29 weeks or 36 hours out of the ocean

Hello everyone. Thank you so much for your encouragement and excitement. The boys are doing well, and by that I mean they are doing their evolutionary dance if learning how to breathe in this non watery world. They both cried when they ce out, which was such a precious gift--we didn't dare count on it, but suprisingly baby B, the smaller if the two by three ounces, cried more! They were both on cpap and then sypap until around 11am yesterday, but then they were getting too tired, and needing too much oxygen, so they moved them to ventilators. This was the expectation set by the neonatologist we met on sat, so weren't suprised at this development.
Baby A, our 3.1 pounder, is on the 'regular ' ventilator, and was breathing at 21% for a good portion of the day. Of course, that is/was one of many things that happened, but every little bit of normalcy is so precious. Baby B, our 2.14 pounder is also on a ventilator, but the occilating kind, which we hope he can be weaned off of soon. He's also had his periods of using oxygen at 21%, so he is doing his best to become an air breather.
They are big in their way, but obviously so tiny. One of the night doctors thought they were 32 weekers, and urged me to take credit for their big size. I've decided that is a good idea--feeling as if I've done something good for them is so important for my well being.
They are so firece, and working so hard to catch up with all the demands this new world is putting on them.
I'm healing well from my c-section. I'm
up and moving around, today I'll shower, and I'm pumping.
Essentially, the pumping is a wake up call to my brain and breasts. I'm working towards having a big enough dollop of colostrum to have transported up to the nicu to smear inside their little cheeks. So far I've had some drops from each breast, which I've been assured is normal for 36 hours out. My right breast fits well into the pumping horn, and is starting to feel as if the ducts are waking up. The left breast, the bigger one, seems to be at odds with the horn, and I've already got a crack...ugh. We'll meet with the nicu lactation consultant when she is back from being sick.
I have more to say, but the pain meds are kicking in, and I need to rest.

Comments

[Emma]

Hey, sound like you're all doing really well! Good on you for the pumping. I was told to pump every three hours and never managed it!!
Sending your little ones big hugs. It is a total blast having twins :)

[Brenda]

Wow, you and your boys are such fighters! I pumped exclusively after I had the twins because they had such poor latches. I think I got a drop or two of colostrum after about 36 hours. Believe me, when your milk comes in, you will feel it. your breasts become hard as a rock. It is kinda unreal! Pumping is hard work (and hard on the breasts), but you are doing a fantastic job. Your boys are in the best hands :D

[Rachel]

I am so impressed that you are up already and pumping! If your breasts are different sizes, you almost certainly need different size phlanges (the piece that goes directly onto the breast). I certainly did, and knowing that you are also graced with above-average breasts, my guess is that both pieces are the wrong sizes. Don't wait for the official NICU lactation consultant if you don't have to - see if some other LC can come visit and bring spare parts (a good one will stock parts for an emergency like this).

I hope your little guys keep making progress, and I think it's wonderful that you are focusing on the moments of strength through what will certainly be a tough first week for all of you.

[Good Egg Hatched]

You are doing so great! You have done so much for these babies -- you absolutely can and should take lots and lots of credit for it! Hang in there through all that's ahead -- may it get easier and easier and may they get stronger and stronger. You will feel better each day from the c-section -- sounds like you're already doing so well.

[Summer]

My SIL had twins at 34 weeks and they were just over 3 lbs, so I definitely think you should take credit for how big your boys are! Keep up the great work, mama!! Those first few days of pumping will feel unproductive, but you really are telling your body to make milk. When your milk comes in you will be able to see your hard work pay off. Sounds like both your boys are fighters and strong like their mama!

[the good eggs]

Yes do take credit for their size! Who else is going to? You're already the best kind of mother :)

[Annie]

The baby boys are SO beautiful Sarah! And way to go on the pumping! Enjoy your little miracles.

[a]

I was pretty amazed at their weights - great job! Good luck with the pumping...it's tough but you can do it.

Sounds like the babies are doing pretty well - I hope you can take them home soon!

[kate]

So glad you're taking credit for their robustness-- you have certainly done your part, and in doing so you have given them every advantage possible. Like you've said, everything that is happening now is to be expected, and in the next few days you will see those little boys get stronger and learn new tricks!

Remember, Lucy had extra trouble too when she was in the NICU, but she caught up to her sister in time and now you'd never know they were preemies at all.

As for the pumping: here, I can help! The size of the cones or horns or whatever you call them does not vary much, if at all-- it's the hole in the center (at the bottom of the funnel) that varies in the different sizes. It's about fitting your nipple comfortably, not your breast, if that is a helpful way to think about it.

You need the center part to be big enough that it can suck your nipple and areola a couple of inches inside. At first, it won't go that far in, but as you get going, it will start to do that.

So you just need a center hole that is big enough for your nipple to fit inside with plenty of room-- no dragging on the sides.

Vivid enough for you? ;> Your lactation specialist will totally hook you up. Just go easy on yourself, trust that it will happen (it builds up very slowly at first, but in a few days you'll be producing a measurable amount, and within a couple of weeks you'll be a proverbial little dairy farm!).

Enjoy this process-- it is pretty fascinating!

[eve]

hey, hugs and love and i love seeing the pictures.

[geohde]

I do hope I did not imagie offering heartfelt congratulations on the early arrival of your little wonders.

I wish you the smoothest postnatal course possible, and remember...this all fades into the background with time,

xoxox

G

[Sara]

I'm glad to hear that your tough little guys are making the transition as well as could be hoped for, given their gestational age. I'm sorry that they have to be in the NICU, obviously, but am glad to hear that they are doing as well as can be hoped for so far. I wish that things had been a bit smoother sailing for you so far, but at least they're here and they're yours and they're beautiful and they're strong.

Ditto what everybody above said about pump parts. I had a cracked nipple while still in the hospital, which was decidedly NO FUN. Hang in there. It gets easier.

[Sweet Georgia]

Congratulations again on having Baby A and Baby B in the world with you! It sounds like they are being well looked after and you did a great job in getting them lots of nutrients while they were with you. Good luck with the pumping and I hope you have a speedy recovery from the c-section.

[Eva]

Congrats, girl. You rock. They are gorgeous.

[Erin]

I, too, think you should take credit for the boys' great sizes! It really is a huge tribute to you taking it easy and listening to your doctor, and focusing on growing those boys. NICU has its challenges, but before you know it, you'll all be home together. Good luck with the pumping, it seems non-productive at first, but like the others have commented, before you know it, you will be overflowing those tiny NICU bottles in about 3 seconds of pumping!

[meinsideout]

It is so good to hear from you. hugs, hugs, hugs, you are amazing and so glad the boys are here and okay.

My milk fully came in between 48-72 hours.

[Michele]

Congratulations!!! I know I've already FBed you, but I am just so happy for you! Let me know what I can do to help. If you need anything, I'd be happy to mail stuff or whatever!

[Baby Smiling In Back Seat]

Congratulations! Great job getting them to this point so big and healthy. Hope that your recovery goes well and that the boys' NICU stay is short and uneventful.

My baby B was also 3 ounces lighter and cried much louder at birth. He still makes his needs and desires known, but now, it's A who really has the big voice.

[jaded]

On the pumping front I have soooooooo much to tell you. I had nurses and 2 different lactation specialists help me. My breasts were totally man-handled. LOL. I used the hospital pump on and off during days 2 and 3 in the hospital. All I got was one measly little drop out of one of my breasts. I was hormonal and crying and the cracked nipples did not help at all. My milk came in full swing the day after I was discharged – on day 4. I was leaking something awful! So keep stimulating your milk! I had a very hard road in the first few weeks. I was told that the pain from cracked and sore nipples should subside by week 2. Ha! That didn’t happen for me until week 4. I cringed and cried every time I breastfed Ziggy due to the shear pain. But now, that I have had the hang of it for several months, I can say that it was worth it. The way she looks at me and our special bond has been forged over her feedings. If in the end for any reason, you quit trying, don’t’ worry – there is always formula and you can bond in other ways.

You will feel like a new woman after your first shower. Take it easy with the c-section and do ask for gas meds. If you are on percocet drink LOTS of water. Although painful, moving will speed up healing – just take it slow.

You have done a phenomenal job getting your babies to 28 weeks and the doctor is right, you get all the credit for their advanced size. Congratulations again and don’t worry, your little boys will be breathing on their own in no time.

Well I’ve taken your blog hostage long enough! Give them sweet kisses for me.

HUGS!

[Calliope]

OH MY GOOOODNESS!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Every time I am away from the computer something HUGE happens over here and you certainly didn't let me down this time. Welcome to the world to your boys- they sound so strong and kick ASS!! And NICU doctors don't sugar coat- so if the night doc said they were looking big then you KNOW they are. woo! for that.
I am beaming so much love to you all.
xoxoxo