NICU Week 1

NICU LIFE WEEK 1:

After I went and met my babies..aka after I got to look at my babies through thick glass, I was so mentally and physically exhausted. Trent thought it would be a good idea for me to go back to my recovery room to take a nap.  He stayed down in the NICU and was able to meet the doctors, chat with the nurses and start to understand what was going to happen. 

I barely understood what a NICU was prior to all of this happening, but that was about to change fast. 

The girls were lucky enough that they were able to be placed in two conjoining rooms.  Each room had their own sink, couch, fridge, desk, isolet and monitors. They were on a care schedule every 3 hours in which they would take all their vitals, give meds, change diaper, and eat.  At the care times is when the doctors or nurse practitioners would come in if needed.  When they were put on cpaps they were given "Hat checks" which means they would take everything off their face and head for 30 seconds to give their faces a rest and to make sure there were not any pressures points.   They had a pump in their NICU room for me so I was able to pump right there and did not have to bring mine from home.

They also had cameras hooked up that were like little baby monitors so that when Trent and I were not there, we could still watch them and see what was going on. 

One really cool thing was the scent squares. The NICU gave us these little fabric squares that we would wear in our shirts/bra all day so that they smelt like us, and then they would put them in the isolets so that the girls would be around our scent. Since most babies are held by their parents right away, they want to try and replicate NICU babies being close to their parents the best they can.  Since we could not hold them right away, we also did "hand hugs" where we basically folded their arms in towards their chest and then hugged them with our hands. Another way to comfort them was also to take my breastmilk and soak it in a sponge and then put it in their mouth.  At this point in time they were being fed through tubing, but that way they could at least taste some.

Trent and I had a talk in the recovery room that we really want to be rational and do what is best for the girls.  At that point in time, the only goal was to have the isolet mimic the womb for them.  So as much as we wanted to be in there, have people come see them, hold them.  We tried really hard to put them first and do what was best.  This is why we went home at night and did not stay there.  That meant they were getting a lot of dark quiet time, which at that point is exactly what they needed to continue to grow.

Its January 28th as I finally get around to writing this.  But I have kept different journals on this whole journey either in my phone or on paper.  I am now just starting to organize it all into one place.  Below is just the raw updates unedited that I sent to friends and family the first 4 days after delivery. I figured this would be the best way to explain those first few days:

Sending a single update to family and friends because I can’t keep up.** They are unedited notes in my phone 🙃. Thanks to everyone reaching out 💜💗. So! Remind me and I will send you the daily update! I👶🏻👶🏻

May 25th : 2 days post delivery

I am so sorry I have been short with you all and responding in group texts is easiest so I don’t spend too much time on my phone. I’m still trying to navigate how to pump every two hours, eat, sleep, recover, and spend time down with the babies. I get discharged today and still need to figure out a schedule for at home vs here. So nice having all my stuff just around the corner in a different room, I’m a little nervous to see how that goes.

Yesterday was the most emotional day I think I have ever experienced. I have a feeling there will be lots of days like this after having two babies at the same time experiencing different things 💗

The morning started out great. Having to pump every 2 hours for 24hrs is starting to pay off because the girls are using my breast milk (yellow liquid gold stuff right now) and not having to use the donor milk because I am producing enough for the both of them.

Trent changed both of their first poopy diapers and did their morning daily cares with the nurse. (Diapers, vitals, temp,etc)

Zach and Alisha came up and visited with us which was so nice talking with other twin parents 💗

Then the afternoon hit and Trent ran home to mow the lawn, shower and honestly just get a little fresh air since we have been in the hospital for over a week now including the time I spent before delivery.

Right when he walked in the door at home I called him because for the first time ever since we have been here, the girls doctor came over to my recovery room (usually they don’t leave the Nicu unless somethings up) and told me that Joie’s oxygen was high and that she had a hole in her lung. He went on to explain the next steps but I honestly lost him and my head just filled with worry. They said to wait about 30 min before Trent and I come down because it’s going to be chaotic for a minute. After he left I called Trent and he turned around and came right back to the hospital.

We got down to her room as they were emptying out the air around her collapsed lung and readjusting her to get intubated. The doc told us since they are identical, he was going to give both girls Surfactant, which is used to help their lungs. They did a chest x-ray on Joie after they pulled the air and it seemed to look a little better. As of this morning, Joie’s hole is gone, and she is doing soooo much better. Lennon is a little champ as of the last 24 hours as well.

As you can imagine it was our first “scare” and just a really really emotional afternoon. Trent and I went back to my recovery room while they set everything up for both girls to get the surfactant and just tried to decompress. We are both exhausted. We ordered pizza and ate together and then decided to go back down and check on them.

I pumped down there for the first time and wow it made a HUGE difference in supply! It’s crazy how your hormones like know their around.

Then! Trent came around the corner and was smiling and asked me “..so do you want to hold Lennon? :)” After such a long day with Joie, I was finally able to hold one of my babies! At first I was super nervous with all of the cords, but it was the most amazing feeling ever to hold Lennon and I started to actually feel like a mom. 💗

Trent gets to hold Lennon this morning and I am so excited for him. He is such an amazing dad and always helps the nurses with diapers and whatever he can to get this hands on them.

It’s crazy how many emotions you can feel in a day, but we are so in love and we will see what the day will bring today 💗

Still trying to figure out the best way to update everyone, especially because so many little things happen.

I love you all and can’t wait to see you soon!

May 26th: 3 days after delivery

Trent and I got discharged from hospital and are taking time here and there to regroup at home. First night where we weren’t in the same building/ room was tough for us as parents, but we are trying our best to get some sleep so we can stay healthy. We stoped on our way home and had lunch outside of a hospital room and it was refreshing. We went on a walk when we got home and it’s amazing what some fresh air can do.

Morning:

Joie: Joie’s morning started off well. She had a poop that she was able to produce all by herself and she finished the breast milk she was given through tubing. I changed her diaper and did her cares with the nurse. She was recovering from her left lung hole procedure from the night before and we got to see her with her cpap off for 30 seconds while they cleaned/switched out her straps. It was so amazing to see her open her eyes. Our hearts melted and we look at that photo all the time.

Lennon: Leni had a great morning. She pooped and has been tolerating all of her feedings. Today was also a good day for Lennon because she was held by her Dad!! Dad held, changed and did Lennon’s cares. She loved it.

It’s crazy, with either baby, whether mom or dad are holding or with Joie even placing your hands on her and holding her limbs into her chest, their heart rates drop to a cozy rate. They can hear us too and know who we are 💜💗

Evening:

When Trent and I were on a little late neighborhood walk as sun was going down, we got a call from Nicu that Joie’s lung on the other side had developed a hole just like last night 😣. We went back in from 10-2am and watched the procedure, and them getting her comfortable again.

May 27th: 4 days after delivery:

We went back in this morning for the rounds with doctors and nurses and we were told that Joie and Lennon both have premature baby lung disease (does not mean they will have a lung disease when they are older) and that it is common for 29.6 weekers. Joie’s lungs are just a little bit more banged up than her sisters, but she is a fighter. Today they are just going to keep her lights off, we won’t help with her cares today, and we are just going to let her get some good rest since the past two nights have been tough. They will be watching them closely, but reassured us that everything they have done is pretty normal for Joie, and Lennon is just showing off being an all star this week :) Trent and I came home for lunch and will be back later to help with cares, hold Lennon and blow kisses to our sweet little Joie girl.💗💜