Christmas has always been a nostalgic time of year. I had no idea how much more nostalgic I had the potential to become until I become a mom.
Last year, on Wednesday of this week, I spent the entire day at Erlanger Hospital getting pumped with a pitocin IV drip in an attempt to induce labor of my twin baby girls: Baby A and Baby B. Of course it was December 17, which would be tomorrow, but there's something about remembering the actual day of the week that erases that exact date of the events.
On the eve of December 16, which is actually today, here is the last pic taken of me standing up with my baby girls eager to arrive:
It's funny how at the time, I would have never thought to post this pic! In fact, when I look back at the blog a year ago, I didn't write about a lot of the details of this birth at all. But here I am, a year later, and I am so proud of knowing I carried two - not one, but two - babies in my womb! People wonder how I can feed them with one spoon at meal time, or how I don't mind when they swap paci's or share sippy cups. They shared the womb, for goodness sakes! They can share a spoon.
The girls due date was January 15. Other than the MAJOR morning sickness that lasted through the 2nd trimester, lethargy like never before, a little bit of heartburn, and oh yeah, the sciatic nerve that literally crippled me for a week or so until I was finally able to reposition the babies, the pregnancy went great! I showed no signs of pre-term labor the entire time. Everything was going great in that regard....until this week last year.
On Monday, I headed to the doc for my regular check-up. After having a BP that consistently ran around 110/60, it was suddenly 138/90 or something like that. And, even though I had no appetite at all (never really did throughout the entire pregnancy) I had gained 10 pounds in 4 days, or something like that. (This is what I get for not writing this down last year). You get the gist. Yep, I was beginning to get pre-eclampsia. I was swelling up like a water balloon. To add to that, Baby A's growth was slowing in the uterus. The girls were literally running out of space. Those two issues put me on the roster for induction on December 17, 2008. I had the option of scheduling a C-Section, or going ahead and trying to induce labor, knowing that it may be too hard for my tiny girls to take. Knowing they would be monitoring the babies the entire time, we decided to at least try for the labor option and see how the babies did. That way I would know I gave labor a try.
Chris and I leaving my mom's house, heading for the hospital at 5:45 AM.
The babies were champs. They were so strong! After a full day of pitocin to induce labor and my slow progression, they showed no signs of stress! We knew at that point I could continue on the pitocin and by-pass the C-Section! Yay!
A sleepy Chris, napping after we finally got settled in. Notice the sun still had not come up!
Ready to wait and see....
Waiting with Chris faithfully by my side!
Killing time that day by playing Scrabble with Chris, my mom and my dad. I am a sucker for Scrabble. Pretty sure I still beat them, even though I was slightly drugged up!!
Aunt Robin and Nana arrive, just waiting to catch the babies!
Papaw and Papa eagerly waiting on the couch!
But today wasn't the day the girls wanted to make their appearance....they made us wait. Much more to come.......
2 comments:
I love it! I was remembering that day this week too. My, how far those sweet girls have come. Love you all...
More! More!!!! I want more!!!! I was telling your story today and remembering!!!
Post a Comment