ATT: Paulae and Melanie

Hi Girls

I just read your birth story and Paulae realised how similar in weights your twins were to mine.

Erin - 1.880kg
Wade - 2.5kg

Both in neonatal ICU. How did you feel and was this not very difficult emotionally to deal with? I had my c-section on Tuesday and Wednesday started walking to see them. Wednesday afternoon it started to hit me and from Thursday it was downhill for me - emotionally. Today, I had a better day as Erin will hopefully come out of the incubator tomorrow and be put in the same crib as Wade. Major milestone for me. Every day seems to be a wait and see.

When I spoke to the paed she says worst case - 3 weeks. It is the most awful feeling leaving your babies behind. I felt like a bad mother. I go in with a big tummy carrying babies and come home with nothing.

Hi Joleen
When I heard your two were in ICU I couldn't believe it! I am so so sorry. Yes mine were almost the same, Olivia just a tad smaller than Wade. Mine were in for 3 weeks, it was without a doubt the worst 3 weeks of my life. The day I went home (day 3) was just awful. I kept thinking of my poor defenseless babies lying there, being stuck with needles, perhaps cold without their mommy to love them and hold them and protect them. I had major emotional issues which to a degree I am still dealing with. Like you say every day is just waiting and hoping that they are doing better, and hoping they will make the progress so they can come home. Are they sucking yet? Like you say, getting them out of the incubator is the first step, and then starts the bottle training. Joleen, look out for PND, having the babies in NICU is a major risk factor. To be honest, I probably had/have a degree of it, due to the prem birth and the NICU. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you, and please keep us updated with how they are doing - we will understand!! Good luck, I hope Erin joins her brother tomorrow!

We are thinking of you Joleen. Hope they come out before the three weeks.

Hi Joleen

I am thinking so much of you and yes I know exactly how you feel and I think what makes is wore for you is that you carried them full term and still they are in NICU.

Joleen I know it is difficult to leave them there but remember that they are in good hands. I went to them in the morning at 8 and only went home around 7/8 and them went back every 3 hours to take milk for them because I could never keep up with the demands of the feedings.

Please look out for the PND, I had is bad and was suppose to get medicine for it, if they are at home everything is turn upside down and you don't know what to do and I was alone without any help and still is so it makes a big difference!!

Good luck hun and please, we are here for you if you want to talk of need any advice!!

Love

Congrats on your twins

I hope they come out soon. My one boy was in for almost 4 weeks which was tough. And yet coping with twins at home has been so hectic that I have already almost forgotten about the time in hospital. Also chat to the other parents in your ward it helps to have friends who are there, expressing and obsessing over sucks and tubes.

Oh and Eglonyl helped me cope.

Kerry

Hi girls

Thanks, I decided to pas son the breast feeding as I did not have lots of milk by Sunday so informed my paed on the Monday and told my gynae. I was given the tablets to stop my milk and already I feel better.

From day to day, my moods differ. One day I am on top of the world as they have had a good day, the next I cry and want to shut myself off from the world. I have had depression and am so weary that I could get it again.

Erin came out of her incubator on Sunday and has gained weight every day with the exception of one day. She now weighs 1.9kg and Wade 2.520kg. They need to start feeding as both are still on kangaroo feeds. Yesterday they were each given a bottle but did not finish their feed and balance was given in a syringe. Erin brought up all of hers.

So the feeding needs to come right.

Glad to hear Erin is in a crib Joleen! It may take a while for the feeds, but hang in there they will get it in the end! I think it is a really good idea to make things as easy as possible for yourself, so if the bf wasn't worlikg out it is definitely better to leave it than to torture yourself. I have to tell you that I am still battling the negative feelings re my babies' prem birth and the NICU. I think it is something all parents of babies in the NICU go through. Anyway, good luck, we are thinking of you and hoping the feeding goes well!

Hi Joleen

I am so happy to hear that they are making progress, it will take a while before the feeding comes right and that was killing me knowing nothing is wrong with my babies but need to stay their because they don't finish their bottles.

How are you feeling? It is hard to deal with everything and if you don't feel fine, pls talk to your gynea about that as soon as possible!!!

Love