Here is Bree and Clara's birth story. March 20, 2011 was the most amazing day of our lives..
At 30 weeks I was starting to dilate and I was 80% effaced. 34 weeks was kind of the magical week that the doctors like to get to with twins because complications with premature babies go way down at this point. I was having regular contractions and my body was already starting to prepare itself for delivery. I was super nervous because I was still a month away from that 34 week mark. I got put on partial bed rest and started taking it easy. I went in again at 32 weeks and I was progressing even further. The doctor put me on full bed rest and gave me a steroid shot that would help the babies lungs develop. I stopped working and was to be completely in bed with no activity what-so-ever. It was definitely hard to be completely laid up but so worth it. The countdown was on to make it to that 34 week mark. We made it.
34 Weeks Pregnant
At 34 weeks and 2 days at about 1 am, I was on the couch tossing and turning because I couldn't sleep and was really uncomfortable. During one of my tosses back and forth trying to get in a comfortable position, my water broke and I ran into Rick shaking because I knew that this was it. I was so nervous, I couldn't stop shaking. I was scared for the health of our babies, scared for delivery and scared to be a mom. I was just filled with so many emotions. On the way to the hospital I kept saying to Rick that we had to hurry cause I wasn't going to get the epidural, this was a huge fear throughout my entire pregnancy. We got to the hospital at around 1:20am and got me all settled into a bed. They assured me I was there in plenty of time and I would be getting my epidural. I was so relieved! I got my epidural at about 5 am and they also started me on pitocin at this time. My mom and dad came and sat with Rick and I while we waited. It was so great to have them there. I was extremely nervous and I had no idea what to expect.
At 10 am the doctor came in and said I was ready to go. He knew how badly I did not want to have a C-section but had expressed that how the babies were placed, there might be a possibility that we would have to end up doing one. He explained that he would do everything in his power to avoid a C-section. They were going to give us about 30 minutes before we would start. Rick and I were able to have a few minutes alone with one another and say a little prayer. I will always remember this tender moment as our last few minutes as a family of two. We were now going to quickly jump to a family of four and it would never be just us ever again.
After our few minutes alone, my parents came back in to wish me luck and say goodbye. Rick then came with me as I was wheeled back to the operating room where I was greeted to a room chuck full of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and others in preparation for these premature twins to come. This was definitely not an intimate experience with just a few people in the room. We had been warned of this from other people who had already delivered twins and told us to expect a lot of hospital staff in the room to ensure everything went smoothly.
I immediately started pushing for "Baby A" who was head down. This was a lot harder than I had anticipated. I admire any woman who has done a natural delivery, I can't imagine how hard it would be. With Rick by my side, I pushed for a little over and hour and at 12:07 pm Clara Marie was born weighing 4 lbs and measuring 16 inches. I was so grateful she was able to come without a C-Section. I got to see her for a split second before they rushed her off to make sure she was alright. The doctors and nurses kept commenting on how small she was and she didn't cry at all but I heard little whimpers from her. I was so worried but Rick did so well to assure me she was alright.
Now it was time for "Baby B" to get here. Unfortunately she was breech and the doctors were going to have to turn her by pushing and pulling on the outside of my stomach to get her to turn in the right position. They immediately started this process to move her which was the most painful and exhausting part of the delivery. I was in a lot of pain and it was so uncomfortable. I remember thinking that it would be impossible for me to push again when they got the baby in the right position because I was so exhausted. I know that my delivery was not nearly as hard many other women's, but this was definitely the hardest thing I had ever done. Two doctors tried for 30 minutes to get her turned but she got stuck in a transverse/breech position. The doctors counseled with both Rick and I and stated that they felt like the safest thing to do is do the delivery of the second baby C-Section because she just wasn't turning. I was so disappointed but we gave our consent and they immediately got me prepared for a C-Section and put a sheet up in front of my face so I couldn't see the surgery.
I don't remember much about this part of the delivery because I was in a lot of pain. During the C-Section I felt a lot of the tugging and pulling of the procedure that was extremely uncomfortable. It was all worth it because just a few minutes later Bree Estella was born at 12:38pm weighing 4 lbs 2 oz and measuring 17 inches. Even though I don't remember much, I distinctly remember hearing a harder cry from Bree. I didn't get to see her but I remember feeling such a sense of relief that both of my baby girls were here. Immediately following the birth of Bree, the anesthesiologist gave me a dose of some drug to give me relief from the pain but informed me that I would not be very aware of things for a while. I'm so grateful Rick did such a good job at getting pictures of her so I could see them after.
Both of the babies were immediately taken down to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit to be monitored and checked out. Rick was able to be with them while I was in recovery. For being born prematurely at 34 weeks, they both checked out extremely well and did not need any respiratory assistance at all. They were so strong.
We were told that they would definitely be staying at the hospital for at least a few weeks in order to grow and learn how to eat. Although it would be hard to have them in the hospital for a while, we felt so blessed they were healthy. I got to go in and see them on the day of the delivery, but both Rick and I were unable to hold them until the following day. It was the most special moment of my life and I was filled with gratitude that these sweet spirits were sent to Rick and I.
There are moments in life that stretch your emotions past any word you could ever describe. This was by far the most spiritual experience that Rick and myself had ever had. It was so amazing and we will never forget it. We are blessed to have Bree and Clara here with us.
Our first time holding both of our little girls
First Family Photo of The Hansens
