S/O Rooming In

[Deleted]

My hospital never gave me the option of sending Elias to the nursery. I probably would have a couple times, at least for an hour or something, because the induction took three full days and I literally didn't sleep at all. I remember birthing him, saying "Aww" and giving a sigh of relief as they threw him on my chest, and then thinking, "What the hell am I going to do now? I'm so tired!!!" I am glad I roomed in with him though, but I didn't get any sleep at all and was delirious by the time I got home.

Now the problem is, I am going back to that same hospital. Dh will not be staying the night because we have Elias and no one that I trust to stay with him overnight. I am having two babies, and will be breast feeding. If I have a c-section, I know I will be really sore and it will make everything harder. I think even if I deliver vaginally, I will still be really sore because my stomach is stretched so far and I feel my ab muscles ripping apart with every step I take. Dramatic sounding, I know, but that's how it feels. I remember my stomach being really sore after Elias too and I delivered him vaginally.

Anyway, I asked my Dr. about this and she said they DO have a nursery that the babies go to if they are sick. They don't have a NICU, but are equipped to do most things that are done in a NICU, they just do it in their 'nursery'. (Elias had breathing problems when he was born and they had the whole respiratory team down in my room in minutes- so don't freak out that I am having twins in a hospital without a NICU- if I go into labor before 35 weeks I will be sent to a different hospital. But, I am almost 33 weeks and my cervix is sealed up tight and I am not experiencing any contractions, so I think that is unlikely!) But their nursery is not like a regular nursery. They don't do paci's, if I want my babies to have a paci I have to bring it myself. ANYWAY, so that was her answer, but it didn't really answer my question of being able to get help, just because I am having twins... I am kind of assuming I will be able to get help from them, but if not- what the heck do I do? 

Also, those who did send their babies to the nursery and were breast feeding, how were you able to sleep and not nurse them? Did they just bring them to you when they were hungry? I wouldn't want anything to screw up my chances of getting a good supply. 

Sorry this got so big, I am not exactly sure of the point to this post. I guess I am just looking for advice/words of encouragement about doing this solo in the hospital, or what you would do in my situation? 

[biblionerd]

As far as sending them to the nursery and BF'ing, they just brought them and woke me up every X hours (depending on how they were doing. First it started at 4 hours, but they both had problems so ended up every 2 hours). As far as help with twins, you will need it. They're not going to NOT help if that makes sense. That's what they're there for. With a c/s you won't physically (at least as far as I know) be able to care for both the day they are born by yourself. In my hospital they don't "forbid" it, but strongly discourage c/s mothers from rooming in the first 2 nights if they are alone. I was still physically unable to get up the first night. My hospital takes out the cath and you walk the second day. So they went to the nursery and they brought them back as needed. Sometimes I kept them in the room, but had to page them when they needed a diaper change. Even when I could get up lifting my 9lb babies out of the bassinet was too hard. I didn't feel up to taking care of either baby alone in the room by myself until day 3. I was just very sore though. I would personally call the hospital if your OB didn't give you a clear answer about whether you are required to room in and how they will handle a twin c/s when you're there alone. My hospital has what sounds like a similar setup. Ours is a "special care nursery", but it's not a NICU. They will still take the babies overnight though. I'm actually going to call and double check that nothing has changed before I have my c/s this time though!

[eav2c]

I set my alarm and would call down for him every 2 hours. I think they brought him to me a few times too when he woke up and was restless. There were a few times they told me to stretch it to 3-4 hours because I NEEDED it bad. I don't know if they fed him formula during that time but I don't think so. They were very helpful and cooperative. My H won't be with me at night either and I will have had a csection. I will absolutely HAVE TO rely on the nursery and nurses to help me. I was not even able to physically move out of the bed till the next day.

Honestly, the nurses should be helpful and let them know you'd like to send the girls to the nursery when you need it. Utilize it! While people say that they could never separate and yada yada, you have GOT to get your rest to be able to take care of them.

I wish I had more advice. I honestly don't even know how I ended up letting him go to the nursery because it was NOT my plan but I was so drugged up and it was the best thing I could have done.

[Deleted]

The hospital where I had DS1 didn't have a well-baby nursery and I was deliriously tired by the time we left. This time I used a different hospital and not only did they have a nursery, they strongly encouraged me to use it. They brought him back to me on demand or every four hours, whichever came first.

I hope your nurses will recognize your need for help and rest, but if they don't, make sure you ask! Nothing wrong with sending the girls to the nursery so you can sleep...you need to be rested for them. I imagine the nurses will also be available to help with the lifting, especially if you're a c section.

[Deleted]

The hospital I am delivering at is super 'Baby friendly', 'Natural birth' oriented... they drilled into my head that you don't feed the baby every certain amount of hours. That you feed your baby whenever they want, and however long they want. I can't picture them saying I will just feed them both every 2 hours and they will keep them there for me, until that time. Maybe they will be different with me because of my circumstances... but here's a link about their feeding on cue importance- www.sutterdavis.org/services/pdf/feeding_on_cue.pdf
Here's a link about rooming in- www.sutterdavis.org/services/pdf/rooming_in.pdf

They have links like that for everything. I chose that hospital originally because I liked their point of view and they were the closest option for a birthing center that is still an actual hospital. I am glad I am delivering there this time because I believe I will have the best chance at a vaginal delivery, but I just hope they are going to be able to accommodate me since I will need more help. Last time it was very much myself and my husband in the room, doin' it ourselves. They offered excellent breast feeding help though. That was pretty much it. I don't even know if they have breast pumps I can use if I need, since they are so strict on nursing, no bottles/paci's...

I know that they have had lots of twins delivered there though, so I am sure all these things will work out. I am just worrying about it NOW that I am closer and I didn't really think about all of this before. Because, I am in denial that this is really happening. haha

[puppylove64]

I didn't realize you were already 33 weeks! I'm so excited to see the twinzes!

[livinreality]

Our hospital strongly discouraged using the nursery (this was a change between DS1 and DS2) but they trained me with DS1 so I demanded it. They would take DS2 for a couple of hours then bring him when it was time for feeding, then take him back. So I would get a couple hours of sleep. I was there two nights, DH was there also still sent him to the nursery so I would not stare at him all night since they frown on cosleeping in the hospital.

Hmm I think I would go on a hospital tour and ask questions. Maybe look into hiring a doula or night nurse if it would make you feel more comfortable? Of course that would be better saved for home...

[Deleted]

So I used the nursery the first night. She was born at 10pm and they took her at 12:30 to "give her a bath", when really they took her to the nursery because I was sick but too delusional to admit it haha. I actually didn't see her again until like7 am when they woke me up and brought her back. I have no clue if she had formula but it didn't do anything bad to my supply or delay my milk coming in.

[Dorothy Zbornak]

I have no words of wisdom, but I cannot believe you're so far along already. Sorry about your stomach muscles. That sounds horrible.

[thedahliharpa]

I think some nice nurse will take pity on you. Seriously. But just to be sure I would being a gigantic basket of cookies with a big sign that has a picture of E and the caption "Dear Nurses, thanks for taking such good care of my mom and baby sisters while I'm home with Dad. Have a cookie!"