Like I mentioned in a previous post, we had our last check-up on Wednesday Oct 3rd around lunchtime. I was already 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced. But, I wasn't having consistent contractions. So, the doctor sent us home. I was beginning to think that we'd make it until Monday for the scheduled c-section. Wrong!
All day Thursday, I was feeling a little off and having a lot of back pain. But, still no major contractions. I'd had plenty of Braxton-Hicks contractions for weeks, so I was waiting for something different.
Matt had a work team happy hour and got home around 7-ish Thursday night. Before he went for the happy hour, I contemplated telling him not to drink just because I was feeling yucky. But, I had been feeling pretty crappy the past couple of weeks anyway. So, I didn't say anything. When he got home, we ordered in food and went to bed.About 3 am Friday morning, I woke up with a really bad backache. Within about 10 seconds of being awake, my water broke (for Baby A only). I was sort of out of it and trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Then, I jumped up and yelled to Matt "it's GO time!" It took him a few seconds to figure out what was going on, but he quickly sprung into action.
Matt got dressed and gathered up our bags for the hospital. I called the doctor. Luckily, our OB was on call for the night. But, she was currently delivering someone else's baby when I called. So, I told the answering service operator we were going to come to the hospital. She made some comment like "is this your first baby?" I guess she thought I was being a little silly heading to the hospital immediately. Turns out that was a good move on my part!
We got to the hospital around 3:30 am, checked in and sat in the triage waiting room. That's when I realized I was having real contractions pretty close together. We got called in about 3:45 am. They started checking my vitals, etc. They were going to do a test to confirm that my water had broken (which I knew it had). But, I was having such strong contractions close together, they decided to check how far dilated I was instead. The nurse did her check and told me I was 8.5 cm dilated. I told Matt I felt like she was actually pushing Baby A back up while she did her check. The nurse immediately got on the phone and said we were ready to go. So, off we were up to the OR prep room.
After that, things were kind of crazy and happening really fast. We got into the OR prep room and all kinds of people were in there. One nurse told me they were just going to come at me from all directions. And that was true. I was getting an IV, getting blood taken, drinking some grape-vinegar tasting stuff for nausea, having all my vitals checked, etc. My OB came in to talk with me and go through the things that could go wrong and have me sign some paperwork.
Then, I got wheeled off to the OR around 4:15 am. Matt had to stay back and wait until they had me all set up in the OR. Once in the OR, I got a (much-appreciated!) spinal. My contractions were coming super close together and were pretty intense. So much for having a c-section and avoiding labor! The spinal took a while to fully kick in. It sort of freaked me out and I had these thoughts that I would be able to feel the whole surgery. The anesthesiologist assured me that would not happen.
After everything was ready to go, they brought Matt into the OR. I have never been so happy to see him in my life! They started the surgery. At that time, the anesthesiologist says to me that if I was going to feel something, I'd be screaming right now. Um, thanks... not sure that makes me feel any better.
After a lot of pushing around on my belly and whatever else they were doing, Baby A (Avery) was out! They brought her around the curtain to show us. She was not crying and looked a little blue. So of course, I was immediately worried. They whisked her away to the room next door. I asked why she wasn't crying and Matt said not to worry. I didn't have much of a chance to worry because Baby B (Morgan) was out within the next minute. She came out screaming! They brought her around the curtain to show us and then whisked her away to the next room.
Matt got to go into that room and see the girls and take a few pictures. He came back and said both babies were doing well. Avery started out with an Apgar of 2 at one minute, but it jumped up to 9 by five minutes. Morgan's Apgar was 8 at one minute and 9 at five minutes. They brought the girls out for Matt to hold. It was the most surreal moment, actually getting to see their little faces. I couldn't believe they were actually here!
We finished up the c-section, which was my least favorite part. I started feeling nauseous and having pain in my shoulders. Really strange. I just wanted to be done with the surgery and be able to spend some time with the girls!
Finally, we headed to recovery. They brought the girls to me and I carried them with me on the gurney to recovery. I looked at them and thought - how could both of these girls have been inside of me!?! We spent a couple of hours in the recovery room.
After recovery, we got up to our room and it was like the VIP suite! We lucked out that the room was available. Since we had twins, it was really nice to have the extra space. And the view was pretty awesome, too. My parents got into town about the same time we made it to the room. Matt had called them when he was waiting to get into the OR and they had jumped in the car.
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| Holding both girls for the first time |
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| The view from our room |
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| The girls in their bassinets |
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| Our first family photo |
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| They put a little "A" and "B" on their hats |
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| Thanks to the Reuters for their first birthday cake - it was yummy! |
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| Heading home - they look so tiny! |
