My twins were born at 26 weeks

[Aimes]

I posted in my DDC and Ksera suggested I come over here.

I started contracting during my 20th week and was put on bed rest. Starting week 22 everything got worse and i was put on hospital bed rest. I held onto the boys until 26w5d and they were born July 25th 2007 several hours apart.

Introducing my identical twin boys Pierce Kent 1lb 4oz and Lincoln Cole 1lb 14oz.

I am not doing so well with their early arrival and could use some people to talk to who have been in similar situations.

[angie7]

I posted on your other thread in the parenting multiples section but wanted to lend my support here as well. The NICU is a very hard road to travel. It is long with twists and curves in every direction. Some days you dont know up from down, left to right. It was a terrible time for me when my twins were born at 30 weeks. Luckily they were born big for their age (1 just under 3lbs and the other just over 3lbs) and their hardest battle was apnea and bradys, a very typical preemie problem. I felt such a feeling of guilt even though I did everything right by my pregnancy, just felt that my body had failed them. The bfing didnt work well either. I pumped the entire time they were in the NICU except the last few weeks when I was allowed to put them to breast but that was only twice a day until they came home. They never took to it and I started to dry at 4 months old and had to give it up. My #1 recommendation, give them breastmilk. Even a little makes a HUGE difference.

You could tell in the NICU who was bfing and who wasnt b/c it seemed that the babies that were bfing or getting ebm, did so much better then the ones that didnt.

I am thinking of you, and your twin boys right now and until they come home, safe, happy and healthy! Keep us posted please. And I am so happy that you are here b/c you are going to need non-family support sometimes just to vent your anger and frustration, we are here for you, mama! hang in there!

[Ducky5306]

Originally Posted by Aimes

I posted in my DDC and Ksera suggested I come over here.

I started contracting during my 20th week and was put on bed rest. Starting week 22 everything got worse and i was put on hospital bed rest. I held onto the boys until 26w5d and they were born July 25th 2007 several hours apart.

Introducing my identical twin boys Pierce Kent 1lb 4oz and Lincoln Cole 1lb 14oz.

I am not doing so well with their early arrival and could use some people to talk to who have been in similar situations.

I'm not a mama to a preemie but wanted to offer a and a story

I was a nanny for twin boys who were born very early (they were 2 lbs each) they are now 9 years old as of 7/25! No one thought they would make it (9 years ago preemie care wasn't as good) You're babies will be in my thoughts and prays.. as will your whole family!

[irangel]

You're in a great place! I delivered my daughter at 25wks and she weighed 1lb 7oz and spent 225 days in the NICU.

[Le Bec]

Congrats on your sons!

My daughter was born at 26 weeks weighing 428g/15oz. Like the PP said, this is a very hard road to travel, you'll have a lot of bad days but you're not alone even though it might seem like is some times.

[Zan&Zav]

Congrats on the birth of your sons. My little guy was born at 26 weeks as well. It DOES get easier, just give them some time to grow and get strong. If you need a shoulder or someone just to vent to pm me. My guy is 10 months old now.

[sweetpeasmom]

Welcome to the world little ones

for momma.
Mine was born at 25 wks. It's definitely a rough few months ahead for you at least. Support is so important. I agree w/pp on breastmilk. I also noticed which babies were bf and formula feed. It seemed the ff babies were on way more medications than bf babies. Luckily my girl pulled through remarkably well and I really think the breastmilk helped tremendously. Now you'd never know she was a preemie, she's healthy and thriving!

Take it one day at a time. I'd also highly recommend kangaroo care and hopefully your NICU is all onboard with that. Feel free to come here and vent, cry, ask advice whatever. I wish this board was here while I was in the NICU, i think it would of helped me more.

[paulaf]

Congratulations on the birth of your babies! Cool names!!

Like had already been said, BF as long as you can. Every little bit makes a difference. My 1 lb 14 oz 29 1/2 weeker may not have been discharged until just before her due date, but at least she never had any infections, and I think the breastmilk helped.

Take care of yourself (easier said than done, I know - especially since you have little ones at home too); you'll do your guys no favors by wearing yourself down to the point you get sick.

A big fear of most new preemie moms is that they are now superfluous - after all, the nurses are the ones who feed and change the babies. Nonetheless, don't fret that your guys won't know their mommy. They'll know if you talk to them and touch them when you are there. I read a study once that showed a better outcome for a baby whose mom could only visit on weekends versus one whose mom came everyday - but always with friends that she paid more attention to than her baby. The first mom was very hands on when she was there, and her baby thrived. After all, yours (and daddy's, of course) is the only touch that won't cause your guys discomfort. They'll know you and need you, so don't get discouraged.

Get a subscription to Preemie magazine. Your NICU may get it, but if not, it is free. While there is not much of use to older preemies like mine (she is now 6), I would consider it a real find for preemies from birth to about age 2.

As has already been said, kangaroo as soon as you can. Studies show it help babies grow faster. It may not be in the studies, but I think it is also very theraputic for the parents to kangaroo.

BTW, there are books for siblings of preemies. I can't recommend any personally, but they may help your older children understand what is going one.

[Amys1st]

Hello and congrats on your boys!

I agree, the nicu is an emotional rollar coaster and yes please come here for ?s, venting crying whatever. My 24 weeks, 6 days 1 lb 12 oz baby Maggie is almost 18 mos old.

On a positve note, Sweetpeasmom and I went to the LLL conference and met IRL for the first time and learned some awesome things about what breastfeeding can do for a preemie. I encourage you to pump and feed your babies as soon as they let them have the bm- even if 1 cc at a time!

[Aimes]

Thanks everyone! I have been pumping since day one and not getting much but atleast it is something. They have started the boys on feeds and every drop i get is going to them so far. I am pumping round the clock trying to get my supply to come in but as I have heard every little bit helps

[Mrs-Mama]

Originally Posted by Aimes

Thanks everyone! I have been pumping since day one and not getting much but atleast it is something. They have started the boys on feeds and every drop i get is going to them so far. I am pumping round the clock trying to get my supply to come in but as I have heard every little bit helps

Just wanted to add my support. My DS was born at 32 weeks, so I can't relate completely, but I do know that helpless feeling. That's GREAT that you're pumping. In a world where you are home without your babies, you know you are doing everything you can do (and something no one else can). Your milk will come in more slowly since you're pumping, but let me assure you that it will come in. Think about your babes while you're pumping, and give them that good mama's milk!

[AarenLisbeth]

's to you mama and good work keeping those boys in for as long as you could! My second DS came in a whooshing blur at 25w 4d. I remember being impressed with myself for handeling everything so well in the begining and then it all rushed up and caught me. . .

This is an incredible group of amazingly strong, educated, and supportive mamas! Use us all as a resource please. I wish I had known about this forum in my early days in the NICU. . .

Be Well.