Let’s begin by say how has it been a month already? And look how small these little girls were, I feel like Madeline and Mia have grown so much since then. Built in best friends, I cannot wait to see how they interact once they get to about three months. ?
Now to my birth story, I’ve gotten so many messages asking when its going up and all I can say is my hands are so full so it took me a little bit haha and I am not going to apologize for that. I have been soaking up every minute with these girls.
Alright now for my twin birth story, we checked into the hospital where we delivered at Sunday August, 4th 2019 around 12pm. We got all checked in and they showed us our room, I met all the sweet, sweet nurses and my OB came in to talk to me and let me know what the plan was, she checked my cervix and I was still 2cm dilated from my last apt with her and my cervix was about 80% by then which was great. Plan A was getting me on a pill to basically start my labor before they started Pitocin, or worst case broke my water if nothing were to happen. I got changed, they let me eat something small before we started so Surge and I ordered mac and cheese because why not? I was living my best life. About an hour later I started feeling contractions, they were bad but felt like period cramps. I was breathing and just doing my thang trying to cracking jokes to take my mind off of it. Surge was such a trooper haha. About 4 hours went by and nothing was changing besides the fact that my blood pressure spiked through the roof and they put me on magnesium which slowed down my labor, they also put a catheter on because they did not want me getting up and using the bathroom (also hurt so bad) my OB suggested I get on Pitocin so we started that and boy did that hurt, like double the pain. I started crying and asked for an epidural because at that point I was so exhausted and in so much pain from my contractions earlier. Once the epidural kicked in I was able to rest, starving, swollen to the max. My sister Mila flew in that evening and her and Surge stayed the night with me. Nothing happened at all over night, the nurses kept checking on me and I could only have ice cubes and popsicles at this point so that’s all I had.
Monday morning came and I could smell coffee but of course couldn’t have any, I kept telling Surge and Mila, can I smell your coffee every 10-15 minutes because it honestly made me feel better lol. My nurse came and and checked me again and I was about 4cm dilated by about 3pm and things were moving slow. My epidural wore off and I didn’t even bother asking because I just felt so sick from everything. 5pm came and my OB came in the room and checked me again and I was about 6cm at that point. She saw that my water broke a tiny bit so she started the process of breaking the rest, once that’s started things were moving along, my sister and husband put their gear on and we were transferred to another room so I can start pushing these babies out. I was in so much pain, and it was too late to ask for another epidural so I just went with it. I started pushing like no ones buisness and having a minute of breaks in between for ice cubes and apple juice, at that point I was so exhausted because of no food or water and the fact that I was so swollen as you can see in the photos below. But you know the amazing part? I felt Jesus in that room every time I was ready to push I would close my eyes and pray, I prayed so hard. I also felt my sisters and husbands prayers right by me as they were cheering me on also. It was honestly such a crazy, amazing experience. I pushed for 45 minutes and sweet, sweet Madeline was born. They put her on my chest for a minute and tears just started rolling down my face, like how is this little angel mine? They took her to clean and measure her and make sure everything was great. She was born 6.2 pounds and healthy as ever. I then had to go back to pushing Mia out and she did not want to come haha. At that point I was balling, praying and being so quite because I kept telling myself no I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I can do this! 40 minutes of pushing and nothing really happening they decided to help vacua her out because I was like pleaseeeee help me haha. She came out about 20 minutes after and our sweet little Mia was born. so small and pettie born 5.5 sounds and so healthy.
I was finally like I am done, I am so exhausted and was dosing off but little did I know I had to push for another 40 minutes because the placentas were stuck, the Dr then had use his hand and get them out and thank you Jesus it was finally over. Honestly that was the worst part for me it was so painful I can’t even explain. At that point I was honestly done and fell asleep while my OB sewed me up, I had 2 degree tear which wasn’t as bad as I thought. We got back to the room after everything and I started feeling so sick and started throwing up, my BP was still super high so they kept me on Magnesium all night and I couldn’t take care of my babies or start trying to nurse them. My heart was breaking but I had to take care of myself. I had my husband, sister, my friend that came from Portland and family to help take care of my angels why I got rest and was recovering. We stayed another 2 days finally they said they would let me go home Wednesday afternoon. They kept checking on me and I was doing better and better and then the Dr came in and said I couldn’t leave the hospital until I had a blood transfusion and they started me on that. I was so ready to go home with my babies, I was so tired and just so ready to stop getting poked haha so by 7pm Wednesday I got the discharge papers and we were on our way home.
Driving home it was so gloomy and rainy and I had so many emotions like wow how did I just have two humans, I was so swollen and just bleeding all over the place and my body was in so much pain but through it all I kept saying wow Jesus made our bodies so insane that we could deliver these babies, our bodies are so strong. I didn’t feel any depression at all but I was so sleep deprived so I did cry haha. I had so much help from my husband, my mom, mother in law and sister. so much family and friends came in and out and delivered food, coffee and whatever we needed. I am so blessed and so excited for our new life and taking it day by day. Having twins is double EVERYTHING and those that have multiples will only be the ones that understand. It’s honestly so, so hard but at the end of the day I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I don’t leave my apartment unless I have an apt or I will leave the house for and hour or two for work but without the babies. We are mostly inside and taking walks on the evenings for some fresh air, we are living out best life and my mother in law has been so much help. I cannot wait to see these angles grow and thank you all for your support and prayers as we walk through this new season in life. I LOVE YOU Madeline and Mia and you two are the best things that’s ever happened to us. These sleepless nights and engorged boobs are totally worth it. 🙂
Here are some questions I got via Instagram:
How much did I gain? I gained about 60 pounds and 3 and after the girls I lost 40 pounds!
Whats the best things your husband can do to help during labor? Honestly holding my hand and just cheering me on was the best thing for me.
How did I prepare for birth? I honestly didn’t really have a plan or worry besides I wanted to have the girls vaginally (unless something changed and I was absolutely fine with that, as long as my babies were healthy.
Was pushing hard or easier for the second baby? I feel like it was equal haha
When did you find out you were pregnant with twins? 8 weeks
What did you pack in your hospital bag? I have a post here, down below you will find a link of everything I packed: https://www.modaprints.com/2019/07/twin-girls-nursery-reveal/
Did you use any postpartum belly bands? Yes, I absolutely loved this one: Belly band.
Did your twin movement slow down in the 3rd trimester? yes
Did they make you have an epidural since I was having twins? It was suggested because if anything were to happen they would have to put me to sleep and I didn’t want that.
Were you nervous and what kind of emotions did you have after and before birth? I was not nervous, I was more excited! After birth I was just kinda shocked how everything happened and just in so much pain. No one really talks about post partum but I was pretty chill because I did just give birth to two babies so what do you expect haha I was just in pain and super swollen haha.
Was there something you brought in the hospital bag that helped you a lot? Yes, the cooling pads legit we were best friends lol.
What advice would you give to a first time mom going through the labor/delivery process? Honestly don’t stress about delivery, have a plan but also have options, don’t stress yourself out because God will be with you through it all, just ask for his peace and guidance.
What was something that happened to you that you didn’t expect? Honestly the catheter and my BP spiking.
Did you create a song playlist? Yes, here it is: https://open.spotify.com/user/adcm5vm8bn69nj5v30la0aeon/playlist/5i4aYHqQvJZwZef9bYvXsl?si=JN4OTYvJR56jgQByTLMRfA
What’s your favorite things about adjusting to mom life? Honestly EVERYTHING, even the sleepless nights, I was telling Surge how the girls just look into your eyes when their crying and they depend on us and it honestly makes my heart burst into a million pieces, I love their smells and just cuddling them all day long. The newborn stage is my favorite.
Thats pretty much it for the questions, if you have any more by all means DM me on Instagram, I would be happy to answer them.
Thank you for reading!
xo, Alena Gidenko
Marina benson says
Wow beautiful story Alena. I love that you really relied on Christ. And to know that you felt the prayers is an amazing feeling I am sure. Praise our Lord for you and babies being healthy and happy.
Violetta says
What a beautiful story! Made me tear up! Life is such a gift and it’s amazing what you did – pushing two babies out! You’re incredible!
Olga says
Beautiful birth story! I am a mama of 4 and reading your birth story has brought me into tears… I am also Ukrainian, and Christian and exactly know what you felt and relied on Christ. If it wasn’t for God’s mercy, I don’t know how the births would go.
Lily says
You did an amazing job mama! I just love the pix with the girls in their mustard and striped swaddles and the head wraps. ??omg I just melt! They’re giving me serious baby fever.
Scarlet says
Made me tear up! Congratulations mama! You are a unicorn.
Jennifer H says
Aweee girl you are a rockstar.
All things through Christ, it’s what we stand for. He is the reason.
Beautiful story, beautiful babies, beautiful you!