Their Arrival

An early Birth

Hello everyone!

As most of you are aware I have given birth to two beautiful baby girls. This blog will recall the detailed event as well as an update on the babies.

My Water Broke:
Friday 1/30/2015 at approximately 11:10 pm while snuggling on the couch with Genevieve I felt a kick and a sharp pain very low in my tummy/pelvic area, 10 seconds later came a gush of water. I was in complete shock and went to the bathroom where the water just kept coming out. I immediately called Kaiser who didn't seem concerned, even though I was 31 weeks. I called my sisters, my IPs and got ready. For some reason I was under the impression they would give me something to “fix it” and send me home. I was induced with my twins therefore had never experienced this sporadic event. Before leaving I had changed pants 3 times, there was so much water!

I arrived to the hospital shortly after feeling A-OK. They examined and determined that indeed the sack for the baby closer to the exit had ruptured. I truly think I lost 5-8 lbs of water. They checked and I was only 1 cm dilated. Due to that combination I was being admitted and put on bed rest until the babies were born, which we had hoped would be in 4 weeks (35 weeks is the maximum they will let you go with a ruptured water bag). I was devastated!! Everyone seemed pretty positive that this was doable. I received Magnesium and steroid shots (both are very helpful to the babies and necessary when they are premature). Their concern with a ruptured bag and slight dilation is infection because now the lil ones are exposed. So it became a waiting game.

                                         In triage before being admitted and before finding out i had to stay

I was very sad… I felt like I had failed… why did this happen? I was relaxing; I wasn't doing anything crazy when my water broke. I had been very diligent re exercise and eating well, how and where did things go wrong. I also was dealing with the thought of being in a hospital bed for 4 weeks, away from my kids. I didn't even say goodbye I said I'll see you in a little bit. I don’t generally see myself as an emotional person however I was a hot mess. Friends and family and my IPs visited which brought my spirits up and gave me a can do attitude.

                                 A goody bag my friend Ashley brought me... so thoughtful

Superbowl Sunday 2/1/2015 was awesome! My IPs came and threw me a party, we watched the game together from the hospital room. I am very thankful for that. They put so much thought into everything, it was great!

                              As a Niners fan there was no way i could root for the Seahawks :)

                                                 Vegan Cinnamon roll... mmm

                                                                          IF won!

                                     Super cute football with tons of cute, sentimental sayings all over it!

Pre-delivery:
Monday Morning 2/2/2014 a contraction woke me up at 6:30am. I got up to use the restroom and had a very painful contraction that brought tears to my eyes, and then another. Luckily the doctor came in to check on me and I let her know, I was having painful contractions that I hadn’t had before (not even with my own kids). The doctor checked me and I was dilated 4cm, I was crushed. She told me they were going to give me meds to stop the contractions and that everything should be ok, and that I should wait to call the parents. I knew otherwise and called my IPs ASAP. This was a very brief call as I was pretty choked up. I told them I think it’s happening and they need to get to the hospital as soon as possible (they have about a 2 hr drive). Best decision of the day!

I was quickly rushed to labor and delivery despite the meds the contractions were happening and were painful, so I insisted on an epidural (Best decision #2). Life got much better once I received the epidural! My sister in law was there, I’m thankful for her support and being there so that I had someone to talk to and take my mind off things. Then my sister and IP’s showed up, ahh the relief, Mommy and Daddy were there.  Having those 4 people there made me feel like everything was going to be ok! Approximately 5 minutes after them being there I felt the babies coming. I politely (maybe too politely) told the nurse “something is happening you need to check me… they’re coming” finally the Dr. checked me which was a good 5-10 minutes. I heard the doctor say your cervix is completely gone I see the baby’s head and they began to push me to the OR. (All twins are delivered in the operating room in case surgery is needed).

I told them I need the mom with me and I won’t go in without her. My sister helped her suit up and as they were wheeling me the Dr. asked if I wanted another support person. I think she was anticipating me having my sister there however I said “YES the dad, I want the dad there too”. This was very exciting because I had repeatedly been told only one person would be allowed in. Going into the delivery room/OR I was in high spirits. The parents were there and I knew the situation wasn’t ideal but they were going to meet their babies today.

                                                As they're wheeling down the call to OR

                                                        Being silly to hide a little anxiety

The births:
Once situated on the table they said it was time to push. It was only about 2-3 pushes and lil T came into this world crying. It was a great to hear, a sign of reassurance. I took pictures of the mommy and daddy as this was happening. My IM was crying, such a happy moment.

There was a team checking on lil T and another team monitoring Lil S (still inside). The second baby was breech however the doctor was able to turn her around. Her babies sack was fully in tack, so the doctor broke this bag of water. Everything seemed great they asked that I start pushing again, which I did. Once, Twice, Three times, … nothing, I was exhausted. I was no longer having contracts which helps push the baby out. She was pretty high in my tummy, right under my ribs, I had 2 nurses pushing her down with their hands, the doctor trying to pull her our and me pushing with all my might. They decided to start Pitocin, which induces contractions,  we needed my body to help aid in this process. Baby #2 was comfy and did not want to come out. I had been pushing with all my might. We tried again, however Baby #1’s placenta was in the way. Things got a little fuzzy at this point, however I do remember my IM asking them to give me oxygen (which was helpful) and the nurse tapping me on my cheek telling me to stay awake. The baby’s heart rate dropped to 50 and I heard them say they were going to do a c-section. Up to this point the idea of a c-section was devastating, however I could tell we did all we could. One of the nurses said they’ll start the anesthesia and the Dr. said we don’t have time. At that moment she asked me multiple times, do you feel anything sharp? I didn’t (thank goodness for the epidural). I felt lots of pressure and looked up for my IPs (who had been standing by my head, and holding my hand), they weren’t there. I asked the Anesthesiologist where they were, he said they had went to the NICU with the first baby. I was so sad at that moment, as I wasn’t sure why they would leave me and their other baby. After a little more pressure and what felt like tugging I heard the doctor say she’s out. I didn’t hear her cry like her sister and started to panic. “Is she ok, is she ok, I don’t hear her” The doctor said “she’s fine, listen”, at that moment the room got quiet and I could hear her cry. It was faint but it was there, whew, a sigh of relief. And then I was out, exhausted. The babies were born 28 minutes apart.

When they wheeled me into the recovery area I saw my IPs with heavy eyes. They still had their scrubs and surgical masks on that were required in the OR. I could tell that something wasn't right. I asked them how baby #1 was and they said they did't know. They hadn't gone to the NICU, they had been told they could't be in the room for the procedure, I think things go too frantic. No one had updated them on me or baby #2. I told them that she was fine and that I did hear her cry, but could see the stress in their eyes. After a few minutes a nurse came and took them to see their lil ones. My sisters then came into the room and I could see the panic in their eyes too. They said they could see Nurses running into my operating room and they were't sure if I was ok. It was very nice to see them! I know it sound frantic but really everything worked out great. We were all positive and strong and I trusted the doctors fully... we made it!

                                                  Together as a team! Moments before go time!

BABY Update:

When I was finally able the parents took me down to the NICU to see their lil ones. I was so surprised at how big they looked. They were only 3.6 and 3.4lbs however they looked great. The first day and a half they were on oxygen however nurses concluded that it wasn’t necessary and they have been off it since. Their progress over the past 2 weeks has been amazing and they have been on “low priority”. Seeing them was amazing but what really touched my heart was seeing my IP’s with them. Seeing my IM and IF touch their babies was priceless, and solidified the experience and my decision to become a surrogate. I really cherish the photos they have sent me of them doing Kangaroo Care (holding them on their skin).

                                             Lil T 48 hours after making her debut        

                                           Lil S 48 hours after making her debut

                           For the first couple of days they weren't able to wear clothes, they needed them only 

                         in a daiper however as of feb 8th they graduated to being able to wear cute outfits!

                                             Lil S Feb 8th- sweet pea

                                           Lil T- Feb 8th Bright Eyed

                                Feb 12th- girls are steadily gaining weight and are now only needing                                                      assistance for feeding, which is the tube in their nose.

                                                           Lil S, calm as usual

                                            Lil T, getting chubby cheeks

Surrogate after birth:
I am now home pumping away! Being able to provide breast milk means a lot to me. I can’t but help feel guilty for going into premature labor. My IM researched it and reassured me that it was the babies and nothing that I did that caused this. I also spoke with my doctor and he said the same thing, and that he still thinks I'd have future smooth pregnancies. Providing milk makes me feel better as I feel like I’m helping. Recovery is slow, a c-section is no joke. I’m slightly going stir crazy (as I’m usually a woman on the go), but spending this time with my mini’s is amazing. My body is not pretty, tummy is still swollen, however i do have ankles again! My IPs gave a gorgeous pair of earrings that I'm in love with, pretty and pink!

                                  At some point I told my IPs I didn't feel like a princess, they wanted to make
                                  me feel like a princess again, and they succeeded.

                     Yes this really happen and yes I cried over spilled milk... kinda looks like batman

More to come later…

XOXO JENN