[Yusra]

Hi everyone. I've got happy news. My boys were born Sunday, October 26, 2008 by emergency c-section. It is a long story, but I will start with the boys since they are truly the sunshine in these past 2 weeks. Connor James Millenbaugh was born at 6:52am at 16.5 inches long and 2 lbs 12 oz. Brandon Gabriel Millenbaugh was born immediately after at 6:53 am at 3 lbs even. We're no longer sure if they are identical because the doctor thought there might be two placentas fused together, but she wasn't sure. I guess time (or DNA testing) will tell.

Here's their (long) birth story. Last Monday (October 28th, 29 weeks even) I woke up for work and my panties felt wet. I went to the bathroom and sure enough there was about a teaspoon worth of wetness. I didn't really think all that much of it, got dressed, went to work. Worked all day and was talking to my friend about the twins and she mentioned that when here water broke she didn't even notice it. It was just a little persistent wetness. Hmmmm.... red lights start to go off in my head. I drove myself to the hospital and they determined that I was leaking a very small amount of amniotic fluid and had dialated to a 1. Then I started having persistent contractions. They gave me a shot of Tributaline (sp?) and they calmed down a bit.

The doctor came in and explained to me that I had a leak in Baby A's water bag. I wasn't losing very much fluid so, hopefully it was a high leak and would reseal itself for a while. They gave me steriod shots and put me on mag for 2 1/2 days so I could at the very least make it to my steroid window. The next morning the MFM came in to talk with me and told me that since my water had a leak, it was not safe to prevent labor after my steriod window. There could be an infection and we wouldn't know. She told me that after they took me off the mag on Wednesday I would be on hospital bedrest until I delivered. She said there was a 50/50 shot I would make it through the weekend and about a 25% chance I could hold on till around 32 weeks. The message was very clear, Don't get your hopes up.

I was very unsure. I asked for 2 second opinions. They all agreed, it was just a waiting game. The neonatologist assured me that at 29 weeks there was a 90% chance of survival. That the boys had had the steriods, so they would be ahead of the game, but since they were boys they would probably still have immature lungs. He was very optomistic that though it would be a long NICU stay, they would grow up to lead long, normal lives

I went off the mag on Wednesday morning and hung out until Friday night when I started having contractions again. I had dialated to a 2 and was like 70% effaced. They moved me to L&D and I stayed there having contractions until Sunday afternoon.

Sunday afternoon the contracted started getting more intense (They still didn't hurt though!). Connor's heart rate would drop every time I had a contraction and then jump back up when it was over. Call your husband, you are having these babies tonight. They were scared to check me because they didn't want to introduce infection if I still wasn't progressing so they gave me another shot of Terbutaline, but it didn't help. I was prepared for a vag. OR delivery, but then Connors heart rate started to dip low and wasn't returning back up to a safe rate. Had an emergency c-section (really not as bad as I thought it would be) and got to see my beautiful boys for about 10 seconds each before they were wisked off to the NICU.

They both stayed off the ventilators for about 12 hours after birth, but then they tuckered out and needed to be intubated. They said both boys are both very normal and healthy, except for the fact of course that they are so immature. They expect them to be in the NICU for 7-10 weeks. It is both the happiest and hardest experience of my life. I love them with all of my heart, but it is difficult to feel like I am their mom just yet. I keep holding out for the day I will get to hold them. I will post pictures soon, but now I'm off to the NICU forum for a while because I feel kind of jealous that I missed the last part of my pregnancy. Keep the boys in your thoughts and prayers and thanks for all of your support and help while I was pregnant. I'm so glad I found Twinstuff.

yusra

[bekkiz]

My thoughts are with you and your family. It sounds like your boys have excellent care and are in great shape!

[denzel]

Congrats and welcome Brandon and Connor. Sounds like you are handling things very well. I hear the love you have for them shining through your birth story. One day when they are roly poly toddlers you will look back and marvel that they were ever so small. Enjoy your boys and keep us updated.

[TwinsInFL]

Congratulations on your little bundles and a healthy delivery. I know it must be tough to have it all sink in just yet. Take it one day at a time and you'll have them home before you know it!

[TwinLove]

Congrats Yusra! Welcome Brandon and Connor! I hope they continue to do great and will get to home soon.

[brandycaviness]

Connor & Brandon!! I will keep you all in my prayers.

[JicJac]

Congratulations! Take care of yourself too! I hope they will be home with you soon!

[DATJMom]

Congrats on the birth of your boys. They sound like they are doing great. Come visit us over in the NICU forum and introduce yourself if you would like too. There are lots of us who have BTDT with the NICU and would love to have you join if you can. Just click on the link in my siggy to get you there. Congrats again!!!

[hardinfamtwins]

CONGRATS!!!!! heres to a speedy stay in the NICU. We are thinking of you and your boys!!!

[tamaras]

Connor & Brandon!
I hope they are home with you very soon

[Jordan Lee]

Congratulations on your sweet little boys! I hope they will be home with you in no time! I can't wait to see pictures!

[summerfun]

Congratulations Yusra Welcome Brandon and Connor. You are right, when your babies are born early it is the happiest and hardest time. Please, if you haven't already, come to the NICU forum for support, we have all BTDT.

I feel kind of jealous that I missed the last part of my pregnancy.

I know exactly how you feel, I still feel this way at time.

[rosecurry]

Congratulations on the arrival of your boys. Hope they are doing well.

[Mom of 4 beautiful children]

Congratulations and prayers to you and your baby boys!

[Heathermomof5]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! SWEET BOYS!!!

they are in my thoughts and prayers!

[SC_Amy]

Congratulations on your boys. It's great to hear they are doing so well for their gestational age. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you; a very close friend delivered her singleton at 26w2d and I got a glimpse into NICU life through her. I know it will be a tough road but the NICU forum sounds like a great source of support and advice. Wishing you all the best!

[SweetGirl]

Congratulations!! I hope their NICU stay is short.

[Louise+2]

Congratulations!! I hope their NICU stay is a short and uneventfull one x

[Ali M]

Congratulations Yusra! That's wonderful that you got to the hospital in time and that the boys are healthy. It's going to be a long two months but, hopefully, the boys will mature soon and you'll get you hold them. I'll bet they are adorable!

[adia2007]

Congrats to you.. their names are so nice and can't wait to see pics. Hope you find your way over to the NICU board and get all the support and questions answered that you need!