I really need to stop writing posts the night before where things have been good because the next day usually seems to go to hell in a hand basket! This morning I woke up around 3 AM with contractions. I tried to remain calm and see how many I had in a hour; which was 3. Three is still within the limit where they do nothing. Then around 4 AM the contractions started to get a little more painful, so I called the nurse to have her put the monitor on me and bring me my Procardia. There was some big and some little ones but they were starting to get a little regular. Around 6 AM they were getting more intense and I had 7 in a hour. She called Dr. Soffici and got an order for Toradol to try and stop the contractions. Nothing seemed to be working and the contractions were hitting me differently than before. Dr. Soffici came in at 7:30 and did an ultrasound to see where the babies were and if I was dilated. Loen’s head was in the birth canal, so they decided to do a pelvic exam. HA! I was 8 cm dilated. I was honestly surprised because I thought that the whole birthing/dilating process was supposed to hurt more. That kicked everything into high gear. Tadd called Dee and asked if she could come down. She arrived like 5 minutes later. They wheeled me to the OR and got me prepped while Tadd and Dee changed into scrubs. We told the staff she was my mom to get her into the back. There was some very skeptical looks over that one. Afterwards I confessed to the anesthesiologist and said she was my “faux” mom since our parents lived far away and couldn’t be with us as this was all happening.
I couldn’t see anything because they put a drape up and wouldn’t lower it when I asked. Unfortunately Tadd and Dee couldn’t see anything either because they made them sit behind the drape too. Loen was out first at 8:44 am and Derby came exactly a minute and half later at 8:46. Derby made a little yell when they pulled him out but that was it. They were instantly brought to the side of the room where the NICU teams were waiting. One of the nurses said we picked the perfect time to go into labor because the whole team assembled so quickly. There was Dr. Soffici and then we had not 1 but 2 neonatologists there to lead the NICU teams in stabilizing the babies. The nurse said usually only one doctor is around but there was a meeting later that morning so 2 were able to come. Three respiratory technicians were also in the room. It was like a Navy SEAL team of highly organized professionals working on the twins. Loen pinked up quickly but Derby was having some trouble. At one point one of the doctors came over and said he wasn’t responding and they would have to give up in a couple of minutes. Before that could even sink in someone shouted “He’s coming around”. Tadd and Dee looked around the drape and said he was starting to turn from blue to pink. They then wheeled him out of the OR to go to the NICU. They stopped just for a second so I could see him then they left. Loen started to have some trouble after they gave her the surfactant and they had to do some chest compressions. They didn’t stop for me to see her because they wanted to get her to the NICU to get her stabilized. I wanted Tadd to stay with them but they said no because there would be too much going on. The doctors would come talk to us once everything was situated.
I was wheeled off to the recovery room with Dee while Tadd went to pack up our room on the high risk OB floor. We had SO MUCH stuff over there. I was lying on the gurney remarking how easy this whole birth thing went. The spinal didn’t hurt, I barely felt the c-section and when I got to recovery I had no pain. Well I would soon be in for a surprise. After about an hour and a half they were ready to transfer me to my new room on the postpartum floor. We were going to stop by NICU so I could finally see my babies. They raised the gurney so I was sitting up to see them. So much for no pain, I definitely found it then. But I able to ignore it so I could see my tiny little babes. I went to Derby’s isolate first. He looks a ruddy reddish/brown color due to his prematurity. I was able to put my hand in the isolate and his fingers curled around my pinky. Both of the babies were put on ventilators and had IV’s inserted into their umbilical cords. When I got there they told me Derby was on room air! No extra oxygen for him. I had been so upset because I didn’t get the second shot of steroids but I guess just one seemed to help out some. He looks like a boy. Derby weighed in at 1 lb and 6.5 oz. No length on the twins yet as they felt it would just stress them out more to try and do that. Next we went over to Loen’s isolate. I knew we would have to make it short because I was starting to have more pain and was feeling flushed and nauseous. We were unable to touch Loen because they are having a hard time keeping her blood pressure up. She was on 24% oxygen which isn’t bad considering that room air is 21% oxygen. She had bruising due to the fact that her bag had ruptured almost 2 weeks earlier. We just talked to her and stared at her tiny perfect little hands They had put a little blindfold on her that looked like sunglasses while she was under the special bilirubin lights. In her fake sunglasses and pink knit hat she looked a tiny 1 lb 7 oz diva. Then I had to stop the visit because I started to throw up. Which really hurts considering the morphine they had given me during surgery had wore off. So I’m puking, the incision in my abdomen hurts and my skin starts to get hot and itchy (a fun side effect of morphine). We headed to my room so I could lay down and get pain and anti-nausea medications.
We would post some pictures but unfortunately the few that we got the twins were still bloody from birth and not the most attractive .
Tadd and I still still cannot believe we are parents, it is like it hasn’t sunk in yet. We were warned it is going to be a roller coaster ride for the next few months. Derby’s nurse said I gave birth to some aggressive babies, that they were good little fighters. She also said she had been a nurse there for 20 years and doesn’t sugar coat things but they looked really good for 24 weekers. We have hope in our hearts.
We will try and keep everyone updated and post pictures soon. I’m am so exhausted right now I keep dozing off while I’m writing this.
Quick recap:
- Loen 1 pound 7 ounces. AGPAR scores of 6 and 9
- Derby 1 pound 6.5 ounces. AGPAR scores of 1, 5 and 9
28 responses so far ↓
1 Tessa // Oct 24, 2007 at 7:11 pm
YAY! Im so excited for you guys. You know Tegans apgar was only 2 when he was born, so for being so little your kids got a pretty good score! I can’t wait to see pictures of them, Mommy get your rest, you WILL need it.
2 Grandma Lavon // Oct 24, 2007 at 7:30 pm
WOW!!! What a day!! I guess you know your mom is flying back there today. She has to be with her new little grandchildren. So glad they’re getting great care. Lots of love to them, grandma
3 Anne // Oct 24, 2007 at 7:38 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABIES! They are being bathed in our blessings right now. Our love and thoughts and support are with you and your new family. Love, love, love you.
4 Kris // Oct 24, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I am Jeff Kusowski’s sister. He told me about your babies. We are praying for them!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understadning.” Proverbs 3:5
Kris, Pete, and Greta
5 Rapsons // Oct 24, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Wow what a day you have had! We are thinking and praying for all four of you. Hang in there and continue to be strong. Rod, Lynn, Reece & Hanna
6 Tracie and John // Oct 24, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Our love surrounds you and your sweet babes
7 Jeff (kozlo) and Michelle // Oct 24, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Congratulations! Happy birthday little Loen and Derby! Keep fighting!
8 Sarah Johnson (franco) // Oct 24, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Congrats!!! wow… so tiny. You are all are in my prayers. Sounds like you have a couple of fighters! I am really happy for you. Congrats again.
9 sarah sabatini // Oct 24, 2007 at 10:05 pm
YEA!! Im so happy for you both congrats. please give kisses to my new baby cousins I love you guys
10 Susie & Kate // Oct 24, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Congratulations! We are thinking of you and praying for you. Happy Birthday, Loen and Derby! Love, Susie, Kate & Sarita (Anne’s mom/sister/niece)
11 andrea // Oct 24, 2007 at 10:13 pm
congrats!! your c-cection scar will feel better in about a week, wow thats so cool! i have followed your story as your mom has updated us on a reg. bases i am so happy for you, you will be a great mom, and you will truely love it!
i know you have a long road ahead but keep your head up and be strong.
Love,
andrea
12 Michelle and Brent // Oct 24, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Welcome Loen and Derby!! What troopers they are! And you too Hav!
You are in good hands in that NICU, as we know from experience!! LOVE that nurse you were talking about…name starts with a “G’ right?
As always, we are here if you guys need anything. I want to call you Hava, but I don’t want to bug you as I know you are going to need TONS of rest right now, so I will bug Tadd instead (although Tadd is going to need the rest too, but I just can’t NOT be in contact!)
Huggs and Kisses,
Michelle, Brent and Grant
13 carol // Oct 25, 2007 at 5:15 am
Dear Tadd, Java, Derby and Loen,
I am continually praying for all of you. I truly believe that God gave the two of you those extras days, so that Loen and Derby will be able to continue growing stronger everyday. Remember to thank God and praise Him every day and you will never be alone. On the lighter side I am putting a bid in for the toilet cozy. I will start the bidding out at $5.00, tell Dee to top that one or anyone else out there.ha! ha! Love and God Bless to all of you. Welcome to parenthood, oh and poopie diapers……
14 Dr. Sambuchi's Girls // Oct 25, 2007 at 5:38 am
Congratulations we are so happy for you. We can’t wait to see pictures of Loen and Derby we love them so much already!! Your going to make great parents!!
15 Kevin, Kelly, Ethan, Nolan, & Kelsey // Oct 25, 2007 at 5:48 am
Congrats!! I had a cousin who had twins very early and today they are healthy active 7 year olds. I will never forget the day they were born. It just seems like yesterday. Get some rest. You are in our prayers every day. We look forward to the pictures.
16 Tona and John Bartels // Oct 25, 2007 at 5:53 am
Happy Birthday Loen & Derby!!
We will continue to pray that your “little ones” continue to fight and just grow! Thank you for the updates – we send many hugs! John and Tona
17 John Kirk // Oct 25, 2007 at 7:00 am
Good going Hava. Hang in there and everything will be just fine.
Love, Uncle John
18 Joe & Christiane // Oct 25, 2007 at 7:50 am
Congratulations Tadd & Hava!
Happy Birthday Loen & Derby!!
Enjoy every little moment.
Christiane, Joe & Lucy
19 Denise Myers // Oct 25, 2007 at 8:52 am
Congrats Have and Tad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the babies.
denise
20 Joan Lisse // Oct 25, 2007 at 8:54 am
Congratulations on the birth of your little ones, Tadd and Hava!
I’m a neighbor of Tracie’s and John’s, and my family and I are keeping each one of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Your website is a delight!
Warmest thoughts to you,
Joan
21 Hatchet // Oct 25, 2007 at 9:55 am
Congratulations!
I’m so happy for you that you have tough little babes. Hang in there. We’re cheering for you over here at Chez Hatchet.
22 Christal & Corey // Oct 25, 2007 at 10:01 am
Congratulations!!!!!
23 Melissa // Oct 25, 2007 at 10:38 am
Welcome to the world, sounds like a wild ride for the whole family! Can’t wait to see photos!
24 helen // Oct 25, 2007 at 12:34 pm
friend of doug gayiner. i have follew your p.g. from first in hostial . so sorry born to early but i know everthing will be great,
25 grandpa kirk // Oct 25, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Two lives so tiny and small, Two little babie’s to be loved by us all, God’ great gift, sent from heaven above, for our family to shower with love. Our hearts are swelling with pride and love, we give thanks to God above. with Much Love Grandpa Kirk & Mary
26 Sharon Lianzo // Oct 25, 2007 at 5:11 pm
We are so happy for you guys about the birth of the twins. We will not stop praying for the 4 of you.
God bless youall and we will be here for you when you come home.
Love,
Sharon, Emily, Dan and Jaime
27 Lori // Oct 26, 2007 at 8:15 am
Congratulations! And best wishes to all of you. Thank you for keeping up with the blog!
Take good care, all of you!
28 Anna // Oct 26, 2007 at 9:03 pm
It was good to see you both today – We have missed you! We are praying for Loen & Derby to make it thru like champs. With positive and endearing thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Your friends,
Tom & Anna
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