Friday, October 16, 2009

NICU Day 36 (TCN 4)

The babies continue to thrive and we are just so thankful for your continued prayers, love, and support.

Yesterday, Peter's mom held the babies for the first time. Maya tolerated the holding much better than Bobby, who nursed better than Maya. She had her physical therapy just prior to our visit, so we think she may have been too overstimulated to nurse and somewhat desensitized to touch, which is why she handled being held and rocked better. Bobby had his PT at 9am, so by the time noon rolled around, he was quite hungry (he took 8cc's at the breast) but when I gave him to Peter's mom, he began displaying signs of overstimulation. She held him only a few moments before I took him back and calmed him, which happened immediately. It was strange, being THE person that could calm him. Strange but oh so nice. (for pics click here)

Today, both nursed and did well (especially considering the "standard" for putting babies to breast is 34 weeks since that is when the suck-swallow-breathe reflex is said to develop and our babies started doing nutrative nursing at 32w3d!). Maya took in 4cc's over 10 minutes (until she lost interest and fell asleep) and Bobby took in 15cc's over 20 minutes. We are so proud of them! They will most likely start the bottle for some feedings on Monday and then come Tuesday, I can try nursing twice a day instead of just once a day.

Today must have been circumcision day in the NICU. We made the decision long ago to not circumcise our sons. A little boy today was screaming and crying and I overheard the nurses say that he'd just had his "circ" done and had gone to the bathroom and was in pain. It broke my heart. I was holding Maya at the time and she would look around whenever he would let loose. I just held her close to me, grateful that both she and Bobby werent having a knife come anywhere near their genitals (or elsewhere!). Well, that baby wasnt the only one. The nurses were sedating a baby who was going for his and I heard them discussing the risks with his parents and told them he'd be very upset when he returned. When he did come back, he was crying and obviously in distress. At this point, I was holding Bobby and I just brought him as close to my heart as possible, hoping that he wouldnt hear the distressed cry and wake from his peaceful slumber. The parents tried comforting their son but he was so upset. The nurse offered to give him something to help him sleep and I think they took her up on the offer because within a few minutes, their corner was quiet.

I wont debate the "to do" or "not to do" of the whole thing, but suffice it to say that it was distressing for someone with the feelings we have on elective circumcision to sit in the room. When the nurse asked if we were having Bobby done, my "hell no" might have been a little stronger than I normally would have said because of the atmosphere. Thankfully, our nurse wasnt pro elective's so that was a breath of fresh air.

All in all, the babies are still doing really well. Gestationally, they hit 33 weeks tomorrow. Wow... Cant believe so much time has gone by! We are getting the house ready for their impending arrival, along with (gulp) discussing upgrading from my Volvo stationwagon to the (double gulp) 7 seat SUV. We're going to see one on Sunday (most likely)... We shall see... We're taking the car seats and stroller so that I can see how I would navigate the SUV versus the wagon.

I'll end on a high note. In moo-cow news, I have now upgraded to the big bottles for my nighttime pump! Yay 200ml's!

9 comments:

Juliet said...

I'm so glad that Maya and Bobby are continuing to do well. You'd doing so well, and should be proud of yourself for making so much nutritious milk for them!!

Tina Pearce said...

We also will not circumcise our boys. I know they don't "remember it" but I could never allow someone to cut into my son, unless absolutely necessary, and that is not necessary. Poor babies :( Obviously is a personal decision, but I myself could never do it

Mother Knows Best Reviews said...

I'm so glad that the twins are doing well - and hopefully those little boys will have better days tomorrow!

Leah said...

I am always so happy to hear your babies are doing well.

Catherine W said...

Yay for the big bottles! You and your family are doing brilliantly. xo

Anonymous said...

Your children are beautiful. I will keep them in my prayers.

As a fellow Catholic, I congratulate you for following Catholic Catechism teaching #2297 on "Respect for bodily integrity" as it relates to your decision to not circumcise your son. You can learn more at: http://www.catholicsagainstcircumcision.org/

May God bless you and your children.

one-hit_wonder said...

I'm so thrilled to hear the babies are doing well! Congrats on the breastmilk - I'm sure it's doing wonders for them, and it must be so hard to do with twins...

I'm also not allowing any sharp instrument near my son's genitalia (if we are in fact having a boy). DH was debating it - he doesn't want our boy to be "the only one" in the locker room who isn't cut, but I put my foot down on that one: NO WAY.

Thank you for the lovely offer of baby clothes! Are you serious? I think that would be great, and I'd definitely donate them when done to our local pregnancy crisis centre. I would want to pay you for shipping, though, at least: do you know how much it would cost to send to Canada?

mrsmuelly said...

So glad to hear that Maya and Bobby are doing so well. How awesome that you will be nursing them twice a day soon!
Oh, and of course you are THE person. It's an amazing thing :-)

Michelle said...

Wow! 200mls!! Good work Michele! I noticed you haven't mentioned anything about mastitis at all, you're doing so exceptionally well!