21.9.2010

We will not be going home today as William has lost another 25 grams in weight.  He now weighs 2090g.  Esther has not yet been weighed but I am now assuming that she too will have lost weight.  So at least one more night for us and I will feed them today at 3 hourly intervals rather than letting them go 4 hours, try to pile on the pounds or at least some ounces!

We were not really expecting to go home today but I had gotten a little bit hopeful as everything seemed to be going so well.  Never mind!

Oh my goodness!  Esther has gained weight! She is now 1840g which is a gain of 20 grams from yesterday.  Keep it up little one!  She is doing so well.  I am so relieved that I must be doing something right.

After the weigh in David went home to get some work done and to sort a few things at home.  I took the twins into the nursery to soak up a last few gems of wisdom from Elizabeth who is on today.  She really should write a book of tips for new mums, I think she could make a fortune!

We have been moved out of the twin space in the nursery which is only fair as we now have the room.  It feels like another step closer to the door.

Oh my goodness!  We are going home.  I cannot believe it but the doctor has decided that today is the day that we can take our babies home!  We are taking our babies home …. today!  I burst into tears when the doctor told me.  I felt so happy and thankful and terrified all at the same time.  I could not believe what I was hearing or make sense of it all.  My babies coming home to my house to be in my care!  They were allowed to come home.  But they are so tiny, so small, so fragile!  Tina was there reassuring me and Elizabeth gave me a hug. Tina is confident that this is the right thing to do.  We are ready!

The staff also said that we need to be really careful to avoid infection and readmission to hospital by staying away from crowded places and not having too many visitors for a few weeks.  It is best for us not to come into contact with toddlers and children until Esther and William have had their RSV injections in October. 

Readmission is a real concern and the doctor said that it is just a fact that such tiny babies are more at risk.  One of the main reasons for us being allowed home at just over 35 weeks I think is that David and I have proven that we are responsible peopple who will not put our babies at risk.  Such a huge responsibility – these two human beings depend entirely on us! They will only survive if we do everything right and meet their every need.  It is so scary and yet the most wonderful thing.  I have never in my life felt such an immense tangle of emotion.  This is true, unconditional, everlasting love.

…

The Health Visitor will come to meet us at home on Thursday.  She will take some blood and check the babies weight.  How will we cope not being given their weight each day?  We also have lots of follow up appointments at the hospital over the next few weeks and months – bloods to check phosphate levels, eye examination for ROP, heart scan for William and neuro baby clinic.  When we come for clinic we will call in to the unit to see everyone and to drop off some Christmas bits.

I cannot believe that we are actually going home!!

Shelly (Dr Chalmers) came to talk to me in the room about tummy time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5128144.stm

http://www.pathwaysawareness.org/tummytime

We are to do it every day, twice a day, for 5 minutes to start with.  Babies need to be on their tummies with their elbows gently pushed in to stop them from having retracted shouders.  Retracted shoulders can lead to problems with sitting in the future.  Tummy time also helps to develop the muscles in the neck meaning that babies are able to lift their heads and hold them up for sustained periods of time.  We also have to practice having the babies head in the midline and tracking, we do this using Elizabeth’s towel roll to support their head and shoulders and lying on their sides.  For side lying the doctor suggested lying the twins facing each other and so encouraging them to interact with one another.

I am just waiting for David now and the final bits of paperwork.  Esther is due a feed.

I cannot believe that we are going home!!!

David and his Dad have been busy getting everything ready.  We are going home!!!