Two Years Ago Today
Two years ago today, I prepped for my first cesarean section. I was happy but nervous. As I sat connected to monitors while they prepped me, the nurse told me I was in labor already, contractions coming regularly about 5 minutes apart. I was surprised since I didn’t feel anything…but the monitors don’t lie…I don’t think.
My family sat in the waiting room. So did the babies’ family.
Everyone waiting for the team of doctors to ready the operating room.
Three bassinets.
Three teams of neo-natal nurses.
Three teams of neo-natal doctors.
A team of who knows what for me.
Everyone waiting the arrival of three very anticipated and loved little babies.
I did not like the spinal. I felt like I could not breath. I felt like I was being crushed by my own weight. Thankfully Bob was there to remind me to breath. I concentrated on taking my breaths in and out, never realizing that the surgery had begun. I heard a splash and my doctor joking about wet shoes.
When we started, the anesthesiologist had offered to take pictures as the babies were delivered. He snapped a couple as Baby A was delivered. She weighed 5 pounds 6 ounces. Baby B was pulled from my womb and the doctor told me that the camera had died. I was mortified and upset! Apparently, the batteries had died. Unfortunately, there were no pictures of Baby B, a boy, weighing in at 5 pounds 7 ounces and Baby C, another girl, weighing 5 pounds 8 ounces as they came into the world.
I was peaceful after the delivery. I dozed while the doctors sewed me back up. It wasn’t until much later that I heard of the drama after their birth. I guess the parents were upset and confused and scared. They believed that the babies would not have to go to the NICU because an amniocenteses showed that their 34 weeks and 4 days lungs were ready to breath.
They still needed a little help.
The triplets were taken to the NICU mostly for observation. They had to very briefly put a breathing tube into baby boy, but it came out after just a few hours. All three then just had regular oxygen. They did however, have some trouble sucking and spent 8 days in the step-down nursery learning how to eat.
Only 8 days in the nursery.
Pretty amazing for triplets!
Since their birth and return to their European home, I have been lucky. I get regular updates from their mom. She sends me pictures and videos. She told me the other day that the babies see pictures of me and can say “RaRa” and “RheaRhea.” That melted my heart! I know of several surrogates that have no contact with the children they deliver after birth. That is so sad to me. I have no desire to see the babies, hold the babies or love the babies. They belong to their parents. It’s hard to even imagine that they grew inside of me. But they will always hold a little piece of my heart as I was their sole provider for (nearly) nine months. But they are where they belong. At home.
Happy Birthday sweet babies!! I hope you enjoyed your turkey dinner that I know your mommy made for you to honor our time together. I know you have had a wonderful 2 years of learning and growing. I only hope that you behave for your parents since I know how trying 2 year olds can be!
The day the babies went home…Christmas Eve 2007
I think you are basically superwoman. That’s an amazing size for triplets at 34 weeks as well. They are absolutely beautiful and that’s so neat that you get frequent pictures and updates!
What an amazing story! Happy birthday to the triplets!
Aw that’s a sweet and amazing thing you did. I have always wanted to do this but I don’t know if my heart is strong enough to seperate the situation. Happy birthday to what I’m sure are 3 beautiful and smart
babiesbig kids!What a touching story, and a great couple of pictures too. Happy Birthday, little ones!
Awe what a sweet post! Happy 2nd birthday, Babies!
What a wonderful gift you gave to them and their family!
So sweet and wonderful of you to have done that for a couple! Happy birthday beautiful babies!!!!
Why do I have tears in my eyes right now? I’m not sad for you, because you are such a positive and strong woman and gave such a gift to this family selflessly. I think I’m tearing up because there are people on this planet who have that much love for another human being they have never met, to give them such a blessing.
Happy birthday to the triplets (my daughter just turned 2 last week as well so maybe that’s part of the emotional reaction).
You rock. Seriously.
Wow, even after reading your blog for a few months now and learning about you being a surrogate, you still amaze me and I am in awe of you – especially after reading the blog about the triplets birth and their birthday! I’ve had 2 C-sections and I know the feeling you’re talking about when you get the spinal. The same thing happened to me when I had my first one. As soon as I was laid back and numb from chest down, I immediately felt like I couldn’t breath either. I started to panic. It was like my nose immediately got clogged and I wanted nose spray soooo badly so I could breath again! And then my mouth got so dry because I had to breath out of my mouth and that panicked me even more! So they gave me ice chips to suck on – but it took the joy out of the birth because I was panicked the whole time that I was going to stop breathing! I just got chills remembering that and it’s been 12years!! Anyways, you are such an inspiration to women everywhere and I just basically wanted you to know YOU ROCK!! P.S. – I also think it’s so sweet that you and the surrogate family keep in touch and that you get to see the triplets grow up.
wow…what a amazing lady you are for sure..three babies! Happy birthday little ones!!!!
I so wish my sister would let me be a surrogate for her..I keep asking but won’t accept. I believe you can separate it like you have said, when your heart is in the right place for them. I think it is so wonderful of you to complete their family that way.
I just keep hoping my sister will get a sweet baby to adopt someday. Its been 4 years of trying to adopt, still no baby
someday. it will come.
Rhea I did not know this.You are an inspiration to mothers everywhere!
Kas
You are my hero
I don’t know how you did it but you are amazing!
they are beautiful!
Happy birthday babies