That Time I Gave Birth . . . Twice

We’ve been home with our babies for a week now! We are amazed at how blessed we are, and are so grateful for our sweet, perfect, healthy miracles. Sitting here beside my two sleeping newborns feels surreal, and the scary worry-filled pregnancy feels so far in the past. We never could have dreamed that their surgery 3 months ago would be completely successful, that I would be able to avoid preterm labor, or that our babies would never see the NICU . . . but we have received each of these miracles. We have been comforted throughout all of this knowing that so many have been thinking about and praying for us. When it felt like our faith wouldn’t be strong enough, we had the faith of others to rely on and we are so grateful. Our little babies are so special to us.

Truman Miles Grimmer

October 19, 8:06am

5lb, 1oz. 18 inches

Elliott Beau Grimmer

October 19, 8:19am

5lb, 8oz. 18.5 inches

Now for the birth story-

We went in for our scheduled induction on Thursday, October 18^th. We arrived at 6am and I was so ready to get the show on the road. I was anxious to know how everything would turn out. When they finally checked my cervix, they decided it wasn’t ready yet and started me on cervical ripening stuff. This was a long process and we were frustrated knowing that most of the day would be spent just waiting. At the beginning of the day, I spoke with a doctor about our babies’ situation and he said, “I feel comfortable with you trying to deliver vaginally, but if you would feel more comfortable, I could just do a c-section right now.” I have to admit, I was tempted. The thought of waiting for so long sounded miserable, especially since there was a good chance I would need a c-section at the end of it all anyway (or even worse, that I would deliver one baby then need a c-section for the second). But, I declined the offer.

At the hospital, ready to go!

The day was spent trying to get comfortable in the hospital bed, taking little naps, drinking clear liquids (plus at least 7 jell-o cups), and begging Rob to sneak me bites of food when he took me to the bathroom.  And lots of waiting to see how things were progressing. After the first 3 hours of the cervical ripening medication (at about noon), my cervix had hardly changed (still between 1 and 2), so I got another dose. I was having contractions every 2 to 4 minutes, and they were stronger than the usual Braxton hicks I’d been having, but not horribly painful.

I wasn’t checked again until about 8:00 in the evening, and I was dilated to about a 4. The doctor decided to break my water to get things started. I asked for an ultrasound first to check fluid levels, to make sure the contractions hadn’t forced any connections or brought back the TTTS. Everything looked fine, and they broke my water a little after 9pm. My contractions were getting more painful, and knowing they were about to get much worse, I asked to get the epidural. As much as I love this thing, getting it put in was not fun. I had a hard time relaxing and keeping still. But, once it was in, I happily relaxed, and even slept during the night. It would have been a really long night without that epidural!

I faded in and out of sleep, and the nurse came in and out. At one point, she started a little Pitocin because my contractions seemed to be less regular. I went back to sleep, and woke up around 6:15am feeling pelvic pressure during contractions. I called the nurse in, and she checked me- I was at 9cm! We headed into the operating room at around 7:15 where everyone was waiting for us.

I delivered in an operating room where everyone was prepared for a last minute c-section if needed. In the room were the doctor, 2 residents, a few nurses, and some NICU nurses for each baby. It was super relaxed and we were all talking and joking around, and then finally the doctor said that I could push when I felt like it.

I pushed for about 20 minutes, and our first baby was so close but his heart rate was dropping. So, the doctor used forceps with my next push, and out came our precious baby Truman. I didn’t expect them to hand him to me right away, but they did. He was crying and he was perfect! I kept asking things like “Is he okay?” and “How is the other baby’s heartbeat?” One baby in my arms, and one still inside. He was then taken to be checked out and weighed.

We waited a few minutes for our second baby to drop down. For months, the second baby was breech and the plan was to do a breech extraction after the first baby was born. Amazingly, however, while we spent all day waiting around on Thursday, he completely changed positions and was now sideways. So, after the first baby was born, we waited and he dropped perfectly head down. 13 minutes after his brother was born, with just one push, our little Elliott was here! He too was crying and perfect and placed right in my arms.

In order to tell them apart, they were given bracelets on their wrists and ankles identifying "baby one" and "baby two," the numbers 1 and 2 were written on their hats and diapers, and the nurses put one clamp on Tru's cord and 2 on Elliott's. After doing all these things, they handed me baby Truman, and the first thing I noticed was a perfect little birthmark on his left shoulder! We are so glad we have a permanent way to tell them apart. We would have been in trouble without it. (Although, by now I can tell their faces apart most of the time.)

We had a good hospital stay. I felt like the delivery was perfect, and recovery was way easier than I was expecting! I felt so good so quickly- didn't need any strong pain medications, and only took the mild ones for a few days. As our babies were premature, we expected them to have to stay a little longer. But, they were eating great and every test came back perfectly fine, so they were able to come home with me on Sunday! 

Diaper change

Collin liked meeting his baby brothers!

Big brother with the babies!

Collin gave them each a little ducky for a present!

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit on their very first day!

Going home outfits. Elliott on the left, Truman on the right.

Ready to go home!