I shared the day before and the day Kade was born, but it dawned on me that I have not really shared the girls' birth story, so here goes.
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Monday, January 19, 2009, I was SO excited. Marc and I were taking the day to go to Wichita to register for our baby shower. I was thrilled to have the whole day to go through all things baby and make a wish list!
Our first stop was Super Target over on Maize Road. I was a little disappointed, because they were rearranging the baby department, so it was a little disorganized. Feeling a little frustrated, we kind of just rushed through, thinking I could update the registry online at a later time. Instead of spending a couple of hours in Target, we only were in there about 45 minutes.
We ate an early lunch, then headed to the mall to look for maternity clothes. I was only 25 weeks along, but with twins, I was very quickly outgrowing my clothes. I remember being in Dillards, by the shoes, and I started to feeling a little cramping. I just chalked it up to being on my feet too long. I sat down for a few minutes, and felt better, so we headed to Motherhood Maternity.
I only tried on a few things, and the cramping returned, so I told Marc that I thought it was best we cut our trip short and head home. I NEVER thought I was in preterm labor, just thought I was pushing myself a little too hard.
As we neared South Hutchinson, Marc asked if we needed to swing by the doctors office. Again, I still had no idea I was in preterm labor, so I said no. Marc insisted I at least call and talk to one of the nurses. Jan said that since we were in town, to go ahead and come in. I told her I felt ridiculous, because I was sure everything was fine. We arrived at the doctor's office, and were immediately taken back. They found both of the girls' heartbeats, and they sounded great. I breathed a nice, big sigh of relief. I can remember saying, "I'm a little embarrassed that I wasted every one's time." Then Dr. Cullan suggested checking me, just in case. That's when our nightmare began. I was dilated to 4.
Instantly, I burst into tears. It was WAY too early for the girls to be born. Dr. Cullan called the hospital (just across the street), and told them I was on my way over. Marc pulled the pickup up to the front doors, and they wheeled me out in a wheelchair. I was in a complete panic.
Basically, as they were wheeling me into the hospital, they were starting an IV, and getting me changed into a gown. They started magnesium sulfate to try to slow the contractions, and gave me a steroid shot to help the girls' lungs mature. They then loaded me up in an ambulance to take me to Wesley in Wichita. Marc was planning on following the ambulance in his pickup, but Dr. Cullan told Marc he had to go in the ambulance, too. He thought the girls might come on the way to Wichita.
The drive to Wichita was a blur. The contractions were getting stronger. I was crying and praying. We entered Wesley through the emergency entrance, but went straight up to labor and delivery. They hooked me up to monitors to keep tabs on both mine and the girls' vitals. Their heartbeats remained strong and stable. Miraculously, my blood pressure remained very low. All the doctors and nurses kept telling me to just relax.
Shortly after we arrived, a NICU doctor came in to visit with us. At the time, all I could think of was, "Relax?!? You just told me the odds of my babies surviving and having special needs if they were born now. And I'm supposed to relax?!?" At the time we didn't know Dr. Dorn from the man in the moon. But at that point, I was not a fan. Why would you come tell us all of these horrific things? (Of course, we grew very close to Dr. Dorn over the next few months, and absolutely LOVE him, now.)
By that point, a lot of our family arrived. Most of them dropped everything and ran. How blessed we are to be surrounded with such selfless family. The rest of Monday night, I spent on complete bed rest. The contractions kept coming every 15-30 minutes. Needless to say, there was no sleeping that night. Poor Marc must have been terrified as well, but he never showed it. He was so supportive. He isn't one for bodily fluids of any kind, but didn't bat an eye when he had to help me use the bed pan.
Tuesday, the contractions started spacing out a little more, but by now the side effects of the magnesium were kicking in. I am so thankful for mag, because it eventually stopped the contractions and gave the steroids a chance to work on the girls' lungs, but it was tough. Tuesday night, I didn't sleep at all because of the side effects from the mag.
Wednesday morning rolled around. I was still having some contractions. They are only able to give you 48 hours of magnesium because of the nasty side effects, so I was getting a little anxious. Amazingly, my contractions stopped on Wednesday afternoon. The took me off of the magnesium and we were on pins and needles for a couple of hours, waiting to see if the contractions returned. They didn't, so they moved me to the long term ob floor on Wednesday evening. This would be my home until the girls were born. Hopefully at least 6-7 weeks minimum.
To be continued.....
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