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 Date Last Updated:  01/18/2006

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Micki's Multiple Birth Story

Friday, October 21, 2005

I woke up Monday morning, October 17^th, 2005, ate my breakfast and watched The View like I normally do.  It was drizzling outside and for some reason the day felt different somehow.  After I ate breakfast I went upstairs to shower and found that the cable was out.  Our satellite cable has yet to go out in the almost 2 years since we moved here.  I found it to be a little weird but figured it had to do with the rain.  I felt the Lord wanted me to spend some time with Him so I read a chapter out of The Purpose Driven Life and prayed for many things but mostly for the babies since I knew I was going to be having an NST and an ultrasound that day.  I always get a little nervous before these tests.  I really felt that the Lord really wanted me to trust in Him no matter what happened that day.

I took a shower and still felt like I needed to be ministered to more so I put in a CD my mom had gotten for my about modesty and sex which she had found very interesting.  While I was listening to that I thought maybe I should pack my hospital bag just in case something happened today and by some fluke today would be the day.  I decided I was just being antsy and would do it another day. 

I went in the laundry room and saw all the rest of the baby clothes that were dry and needed to be hung up and then thought that I should hang them up just in case today was the day and I wouldn’t have much time to do it later.  I figured, again, that I was just over thinking everything and I’d do it later when I got home from my appointments. 

It was time to leave for my NST at the hospital at 1:30 and I went downstairs and saw that the cat’s food and water bowl were getting low.  Again, I thought maybe I should fill those up now because what if I didn’t come home today.  I really thought I was tripping myself out and I needed to stop thinking these thoughts because God was in control and He would work it all out.  Little did I know He was in control and was trying to get through to me but I wasn’t hearing it – duh! 

I was wearing a tank top, shorts and sneakers even though it was raining because being pregnant I was always hot.  I got to the hospital and it was just sprinkling although it did pour for a little bit on my way there.  I had a nurse that I hadn’t had before named AnneMarie and she was really sweet and explained more about the test than any other nurse had before her.  She was really impressed with how quickly the girls passed the test and was very encouraging that the girls were really healthy.  I left there at 2:20 to go straight to Dr. Jadali’s for my ultrasound.  When I left the hospital it was pouring down rain and of course I hadn’t brought a jacket or an umbrella and being pregnant I really couldn’t run so I tried to walk as fast as I could to get to my car.  By the time I got there I was literally dripping wet and had nothing to dry myself off with. 

I got to Dr. J’s and used their bathroom and had to use paper towels to dry myself off and wring out my hair.  I got right into a room, which never happens and a tech did all my measurements.  I noticed she kept doing the same blood flow measurements over and over but I just figured she was unable to get an accurate read.  She said everything was good and went to get the doctor so he could look over things.  I prayed and thanked God for letting everything go so well that day and then heard the tech and doctor whispering outside the door before coming in.  As soon as they came in they started talking in code and the doctor started measuring the same blood flow as the tech had already done a bunch of times.  He checked it a few more times and asked me if the girls’ room was ready.  I said it was for the most part and he asked me when I wanted to have these babies.  I said – November 1^st, my c-section date.  He said how about the 17^th or 18^th.  I went, but that’s today and he said that the babies needed to come today.  I thought he was kidding me but he showed me how the blood flow to Haley’s umbilical cord was higher than it should be and that the flow to her brain was lower than it should be so somehow, somewhere the blood flow was being cut off and she wasn’t getting enough oxygen to the brain.  He said they could wait a couple of days at the most but he didn’t want to chance it.  He called Dr. Poliakin and they set my c-section up for 5:30 that day.  I asked what I was supposed to do and he said that I should go to the hospital.  I was like – now?  And he said – yes, do you think that because it’s raining we don’t deliver babies?  He said I needed to go right away so they could do my blood work and set up my IV and stuff.  I said – ok, I guess I should call my husband and he said – that would probably be a good idea.  He also said that Dr. P wanted him to assist so he would probably see me over there later.  I wanted to pass out, cry and break down all at the same time but I couldn’t do any of those. 

I went into the hall and called Ken at work and told him that he needed to come to the hospital now because they wanted to take the babies today.  He kept repeating – I have to go now, they’re coming now.  It’s funny now that I think about it.  After that I called my mom at work and told her that she needed to come to the hospital now so I wouldn’t have to be there all by myself freaking out and asked her to stop by the store and get a disposable camera since I had absolutely nothing and since it was raining the traffic was bad and I knew Ken wouldn’t have time to go home and get the camera.  I started shaking and kept praying over and over for myself and for peace and most importantly for the babies. 

I went back over to the hospital and went to the admissions desk and they asked what I was there for.  I was still in total shock and went – I guess I’m having my babies today by c-section at 5:30.  She got my name and called up and then sent me up.  When I got off the elevator I saw the nurse that had done my NST that day and she couldn’t believe that I was back again.  She wanted to know all about what happened and meanwhile took me into a L&D room to prepare me.  I changed out of my clothes and they started taking blood and putting in my IV.  My mom got there lightening quick and came in the room sobbing.  I told her not to be upset because I was going to get upset and I was trying really hard to keep it together.  The nurses were SO nice and made me feel so comfortable.  It was AnneMarie and Juleen that prepared me and went over everything with me. 

Finally Ken got there and they fed him a fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and some dessert – of course he was still hungry after polishing it off but oh well.  Jenny from Dr. P’s office called and said they were running late and finally around 7ish they took me into the surgery room and did my epidural.  I was talking to the anesthesiologist about Bandit’s (where I work) because he loves to eat there.  Right after the epidural I laid down on the table and they put the catheter in.  Dr. P and Jenny poked their heads in and asked what I wanted to listen to.  He said he’d put on a new Rolling Stones cd and I would love it.  The first song that came on was No Justice for Ya or something like that.  Jenny left and Dr. J came in and then came Ken and my mom and everything happened so fast.  Dr. P said that when I felt him tap my stomach it would mean that a baby was out.

Ken was talking to me about my day and telling me about work that day and I starting shaking uncontrollably which they said was normal.  I couldn’t even talk because my jaw was chattering so badly.  Soon after, I felt the tap and told Ken that a baby was out.  He asked how I knew and doubted it because they had just started.  Less than a minute later Dr. P poked one baby (Haley) over the top of the sheet and said here’s one baby.  She was totally dark blue but started screaming right away.  1 minute later felt the tap again and he poked the other baby (Harley) over the side of the curtain and she too was screaming.  Some of the blood and stuff from her sprayed on me but I was in awe and couldn’t care less.  I laid there while Ken cut the cords and took pictures and my mom talked with me but I don’t remember about what. 

Really soon after that they wheeled me into recovery and I kept shaking and started itching so one of the nurses gave me something for that.  My dad come up and said hi and then my mom, dad and aunt went home.  I was in recovery for a little while longer and we called people to tell them the girls had been born.  My nurse wheeled me in to the NICU so I could see the girls.  Both girls had an Apgar score of 8 and 9 and Harley’s heart rate was high either due to fluid in the lungs or respiratory distress which is common in preemies.  (Later we found out that Harley’s sack was really thick and Dr. P wasn’t able to cut through it very quickly so she inhaled some fluid and he ended up scraping her slightly on the bridge of the nose.)  Haley’s blood sugar level was low and she was smaller but over all they were doing really well.  They told me to expect the girls to have to stay an extra week or so but were very positive. 

I then went to my room where Ken hung out and talked with me.  About 10ish Robbie (Ken’s best friend) showed up.  How he got let in is beyond me but it was fun to have someone else to talk with.  He and Ken took off about midnight and I tried to sleep but there was so much noise outside my room (I was right across from the nurses station) and my nurse (Susan) kept coming in to check my stats and give me meds and switch out my IV so I really never slept.  Sometime in the night it started to rain and the rain on all the sheet metal outside my window (they were building a wing RIGHT outside my window) was so loud it really unnerved me. 

The next day I felt great although I was really tired.  My first time up I walked fine but I almost passed out so that sucked.  My next time was a lot better although I was really tired after having no sleep and almost passing out earlier.  Sarah and Jody (a couple of my closest girlfriends) came to visit and after they left Glen (Ken’s friend) stopped by.  I slept for a little bit and then Ken and my mom showed up.  They had dinner with me and they went and held the babies for over an hour while I talked on the phone.  Ken stayed pretty late and I was finally able to hold Haley but couldn’t hold Harley because she was sleeping.  I totaled bawled because she was such a little miracle and I couldn’t believe they were finally there and I could touch them - but tried to keep some composure. 

The next day I asked to go home and Dr. P said it was ok.  The construction noise was SO loud.  I said good-bye to the girls at 10:30 and left the hospital at 11.  It was so good to come home!!  That was an emotional day though to leave my girls and feel like I was abandoning them.  I went back that night with Ken and we got to bathe, weigh and feed Haley and got to feed Harley.  I was SO happy!  We got to hold them and just stare at them – they were/are so beautiful.

Today they get to come home and I am thrilled!!!  I really hope they eat and I hope they like breastfeeding.  I just need to keep giving this all to the Lord since he has taken care of them so far and I know He will continue to.  Their billirubin tests came back today and they are stable so they won’t need the jaundice lights.  One of the girls’ (Harley) didn’t pass her hearing test in one ear so they’ll retest that sometime before they leave. (She passed)  Then on Sunday we have an appointment with Dr. Saul and hopefully they will have been doing awesome. And will have gained weight or at least maintained. (They had gained)

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2006 © Kathy Alexander. and the SK Parents of Multiples.