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Friday, November 9, 2012

Our New Additions

Well, most of you probably know that our quadruplets were born last week. It was rather unexpected, but went very smoothly. On Halloween I began having contractions late at night, and despite the discomfort I didn't alert the nurse immediately. Finally after about an hour or more of uncomfortable, close contractions I decided I ought to let the nurse know. After 15 minutes on the monitor it became evident that I was having contractions every 2-4 minutes.

Fortunately, my OB was on that night and she came in and checked me out. I was dilated to a 1 or so. After a couple more hours of contractions, she checked me again and I was up to a 3. At that point, they got an IV in (barely) to give me some Mag to slow contractions as well as give the babies the added benefit of brain protection from the Mag. They called in the general surgeon to put in my central line and started prepping for the delivery that was scheduled for 11:45 in the morning.

Hubby showed up around 5:45 am and we waited for what seemed like forever for our turn in the OR. 11:45 came and went as we got bumped by an emergency c-section...and then another. We were finally walked into the OR at 1:30 in the afternoon and the fun got started.

Beginning at 1:53 our babies were born. They all came out crying! It was such a relief! Another relief was that I didn't have any complications from the surgery. They didn't have to give me blood and my uterus began contracting and retracting immediately.

Our babies were born smallest to largest:

Alexis 2lb6oz and 14.75" long
Allison 3lb2oz and 16" long
Daniel 3lb7oz and 16" long
William 4lb10oz and 16" long

And they are doing AWESOME!

Lexie has never had any breathing assistance. She was breathing room air from the start. She went on light therapy a day or two after birth for jaundice, but that was only for a day and a half. She takes most of her feeds by bottle/breast and is well on the way to an open crib in spite of how little she is. As of today she is up to 2lb7oz...the first one back up to and over birth weight.

Allison was on vapotherm by nasal cannula for 2 or 3 days, but came off of it quickly. She also had to have light therapy for jaundice for a day. She also takes almost all of her feeds by bottle/breast and will soon be in an open crib as well. As of today she was one ounce from birth weight!

Daniel was on vapotherm as well for about 3 or 4 days. He also did light therapy for a day. He is so close to getting his gavage tube out as he takes the majority of his feeds by bottle/breast. He is still a few ounces short of birth weight, but is packing it on fast! He is really close to being in an open crib.

Will also was on vapotherm for 2 or 3 days, but came off quickly. He never had light therapy and no longer has his feeding tube as he gulps his feeds from bottle/breast with enthusiasm and often follows up with a big burp. He is close to birth weight, but not quite there yet. He will likely go in an open crib in the next day or two and is all signed up for his circumcision. The nurses think he will be coming home in the next few days!!

Big brother Tyler is so excited about his babies. Unfortunately he has only seen them once because he got a cold and had to go back to granny's house to get better so that mommy doesn't get sick and so that he can get the care and attention he needs to get better.

Mom and Dad are doing well, too! Dad got a little bug this week too, but fortunately it passed quickly and he is able to come back to the hospital and help out! This mom is feeling the pain! I am recovering well from my c-section, but my feet and legs have been extremely swollen and I am exhausted. Nevertheless, I have been to the hospital everyday thanks to my dad who has been taking good care of me! He feeds me, drives me to the hospital, and helps me and the nurses get all the babies fed. It is quite a job!

I will have more updates and some photos soon, but right now my feet are up and the camera is across the room, so stay tuned! Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes! Without them we wouldn't be in as good of a position with the babies' health and progress. Keep em coming! :P

Katie

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been following your blog for a couple of months (came across it through an acquaintance who just had her quads a few weeks ago too). Just wanted to say congrats- and wow! Can't believe you made it to almost 33 weeks, and it's awesome how well everyone is doing! All the best
Sarah

Kim said...

I've been following your blog for quite a while. I found it via the December 2012 board on Babycenter.

I have been waiting for an update and blog stalk to make sure I haven't missed anything.

So glad they are all doing so well!


Kim
http://musingsofamommabear.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Congratulations this is all such great news! Enjoy all those beautiful babies!

Heather said...

Congratulations!! So glad the babies are so healthy, you did an amazing job keeping them in for as long as you did!

BeckyT said...

VERY well done to you, I have been checking in though I haven't been following you that long but MEGA congratulations on your four wonderful babies. They sound to be of great birth weight and I wish you all very well. Also, from experience babies born on 1st Nov (All Saints Day) turn out to be incredibly sweet and loving. I have my 4 year old to show for that. All the very best and once again congratulations. xx

Amy said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been following for a few months as well, since finding out about you from the infertility board on BBC. I'm so glad they are healthy and you are recovering well!! And now the real fun begins, right! :)

JM said...

Congrats!! Looks like things went as well as they possibly could have! Hoping the kids continue to thrive and that they're home with you soon!

Emily @ablanket2keep said...

Sorry I have been MIA. Congratulations on all your little miracles! Amazing how long you kept them in for! Glad to hear they are all doing well and I hope that continues. Can't wait to hear an update.