I was called back for vitals first and my BP was 149/98 and I was 8 pounds heavier then last week. Wait... how could I have gained that much when I have NO room for food? The aid standing there looked at me and said "Don't worry Michelle. I canc learly see that 8 pounds is all water weight." Must be the PIH causing swelling and water retention.... better be!
The sono tech did her measuring and checking everything on both babies but not with ease this appt. They're so big now it's difficult to see every part and measure accurately. Not long after Dr McFarland came in and took a look herself. She was pleased with Aidyn and Kylar's progress and didn't see any reason to continue the pregnancy much longer with me having PIH now and my BP remaining high. Today's appt said Aidyn's estimated weight is 6lbs 6oz and Kylar's estimated weight is 6lbs 11oz. They're for sure a nice, healthy weight at 3 weeks earlier and we saw both their lungs breathing away so.... it's all in Dr Murdock's hands now! (Oh my was running through my head. Sure I asked for this but oh my... the moment could be right around the corner!)
(Nurse Cindy, Huge Preggo, Dr McFarland & Mom To Be)
We had some time to waste leaving Dr. McFarland's office before seeing Dr Murdock at 10am and went down stairs to the lobby. Missy and Linda were on the phone non stop telling everyone they could think of to call and tell them what Dr McFarland had to say. Tim sat with me while I enjoyed a fruit cup and half a blueberry muffin. Late breakfast. At 9:45am we headed back upstairs to sign in at Dr Murdock's office. We were called back after the four of us sat guessing when Dr Murdock would say time for c-section. My weight and BP was the same as Dr McFarland's staff got. Ugh... what's to come? Dr Murdock came in quickly today and said "There is no reason to continue this pregnancy and the risks. (She didn't even take a few moments to look at anything.) Babies look great so today is the day." She said "Head on over to L&D and you're not going home."Ugh.... wait a minute. Today? What? I figured she would say go home, get a good night sleep and come to L&D tomorrow at 5am for your c-section. But not today. Right now. Okay, maybe I changed my mind. I don't think I want to do this anymore. Yup, I changed my mind. I'm not ready for this c-section. Okay Kylar.... stop pushing on me like that. Now you're setting your sister off and..... great, now I have to go to the bathroom again. Hmmm.... maybe I am ready to end this pregnancy.
Dr Murdock asked me when the last time I ate was and I got a big smile... told her right before her appt. She asked what I ate, looked at her watch and said we'll have to wait 6 hours now. Looks like 4:30pm is IT! Ready or not here come Aidyn and Kylar!
(37 Wks - Our LAST belly picture!)
(Missy enjoying our BIG belly for the last time!)
(What a surprise from our appts today! It's all so surreal right now....)
The four of us walked over to L&D in what seemed like a cloud of crazy, winds full of emotion, and heavy rain drops full of realization that the moment is here! We had to wait for a bit while our L&D room was cleared out and cleaned. Tim, Linda and Missy took this time to start making calls. I sat down and just watched them. Trying my best to keep my mind from thinking of this c-section only a few hours away...
Patty, North Central Baptist Hospital's L&D head nurse, walked us to our room. She had me change in to that stylish gown. Then came the monitors, blood pressure cuff and the whole deal. So on 2-10 of 2010 we were given room 210! Fun play on numbers!
Between Patty, Tim, Linda and I we finally convinced Missy to go with Linda to the hotel and take her time getting everything together while we embarked on our 6 hour wait till our c-section. We told her to take a relaxing, hot shower for the last time before she took on the title of Mother. Tim suggested running the hot water out of the hotel! Linda said she would make sure Missy got a good lunch in her too. Tim called Jaren once we knew he was on the road and told him to drive safe, take his time and we'll see him soon enough. Made sure to tell him to eat a good lunch too. No passing out on us guys! :-) I called my Mom at work and she was out of there in no time. She picked up my sister, Julie, then headed to the hospital. When they arrived Tim headed home to get our bags, take care of Brody (our 3 1/2 yr old Great Dane) and get some lunch himself. Patty kept a close eye during this time on my BP, the babies heart rates and kept checking my arms, legs and feet with the swelling coming on fast and faster. Aidyn and Kylar were still wiggling and moving (don't know where they found the room but they did) so much that we were constantly getting their heart rates back on the monitors. With each Lullaby we heard played over the speaker system (7 in the first two hours we were there - the song is played with each birth) I began to understand how the nurses and staff could grow to dislike such a sweet song. ;-) I asked Patty if we could request our own song. Say something like "Everybody Was Kung Foo Fighting". That is Kylar's nickname with me. Little Kung Foo Fighter the way he moves about. Aidyn is Tiny Dancer the way she moves her feet, yup you guessed it, and tap dances on my bladder!
Patty handed my care over to L&D nurse Pam and her shadow Heather (nurse knew to L&D) once she knew I was as comfortable and relaxed as I was going to get. Pam was fantastic taking the time out to sit with me and get to know our situation, who was involved and ask me how I felt non stop. Making sure I was okay with every step forward. Heather was very sweet as well and got a good laugh listening to Julie and I pick on Mom while everyone was still gone. They kept telling me to get some rest but that simply wasn't happening. I was trying hard to keep my mind occupied so I wouldn't start thinking about this c-section so close to happening. Talk about making my blood pressure spike!
Tim came back, then Missy and Linda came back. That's when Pam came in and let everyone know about Dr Murdock's two people at a time rule in the room she placed. Dr Murdock did not want to see my BP creep up too much higher. At it's max I recall me BP went up to 187/102! Think calm... try to relax....
Everything from that moment on is foggy. I know I finally started to block everyone out around 4pm and dosed here and there until Dr. Murdock came in and asked if I was ready. "As ready as one can ever be" is all I could muster up. I was beyond thrilled to finally meet little Aidyn and Kylar but scared to death to have this surgery. As I watched Tim, Missy and Jaren put on their OR attire I got a good laugh. They looked like big marsh mellows! Jaren was so excited to hurry he ripped his marsh mellow suit and needed another. Missy needed her's rolled and tucked so she could move freely. Tim looked funny with his hat pulled on his shiny, bald head so high. But as you can see in this picture I don't look all that cute either with my face SUPER swollen. Can you believe just how swollen my face got in the short hours since being admitted to L&D?!? Talk about retaining water!
My Mom hugged and kissed me then the water works turned on for her. Everyone standing there tried to hold it back. She opened the flood gates. "I love you too Mom" and then Julie hugged and kissed me. I looked over to Tim when I heard they were taking me back by myself. (WAIT!!!!!) I wanted Tim holding my hand on the way to the OR but instead I got a quick kiss and "I love you very much" as we shared that OH MY GOODNESS I'M SCARED TO DEATH look with each other. My L&D bed was unlocked and making it's way down the hall of Labor & Delivery. My eyes welled up with tears faster then you could imagine and it took everything in me not to break down and cry at this point. Fear of the unknown was spreading through me at rapid speed. Deep breath. Patty was with me and started talking to me. Thank goodness for her at that point! I couldn't tell you one word she said to me or how I answered now but I do remember telling myself there is no turning back. Mind over matter. I'm strong and can handle this. Surgery is done every day in the U.S. and I'm going to be okay. This surgery results in beautiful blessings. I'm about to finally meet Aidyn and Kylar. I'm about to watch my second set of Surro twins take their first breaths and welcome them into this world. I get to watch my second set of Intended Parents witness the birth of their children. With that my fear quited down enough to take a few deep breaths again and feel my swollen face smile with that thought... witnessing first hand the absolute joy of a first time parent finally meeting their baby. Almost there!
My spinal was put in and everyone started moving rapidly at that point. Our c-section delivery was like a well rehearsed episode on Discovery Health Channel. Everything went smoothly from where I was laying. :-) I did feel like the Jolly Green Giant had his hand on my abdomen shaking it vigorously from one side to another. Never felt pressure like they say you can expect. I did feel the wave of nausea two or three times and even dry heaved at one point but that was taken care of almost immediately by my wonderful anesthesiologist before I even got the words completely out of my mouth. Next thing I know there is a faint cry from Baby A.
We welcomed Aidyn Leigh at 5:44pm
As we're all in awe of Aidyn's arrival Dr. Murdock and (her assisting Dr) Dr. Theiss are quickly working to deliver Baby B... and there was his big cry!
We welcomed Kylar Allen at 5:45pm
Once again everything everyone said is a blur to me but I do remember looking as far to the left and behind me as I could to watch Missy and Jaren's reactions to their babies. I wanted to sit up and see what was going on so badly. Tim sat right next to me the entire time though holding my hand (during the times the BP cuff wasn't tightly squeezing my arm). He kissed my forehead and told me I did a great job and I remember Dr. Murdock leaning around the curtain with a big smile and a "Great job Michelle! We'll be done in no time."
I remember watching the nurses place Aidyn in Missy's arms and Kylar in Jaren's arms. Their expressions, even through the masks, were truly priceless. Tears of the happiest kind streamed down my face as I watched them fall in love with their babies. I don't think there was a dry eye in the OR at this point. Almost as if time had stopped for us all. Absolutely amazing!
Once I was closed and stitched up I was wheeled to recovery until I could move my feet. Felt like hours. Sadly I missed all the fun stuff back there. Missy and Jaren followed Aidyn and Kylar to the nuresery to bath, feed and hold them.
I did have the best visitors of all though! My in laws, Ricki and Jay, brought Makenzie and Mason up to see me. I was SO happy to see them. Mason was fascinated with all the machines I was hooked up to and wanted to know what everything was for. Makenzie was quiet but I know it was hard for her to see me in that recovery bed. She's a lot like her Daddy in that sense. Aunt Julie knew how to fix that uneasiness and lead her to see Aidyn and Kylar through the nursery window as a distraction. Tim followed with Mason so I could visit with my best friend Liz and her Mom Sharon. C-sections really take away all the fun of holding the baby right away and enjoying everything quicker. Everyone slowly started to leave as time passed. I finally could move my legs and feet and was wheeled to my post partum (PP) room. Once I was settled Tim went home to feed Brody and get a few things we needed. That was my quiet moment... finally. I just layed there in that PP bed letting everything really hit me. Absorbing each moment I replayed in my mind when I heard a knock at the door. Jaren and Missy popped their heads in and asked if I was up for a visit. Of course! I could not wait to put my arms around the new parents and give them a big, squeezy hug! Then I saw who I was about to visit with.... Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! And girl.... :-)
I finally got to meet Aidyn Leigh and Kylar Allen face to face! Oh my was I on cloud 9!!!!!! Crazy to think what we've worked so hard for is actually here! Two precious, perfect babies just waiting to be loved and adored. And that they certainly will be!
Aidyn Leigh and Kylar Allen
Less then three hours after birth... I'm one ecstatic Surro mom right now!
Jaren, Michelle, Missy, Kylar and Aidyn... a beautiful memory!
