The Birth of Two Precious Boys

7 months ago our lives were changed forever. Phillip and I welcomed David Stone Jefferson and Phillip Keegan Jefferson into the world. They were born on February 21st, 2010 at 12:12PM and 12:14PM. David weighed 5 lbs 6 ounces and Keegan weighed 5 lbs 4 ounces. We knew that their arrival would change life as we knew it - boy, we had no idea the impact of their births! I would like to use this blog to keep updates (if for no one else but myself) of their growth and how they are learning new things!! I have wanted to sit down and also write an account of their births while it was still somewhat fresh in my memory...7 months later, I'll still attempt it!

Thursday, February 18th, I was admitted to Women's Hospital in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Neal had sent me over after my blood pressure read 142/100. I was just 35 weeks along and the high blood pressure was a new problem since I had had very low blood pressures up until then. I had already been in and out of the hospital at least 5 times for contractions - it seems these boys were just ready to get here! After being hooked up to the monitor, we realized that I was having some pretty strong contractions. Dr. Neal wanted to try and give me medicine to stop the contractions, then monitor my blood pressure. After quite an intense discussion  (as Phillip and I were told by other doctors that I was in the "safe zone" as far as delivering the boys early) between Dr. Neal and me, it was decided that I would be given Staydol and Finigren to help knock me out. We would then just monitor the contractions and decide what to do from then on. Thursday and Friday were a blur as the medicine completely knocked me out. Friday night, Dr. Lowe decided to do a 24 hour test to check my protein levels. We would know something Saturday evening!

Saturday evening Dr. Lowe came in and gave us the news we were waiting for! My protein was elevated indicating that I was in the beginning stages of toxemia and it would be best to induce labor and take the babies. Phillip and I were able to see our precious boys via ultrasound that evening and were ecstatic that they both weighed about 6 pounds. I was moved into another room and the induction began. Sunday morning, Dr. Lowe came in and said that after looking at the ultrasound, Baby B (Keegan) had moved and a C-section was now necessary! We were so excited! Aunt Lauren went to Starbucks and bought all of the food in the store to bring to the hospital! Mimi and Poppy (Ronnie and Kim) waited with Nan, Papa (David and Cheri), Aunt Lauren, Uncle Brandin, and Aunt Lindsay.

At about 11:30, they wheeled me into the operating room. I was given a spinal block and prepped for surgery. It was amazing - I didn't feel a thing with the spinal! Thank the Lord! The spinal did not fully take effect so they tilted me upside down to get the medicine flowing. Finally, Phillip came in and David was born, followed by Keegan!

I got to hear their sweet cries and see them for just a few minutes before being moved into the recovery room for 2 hours. Our families got to watch as the nurses cleaned the boys up, fed them their first meal, and performed all kinds of tests!

The first two nights, the boys stayed in the nursery. I was very sick after the delivery and very weak so I didn't have much of a chance to hold the babies until Tuesday. Being very sick, I couldn't really sit up much until late Monday afternoon and my wonderful nurse Donna really helped to get the healing process going! She also thought it was awful that I hadn't had much time with the babies. I will always remember her kindness. The third and last night in the hospital, the boys roomed in with Phillip and me. David cried all night long and we didn't get much sleep! Finally, after some complications with me were cleared up, we took the boys home. It was snowing the day we brought them home!

Dr. Lowe is the doctor who delivered the boys and although David is named after my father, Dr. David Lowe will always think we named David after him! :o) We are thankful for Dr. Lowe's wonderful care of me and the babies!

So, that's it in a nutshell. I wish I remembered more, but the medicine they put me on was very strong. I am so glad that the boys were perfectly healthy. Neither one spent a moment in the NICU. They came home with me on Wednesday, February 24th.

Now they are 7 months old and growing! I'll be updating about the special things they are doing and will definitely be posting pictures!!