The twins are here!!!

The past few days have been exciting, to say the least. I had been feeling more pelvic pressure and more steady and uncomfortable contractions since Tuesday morning. After OB and perinatologist visits Tuesday and Wednesday (and a brief stopover in Labor and Delivery), I was assured the babies looked great and I seemed stable. On Friday, I decided that the contractions I was feeling merited an OB visit (I didn't want to risk waiting for my appt on the 11th). At that appt., the doctor said I was 2 cm dilated and again sent me to L and D in the hospital. After a run with some really fun (by fun, I mean really NASTY) IV meds called Magnesium Sulfate that were supposed to stop contractions but didn't, my OB checked me and said I was 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. So, we were going to have some babies. WHAT?!?!?! I calmly called Kyle and informed him that we were having some babies as soon as he could get back to the hospital (he had gone home to pick up Hayes from daycare and get him settled with the babysitter so he could make a brief visit to see me at the hospital before going home for the night). Kyle joined us and we got down to the business of having a c-section. The babies were born as follows:



Fisher Bennett H.

May 7, 2010

7:04 pm

4 pounds, 4 ounces



This was my first view of the little guy, screaming and quite unhappy to be taken from my warm belly (sorry for the yuck factor if you're easily offended):




Marin Ivyanne H.

May 7, 2010

7:05 pm

3 pounds, 9 ounces



This was my first view of Marin after her birth. Kyle did get some shots of the actually surgery where babies were being pulled out of my belly, but I decided to spare you all the site of my bulging belly being stretched in interesting directions.

After the babies were born, the OB sewed me up and Kyle followed the babies on their trek to the NICU.



Here's Marin getting weighed in:

Here's a full body pic of our little guy, showing leads everywhere.

Fisher on his CPAP machine, which delivers forced oxygen since his blood gases have been a little low:

Tiny Fisher foot:

Helping Marin breathe before putting her on the CPAP:

Marin (she looks a bit smaller than Fisher--not as filled out):

She's got Daddy wrapped around her little finger already!

Tiny Marin foot:

Day 2 of life for the twins:

Marin has been moved to an isolette, which means she has improved. She alternates between room air and forced oxygen in her CPAP, depending on if her blood saturation levels drop.

Little baby feet:

My hand next to Marin's legs to show some scale:


Fisher was all tucked in tight yesterday on his belly. He is not doing quite as well as Marin. The nurses kept checking his blood gases and are trying to decide if they need to intubate him to give him some surfactant (the slippery fluid we all have in our lungs that help the tiny air sacs open up and not collapse upon themselves---necessary for good breathing but preemies often have low levels). He seemed happier and more comfy as the day wore on yesterday, so they haven't intubated him yet. I couldn't really get many good pics of him yesterday since he was so cozy in his little nest!

I will most likely go home on Tuesday and the babies will stay in the NICU for 5-8 weeks, so I'll keep you posted!