Pippanella Roberts is the most amazing mother and my absolute heroine after she laboured for 25 hours beginning lunchtime in the 6th after being induced the evening before. Never I have I seen such bravery, strength, courage and perseverance as she gave birth with no pain relief whatsoever. She laboured from 12:30 lunchtime and looked likely to give birth at around 11pm but her contractions slowed. She then laboured again until 7 AM when it became clear that without some assistance the labour was stalled due to the incorrect positioning of Henry's head leading to decreased strength of contractions. She was administered a drip to re-start contractions and gave birth at the times above.
Our greatest thanks must go to our Albany midwives Becky and Nicky without whom the pregnancy would not have proceeded as it did IE with no unsolicited medical intervention. Apparently there was quite a crowd of infuriated doctors outside our door smarting at our firm instructions to STAY OUT. Pip gave birth with dignity and confidence and I will forever be in awe of her.
The boys get to know the proud father
We were due to leave hospital the next evening when a blood result detained Pippa. We settled into our room and began to get to know the boys and the joys (!!!! - TWO screaming babies) of parenthood.
On the morning of Saturday 9th of Feb at 5AM Pippa awoke me concerned with Hector's breathing. I carried my limp looking baby out to the nurses as he collapsed or had a seizure in my hands. A crash call was made and he was rushed to the high dependency unit. The doctors worked with awesome calm and speed and stablised Hector quickly, it is certain that if we had not been in hospital Hecor would have died.
We are still in hospital and that is why we have not contacted anyone for the last week, some of you already know this, to others this is news. Since being admitted to the high dependency unit Hector (who was briefly named Earl) is making positive steps to recovery but as yet we have no definitive answer as to what happened. Infection is the working diagnosis and he is being treated with anti-biotics fed on a drip.
Pippa at Hector's incubator
Pippa and Henry
Serious Henry,
Henry has helped us through these difficult days as we all urge Hector to get well soon.
It seems Hector will be in hospital for at least another week while his infection and other symptoms are treated. Pip and I have a private room in the hospital and Pip's mum Diana is ferrying us real food and clothes. I am writing this blog from our kitchen as I have escaped the hospital for a couple of hours to get news and pictures to the outside world!
Hector off the ventilator.
Henry
We would appreciate you not swamping us with get well wishes by text as its often upsetting to read but please feel free to add comments to the blog here and rest assured we will be in contact as soon as we are on our feet, hopefully by the end of the week. I'd like to say thank you for all your support and look forward to you meeting my two absolutely beautiful sons.
Neil.
16 comments:
Neil,
Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures and the excellent writing. Both the boys look beautiful though I am not sure you should be the one breast feeding them. Hope that you all get to go home and start bringing them up with such fictional facts as indigo is a type of toast and Velociraptors are bred in Korea as pets.
Wow!! Bestest best wishes to Hector. Great to see the photos of you all!
Lots of love from Pete x
well done pip and neil. they are beautiful. look forward to seeing you when you're ready. we will be thinking of the four of you and sending good vibrations. g+t+m xxx
Firstly, I would like to say well done Pippa on a fantastic job! I only heard today about the news via the Keenstar so please excuse my text =] Secondly, I would like to reiterate starshun's concerns about you breastfeeding your sons.
Secondly, I would like to wish Hector a speedy recovery, and hope you and Pippa are soon home and coping with all the joys that are to come!
CONGRATULATIONS - YOU DID IT!!
As a fellow twin mum, i know how tripped out the first few weeks are! All will calm down i promise. Babies are so much stronger than they look and hector will be giving his brother a right hook before you know it. Love to you 4 from us 4 xxxxb
What a story. I'm so proud of you Pippa. And Neil too. I hope the dust settles soon and I can't wait to meet the boys in March. All our love, Liv, David, Alfie and William.
(ps Willie's middle name is also Henry which means "he who arises shouting before dawn". Apparently you weren't aware of this either. Can I recommend for Hector's middle name, Bjorn, which I believe means "he who learns to tie his shoelaces without too much trouble")
"who's bees the twins".... what a wonderful set of photos and heart warming story to read late last night. Not texting instantly was hard but Lis and myself were thinking of little Hector and his brother Henry and know they will be united soon. What a proud mum and dad you both must be... wonderful day... wonderful parents xxxxxxxx
mills & lis
Hope you guys get home soon, hospitals are hids.
The boys look fantastic, actual-babies.com.
We're all rooting for the Mighty Hector to overcome his early scare and stop frightening his brand new and shell shocked parents.
Well done both of you.
Neil, keep breast feeding the boys, it's fine.
The days of the old style dad are over.
wowser, those kids are pretty! all our love to ma & pa and henry and hector, hope you're back home soon and the heating works and we can come round and bake you healthiness...love peter & the dine & monty
Hey guys, spoke to Tony, glad all seems to be settling down now.
He didn't take long to put the wind up you did he! Maybe he heard you were trying to call him Earl.
Lots and lots of love to you all from all of us. sianlucnlumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Llongyfarchiadau/Congratulations!
The boys are gorjys and Pip looks fab too. I am busy cooking them a friend to play with ... Hope to see you all soon. Cx and Gruff sends all his best from the US!
Am so happy to hear that Hector is on the mend. The twins are beautiful. Am I right in saying that Henry takes after his father and Hector looks like you, Pip? It would appear so from the photos. Anyway, the little guys are dead lucky to have such fine parents. By the way that blog of yours nearly made me cry. I've never heard more adoring words from a man! xClauds (Peter and Monty send their love too)
Neil! That's wonderful. Love and Best wishes to you and the new family unit; hope you find yourselves snuggled up at home soon.
x Neil
Oh my goodness - what a week. So glad for the news and so happy that Hector is on the mend. Alex and I are sending you lots of love and cuddles. Brilliant names and what a good looking family you are. Can't wait to see you all.
Lots of love Hxxx
Congratulations to the four of you! Pippanella and Neil both you the boys look truly beautiful and content. We are all relieved to hear that Hector is making progress and can't wait to see the four of you at home. If you need any food smuggled in just holler. In the meantime lots of love, luck and kisses Franziska and Tim and a special hug and slobber kiss from Oskar to his two new partners in crime XXX
Hi guys, they are the two cutest little things I have ever seen with the two coolest names. Hope you get back at home soon. Am starting to think about lovely things to cook for you when it's our turn to spoil you :) you deserve it :) lots of love. Sinx + Debs
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