The Birth Story

Thanks for being patient everyone!

As I sit here pumping, I thought I would write about the twins' birth.

So as you know, my little munchkins were happy as clams being in my tummy and had no desire to come out.  I hadn't had contractions for weeks and the babies heart rates were good.  I made it to my 37 week appointments with no issues so the doctors decided to schedule a c-section for the following week (the day I hit 38 weeks- September 27th). I knew I wanted a c-section from the get-go.  I had Reagan vaginally and lets just say I wasn't any fun.  I "gave up" about half way through and decided I would rather keep him in then keep pushing. No such luck. But anyway. I knew one time delivering vaginally was enough for me and if I had the choice with the twins I'd rather not do it again.  (And for all you preggo mommies out there who are planning on delivering vaginally- I'm sure you will be awesome. I just have a ZERO pain tolerance and I am a huge wimp.) Turned out Harper was breech for most of my pregnancy anyway- so c-section was good.

Thursday morning the 27th we got up, kissed Reagan goodbye as he went to preschool, and got ready.  We arrived at the hospital at 11:30 for check-in.  There they hooked me up to monitors and told me about the procedure.  I was starving and very thirsty at this point. I hadn't eaten since 5 pm the night before and hadn't had anything to drink since 11 pm the night before.  Torture for someone who was used to drinking enough water throughout the day and night to fill an ocean. But that was the hospital's orders. I had my IV put in (twice actually- the nurse struggled with the vein the first time- awesome, right?) Holy ouch.  I still think the IV hurts more than anything else. My doctor arrived, I met her surgical assistant and the team that would be in my operating room. I kid you not when I say team. There were 12 people in there working on me and the babies.  Most of them for the babies! 

At 1:20 they wheeled me into the OR. It was time for the spinal.  The anesthesiologist had me sit criss-cross on the table and curl up into a ball.  He struggled to find a good spot (which had happened with my epidural with Reagan too-- I guess my back is too tight/tense, no surprise there!)  But finally he got it and boy was that feeling amazing. I literally felt my lower body go numb so fast.  They got Nick from the waiting area and he came in to stand by me.  I was totally awake and felt pressure on my tummy but definitely no pain.  I remember them all commenting on seeing Hudson's hand and then out it popped through the water sack. So funny. Then at 2:01 pm,  out came Hudson!  The doctors couldn't believe how big he was!  They handed him off to the nursery nurses who cleaned him up and got his stats.  

Hudson Brooks - 6 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long

Then it was time for Harper. She came out at 2:02 pm and was handed off.  

Harper Grace - 6 lb, 5 oz and 19 inches long

My doctor then tied my tubes. Yes. I am done with kids! Last, they stitched me up and cleaned me up.  Nick watched the whole thing and was pretty intrigued by the process.   He snapped pictures throughout but I will save you those gory pics. They are even too graphic for me and I went through it! 

Our family was reunited shortly after and we had our first birthday picture with the twins.

Next I was wheeled off to my original room for some recovery.  

I will still numb as can be and feeling no pain.  

My mom was in there waiting with Nick's mom and dad. Not 5 minutes in the room the nurses put the babies to my breast. I was kind of shocked. 1) I couldn't feel my body- how was I to hold my babies. 2) I had never nursed 2 babies at the same time before. Overwhelming much? So my mom and mother in law quickly stepped in and each held a baby to my breasts. Pretty crazy. 

Not long after, I was wheeled with my babies to my new room.  

So that was the twins' birth story!

I will be back with more about our hospital stay and our first days home!

Thanks so much for all of your well wishes and sweet comments.