughn/Owen Wilson/Ben Stiller group of comedians. So, we thoroughly enjoyed the humor.

Bottles: as you all know, I formula feed my boys. I went out and registered for and then bought a bunch of Avent 4 oz. bottles. They were doing okay in the beginning, a little messy, but I thought that was just the way it went. After repeated washings and feedings, I started getting REALLY frustrated with feeding the boys. The formula would bubble up around the sides of their mouths and eventually drip all over them. It sounded like they were gagging and we'd have to pull the bottles out, wipe them off and start again....like 10-12 times during a feeding. THEN, the bottles themselves started leaking...no matter how tight or loose I put the caps on. I almost threw one against the wall one morning as I sat there crying right along with my son who was hungry and was having the worst time. The flow on the Avent bottle is WAY too fast for these little guys and the nipple design is such that their little mouths can't get a good seal. Anyway, I went out and bought 3 Soothie bottles b/c they LOVE their Soothie pacifiers and I noticed the nipple design is much different from the Avents. Well, what a difference! The feedings have been going MUCH better and they don't need a complete clothing change afterward anymore. I'm sure the Avent bottles are good for some, perhaps most, babies.....but I sure wish I hadn't spent close to $50 on them. What are you guys finding as far as bottle brands go????

Unfortunately, with being up from 1am to 10am or so, I needed to find a way to be awake, so I have been drinking loads of coffee, some diet cokes and little snacks here and there. I was feeling really down physically yesterday and was a bit weepy, especially when the boys would cry, and I thought "I can't do this...I need to be feeling good and at the top of my game". So, today is a day one of me eating better, drinking more water, cutting out soda and limiting my coffee. (Although I just bought a new creamer from Nestle called Vanilla Chai Spice...SO yummy!)

Let's see...what else. Oh, feeding! Evan and Bailey are going crazy at feeding time. We have upped their amount and now, at 3 weeks old, they are eating 3 oz. every 2-3 hours. In the beginning, they would wake up right at the 3 hour mark, eat, and fall back to sleep. Now, they are waking up an average of 2 1/2 hours and eating more. I know they are growing and we are more than happy to feed them "on demand", I just want to make sure they aren't being OVERfed. But I don't think they are. The wet and dirty diapers are pretty consistent, not too much, not too little and they have virtually no spit-up or even gas. They burp really well. Anyway, I can't tell you how much research I've done on feeding amounts and just wondered, again, what all of you are doing?? Everything I've read says one thing, then follows it up with "but of course, every baby is different". So, it's kind of hard to get a good answer.

When do the babies start to socially smile?? Mine have been doing the "my food feels funny in my tummy" smile since day 1, but I'm so looking forward to when they look back at me and really smile. I can't believe they are 3 weeks already. Yesterday was my official due date....funny.

Staci, congrats on the babies! Excellent weights!
Sherry, you hang in there girl! It's only a matter of time.....

Oh, Jill...about the sleeping arrangements: During the day we have the babies out in the family room, shades open, TV on, phone ringing, normal voices...not all at once, of course, but the idea is to let them know that daytime is business as usual around here. At night, we put them both in one crib in the nursery, usually after the 7-8pm feeding. They are swaddled and next to one another using the sleep positioners. They sleep great in there. We have the light on a dimmer so we make it real "romantic" haha.....just a nice soft glow. Also, we have small computer speakers wired in there and we play either "womb sounds" or Einstein lullabies real low.....the computer is on the other side of the wall, so we control what they hear via iTunes. Then, in the morning after the 7 am feeding, I bring them out in the family room again. It's our crazy attempt at this early age to establish nighttime and daytime for them. We DO have a pack n' play in our bedroom, but since we started doing the shift thing it hasn't been used. To be honest, they never really slept that well in it the first week we used it. So, it's there as a standby.

My boys love to sleep on our chests as well and we try to hold them as much as possible. The one thing I do have a hard time with, as far as twins goes, is when they both cry. If I'm holding one and the other one starts to cry, do I let him cry and self-soothe or do I put the first one down, get the second one, and give them both my half-a$$ed attention?? What's the best way to handle that?? I tell ya, I NEVER want to hear a mom of one complain about anything. I have thought several times over the last few weeks, my gosh, I can't imagine how easy this would be if I just had one. (Not that I would change it for ANYTHING!)

Well, I've rambled on enough. Miss talking to you all....I was so happy to log on and see that we had FINALLY moved onto page 132! Sure wish we all lived in the same area.....we'd be visiting one another all the time.

Danielle, Ters, Felisha, Lisa....where the heck are you guys?? Oh, I forgot....taking care of babies?! We totally understand.

Hugs,
Steph

[PaulaP]

Hey ladies! Just wanted to let ya'll know that we had babies on June 8. Caleb Douglas was born at 6:10pm and weighed 6lb 12oz and Seth Allen arrived at 6:11pm weighing 5lbs 9oz. Everything has been going pretty well so far... just trying to adjust to a total lack of sleep. I can't read through all the posts now, but I will definitley try to soon! Hope everyone is doing well!

-Paula

[mommyof4at26]

hi everyone congrats to everyone having babies and to sherry for 37 weeks:yippee: :spitwater ,paula-my boys were born on june 8 too!congrats.sorry i havent had any pics posted or time to write i miss talking to you all,i have had an emotional breakdown i am going on 3 or 4 hors of sleep a night.i never thought it would be this hard. but ots worth it. well ill talk again this week.

[teresa67]

lisa I wouldnt try the vaseline, it doesnt work well and it pisses the baby off.

infant supositories cut in half will work good. if they are screaming I would add 1/2 teaspoon of dark karo syrup to one of thier bottles, dr said that was fine, you can use up to 1 teaspoon. Don't forget you can add a tablespoon of prune juice to the apple juice water. I hope something works, it's terrible for them to be constipated.

[LucasMom]

Do you give the juice water mix in addition to the bottle? before? instead of? Poor Dylan has such a hard time going, even with 2 tsp. sugar in EACH bottle!!! I can't believe my doc wants him on this much sugar! He has been around forever, so I am inclined to trust him, however I feel like I trust a big group of mommies more!:)
I don't think it's a milk allergy...no other signs, but just want the poor kid to be comfortable.
Also, how do guys feel about stomach sleeping? They sleep so much better on bellies.

[qbanmom5]

Hi all!

Staci: Congratulations! Great job!!

Sherry: Thanks so much I just emailed your mom so i will tell you how it goes.

Val: We just had sex the other day too. It was just as described-I felt like a virgin again. Stinging and somewhat painful. Luckily it had been so long for DH that he was done really fast so I didn't have to fake it for long. :)

Steph: Those are the exact same bottles I bought: Avent and Soothie. I am not crazy about the avent either-they end up with milk all over the place.

Everyone else: Love you all, I will write more later. Anyone else with a c section still have a big belly?I was expecting a small pooch around the incision but my abdomen still looks swollen !! What gives!

Ters

[TMoT]

Paula, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Way to go!!! Welcome to the world, Caleb and Seth!!! ...So glad to hear you're settling in and can't wait for the details/pics! Take good care of yourselves and keep us posted!! :throb:

Does that leave just... ME?!?!! ;-) Okay. And Chastity, Christi and nicunurse (although we haven't heard from her lately either, so....!) ;-)

Rachel, sorry you're so overwhelmed! I am not surprised, though, with all those little ones to take care of! I'm thinking about you LOTS and praying for things to settle down so you can get some rest, Poor Mommy! :throb: Please let us know how you're doing when you have the chance, and chin-up sweet thing!!!! (btw, take your Omega-3 and :spitwater!!!) xoxox

Teresa, thanks for asking after me. We're totally hanging in there!!! :cool: I feel tired all the time -- and swollen, itchy, HUGE and nauseated! But, what's NEW?!?! ;-) I'm managing well, though, and I have so much help with the big boys and dh is being super, so we are really, really handling this okay. I've got my weekly ob check-up tomorrow and a (final?) u/s on Friday, so I'm really looking forward to finding out what A&D's weights are(more or less) now... I'm technically not due till next Tuesday though, and doc says -- all else being equal -- she won't induce before 39.5 weeks (!!), so we're just gonna keep plugging away....!!! ...How are you and the girls doing??? And, can you post more pictures?!? :-) I would love to see how they look now. They change SO MUCH every day in the beginning, don't they?! It's just amazing!!! :'-) ...And, how is Mommy holding up?!? I hope things are getting easier now that they're big, that you have a good routine down, and that you are getting some sleep and "quiet time"... Well, I think about you lots, and it's so nice to have word from you!!!! xx

Mindy, sugar is just SO Old Skool!!!!!!!!! Please don't give it to your babies. :-( There are lots of reasons, but your gut instinct about this (being not good) is right on the money. If anything, go with the fruit juice -- it has fructose (=less-refined sugar) and the FRUIT in it has a bm-softening effect, as Teresa mentioned. Prune juice will be the most effective (of course), so you only need a real little bit.

Lisa/Mindy, et al.: ...Also, if the weather is warm, babies need more _liquid_, just like big people, to stay well-hydrated and to keep their bms "normal." It probably won't be easy to get them to drink just water out of a bottle (but you can try!), so really watered down fruit juice should make it that much more interesting for them. I also wouldn't give them the juice _before_ their feeding. Their tummies will get full and they won't eat as much (otoh, maybe they're more thirsty than hungry, in fact...?). ...So maybe try making sure they have room at the end of their feedings to get some extra liquid in there (or just make the formula more "runny"??). And, FYI, as a "comparison": In the warm months, breast-milk is noticeably more liquidy than other times of the year, and sometimes you even produce more of the watery "fore-milk" -- for babies to drink before your milk lets down -- probably precisely in order to help keep babies better hydrated... After all, it's just as important to keep _them_ well-hydrated in the summer heat (and/or a/c-cooled house) as it is to keep yourself that way!!! ;-) :spitwater (Btw, Mindy, are you b/f-ing?? If baby is constipated, maybe you can add more liquid and fiber to your own diet to "help" him/them out???)

Bottles: I never encountered this problem with the Avent bottles, but I also didn't give the babies bottles early on. Hmmm. I'll have to keep that in mind in case the need to bottle-feed arises though. Thanks for all your input, ladies!

Stomach sleeping/SIDS: Stomach sleeping is one of the risks associated with crib-death, but I always did it anyway...!! (?!) I also noticed that they are more comfy like that, AND it helps with gas. 'Course, babies were always right next to me, too, so... Once again, you just gotta go with your gut feeling on that. ...And, btw, I read an article recently which associates SIDS with a fire-retardant used in baby mattresses and infant urine/spit-up, etc. Apparently, baby "leakage" (!) can induce growth of a certain kind of fungus in the mattress which, in combination with the fire-retardant, lets off toxic fumes, which baby then breathes, etc... Bottom line: Keep your baby mattress well-protected (i.e. with a rubberized sheet) and keep it and baby _dry_; and don't use old/second-hand mattresses _especially_ if they have signs of fungus/mold/mildew growth on them... Don't think you ladies would do this anyway, but just to spread the word.... ;-)

Well, today is another quiet day of holding on for me/us. I'm sure you can all relate to these last days of monotony tinged with all the miscellaneous complaints of an almost-full-term twin pg, so I won't go on! ;-) Just going to take a nap now (eat your hearts out! lol just kidding!) and keep trying to "store up" energy. Ha, ha!! :rotflmbo:

Take care one and all!! xox

PS Ters, my mom said you had written and she hopes her feedback is useful for you! I hope so too. Doing this kind of thing really makes her feel good. :'-) Looking forward to knowing how it goes!!! xox

[qbanmom5]

hi

Sorry Paula I skimmed your post and missed it. Congratulations!!

I got the soothie bottles at Babies r us. I have heard good things about the playtex with the liners but those are kind of a pain (I used the older style ones with DD #2 and remember the bags being a nightmare). but if they are better for gas, I must try.

Went to wic today and they told me I am overfeeding :(. They said they should only be having 1-2 oz at most per feeding cause their stomach is so small. That is why they are spitting up and vomiting etc. Poor kids. I tried gving just 2 oz and Luke is still squirming and crying. I guess now we have to shrink their stomachs back to size. I anticipate lots of crying.

Sherry: Havent' checked emails yet but will do so right away. Can't wait to hear what mom says!

Ta-ta, Ters

[qbanmom5]

Thanks for the tip Felisha. I think they want to be conservative in giving out formula or something. I don't want them to starve either, but I am now offering 2 1/2 oz and maybe 3 if they are still hungry. I think 4 was a bit much too. Let me know how the bottles work.

Ters

[TMoT]

A quick "hello" before I go to sleep... ;-)

Hi, Ters and Felisha! I'm in the pedi's camp! What do they know at wic about how much to feed your babies?!?!?!!!! Feed on-demand, Ters. You're doing fine and don't let _anyone_ (including ME!! ;-)) undermine your self-confidence/mother's instinct!!!! As my mom always says: "Mother knows best." OF COURSE she would say that though!!! ;-)

Nighty-night, all! xox

[AndreaR]

sherry - while i totally sympathize w/ you on your discomfort in you last days, i must say i am very jealous of your napping opportinities. everyone says to sleep when the baby sleeps, but that's not so easy w/ two babies!

both girls have gone past their birthweights. madeline is 5lb 4 oz, and isabelle is 6lb 10 oz. we gp to pedi on friday. i'm hoping for the green light on feeding them on demand. my hope is that they'll have one or wo longer stretches of sleep if we aren't waking them to feed,

maddie seems to have some gas issues. we tries mylicon, and it works, but i didn't ask/tell the pedi first. i feel lilke we're doing something wrong.

i'm sooooo tired. and i'm getting aittle sick of changing diapers.....i have so many questions, but i'm too tired

AndreaR (and maddie, who is in my left arm as i type one-handed)

[swineland]

Hey guys!

Speaking of guys, where has Jason been?? And Danielle?? I think they're through with us :cry:

Anyway.....

Diapers: Andrea, I know how you feel. It's not that I'm necessarily sick of changing them, it's that I'm sick of BUYING them! I realized we change them after every feeding, which usually numbers 8-9 times in a 24 hour period, X 2 is roughly 18 diapers. Let's just round that to 20 and call it 40 diapers in two days. I did just buy the Target brand of diaper the other day, thinking what the heck.....I guess they're not too bad. A little stiff, but cheaper by half than the name brands. NOT that I'm trying to be a cheap mom, haha, but since I'm formula feeding these two ravenous little people, I have to cut corners somewhere b/c the formula is expensive too!! :) Aw, but they're worth every penny.

Have any of you gotten your actual period yet?? I have not, but my doc said it could be as early as 4 weeks after delivery. Of course, that's for someone who is NOT breastfeeding. All you b'feeders get an added "period-free" bonus of up to 18 months! Well, that's what I read anyway. I'm still bleeding a little bit, but it's definitely tapered off recently. I'm not a pad girl normally, so wearing these pads every day is very annoying! TMI....

Night sweats: anyone else getting these?? Good lord, I have had more nights where I wake up drenched in sweat...literally "wet" on the skin.....it's so gross. Then the pillow and sheets are all cool and damp....ick! Well, we JUST bought a new mattress before the babies came (like a few days before) and I thought that perhaps it was the mattress (I read memory foam can retain heat). I even went so far as to call Rooms to Go and ask if we can exchange the mattress for a different one w/out memory foam (which I was told "no"). Then, I decided to google "sweating after delivery" and bam! turns out it's all par for the course. It's our bodies way, especially after TWO, of getting rid of all the excess fluid we carried around. Anyway, just in case anyone else is suffering from a sweaty night......

Rant: Is anyone else feeling some kind of weird resentment type feelings against their husband?? I have no idea what's going on, but for some reason I am feeling very distant from him. Part of the reason is that, while I'm still recovering hormonally from the pregnancy and surgery, etc, he is just normal as always and is having NO problems with his new role as "dad". He just flits around like there hasn't been an adjustment at all....it's all good and he handles the babies like it's all just a walk in the park. I, on the other hand, am finding it more of an adjustment. I guess it's b/c I'm trying to also do laundry, cook when I can, and I'm up every day from 2am to MAYBE when I take a nap at 1pm or so.....I just resent that his life hasn't really changed too much. Plus, we've been face to face now every day for the last 4 weeks and I think, as much as I love him, it's just time for him to go back to work :) He is annoyed with my "attitude" towards him and says he understands my post-partum mood swings, but don't take it out on him. I tried telling him that he's just the one who's getting my crap b/c he's the one who's here. He is catching it all simply b/c he's in the way. If that makes sense. ANYWAY, I just hope this feeling passes soon, b/c I certainly don't want to feel anything but closeness and love with my husband. Also, and this is b/c I'm an only child, I feel sort of that "abandoned" feeling....like, you got your sons and now you don't need me anymore. Which is ridiculous!! Dr. Phil would have a hay-day with that comment..haha. Anyway, I know this is all just related to my still dealing with hormones, etc. Looking forward to getting back to normal...soon!

Bottle dilemma: So, we established that the Avent bottles are crap. The Soothie bottles are great so far. But here's the deal, one of my little eaters does terrific with the Soothie bottle, the other one had a disastrous time with the Avent bottles, and isn't doing much better with the Soothies. It still runs out of his mouth and down his chin and gets all over. He just eats weird I guess. Perhaps his swallowing reflex isn't coordinated with his breathing just yet and it doesn't work well. Anyway, I went BACK to Target yesterday (I swear I live there) and got a Playtex 4 oz. "drop in" bottle with the liners. I thought maybe b/c the liner contracts and there really isn't any bubbling to be had that it might work. And it did! His next feeding was dramatically different.....he was dry almost the whole time and finished the entire 3 oz's.!
So, one baby gets the new Playtex drop in bottle and the other gets the Soothie bottle. Kind of a pain, but who cares. I think today I'll go back and get some more Playtex bottles. :)

I better run and try to get some more sleep while the boys are sleeping.

Hope to hear from you all soon!!
Steph

[qbanmom5]

Hi Gals: I think I will try the Playtex ones too. Everyone still wears their milk after their feedings.

Glad you girls mentioned DH issues. I too have them. Especially at night. Just because he works outside the home he thinks he is entitled to more sleep. I haven't slept more than an hour and a half at night for weeks. He feels he is doing me a favor by doing the 12-1:00 am feeding but I end up waking up and taking one of them anyway so I am up too. not to mention that by the time you feed, burp and put one down the other one is up and by the time you finish that one the other is about to wake up. We had a fight over it and now he feels bad leaving me and going to work (men are so extreme) plus our a/c unit just broke and they can't come fix it until early July so he feels extra bad going to his air conditioned office and leaving us here to sizzle. Which leads me to Stephs comments about night sweating. I am soo sweaty all the time that I hadn't even noticed more sweating at night. I swear I have to wash my boobs every time I am about to nurse. TMI and gross. Oh and about my period, I am still bleeding on and off so how will I know when its my period? I am with you on the pads Steph. I hate them.

Hope everyone is well, where is Val these days?/?

Ters