On November 21st, 2015, Emmett Gregory (Baby A) entered the world and was 6lbs 5 oz and 19 1/2 inches at 2:00 pm. Just moments later at 2:02 pm Archer Timothy (Baby B) who was 7lbs 4oz and also 19 1/2 inches joined us. Babies were born at 37w1d via cesarean section healthy and alert making J&W the very happy proud parents of twin BOYS! Congratulations!!!
As I shared in my last post, on Friday (37w0d) I was admitted to the hospital for observation. We were all very hopeful that it would be "baby day" as I called IM and then both my husband Jason and IF out of work. After getting up to the hospital they ran labs and decided to start a 24 hour urine collection and monitor for pre-eclampsia. Throughout the day there were mild signs that my my BP was rising but nothing definitive enough to warrant immediate delivery - so we waited. Around 9 PM on Friday we were told since I was stable nothing was going to happen overnight so, I sent everyone home for a good nights sleep while outside the skies were heavy with the snowflakes of the years first winter storm.
I had a very long night; hospital bed + round the clock monitoring + being very uncomfortably pregnant with twins = no sleep.
Just after sunrise on Saturday morning, blood work was run and before the 24 hr urine collection/results were processed it was obvious my condition was going to get worse before it got better so, since the only cure for pre-eclampsiais is delivery - it was go time. I excitedly called everyone to let them know we were being put on the OR schedule and to get everything in order and head up to the hospital. I was oblivious to the winter wonderland outside but after digging their way out and making their way down the slippery streets as the snow continued to fall, Jason as well as J&W all arrived at the hospital around 10:30 am.
A lot of excitement and silliness was in the air as we waited for the next instructions. Members of J&W's families came into say HI and wish us all the very best of luck and then made their way to the family waiting area, all very anxious and excited. Finally around 1:00 pm doctors and nurses stopped in my room to give instructions and answer any questions, shortly after I was taken back while J&W suited up in scrubs.
This was my second c/s so I was a bit more prepared for what was ahead. As I plopped my backside up on the operating table waiting for my spinal I looked around and took everything in. They kept reassuring me it was all going to be ok, when really I was just curious - not nervous. The spinal went in and within moments my feet, legs and all the up to my chest went numb. I was draped and readied as J&W were brought in and given their place to stand.
The OR and NICU teams were great explaining at each step what was happening. It only took a few moments and then - the world around us all changed as the first baby was delivered. Mind you IPs did not know the gender of either so, when the doctor presented them with baby and announced, "It's a BOY!" there were squeals and tears of happiness. The next baby was ready to be delivered and the OB thought it would be fun to have the team bring baby over to the warmer where J&W got to look and announce to everyone the gender of the second baby, "Another BOY!".
I loved watching and hearing all this unfold there in front of me - it's the moment we surrogates look forward to the most. The moment that truly makes them a family - finally all together - falling in love with precious little people that seemed like only a dream when this journey began for J&W over 3 years ago. And also in those same few moments, my beautiful journey as a surrogate was complete. It's bittersweet but I know it doesn't end here, because from these experiences I have gained lifelong enduring friendships with the three families I've helped. I can't wait to explore the next chapter as these precious baby boys grow in the arms and hearts of their parents, family, and friends - just as Giovanni and Ryan and Mason have.
Love you all ~
I had a very long night; hospital bed + round the clock monitoring + being very uncomfortably pregnant with twins = no sleep.
Just after sunrise on Saturday morning, blood work was run and before the 24 hr urine collection/results were processed it was obvious my condition was going to get worse before it got better so, since the only cure for pre-eclampsiais is delivery - it was go time. I excitedly called everyone to let them know we were being put on the OR schedule and to get everything in order and head up to the hospital. I was oblivious to the winter wonderland outside but after digging their way out and making their way down the slippery streets as the snow continued to fall, Jason as well as J&W all arrived at the hospital around 10:30 am.
A lot of excitement and silliness was in the air as we waited for the next instructions. Members of J&W's families came into say HI and wish us all the very best of luck and then made their way to the family waiting area, all very anxious and excited. Finally around 1:00 pm doctors and nurses stopped in my room to give instructions and answer any questions, shortly after I was taken back while J&W suited up in scrubs.
This was my second c/s so I was a bit more prepared for what was ahead. As I plopped my backside up on the operating table waiting for my spinal I looked around and took everything in. They kept reassuring me it was all going to be ok, when really I was just curious - not nervous. The spinal went in and within moments my feet, legs and all the up to my chest went numb. I was draped and readied as J&W were brought in and given their place to stand.
The OR and NICU teams were great explaining at each step what was happening. It only took a few moments and then - the world around us all changed as the first baby was delivered. Mind you IPs did not know the gender of either so, when the doctor presented them with baby and announced, "It's a BOY!" there were squeals and tears of happiness. The next baby was ready to be delivered and the OB thought it would be fun to have the team bring baby over to the warmer where J&W got to look and announce to everyone the gender of the second baby, "Another BOY!".
I loved watching and hearing all this unfold there in front of me - it's the moment we surrogates look forward to the most. The moment that truly makes them a family - finally all together - falling in love with precious little people that seemed like only a dream when this journey began for J&W over 3 years ago. And also in those same few moments, my beautiful journey as a surrogate was complete. It's bittersweet but I know it doesn't end here, because from these experiences I have gained lifelong enduring friendships with the three families I've helped. I can't wait to explore the next chapter as these precious baby boys grow in the arms and hearts of their parents, family, and friends - just as Giovanni and Ryan and Mason have.
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| IPs and babies - 2 days old |
Love you all ~
1 comment:
Well done! I wish you the speediest of recoveries! :)
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