Category Archives: development

Pressure Assisted CPAP

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6.8.2010

Not such a good morning this morning.  William has been put on Pressure Assisted CPAP over night.  This gives him a push of air 30 times a minute to help him breathe.  He was struggling over night which is why this has been done.

Esther also seemed troubled this morning, with oxygen levels down in the 70s and 80s.  It is just typical that the one day I plan to go out things feel like they are going wrong.  Esther’s breathing was regulated by giving her a dummy to seal  the CPAP and stop her losing all her oxygen through her gaping mouth!  She sleeps like my Dad, mouth wide open!

William did not manage any time off CPAP last night as he was desaturating whilst still on it!  They are going to try him off again today to see if last night was just a blip.  This will happen after he has had a blood transfusion which is definitely happening today.  It all sounds bad but the doctors are not too worried about him and continue to be pleased with Esther’s progress.  She is continuing with the same regime.  William is going up to 5mls of milk an hour today and will have his sodium in his milk.

Pictures of some of our first ever cuddles …

Head Over Feet

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William had his cuddle time after Esther. I fell head over heels in love with him during this time. He was looking right at me and making the cutest facial expressions. All the nurses were cooing over him and saying how handsome he is. He is getting a bit chubby now compared to what he has been. He is going to be a beautiful baby boy. Continue reading →

Caught Red Handed!

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3.8.2010

We were late to the hospital today as I fell back to sleep whilst David was in the shower and then I needed to express more milk as I was leaking everywhere!  Got here at about 9.30am and the doctors’ rounds were underway.  We waited in the parents’ lounge whilst they worked on the other twins.

This morning in the post we got confirmation of Esther and William’s first out patient appointments.  They are on Thursday 9th December 2010 at 2pm and 2.40pm.  They will be 6 weeks old by their corrected age and actually 4 and a half months old.  It is good that they give so much notice and wonderful that they are confident the twins will both still be around.

Caleb is gone this morning.  Machines are off and cot renewed!  So sad!

The doctors are still pleased with our two.  Esther is staying on the same milk and William is having 1ml hourly for today.  William will have 2 hours off CPAP twice today and Esther is continuing with 4.

At 10am I did Esther’s care.  I really took my time and talked to her and sung to her as I worked.  I had a bit of a fright when I found blood on my hands!  I called the nurse in panic but it was just where her heel prick was bleeding.  It did give me a fright!

At 10.30am William was due his new house.  I was allowed to cuddle him for half an hour.  It was wonderful!  I sang to him and talked to him about his Daddy and all the exciting things they will do.  At 11am I went to do milk.  I only managed about 100mls despite all the cuddles with young William.

The nurse has given me William’s first CPAP hat to keep as he needs a bigger size now.  It is the first thing to go in his keepsake box!

Esther came off her CPAP at midday and William was given a woollen blue blanket.  While Esther was off I read her a version of Rapunzel where the princess gives birth to boy and girl twins!  As the story finished it was time for William to come off for his 2 hours.  He was clearly working hard but looked very relaxed.  His hair is so dark and seems to be starting to get long.  William was struggling off his CPAP.  The nurse turned him onto his stomach but he was still working very hard.  the nurse gave his mouth some suction and also some facial oxygen to help his levels.  Poor little William!   He needs to grow big and strong.  Esther seems so much more stable.  I love them both so much!

Today I am at hospital 9.30 – 1.30 and 4 – 6.  Tomorrow I am hoping that David will agree to us both doing 8.30 – 11 and 5 – 7, possibly with Clare and Sujo here in the evening.  The house is starting to get to me so I want to spend some time tomorrow sorting and tidying.  David and I are also going to buy some furniture to store our clothes and for the nursery.  We also need to collect a cot bed from a friend.  There is so much to do when all I want to do is be with the babies.  Our babies!  Our beautiful babies!

Had a lovely lunch with Michele and Edward.  Bought some olive oil for the babies skins, maternity pads, breastfeeding vitamins, 5 giraffe sleepsuits and a blanket for each of the twins.  Esther’s is cream and William’s is yellow.

Got back to the unit at 3.45pm, in time to do Esther’s cares.  More yellow poo!  Esther did not quite manage ger 4 hours off CPAP but William did his 2.

Michele came in to see the twins for half an hour and then she left as I needed to express some milk.  For the first time in 10 days there was not a steriliser free when I needed one.  I am waiting patiently now but feeling like I might burst!

William has had the cannula taken out of his arm so both his arms are wire/tube free for a while.  He has grogeous arms, just like his Daddy!  Michele said that she is starting to see David and I in the twins now and particularly in William.

David is coming back to the hospital at 6pm.  I hope that I have managed to express by then!

To my untrained eye Esther seems to be struggling with her breathing today.  Admittedly a lot of it is to with the fact that she keeps pulling off her CPAP mask, but it was quite worrying to watch.  On a positive note, from 2pm Esther has been on 5mls of milk an hour.  Such a good girl!

Speaking of milk – it is 5.15pm and I am still waiting to express!

5.30pm and appx 140mls espressed.  Phew!  I had to use the spare pump in the quiet room as I was quite worried that I might explode!

I came back at 5.45pm and Esther still looked like she was struggling.  She looked unhappy and not at all at ease.  I am quite worried about her actually.  Poor little Star!

William looked more peaceful as the evening began. 

I am taking their blankies home again and am going to sleep with them tonight then bring them back, as recommended by the nurse.  Will wash their blankets tonight too.

Both babies set off a lot of alarms today with their breathing.  Come on Babies!  Be strong for Mummy.  She needs you to fight through this and grow big and strong so that she can take you home.

I spoke to Caleb’s Mummy.  He took any decision out of their hands and passed away early this morning.  She is being so brave and strong, hoping and praying now that Maya will survive.  I cannot imagine being in her position.  I could not bear to lose Esther or William.  I love them both so much!

By 6pm Esther seemed to be calming but William was getting upset.  I hope they have a restful night.

Sleep sweet our beautiful son and daughter x

Through His Leg to His Heart!

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2.8.2010

Wonderful news!  Esther is out of humidity and in a dry cot with a temperature of 34 degrees.  She now needs lots of blankets to keep her warm and is allowed out for cuddles but whist on her CPAP not off.

William struggled to do 2 hours off his CPAP today (early am) but will try again this afternoon.  His cares are due at 1pm and Esther’s after the doctors.  Esther’s milk is going up today to 4mls an hour.  She is tolerating her milk well.  William is staying on 1ml of milk 2 hourly as his stomach is still distended.  He will be reviewed at 2pm and hopefully start 1ml hourly.

Just after the doctors we did Esther’s care.  She had a very messy nappy, one of the more negative effects of breastfeeding.  After the nappy we did milk and I expressed the most ever, almost 200mls.

When we came back Esther was allowed out for a cuddle. First I held her while David read her a story and took photos.  Then we swapped.  It was wonderful having her out and it was clear that she enjoyed it too. 

While we were focused on Esther, William had his long line removed because his arm was red and puffy.  The line had ’tissued’.  They will put a new line in this afternoon but for now his fluids will go through a cannula in his hand.

While the doctors continued to work on William I read Esther her first fairy story while she was off the CPAP.  We read ‘The Frog Princess’. 

William cried and screamed a lot as the doctors worked on him.  It was horrible and I had to fight back the tears.  I love him so much and hate hearing him cry.  Once all the horrible procedures are over William will have his humidity turned off and be like his sister.  Both our babies are doing so well but Esther is just that bit stronger than William.

David left the hospital at 11.45am and is coming back at 6pm when William should be off his CPAP.  Clare is coming just after 1pm.  I am not sure that I will be able to do William’s lunchtime care as it is already 12.50 and the doctors are still all around him.

My scar is still really red and sore.  One of the nurses commented on it and asked if I was on antibiotics.  I am more welcoming to the idea of antibiotics now that I know I can continue to express milk. 

This afternoon I hope to read William his first traditional story, Six Blind Men and an Elephant, if we have some quiet time.

I went to lunch with Clare and Rohan after doing William’s mouth and nappy.  I came back to do milk at 2pm.  Esther was still off CPAP and doing really well.  William’s new line was in and they were waiting for an xray to confirm that it was in the right place.  Poor William, another dose of radiation!

Esther is doing so well today, almost 4 hours off CPAP with no oxygen.  What a little star!  Her next care is due at 4pm when she will also go back on her CPAP.

William’s line now goes through his leg to his heart.  Poor little creature!  But the procedure is over, again, and he can begin to recover, again.  My lovely little man!  William was being given lots of medical care this afternoon and so I spent my time with Esther.  I sang her songs and read her poems, and she had her eyes open the whole time!  She seemed so peaceful but towards the end of her time her breathign looked more laboured, yet her desaturations were fine?!?  The doctor came and I asked him about it but he said she was fine and he would expect her to have to work hard at the end of the session.

Both babies are now allowed a toy in their cot.  I am going to bring their animal blankies in as soon as I have washed them.  I have asked my parents to buy blankets and swaddle robes for each so hopefully they will.

The nurse showed me today how to tuck a baby into a cot, tight on one side and half of the bottom but loose on the other side so they can kick off the covers if they need to and don’t get stuck in the blankets.

The twins had head scans today.  Both results were normal.  More good news!

Today has been a good day.  And Caleb, the little twin, is still here too.

I am looking forward to tomorrow too, morning in the hospital then a break in the afternoon to have lunch and go shopping with Michele.  I am going to buy muslins and blankets that can be used as covers at the hospital.  Also tonight I am going to wash their swaddling robes so that they can be used for cuddles.  It feels so good to be allowed to start giving our babies things.  I love them both so much and want to give them everything I can.  My beautiful son and daughter.  Our family.

We will not see William off his CPAP today as it is not due until 8.00 tonight.  We finished the day by changing his nappy before going home.