A Birth Story; Suzie's story

Here's a note that West Coast Surrogacy surrogate, Suzie, wrote to her fellow surrogates after the birth of twins.


Hello Ladies,
Sorry for the delay, but here's how things turned out!
I was scheduled for my c-section on Wed at 3PM. I woke up early at 5
to have my "last meal" and went downstairs. After I was finished
eating, I noticed that I felt a little "wet" and went upstairs to
change my underwear...wondering if maybe my water broke.
I decided to stay up for a little bit to "monitor the situation" and
started getting ready. After doing my make-up, I didn't feel anymore
'leaking' so went and laid back down....with a towel under me, just in
case!
I woke up a little before 7 and felt a little more damp so debated on
calling my husband to come home early...he usually gets home at 9ish
but the lights go on at the fire station to wake them up at 7. I
decided not to call yet and got up to finish doing my hair and to get
the kids ready...my Mom was picking them up at 9ish to go see Thomas
the Train and keep them for the day.
I continued to have a small drip for the rest of the morning but
decided to hang out, figuring that even if I went to the hospital
early that they'd make me wait until 3 when surgery was scheduled. My
hubby went upstairs to take a nap (turns out he was up since 5 for a
car accident on the 10 anyway...) and I laid down on the couch.
At about 10:30 I got up to use the restroom and had a small 'gush' of
water so I immediately called the Doctor, Amy, my IP's and headed
upstairs to wake my hubby. I continued to have intermittent leaks all
the way to the hospital but no contractions..even up to surgery time.
At the hospital they bumped my surgery time up to 1:45 and we were
able to confirm that my IP's would be allowed into the OR. Before
surgery I met my IF's Mom and sister and was able to say HI to IM's
Mom and 2 daughters before we headed off to get ready....
In the OR things were really relaxed....the anesthesiologist gave me
my epidural and then they covered me all up and 'raised the curtain'
so that the surgical area was obscured and then they let in my hubby
and IP's. At 2:12 Baby A made his 6lb 8oz first gurrgly cries,
followed by Baby B 1 minute later weighing 5lbs 6 oz. It was
wonderful hearing those first cries and then within a few minutes
being able to see my IP's get to hold their babies for the first
time! I don't think there is anything that I have ever experienced
that was as uplifting besides the birth of my own children.
The babies had good APGAR scores and were 19 and 18 inches
respectively. Baby B ended up having a low blood sugar that corrected
after one dose of glucose and Baby A had some jaundice....but there
were pronounced "Perfect" by their pediatrician on Saturday.
They brought the babies in to visit me that evening...I was still
unable to move anything besides my arms, so they placed the babies on
either side of me on the bed. The following day they brought them to
see me in the morning and when my Mom came to see me, IM took her to
their room to introduce her to the babies. That evening before they
got released, they brought the babies and a couple beers over and we
all celebrated (IM and I did not drink since she is breast feeding and
I was drugged!). My husband and I walked them to the elevators when they
left and it was such a happy picture to see them leaving together!
Mom in the wheelchair holding both babies, Dad carrying the carseat
and big sis taking pictures of everything! I thought that I might get
emotional, but I haven't once felt "sad" that the babies are gone!
They have been texting me and sending me pictures ever since Thursday
and I am sure that we will get together soon!
I was released on Friday afternoon...less than 48 hrs after my
surgery. Apparently that is really quick, it's usually 3 days. I
think that since I didn't have a baby to look after that the doctor
thought it would be safe to let me go early. I haven't had any pain
from the incision sight, but girls let me tell you! The gas pain that
builds up after a c-section is astonishing! I never knew gas could be
so painful! Today was the first day that I didn't cringe when the car
hit a bump...which is good because I had to go to the doctor to have
my staples out this morning.
When my kids got home on Friday (Grandma had them when Daddy picked me
up), the first thing my 4 year old did was run up and put her hand on
my tummy. Then she lifted my shirt up and asked if the babies were
gone. I said Yes and then showed her my "owie" so that she'd
understand why she still couldn't jump on Mommy. She was happy that
the babies had "gone home with their Mommy and Daddy" and that I was
home...but she said my belly was still big! LOL...my 3 year old
looked at my belly once, echoed her sister and then moved on! They
have both seen the pictures on my phone and don't seem to have any
concerns at all about where the babies have gone. They were unable to
see the babies due to new regulations on visitors because of
H1N1...they couldn't even come into the waiting area in the hospital
to visit me but they were excited to spend 3 days with Grandma so
didn't seem to mind too much!
Well, that's pretty much it! It was just as amazing and rewarding an
experience as you could ever ask for and I can't wait for the rest of
you first timers to tell your stories!! And....I only have 12 more
pounds left to lose!