252 replies to this topic

[vball_gal]

Congratulations JuneLily on your two little girls.  I'm so glad to hear that you were able to make it to viability and beyond by a few weeks considering circumstances.  I know it's tough to have both of them in NICU and they are so tiny but just hang in there and give them all the love you have.  Before you know it you'll have two precious babies at home.

[TJ33]

Congrats on your two beautiful little girls JuneLily! Amazing that you were able to keep them in for a little while longer. Guess they were ready to make their appearances!

 

I will say a prayer for you that they continue to grow nice and strong so that you can DH can take them home soon!

 

Look forward to your updates on them!!!

[JuneLily]

Thanks for all the well-wishes and congratulations!

 

The babies are doing pretty well. Both are off the vent and Elianna is on CPAP and Scarlett is on BiPap. They started taking feeds, then had them temporarily on hold because of some throwing up issues, but feeds resumed tonight.

 

They are both having some apnea/bradycardia episodes, but that is fairly normal in preemies of their gestation - they just have to be reminded to breath sometimes and they are getting caffiene of all things to help stimulate their brains to remember.

 

They had head ultrasounds on Tuesday to check for intraventriular hemorrhages (brain bleeds), and Elly's showed a grade 2 bleed on both sides of her brain. Thankfully grade 2 bleeds resolve themselves most of the time and Elly's birth was particularily difficult, so it wasn't a complete surprise. Scarlett's scan was clear - phew.

 

I've been able to hold both of them now, and it's amazing! 

 

I'm still in hospital and really hoping to be discharged tomorrow, but I had a crazy fever Monday night/Tuesday and they are still trying to figure out why. Let me tell you, they take fevers REALLY seriously in post-op patients! I think I've had almost every test under the sun except for a CT Scan, and my doctor was close to ordering one of those on Tuesday. I was put on some strong IV antibiotics and that seems to have killed whatever was causing the fever. I had a lot of blood work done, and if it's all clear tomorrow morning, I'm getting out of here - hurray! I was able to get a room at the Ronald MacDonald House which is on the same property as the hospital so I won't be far away from the girls once I've been discharged. 

 

Hope you're all doing well - keep those babies cookin'!

[Nurse laura]

Thanks for all the well-wishes and congratulations!
 
The babies are doing pretty well. Both are off the vent and Elianna is on CPAP and Scarlett is on BiPap. They started taking feeds, then had them temporarily on hold because of some throwing up issues, but feeds resumed tonight.
 
They are both having some apnea/bradycardia episodes, but that is fairly normal in preemies of their gestation - they just have to be reminded to breath sometimes and they are getting caffiene of all things to help stimulate their brains to remember.
 
They had head ultrasounds on Tuesday to check for intraventriular hemorrhages (brain bleeds), and Elly's showed a grade 2 bleed on both sides of her brain. Thankfully grade 2 bleeds resolve themselves most of the time and Elly's birth was particularily difficult, so it wasn't a complete surprise. Scarlett's scan was clear - phew.
 
I've been able to hold both of them now, and it's amazing! 
 
I'm still in hospital and really hoping to be discharged tomorrow, but I had a crazy fever Monday night/Tuesday and they are still trying to figure out why. Let me tell you, they take fevers REALLY seriously in post-op patients! I think I've had almost every test under the sun except for a CT Scan, and my doctor was close to ordering one of those on Tuesday. I was put on some strong IV antibiotics and that seems to have killed whatever was causing the fever. I had a lot of blood work done, and if it's all clear tomorrow morning, I'm getting out of here - hurray! I was able to get a room at the Ronald MacDonald House which is on the same property as the hospital so I won't be far away from the girls once I've been discharged. 
 
Hope you're all doing well - keep those babies cookin'!

[Nurse laura]

Hi Junelilly,

So happy to hear how well the babies are doing and glad your fever is resolving. Have the Dr's given you any idea how long the girls will be in the NICU? Are you able to stay at the Ronald McDonald house the whole time the babies are there? Prayers are with you and the girls for a speedy recovery.

[Emily81]

June Lily- Hope you get out of the hospital soon! I had an infection post birth, developed a high fever while in the recovery room. Mine was likely due to infection in my placenta though(water broke 2 days prior)..Was on IV antibiotics my whole hospital stay, 3 days I think, had my IV removed the same hour I was discharged

 

We also stayed at RMH while the boys were in the NICU. The vast majority of the parents there had babies in the NICU, so I found the support amazing...

[JuneLily]

Nurse Laura, general rule is that a preemie will stay in hospital until their due date... so a few months at least. I am staying at RMH for at least the next 2 months unless the girls are transferred to a hospital a little closer to home once they are a more stable.

Emily, I haven't met a lot if other NICU parents yet but RMH has been amazing.

AFM, they figured out that my fever was caused by sepsis due to a blood infection... So it's a very good thing they took it so seriously and chose the right antibiotic to begin with. It could have gone badly otherwise.

My girls were both re-intubated yesterday. Breathing with CPAP/BiPAP/NIPPV was making them really tired which was leading them to destat a lot, so they're going to get a few days break to gain some strength and energy. We're going to focus on feeding this week instead.

[Nurse laura]

Hi Junelilly,

I don't have experience with premies but as a nurse I know that it is very common for re intubation, like you said, to help conserve energy. I met 8 year old twin girls yest that were born at 27 weeks. The girls are healthy and super smart and I thought of you. I am glad they are treating your sepsis. I hope the feedings go well.

[Emily81]

June Lily- Hope the feeding goes well. Are you pumping, using formula?

[JuneLily]

Emily, I am pumping round the clock. The girls aren't getting much yet - 3cc every 2 hrs for one and 9cc every 2 for the other so I already have SO much breast milk in the freezer!

Both my little ones are back up to their birth weights now. Scarlett is just over at 1,010 grams and Elianna is right at her birth weight of 940 grams.

How's everyone else doing now that the 3rd trimester is here/imminent?

[tjluvbug]

Junelily - thats awesome that you have a supply in the freezer and I'm so happy to hear that the girls are doing so well. 

 

AFM - Had my second anatomy scan yesterday at 20w5d and my boy was again very active and uncooperative. My girl was once again curled up and laying on her tummy so the tech could not get a picture of her face no matter how many times they rolled me over. They are measuring at 1 lb each right now so just over the average. I'm hoping that they continue to grow on the bigger side for now so that if they do happen to come early that at least they'll have some fat on their bones. I'm feeling a fair bit of movement now so its nice to have that reassurance every day.

 

Hope everyone else is doing well.

[Emily81]

Emily, I am pumping round the clock. The girls aren't getting much yet - 3cc every 2 hrs for one and 9cc every 2 for the other so I already have SO much breast milk in the freezer!

Both my little ones are back up to their birth weights now. Scarlett is just over at 1,010 grams and Elianna is right at her birth weight of 940 grams.

How's everyone else doing now that the 3rd trimester is here/imminent?

 Wow that is great! I solely pumped(didn't ever try to bf), but I NEVER had ANY ebm to freeze! I did pump for 6 months though, alot of work but worth it!

[juice]

I'm 25.5 weeks now and today I felt like my belly/body was going to explode - so TIGHT. My twins are measuring on track at approx 1.5 lbs each. I feel them punching away inside but dh hasn't been able to feel them yet. I seriously don't know how I'm going to make it to week 30!!!!!

 

Bought a Bella Band and love it!! Can wear my normal pants now since my butt is not growing  

[tjluvbug]

Juice - I've been able to feel the little ones a few times from the outside but it only ever happens once in a while and dh is never around to be able to feel it. He did however get to see my belly bounce a little bit. When he put his hand on it he couldn't feel it but it was neat to see. My boy is very low down in my belly so I can pretty much make him kick every time I bend over and squish him, lol.

[Nurse laura]

The board has been quiet. I hope everyone is feeling good and just busy finishing up with their holiday shopping.

[tjluvbug]

I have another cervical and growth check next week. Looking forward to some reassurance that all is going ok. I've been feeling a lot of pressure in my lower tummy the past few days, not pain just discomfort. Feeling the babies now pretty much everyday.

[juice]

Today I took absolutely no medication for the acid reflux/heartburn...and nothing! It's gone!! I guess the prescription meds I took for two weeks 'cured' me lol. So happy...but let's see what happens tomorrow. 

 

Have a strong pain right on my pubic bone which makes it really painful and difficult to walk. I just waddle around huffing and puffing. People stare at me a lot. I look like a 4'11" blimp. 

 

Other than that I'm feeling pretty good! I'm actually quite scared of when they're born, how complicated life is going to get...

[Crazy]

Juice - do you have a pelvic support belt? I had a rather industrial strength one from babies r us and it reduced my pelvic pain. It was uncomfortable for sitting in but helped when I was on my feet.

I do recommend one of the heavy duty ones. The slip on stretchy ones don't help near as much. Plus, who wants to have to bend over to get it on and off? The one I had was three parts that all connected with Velcro. I never used the strap that goes over the belly. If you get one be sure to try it on. The twin belly can make sizing an issue.

[tjluvbug]

I was given one of the pelvic support belts from a friend as well and have just recently started wearing it. Makes a huge difference but I'm sitll having a lot of pain at night sleeping particularly in my hips. And holy cow, my feet are so unbelievably swollen. If I don't sleep with them in the air they look like little sausages in the morning!

 

Doc is putting me off work early so today is my last day. Am only 22w4d but its better than working in a high stress job and on my feet 90% of the time.  

 

Hope everyone else is doing well!

[juice]

Juice - do you have a pelvic support belt? I had a rather industrial strength one from babies r us and it reduced my pelvic pain. It was uncomfortable for sitting in but helped when I was on my feet.

I do recommend one of the heavy duty ones. The slip on stretchy ones don't help near as much. Plus, who wants to have to bend over to get it on and off? The one I had was three parts that all connected with Velcro. I never used the strap that goes over the belly. If you get one be sure to try it on. The twin belly can make sizing an issue.

The pubic bone pain comes and goes. Today I'm fine. It's not in my entire pelvic area, just on the specific pubic bone spot. I have no other aches and pains. I'll look into the belt if it gets worse.

[Nurse laura]

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

[juice]

For the last two nights I've had insanse itching on the soles and sides of my feet, and my arms. I googled it (can't stop doing that!!) and now I'm worried that I have something called ICP and liver malfunction and I'll lose my twins. Sigh. I've been pretty relaxed so far, almost 28 weeks now, but now this. I'll call my dr and ask for a blood test on Monday.

[RNSurrogate]

Juice-thread hopping from the singleton board- my dr thought I had that with my second. Did the easy blood test and I didnt. But turned out I was allergic to a lotion I had been using for a few months so hadn't considered it as a possibility. The blood test was no big deal. Good luck! It's pretty rare so I wouldn't worry.

[RNSurrogate]

Juice-thread hopping from the singleton board- my dr thought I had that with my second. Did the easy blood test and I didnt. But turned out I was allergic to a lotion I had been using for a few months so hadn't considered it as a possibility. The blood test was no big deal. Good luck! It's pretty rare so I wouldn't worry.

[juice]

Juice-thread hopping from the singleton board- my dr thought I had that with my second. Did the easy blood test and I didnt. But turned out I was allergic to a lotion I had been using for a few months so hadn't considered it as a possibility. The blood test was no big deal. Good luck! It's pretty rare so I wouldn't worry.

Thanks for your response. I am really worried. What I read was that although ICP is very rare, there is a higher risk with mulitlple pregnancies, and with South Asian women. I'm a double whammy. I really hope my OB will give me the blood test to ease my mind, if nothing else.