| 2007 was a huge year for my husband and me. In January we met a young, pregnant woman looking for parents to adopt her unborn child. We were thrilled, thinking all of our dreams were finally coming true. We talked with our birth mom every week, starting when she was just 7 weeks along. A few months into the adoption process, we found out we were pregnant with Twins! We had already fallen in love with our son and knew we still wanted to proceed with his adoption, and our birth mother agreed. September 6, 2007 Ryan was born. My husband fed him his first bottle, I changed his first diaper, and we took him home from the hospital when he was 2 days old. At the time, I was 23 weeks along.
The rigors of taking care of a newborn took its toll on me. I started experiencing major swelling and complete exhaustion. I went in for my 30 week check-up and my blood pressure was too high. I also had protein in my urine, indicating preeclampsia. My doctor told me I needed to check into St. John’s and stay on bed rest. Saying good-bye to our newborn son was heart-wrenching. Luckily, 3 days later the doctors said I could go home, but I had to take it easy! I made it at home for 1 week, and then had to check back into the hospital for the remainder of my pregnancy. It didn’t last long; I delivered one week later. November 19, 2007 Alex and Caroline were born at 33 ½ weeks gestation.
Alex was born first. He was 4 lbs 8 oz. and was 18 ½ inches long. He looked scary; very discolored and he definitely had a “premature ” look. Caroline was born 11 minutes later. She was 4 lbs 12 oz. and was 18 ¾ inches long. She looked like a beautiful, petite angel. Both were whisked away to the NICU minutes after birth. While there, I found myself wanting to hold and visit with Caroline, while avoiding Alex. He just looked too sick, I was scared to touch him. Soon I got over that, and found myself cheering every ounce that was gained, and every ounce that was consumed.
Both of our babies seemed to be doing very well, just needing time to grow and learn to “suck, swallow, and breathe.” However, five days into their stay, Caroline started exhibiting heart rate drops and episodes of apnea. Alex, on the other hand, was doing great. Much to our surprise, we were told on day 8 to bring in our car seat, Alex was ready to do his test and come home!!! He was released after 9 days. We were shocked. He was the one that looked so sick, but yet he was the one that was thriving. The first time I left the hospital without our babies I did okay, because I knew they were together. The day we took Alex home, and left Caroline in the NICU all by herself, was torture. I cried through all of Alex’s homecoming pictures.
Caroline stayed a while longer. After 9 days of breathing on her own, she was given oxygen through a cannula. Soon she was diagnosed with acid reflux, which was contributing to her HR drops and apnea episodes. She began medication, and soon started showing signs of improvement. Doctors felt confident that she was ready to come home after 3 ½ weeks in the NICU, my husband and I weren’t so sure. We were still afraid she’d stop breathing in the middle of the night and we wouldn’t know it. For both her sake and ours, Caroline came home with a heart and respiratory monitor that she wore for 4 months.
Both Alex and Caroline are doing great today. They, along with their older brother, are bundles of energy. Our journey has been an interesting one, but it’s one we wouldn’t trade for anything!
Susan S. |
