Kamryn Rose & Karsyn Ann are here

I'm creating this blog to keep everyone updated on Kamryn & Karsyn.  So here's what's been happening. . .

Around 2pm on April 10th I thought maybe my water broke (during my baby shower).  I was only 29 weeks 5 days.  After calling Landon & the doctor, we were on our way to the hospital still convinced this was a trial run & I'd be back at my shower in no time.  Once at the hospital, the nurse informed us that I was definitely in labor.  After an ultrasound & calling the doctor on call (my doctor was on a plane), Baby A would be arriving and then the doctors would make a determination whether or not Baby B would be delivered.

At this point we are still in triage.  The ultrasound showed I was only 4 cm.  Well, I informed the nurse that I had the urge to push.  Needless to say, I was not 4 cm but 10 cm.  The next thing we know, there are several nurses in the room & they are telling Landon to follow them.  As we approached the operating room, they told Landon to put on some scrubs.  The doctor and anesthesiologist were not there yet; the nurses asked me not push.  This was not very easy.  It seemed like an eternity before they arrived.

Once the anesthesiologist arrived, the doctor and nurses told him to numb me up.  He did a fantastic job - I got both a spinal & an epidural.  It was now time to push.  I was so numb that I couldn't push; like I said the anesthesiologist did a great job.  Since the babies' vital signs were good, Dr. Swing decided to let some of the anesthesia wear off.  Every 15 minutes the nurses would check to see if I could feel anything.  It took several hours before I was able to start pushing again.  Baby A arrived at 10:02pm, weighed 3 lbs 2 oz, & was 15.25" long.

Now it was time to decide if Baby B would be born tonight.  After consulting with a specialist, Dr. Swing decided we would go ahead with Baby B's delivery.  Of course, I had to have another ultrasound to see if she dropped of if I would have to a C-section.  She didn't drop so I would get to have a C-section as well.  Remember the anesthesia had somewhat worn off; therefore, I had to get some more and wait some more until I was numb again.  Finally, we started again.  During the process, I told Dr. Swing that I felt a lot of pressure; she said not to worry.  (Later, Landon told me she was actually on top of me trying to pull Baby B out.)  Baby B arrived at 10:44pm, weighed 2 lbs 11 oz, & was 15.25" long.

At 4am April 11th, I finally got to see my babies.  They actually wheeled me into the NICU while in the hospital bed so I could see them.

Since we were not prepared at all for them to arrive this early, it took us a couple of days to name them.  On Tuesday, April 12th we finally decided on Kamryn Rose & Karsyn Ann.

Kamryn & Karsyn are expected to be in the hospital until they're original due date of June 21st.  We are told they are doing exceptional for as early as they were.  They no longer require any oxygen; Kamryn only had fresh air oxygen; while Karsyn actually had to be on a ventilator for a couple of days.  They both received IV fluids for about a week.  They have feeding tubes because it will be several weeks before they can learn how to suck, breathe & swallow at the same time.  Kamryn, who started at 3cc of feed every 3 hrs, is now up to 28cc every 3 hrs.  Karsyn, who started at 2 cc every 3 hrs, is now up to 25 cc.  They both experience what we call "breathing episodes"; this is when they forget to breathe.  This is typical of preemies & they are receiving caffeine to help.  They haven't had any episodes today.  They did lose some weight but are now back up to their birth weights.

Landon & I have been overwhelmed with all the prayers and kind words we've received over the past 2 weeks.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as the doctors caution us that most preemies will take a few steps forward and take a couple backward.

It's time to get ready to go to the hospital.  I'll post again soon.

Happy Easter & God Bless,
Kelly