Hospital tour and other silly things

We went for our hospital tour yesterday.  I have to say, while I hate hospitals, and really didn't want to (ideally) give birth in one, this one is pretty nice.  They did a huge remodel in the last two years, so it has a nice, new, clean feeling (for a hospital, of course).  There's a room with a big hydrotherapy tub that looks awesome, the birthing suits are huge and really nice.  They are well equipped - squatting bars, birthing balls and stools, beds that contort into all the shapes and heights, pull out couch and chair, shower, etc.  I have to say, I was impressed with the room.  They typically let you stay in there for an hour after the birth, then you get moved to either a private, semi, or ward (4 beds) room.  We will be looking at upgrading to a private room (insurance will cover a semi, but with two of us, and two babies, a private room, especially after giving birth sounds worth the splurge) for my stay.  Typically for a vaginal birth they keep you 24-36hrs after, post c-section is usually 48hrs.  The hospital is nice and close, 15 mins drive door to door.  The nursing staff recently went through a lot more training apparently, and they have 1 to 1 coverage during labour. I've heard fantastic things about the staff, so that's a real plus.  Overall, things looked as good as it gets, being a hospital and all.  I do still wish I could have had the option of a home birth, but I'm letting go of that.

We didn't get to see the c-section facilities of course, but apparently they do a good online video tour, so I'll check that out and the NICU.  H looked a tad faint, haha, he is not a fan of hospitals.  For me, it was a bit surreal to be doing a hospital tour, imagining that in just a couple of months, we will be meeting our babies there.  And also that these babies have to come out!  I digress.  I also pre-registered while we were there, so one less thing to do when we go there for real.

Then we went to pick up a shelf at Ikea and look at a few things we need, by then I was beat and ready for home!  After some couch time, we got a little silly.  My mom has a stash of my baby dolls from when I was a kid, and I had completely forgot, but I actually had twin dolls when I was a kid!  They used to cry and then when you put them near each other they would laugh - it was really cute.  Anyways, we brought them home after my shower because I've heard and read about helping your dog adjust and one way to do that is to do things with a doll that you will do with babies.  Holding them, being on the couch, putting them in a carrier, etc.  Doing some of these things now might help us teach Abby about being gentle with them, appropriate behaviour, etc, before it's our real babies.  So I mentioned the carriers - we have 3 right now, and Ergo with infant insert, a Baby Bjorn, and another sling of sorts that I have no idea how to use.  So we both tried one on, put the dolls in, and laughed at how little we know about what we're doing!  I haven't laughed that hard in a while, I thought I might have that moment - pregnant lady pees her pants from laughing so hard!  But I didn't, victory was mine!!  LOL.  H was so cute, seeing him with a carrier on, being all dad like - it was kind of awesome.  Then he says, "Earmuffs" - think Old School - puts his hands over the dolls ears and says, "Jen, I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing"  After an outburst of laughter, I told him I'm not all that sure either, but we're going to figure this out together!  And hey, at least today we have youtube, there are videos for everything!  Our 'first time parent' is definitely showing, haha.  It was a really nice evening, very baby centred with some good laughs - just what I needed after a bit of an emotional week.

Progress!!

Nothing makes a stressed out me feel better than getting things accomplished, being able to check things off my list.  So I am beyond thrilled to say we had a crazy productive weekend over here!  My mom came over on Friday and we painted the nursery - I love how the colour came out (which, BTW, picking paint is so much harder than it seems!).  Between the camera, the lighting in that room, which is to be changed, and the big window light, the photos do not do it justice, but take my word for it, it's looks way better IRL!  

Than once we were done painting, H vacuumed and got out the carpet cleaner to,  He then got ambitious and decided to put one of the cribs together.  I bought them without him, so he's seen pictures, but hasn't seen them in person so he was curious.  Before I knew it, he had built both cribs, I guess he was on a roll!  That made for a long day, so we took the night off to just chill out on the couch.  The following night, he built the last piece I bought, the dresser/change table.  We have more decorating and stuff to do, but this is currently what the nursery looks like:

I am so happy with all the work we both did.  Look, now there's somewhere for the babies to sleep!  I get chills walking in this room, thinking about how in just a few months, we are going to have babies, here, in this room.  Whoa.  

We also had a big weekend at our prenatal classes!  I loved it, and I am totally biased by the fact that it's my mom's best friend that runs them - they've been friends since they were like, 18, this woman has known me since I was born, and before - it was pretty special to be in her class.  The first day was really great, we talked a lot about the different stages of labour, techniques to cope.  I loved the realistic and honest talk but also putting it in perspective.  It made it seem possible, and manageable to make it through.  Focus on one contraction at a time, stay in the moment, don't think about the next one, or the next hour, just focus on your breathing and getting through this one.  Then it will be over, and you will never again have to go through that contraction again, it's done and behind you.  We learned different positions we can utilize - I have no desire to spend my entire labour on my back, that is not going to help things along.  Gravity is your friend, I want to be able to get up and move around, take a shower/bath, sit on a birthing ball, get on all fours, stand, lean, sit, squat - any of those options are more effective than lying on your back.  And if you want to lie down, lie on your side with a pillow between your legs, that's a much better position.  We talked about deep breathing and practiced it, we also talked about the importance of continuing to practice it.  I remember from my yoga days that it is hard to stay in the moment, concentrating on your breath, it's easy for your mind to wander.  But the more you practice it, the better you get at it.  I left feeling informed, but not totally overwhelmed.  Well, except thinking about pushing a second one out afterwards!

Day two was more about possible labour interventions, we talked about inductions and epidurals and c-sections.  It was very relevant for me, so it was an informative day.  My mom's friend went to lunch with H & me and we got to talk about little more about our twins-specific scenario (we are the only ones having twins in that class).  Because of the fact there are two, it's been recommended to me by a few people to get an epidural.  I may get baby boy out just fine, but if they need to manipulate baby girl to help get her into position at all, or (knock on wood, I hope not) go for a c-section, it would be good to have that already in place.  But as I said, I don't want to labour on my back the whole time, being a passive participant.  So her best advice, which is the only thing that makes sense really, is to make my wishes clear, and to ask questions.  If they recommend an epidural at some point, ask why?  Why now, what does this mean for the babies, for me?  Is it medically necessary right now?  Can I wait a while longer?  Can I get up and go for a walk?  Ask all the questions.  The biggest things I took away from this weekend are that especially with twins, but with all labours really, you just have to go with the flow, you can only plan so much, you can only anticipate so much, but you can ask questions along the way so you feel informed while making decisions.  Then we talked a little about newborns and breastfeeding and skin to skin after birth.  The natural instincts of newborns just blows my mind.  I have to be honest, the one thing that does scare me which I need to just let go of, is how to manage two.  How do I make sure I get that time with both of them, and try to BF them both as soon as possible?  Especially if we end up in a c-section, which I really don't want but of course, the health and well being of these babies comes before anything else.  I have to say, it looks challenging but doable with one, this two business is a little crazy!  But I know we'll figure it out, we'll do what works for all of us.  I just want to be the best mom I can be, to both babies.  I can't even believe we're at this point already, it still blows my mind that I am actually having babies.  In a few months, there will be babies in this house.  Holy crap.  I'm terrified, and nervous, and elated and excited and more than anything, grateful.  I love you, my little munchkins, and no rush, but I kind of can't wait to meet you <3