1 Month

I can't believe that my guys have been here for 4 weeks!  Time has really gone by fast and much of last month is a blur to me.  There have been so many firsts and so many hours of loving and getting to know my little ones.  Here are some pictures DH took of them at one month.

Ragnar & Magnus

Ragnar & Magnus

Magnus

Magnus

 

Magnus (and Mortimer)

Ragnar

Ragnar

Ragnar (and Elwood)

NICU

A few hours after their birth on Sunday the 2nd, both Magnus and Ragnar had their blood sugar tested. This was something we knew would happen as I had gestational diabetes for the last month of the pregnancy. Ragnar's blood work was fine- a bit low, but still in the normal range. Magnus was below where they wanted to see him, so a NICU nurse was called to our room to evaluate. She immediately wanted to take him to the NICU, but we asked to try and feed him again and see how he responded. After giving him the colostrum I had pumped prior to giving birth and feeding him colostrum from after the birth, he was retested and the level had dropped again. At this point our pediatrician was called and she suggested he go to the NICU for observation. I was heartbroken, but DH went with him and I knew he was in good hands.

Magnus in NICU

During the observation it was discovered that Magnus was unable to regulate his temperature. He had stayed warm on me because we were doing skin-to-skin. When removed from mama and put in a crib, his temp plummeted. Once at the NICU his blood sugar had climbed back up to 45 - it was low but in an approved range. He was put in an incubator under a heat lamp while his blood sugar continued to be monitored. 30 minutes later his sugar was back down to 30. During this time the doctors insisted we put in an IV, but DH worked with them to try to get some high calorie formula into his system to see if it would come back up again. Unfortunately, it dropped even further to 16. At that point it became critical that it be brought up and feeding wasn't doing it. It was agreed to put in an IV and after trying several sites they ended up running it into the large vein in the crook of his arm in the interest of getting it run quickly. They had to strap a board to his arm to keep it straight and prevent him from pulling out or damaging the IV. They gave him glucose and got his blood sugar back up. He was admitted to the NICU and our pediatrician turned care over to the neonatologists on call in the NICU. Over the next few hours his glucose IV was adjusted, and he had repeated heel sticks to measure his blood sugar. I was allowed to get out of bed and come to the NICU to see him 6 hours post-surgery. He looked so fragile in the incubator, and I prayed that his little body would adjust quickly and begin to regulate the blood sugar and temp on its own.

Magnus in the incubator

DH stayed overnight in Magnus' room. Magnus had blood sugar tested every 3 hours. On Monday I was able to visit every 3 hours to give them the colostrum/milk I had pumped for him. The Dr would try to lower the IV fluids when Magnus had a good blood sugar number, but inevitably it would have to be raised again after a low test. By the end of Monday Magnus was able to regulate his body heat and was put in a regular crib. 

Magnus and Ragnar sharing a crib in the NICU during a visit (you can see Magnus' boarded arm up top)

DH once again stayed overnight with Magnus. Tuesday morning Ragnar and I were discharged from the hospital and we packed our stuff and headed over to the NICU to stay with Magnus. The nurses there were great and helped us get set up. They even brought in another crib for Ragnar. The IV line that was placed continued to get jostled as Magnus moved and a new line was suggested. They finally found a spot on his head and got a line going. This looked awful but was so much more comfortable for Magnus. We continued the rollercoaster of good blood sugar numbers, followed by the lowering of the glucose in the IV, followed by low numbers, followed by the raising of the glucose in the IV. With the IV line in his head, I was allowed to nurse Magnus. This seemed to be going well. We did several weigh-feed-weigh sessions that showed he was indeed getting milk.



Magnus with his scalp IV

We were together as a family in the NICU on Tuesday night. Magnus continued to get heel sticks and tests every 3 hours. His poor feet were covered in bruises. His arms and hands were covered in bruises from the numerous times they attempted IV lines. I felt so awful for him. But through it all, he had such a peace about him and was such a trooper.

Wednesday was much of the same as Tuesday. Formula was introduced in the form of a gavage line. I now was allowed to nurse him and then they would give him formula through the tube directly into his stomach. The food did not seem to make a difference in his blood sugar levels.

Thursday my mom arrived, and DH was able to spend the night at home and get a good night sleep while she stayed with us in the NICU. Overnight Magnus' blood sugar tests were great, and it was decided to continue lowering the glucose in the IV until he was down to none. After he had 2 great tests with no glucose they removed his IV line. HOORAY! At that point he was no longer nursing effectively and usually only ate 2-4mL per nursing session. Because of this he was not immediately discharged.

On Friday morning our nurse told us that if we could get Magnus to prove he could eat 40-50mL in a feeding that she would go to the Dr and fight for us to get discharged. We decided to follow her advice and began feeding Magnus pumped milk and formula via a bottle. He took to the bottle pretty quickly. During the day we also had his hearing tested (perfect) and he had his car seat test (perfect.) After 4 feedings on the bottle the neonatologist stopped by and told us we could leave. YES!

When DH heard the news, he started packing. He and mom took all of our stuff down to the car and came back for me and the babies. Our nurse was surprised at how quickly we were ready to leave, but we just wanted our family to be home! She escorted us out of the hospital and the boys had their first car ride. They both promptly fell asleep in the back seat-- as did I.


Ragnar (blue hat) & Magnus (red hat) in going home outfits



Ragnar (blue hat) & Magnus (red hat) all ready to go home

EDD & Birth Story

Today is my boys' EDD.  Obviously, we didn't make it that far... but it's a good day to reflect on their birth.  We had scheduled the c-section a few weeks prior to the date and only told my parents about it ahead of time to avoid needing to call and update folks right away.  We arrived at the hospital on 1-2-11 at 9 AM for check-in.  They took us up to our room and started the paperwork.  Our doula, Kate, arrived and helped lighten the mood as I was very nervous.  The nurse I had assigned to me, Elizabeth, was great.  She was upbeat and kind.  She was able to get my IV started after only 2 attempts.  The anesthesiologist was running late for my 10:30 c-section because he was placing an epidural.  He finally showed up at 10:20 and then ordered some blood work done (because of my PIH) before he would place the spinal.  My nurse attempted to draw the blood, but due to not drinking for 12+ hours I was dehydrated and she couldn't find a vein easily.  She then called the phlebotomist in, and she drew the blood and they sent it for testing.  At this point it was after 11 and my Dr was very antsy.  She poked her head in and cracked some jokes and told us she would track down the test results so we could get "this party started."  The tests came back fine, and I was told all the risks of the spinal and told how it would be administered.  I was EXTREMELY nervous about the spinal.  Of the whole c-section surgery, that was what I was most nervous about... a needle going into my back.  I'm FINE with needles- I did all of my IVF injects except the IMs by myself and had all the blood draws- with no problems.  But the thought of a needle in my spine- YIKES!!  My hubby, doula and the Dr's helped calm my nerves.  We all walked to the elevator and went to the OR.  It was cold in there.  They had DH and my doula gown up and wait outside while they positioned me on the table.  I sat on the edge trying to curl around my enormous belly to push my lower back out enough for the spinal.  DH and my doula came in, and I clung to my hubby.  He said calming things in my ear as the Dr attempted the spinal.  The numbing shots were fine- just a small pinch.  Then he tried to place the spinal.  I felt sharp zinging pain down the left side.  He tried again- pain on the right.  They repositioned me and tried again, and again.  I was hyperventilating by this point.  Finally on the 5th attempt it was placed and I was laid down, a drape place and I was sobbing.  DH tried calming me, but I was in full-blown panic attack mode at this point.  Finally, he got through to me and I calmed down.  They tested to see if I could feel anything, and I couldn't so the surgery started.  I felt some tugging and a lot of pressure, and I heard "here they come" and "oh, he has his hand in his brother's mouth!"  and then I heard the most beautiful sound- my son crying.  My Dr held him up to the window in the drape for me to see and then he was whisked away to the warming table and the NICU nurses to be checked out.  Before I could turn back, my other son was held up to the window for me to see and then taken to the table as well.  They both had great APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes.  My doula and DH brought the babies to me and we did skin-to-skin which was heavenly.  Magnus tried to nurse right away, and Ragnar just cuddled on me.  After I was all sewn up, we were all wheeled to the room again and were able to get to know each other for a few hours.  Then Magnus' blood sugar took a dive, and he was sent to the NICU for observation... but that's for another post.  Here are a few pics of my babies:

Operating Room family pic

Ragnar

Magnus

They are here!

A quick update from the hospital...

Our boys were delivered via c-section this past Sunday, Jan 2nd.  (This was 37w1d) Magnus Alvin weighed 5 lbs. 5 oz and was 18 1/3" long.  Ragnar Ludwig weighed 6 lbs. 0 oz and was 19" long.  Both boys are gorgeous and perfect.  Magnus has had some issues with his blood sugars and was admitted to the NICU approximately 4 hours post birth and is still there.  Ragnar and I were both discharged from the hospital Tuesday.  Luckily, our hospital has private NICU rooms, so we have moved in with Magnus in his NICU room. 

Time is flying and a blur right now.  Once we are home, I'll do a better birth story post and have the patience and time to upload pictures.  For now, we are all together and I am loving, loving, loving my little men.