SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 2011 // NEW YEAR’S EVE IN THE HOSPITAL
Like I had mentioned before, we hadn’t thought much about the twins needing to be cared for in the NICU. We knew there would be a possibility that Hannah would be there due to her heart condition (more on that later), but not both of them… and certainly not for the length of time we are currently faced with… or the amount of complications they could potentially have. When I was officially admitted to the hospital on New Year’s Eve, a doctor from the NICU came and spoke with Eric and I about what life would look like for the twins over the next few weeks. Thankfully, we’re on the tail end of the spectrum with all potential complications since they were almost to 32 weeks.
First and foremost, they would be placed in isolette incubators instead of open bassinets or cribs. The isolettes not only protect them from the outside world, but keep a constant, warm (more like very warm) environment for them while they’re learning how to regulate their body temp. on their own. Both would also need oxygen support, either by an oxygen mask or through nose tubes. Since Hannah’s water had broken, there was a good possibility that she would be the one who needed the mask, especially the longer she stayed in there. Thankfully I had received the steroid shot to help with their lung development just in time. The twins would need a head ultrasound to make sure there was no bleeding in the brain – again, since we were close to 32 weeks, the possibility of it was slim. Of course with any newborn, let along preemie, feeding can become a big issue. Since babies haven’t fully developed the capability to suck, swallow and breathe all at the same time until 34 weeks (and even then, some don’t have the skills until later on), Hannah and Parker would require feeding tubes. Then it’s just a matter of time to see how well they tolerate their formula… and while they work up on their feedings, both would have an IV to supplement the rest of the nutrients they would need to grow. Closer to 48 weeks gestation (so end of April), Hannah will need an ultrasound of her hips since she was in the breech position for so long. When she came out, her legs literally went straight up to her face (we have a picture of it, but it’s kinda freaky!). We learned later in the week from nurses that were in on our delivery that they had never seen a newborn do that! Maybe she’ll be a gymnast one day 🙂 Finally, the last thing they’ll check down the road, is their eyes to make sure their retinas have developed all the way. Again, it’s one of those things they check due to low birth weight or gestation under 32 weeks. While Parker meets the weight requirement, Hannah doesn’t and even though they’re just a day shy of 32 weeks, they’re going to check both of them to be on the safe side. Of course, both will be closely monitored during their stay in the NICU. They have three leads on them at all times – one for their heart, one for breathing, and another to measure their pulse ox. Lastly, which every parent with a baby in the NICU wants to know is, most preemies stay in the NICU about 2 weeks before or after the 40 week due date… which I was due February 28th.
MONDAY, JANUARY 2nd, 2012 // D DAY
When the nurse said we would deliver today, both nerves and excitement set in came all at once… not to mention contractions and hunger pains all at the same time… lol leave it to me to start having contractions right before breakfast. Of course we wanted the babies to grow as much as possible on the inside – every day was another day of growth – but we were some what relieved that the wait was over. Since Hannah was breech and Parker was transverse, there was no question that I would have to deliver by c-section… all I have to say is that is the weirdest sensation I’ve ever experienced! Unknowingly to either one of us, Hannah was born first but didn’t realize it since we didn’t hear any cries and the doctors hadn’t said anything until we heard “he’s a chunk!!” immediately followed by a cry. I, of course filled with hormones and lots of drugs was crying myself the whole time, but finally started crying out of joy when I finally heard one of them. They told Eric that he could come over and see the babies and I finally had to ask if they had both of them out! Later in the week we learned that the respiratory therapist had to kinda “jump start” Hannah and then she was perfectly fine. The RT himself was amazed she didn’t need any oxygen support at first! The NICU team checked them out and wheeled them by me on their way to their rooms. I saw Parker first and couldn’t get over how small he was until I saw Hannah – she was so itty bitty!
Parker complete with oxygen mask & IV
By the time I had a couple hours of recovery, they were ready to move me to the postpartum room, but on our way, they wheeled me to the NICU to see the twins. Still sick from the anesthesia, all I remember is the nurse asking me if I wanted to hold him but kindly declining since I knew I wasn’t quite all there yet. That and asking what was on their arms – it look like they were in a cast! While I knew they weren’t broken, the thought did cross my mind! Come to find out, it was just where their IVs were hooked up.
That evening once I finally came to, Eric was excited to show me pictures and give me an update on the kiddos. They were so cute and I couldn’t wait to be able to visit them in the morning! He told me that Hannah so far hadn’t required any oxygen support, but that Parker was the one who need the mask. Everyone said Hannah was so excited to be able to move since being stuck in the breech position for at least 2 to 3 weeks! They also had checked on Hannah’s heart and it didn’t appear to be any different than we had suspected… I promise I’ll explain her condition later on… it requires a post all on its own!
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 2012 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 8th, 2012 // WEEK IN REVIEW
Hannah with Daddy
Parker wtih Mommy
They say they grow up quick – and after only a week, I feel like that statement is already true! By Tuesday morning, I started feeling like I could function again and was able to hold Parker for the first time. He was so sweet and snuggly 🙂 As the week went on, during one of their feedings, we were allowed to hold them either skin to skin or swaddled for longer periods of time as long as they were tolerating it. Eric and I switched off each day so we got equal amount of time with them – one day I’ll have Hannah and Eric will have Parker, then vice verse the next. On Wednesday, we started out holding them for about a half hour, then Thursday it was an hour, by Friday, we worked to two hours… and now, depending on the day, we went for three hours – just in time to put them back before their next feeding – and it’s not that the kids aren’t tolerating it, it’s more or less that Eric and I get stiff sitting in the same position (it’s hard to move around with them with all their wires!) or we have to go to the bathroom! haha. Regardless, we absolutely cherish the time we have with them! Our participation in their care is some what minimal, but as time goes on, we’re able to interact with them more.
Besides time we can hold them, before each feeding (every three hours), we are able to change their diapers (which takes talent trying to change them through the portholes in their isolettes, let along trying maneuver around the wires, so Eric and I usually tag team them! AND for only being 2lbs and 4lbs, they’re awfully strong!!), take their temps., and if we’re here for their 8pm feedings, help weigh them… it’s’ almost like instead of the biggest loser, I like to think of it as the biggest gainer! As they get bigger and start to mature, we’ll have a more active role in their care.
Of course feeding time in general is a big deal. To start with, both were give only 2mL of formula! (Keep in mind 30mL is an ounce.) They start them out slowly to see how well they take it and then with each feeding, if they didn’t have any left in their tubes (or didn’t spit it up), they would increase the amount by another 2mL. Considering we know Parker likes his food and Hannah had been missing out for the past few weeks, it was no wonder that they both tolerated their formula well! Even still, it’s a HUGE deal for preemies to take to their food as well as these two have. And as I mentioned earlier, they had IVs to supply the rest of the nutrients they would be missing out on until they worked up to full feedings. Leave it to Miss Hannah, being the feisty one she is, to pull / knock out her IV! Nothing like being woken up at 4am by the doctor just 2 days after delivery to be told your daughter pulled out her IV. Still trying to wake up, I of course was nervous to learn what they had to say. The doctor told me they tried a couple of times to replace it, but didn’t want to stick her any more, so they were going to insert the IV through her umbilical cord. It was a completely safe procedure but we had to sign off of on it. Everything went as expected and was relieved to learn it was all ok! By Friday, Parker had started to move around enough to loosen his IV, but since he was close to his full feedings, they went ahead and took it out! You could tell he was much more comfortable without everything on his arm! Then, by Saturday night, Hannah had hers removed as well 🙂
In the NICU (or anyone in the hospital for that matter), equipment being removed and taken away is always a good sign. By Tuesday morning, Parker already had his oxygen mask removed and was just on the nose tubes… but so was Hannah. The nose tubes were there to supply constant air to their lungs to keep them filled, even though both are breathing completely on there own. The tubes will remain in until they don’t have any events that require the use of oxygen… so it cold be a couple of weeks before they’re removed. (An “event” is when they either forget to breathe momentarily, heart rate drops, or pulse ox drops and requires medical attention to get them back on track. Most of the time, they bounce right back and don’t need any assistance.) To help Parker, the doctor ordered caffeine be added to his formula in the morning! Yes, caffeine! The more active he is, he’ll start to regulate his heart rate and breathing. He’ll have a dose of caffeine until he’s 35 weeks gestation. In the mean time, Hannah and Parker are REALLY good at pulling them out – LOL. The tubes can be found anywhere but in their nose – in their mouth, by the forehead, and down by their chins. Yes, even confined in an isolette, they’re already being mischievous!
Hannah under the bilirubin lights
Hannah has already been showing her inner diva with the nice purple shades she sported for three days. It’s not uncommon for newborns to be a little jaundice and have to be under the bilirubin lights. Unfortunately for Hannah, it required her to expose as much skin as possible in the isolette so the lights could reach her, but it also meant she also had to wear goggles to protect her eyes. Needless to say, she wasn’t a big fan… all newborns love to be swaddled and feel secure. Thankfully her bilirubin levels went down and the lights got shut off by Friday! You could tell she instantly felt better!
While in the isolette, you’ll notice the twins are surrounded by… well, for lack of a better description… miniature body pillows, and can be found on their tummies at times. When you start to think about it, it seems odd considering new studies have come out and new parents are HIGHLY encouraged that babies sleep on their backs and no other objects, even pillows, be placed in their cribs. While this is true for full-term newborns, for preemies, not only are the still looking for boundaries that they would normally find in-utero, their airways aren’t fully developed and are still “floppy” so it’s actually better for them to be on the tummies at times… and of course they’re on monitors, so should they need turned to their backs because they’re not breathing well, we would all know immediately. Once they are able to regulate their body temp. outside of the isolette, they’ll be moved to an open bassinet and will be swaddled.
Parker in his monkey outfit
Hannah in her pretty flowers
It’s weird to think about, but it wasn’t until Sunday before they were dressed for the first time! Due to the IVs, Hannah’s bilirubin lights, and both needing the heat supplied by the isolette, Sunday was the first opportunity for them to have onesies on. Eric and I walked in their rooms Sunday morning, said “hi” to Hannah as we put our bags down, then walked over to say “hi” to Parker when we noticed Parker had monkeys on! So we immediately turned around to check Hannah and she had pretty little flowers on her onesie. We loved it! They looked so cute! Granted, we could take our own clothes in, but considering we only have a couple of preemie outfits and haven’t had time to go shopping for preemie clothes, at this point, it’s one less thing to worry about… and makes less laundry! (We barely get laundry done for ourselves, haha!)
It’s hard to imagine that at only a few days old, Hannah and Parker are making the great progress that they are. It just goes to show, yet again, that things happen for a reason. They might be in the NICU, but it’s the best care they could be receiving and something my body couldn’t do for them. We are so so thankful to have access to one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation! All the nurses and doctors are wonderful! None of them hesitate to allow us to interact with them and answer our questions very well.
SIDE BAR // VISITATION
If anyone would like to come by and visit, please don’t hesitate to ask! We LOVE visitors. Just give one of us a call, or text us, for when you think you’d like to visit. We’re there during the day and usually stay til 7-8pm depending on the day, then head home to sleep in our own beds.
There are just a few rules we have to follow. The first time you come, they do ask you to fill out a quick questionnaire just to make sure you haven’t been exposed to any contagious germs recently. For that reason, anyone under 18 unfortunately is not able to visit (basically school-aged kids) 😦 Needless to say, JD, Kennedi, and Katie are having a very hard time with this – they patiently waited for months and now that they are here, we’re telling them they have to wait even more! And of course if you do meet these qualifications, we’ll ask you to scrub your hands good once you get to their rooms, but Eric and I are still the only two who are allowed to touch the kiddos. We promise once we’re home, we’ll have to have an open house or have you to take a number so everyone gets a turn hold them!!
hpgreen 