Welcoming the Twins: A Birth Story

This post follows:

Momma Got a Big Ol’ Bump

July 16th

The night of the 16th, I was experiencing strong contractions about every 6-7 minutes. Dr. C gave me the option of staying at the hospital to be monitored for the night, or suggested sleeping at my parents who live closer to the hospital than we do. I chose to leave and try to get some sleep. Within my hours I had a fever, was experiencing hot and cold chills and was extremely nauseous. I tried to sleep on the couch, and before long, Pat was there next to me, trying to help cool me down. I eventually dozed off and woke up at 6:00 A.M to extremely hard contractions. The pressure of two babies made it feel like my pelvis was about to shatter. I noticed contractions were consecutively three minutes apart, and by 7:00 A.M. I started bleeding a little. By the time the office opened, contractions were strong and two minutes apart and we headed into the office one last time.

Dr. C was working, and quickly checked me. It was such a relief to learn I was 7 cm dilated, and ready to deliver the twins. Hallelujah! I couldn’t help but smile as the nurses became extremely excited for Pat and I when they heard the news, and wished us well as I waddled out the door.

 

The office called the hospital and told them we were on our way. (They had been waiting all week for us) Around 9:30 A.M. we walked into room 3004, where three nurses greeted us and were waiting to get me started on an IV for testing positive with Group B Strep. Though it’s recommended to receive penicillin for four hours prior to delivery, their goal for me was to receive it for at least one hour.

Once the IV was in, they checked me, I was 8 cm dilated, and by this point I was begging for an epidural. I was pleased when the same anesthesiologist I had with Ledger’s birth walked into the room. She rocks at the whole process, and most of all keeps me calm. I was more grateful to receive an epidural this time over my other two deliveries, the contractions were much harder and more painful.

The nurses struggled finding Baby B’s heartbeat so Dr. C came in and performed an ultrasound and gratefully found both heart beats. My water slightly broke, and they rolled me into the OR for delivery.

Dr. C and Dr. M were there, along with 3 labor and delivery nurses, 2 surgical nurses and the anesthesiologist. Pat stood to my left. They transferred me to a narrow OR bed and was put on oxygen to help the babies.

Everyone in the room was so upbeat, I had a whole room full of people cheering me on, which definitely makes it easier to push out two kids. I pushed three or four times with every contraction and within 15-20 minutes the room was cheering and Dr. C delivered Baby A.

Cannon Thomas Sullenger

11:39 AM

4 lbs 10 oz

(Middle name after his Grandpa Sullenger)

He was put on my chest for a brief second, I only saw the back of his head when I realized he hadn’t made a sound and Dr. M picked Cannon up and quickly passed him through a window into the NICU.

Seconds later, I surprisingly felt pressure and asked if I could push again, and with a couple of pushes and just two minutes later, Baby B was born.

 Cruiz Trent Sullenger

11:41 AM

5 lbs 2 oz

(Middle name after his Grandpa Siddoway)

I was able to get a better look at Cruiz and was shocked with how he looked. Preslee and Ledger look so much alike, that I expected the twins to look just like them, but the twins surprised us with their own different look.

Both boys were immediately taken away into the NICU, and Pat followed. Dr. C stitched me up, (One nice part about having small babies is I hardly tore). Dr. M came and updated me on the boys who were both doing well. Cruiz had swallowed Cannon’s meconium… Dr. M laughed and said Cannon will always have that to hold over his Cruiz’s head, along with being two minutes older. Other than that, the boys were doing quite well for being 35 weeks and 3 days old.

It wasn’t until later that evening I was able to visit the boys, so my parents brought Ledger in and kept me company.

Having a twin birth is much different than a singleton, especially when your babies stay in the NICU. It was strange staying in a hospital room without a baby by my side. I was sick before I went in, and didn’t get over it for quite a few days. So I spent two days in the hospital sleeping, rarely eating, (Including my favorite steak and shrimp stork dinner) with very few visitors, and only seeing the babies a handful of times. My nurse Jess took great care of me, and was simply amazing. Definitely one of the best I’ve ever had.

 

At 5:00 P.M. Pat wheeled me into the NICU and I was able to see both boys for the first time!

(First time holding the twins 7/18/13)

I feel so grateful to have been able to work with Season’s Medical throughout my entire pregnancy, and even more grateful for Dr. C and Dr. M. I felt my delivery couldn’t have went any better thanks to Dr. C who delivered the twins, and he was wonderful during that last miserable week of pregnancy.

I remember looking over at Pat during labor and noticed he was crying. I later learned that Dr. M had told Pat they were very aware of what yesterday’s date meant for our family, and were grateful the boys made their debut a day later, so they could have their very own special day to celebrate. That’s something we had never brought up with him, so for him to remember threw Pat a little off guard. Dr. M has been wonderful with all 3 of my pregnancies.

(Flowers delivered from my Uncle Rodd and Aunt Cindy)

One pink rose to represent Preslee.

Who I’ve felt very close by since delivering her little brothers.

There’s something incredible about two sweet spirits being sent straight from heaven together, watching Ledger interact with siblings for the very first time, and being allowed to feel the one child you’ve buried close by.

I’m officially a Momma of 4, and couldn’t be more blessed.

Welcome to the world sweet boys,

Your family already adores you.