Babies!

Yesterday morning my "little sister" Andrea had her twins. She was back in the hospital last Friday after her blood pressure was high at her OB appointment. On Saturday morning they sent her home. Sunday she attended her nephew's baptism, and that night she was back in the hospital. At this point, they were having a hard time controlling her blood pressure and they started magnesium sulfate. Monday morning they started an induction with cytotec, a pill that is supposed to help dilate the cervix. All day monday she went from 1-2 cm dilated. I figured it was going to be a long road with a possible c section at the end. 

When I woke up to pee around 3 AM I saw she had texted about an hour earlier saying they had broken her water and started Pitcoin. Up again around 6:30 AM I saw a text saying she was fully dilated and they were taking her to the OR to push. At 7:11 and 7:31 Abigail and Caleb were born weighing 4.8 and 4.15. I guess she was able to hold both of them briefly before they were taken to the NICU. 

I went to visit Andrea last night a little after W got home. She seemed to be doing okay, but was still on Magnesium so was not able to see or visit the babies. I asked the nurse for a pump and kit for her and got her started pumping. The nurse was so clueless, yet felt the need to "teach" her how to use the pump. It's hard to hear advice like, just pump 10-15 minutes every 4 hours or so. What?! She also didn't know how to operate the pump. I'm not an expert with the hospital pump since I only used it a few weeks, but I tried to stand back and bite my tongue while the nurse was there. Once she left I felt more comfortable giving her advice. Her first pumping session she got a bit of colustrum. It took me quite a while before I got that much so I was glad I was helping her get started so soon (I ended up waiting at least 24 hours before I started pumping). I'm sure having a vaginal birth will help her milk to come in more quickly too. 

I had stopped at Target on the way for a few nursing tank tops and also found two super cute preemie outfits. I know she didn't have much small stuff (newborn) so I figured she could use a few preemie things. I know they won't fit into them long, but preemie clothes are teeny tiny and adorable! I had a lot of fun buying them. 

She was able to see the babies this morning and hold the baby girl. They started the boy on antibiotics and had to put him on a ventilator this afternoon. She's doing well considering, but I know the scary feelings of having babies in the NICU. Please keep Andrea and her babies in your thoughts! 

Updates on my "Little Sister"

If you remember, my local mom's of multiples group has a "big sister" program. This matches a current (and interested) mom up with an expecting mom of twins. They serve as a resource and mentor during pregnancy and for the first 6 months of the babies lives. My little sister is named Andrea and also happens to live 4 doors up from me. She is currently 31 weeks pregnant with b/g twins.   

Last week Andrea had her biweekly ob appointment. When the nurse first took her back her blood pressure was high. They took it again a little while later and it was still high, so they sent her to the hospital. From there they were able to stabilize her blood pressure some. They started her on blood pressure medications and did the 24 hour urine test to test for protein since her dip was negative. She received the first round of steroid shots for the babies lungs on Thursday night. On Friday she found out her urine was positive for protein and she was diagnosed with preeclampsia. 

We are mostly in touch via text but I did go to visit her on Friday. W and I went into Syracuse to visit with some good friends for lunch. We took separate cars and I went to the hospital to visit with Andrea after while W took the girls home to nap. 

She seemed to be doing well and had plenty of visitors. Her blood pressure was pretty stable at that point. 

On Monday she was given the option to go home if she wanted. Her mom and husband thought it was best she stay so she did. Well, today they told her she's good to go home. Her platelets are back in the normal range and her blood pressure has remained stable. She is planning to stay at her parents house since she will have to go for appointments 3 times a week until she delivers and they are much closer to the drs office and hospital. I'm so glad she's doing so much better. 

I think she's been super confident all along that she wasn't going to have any complications and would deliver full term or close to it. She continued to work like crazy and do tons after work every day. Since she's a teacher she recently finished teaching for the school year. She said it was like as soon as she hit 30 weeks her body fell apart. 

I'm so glad she didn't have to deliver her babies at 30 weeks and that she has more time for them to grow and mature. Please keep Andrea and her babies in your thoughts.