December 26, 2013

Last night was another uneventful night. But that is okay with us!

This morning was pretty low-key and we didn't do much.

After previously meeting with our case manager and talking with Paul we had some questions. I called and left a message with her asking if she could come talk to both of us together. She came quite quickly after we called! It was good for both Paul and I to get to hear the same things, ask the questions we wanted to ask, and get more clarification on things we weren't sure about.

I also put in a request to meet with the neonatologist and lactation consultant again. The neonatologist talked to us about what would happen if we had the babies at 26, 28, and 32 weeks but not around this time. Also, after doing some reading, we had some questions to ask. I also have some questions for the lactation consultant too!

The neonatologist came down and it was nice to meet with him again. He told us that a 30 week baby will do well and it's a good place to be! He said 32 weeks is the magic number. The risk of bleeding in the brain is almost 0%, there is less of a chance of gut issues, the lungs are better developed, and the babies wouldn't be on the ventilators long. He also said the risk of bleeding in the brain decreases by 1% everyday which is huge!!! He mentioned that since we will be having the babies during flu season they have a higher chance of getting RSV which is flu like and needing synagis which will help to prevent the RSV. We asked about the NICU stipulations. Parents are allowed to visit 24/7 and are encouraged (at least for the first few weeks) to be there at 8:30 A.M. every morning for rounds so that we can hear exactly what is going on, talk to everyone working with our children, and ask any questions we may have. We asked about any needed shots or vaccines like the flu shot in order to enter the NICU and there is nothing required. We then asked about visitors and if there was a limit. He said once they are initially born and on the ventilator that visitors would be very limited. This first 24-72 hours are very critical. He said even after that period to keep visitors limited. This is due to the germs. Hand washing a ton was also brought up. He told us the biggest thing I can do to help out our children is to breastfeed. He said if it wasn't in my plan originally that I needed to add it to my plan. Thankfully it was something I wanted to do all along. But knowing we would deliver early and are more than likely having a C-section, I knew that my milk may not come in right away. I asked about this scenario and what would be done. He said it can be very frustrating to moms but to not give up. He said this is because my body isn't ready and there is milk let down because there is no baby sucking. And if there was sucking, the baby doesn't have as strong enough suck to make a difference anyways. But we were informed that when the baby is born they aren't ready to feed anyways. At first they will get all the nutrients they need through IV anyways. It was good to meet and talk with him again.

I was informed of a website that sells baby items having a 60-80% off sale due to being the end of the year. I looked to see if there was anything on there that we still needed and found some things for quite cheap! We got an extra set of crib sheets for both babies for $5 instead of about $14, one miracle blanket for $12 instead of $32, a nursing cover for $14 instead of $35, and a pacifier for $.50. I was just talking with my mother-in-law about how sometimes the boy things are more expensive than the girl things even though they are the same exact item (or vice versa!) On this website, the girl miracle blanket was on sale but the boy one wasn't all! But the boy pacifiers were $.50 while the girl ones were $1.20 and they are the exact same except for the color!!! Either way, we saved some money and got more things we needed!

We were also given a DVD to watch about having premature babies and them needing NICU time. It was about a half hour and was good to watch. At this point, it was a reminder of what we are possibly looking at.

My OBGYN came in and looked at how the babies monitored and said they were looking good. He made sure my stomach wasn't tender at all. I have been leaking more but still nothing major. He said it may be due to my activity being increased and to take it easy today which I have been. He said if it was anything to be concerned about it would have showed up while being monitored and it hasn't at all which is great. He said at this point, we are looking at a way different path then we were when we came in at 26 weeks!

A few of the nurses that we had towards the beginning but haven't had since have been in and out to say hi or be my nurse again. Majority of them have made comments like "look at that big belly" or "boy, your belly sure has changed!" Of course we take it well and it is a good sign that those babies are growing in there! It is just funny to hear them say it and notice the difference!

It is absolutely crazy to know that in exactly 1 month, the twins will for sure be here!!!!! :)

Only 17 more days to go until our second goal of 32 weeks!!!!