What a whirlwind this past month has been! I can't believe our precious babies will be 4 weeks old on Wednesday. Their arrival has been a long time coming and they couldn't be anymore perfect.
A couple of weeks before they were born, I went in for one of my many routine ultrasounds. This is when we discovered that "B" (Luca) was not growing like his brother. My doctor decided it would be best to send me to the maternal fetal medicine doctor to have her take a look. A few days later, she confirmed that Luca was developing IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). Giovanni was measuring over 5 lbs and he was measuring a little under 4. She decided it would be best to deliver sooner rather than later because he would do better outside of the womb. I actually wound up in the hospital that night due to high blood pressure and was scared they would deliver them right away. Luckily, I was able to go home the next morning, which was a Friday, and let them "cook" a little bit longer. After the weekend, I went back to the OB to do a nonstress test. Both babies looked good and he decided to schedule my induction for that Wednesday, November 27th. I was 35 weeks. I arrived at the hospital around 7:00 am. The plan was for me to try a vaginal delivery since both babies were head down. The doctor came in sometime around 9:00 and and broke Giovanni's water. After he broke it, Luca (the little stinker) decided to flip breech. Our doctor was still ok with a vaginal delivery since Giovanni was still head down. I was a little freaked out because I was terrified of having a "double whammy" and didn't want one to come out vaginally and the other having to be a c-section. I had an epidural pretty soon after my water broke...before I was in much pain. The nurse recommended that I go ahead and get one right away, so I did. I can't decide how I feel about epidurals. I didn't have one with Bryden and it was very painful, but bearable. I liked how I could feel that my body knew exactly what to do...such an amazing experience. On the other hand, it is very nice to not feel any pain. Unfortunately, it's pretty hard for me to feel ANYTHING with an epidural. Around noon, I decided that I may have felt a little bit of pressure. The nurse checked me and sure enough I was 10 cm dilated! (I just have to give myself some credit for a second and let you know that I LOVE that I labor quickly...I can't imagine being in labor for an extensive amount of time!) At that point, they called the doctor and told him to come to the hospital and they also got the OR ready. With twins, they make you deliver in the OR even if you plan on trying for a vaginal delivery..just in case. It was awful. Such a bright cold room with a ZILLION people around. They had nursers for me, an anesthesiologist, nurses for each baby, plus a NICU nurse or two since they were 35 weekers. Alex was in there too, of course, with the camera in hand. Once the doctor arrived, it was time to push. My nurse said I would be able to get Giovanni out in 1 push, but another negative thing about the epidural is that I can't really tell how hard I was pushing. I'm guessing I wound up pushing for 10 minutes or so, but he came out pretty quickly. Once he was out, the plan was to try to turn Luca around, but apparently he wasn't waiting for that. His feet were right there and his heart rate dropped a bit, so with one push my doctor pulled him right out feet first! Once Luca was out, I started crying. It was such a surreal experience after all of our struggles and then having TWO babies.
Giovanni weighed 5 lbs 6 oz and Luca weighed more than we thought at 4 lbs 6 oz. Amazingly, both babies checked out ok and needed no NICU time! I was completely shocked! They were immediately able to come into our room. We spent Thanksgiving in the hospital, but we were able to go home on time that Friday. I still can't believe that we were able to leave there with such a tiny little baby. They both had lost a little weight, which is completely normal, but Luca was only 4 lbs 1 oz when we left.
The past 4 weeks have been so exhausting, but so amazing. The first two weeks were a little rough for me, but Alex was so great and his mom was also here to help. I wasn't sure if I could handle her every leaving, but she left this morning and so far we are all still alive! My parent's have also been very helpful and have also helped with the big kids. It is hard to give the older ones the attention they deserve at the moment and care for two newborns. Luckily, we have a lot of family that is willing to help out.
When Alex and I started this journey together, I wasn't sure if we would ever have a baby. But, with the help of a FABULOUS doctor and staff, we were able to get pregnant and give birth to two wonderful little baby boys. Our hearts are so full and we can't wait to see where this journey will take us next.
