Our Family Grows

Kendall Ann and Sydney Lanette

December 12, 2007

The day started out as any normal work day. We woke to the annoying alarm clock at 515am and proceeded to get ready for work. It was 6am when all of a sudden, I heard this quiet pop and the next thing I knew my water had broke. Chad was in the shower and I remember sitting there for a few seconds thinking, is this really happening?!?! I'm only 33 weeks, but the doctor did say that it could happen at any time. Then I say to Chad, I think my water broke. He asks me if I'm sure, and I say "I think so." I contacted Park Nicollet clinic and they instructed me to go to the hospital. We arrived at Fairview Ridges in Burnsville by 640am.

Once we arrived at the hospital, it was all kind of a blur to me. They rushed me into a room and had me change and get comfortable. By 7am, I had about 6 nurses going in and out of my room. Our doctor was on duty so he was able to do the birth. The machines showed that I was having labor signs, however I never felt one single labor pain. I had no time to even think that morning, as they were rushing around preparing me for the birth. The doctor did come in at one point and informed us that he needed to make sure that the hospital could take the girls, given they were only 33 weeks. If they couldn't, then we'd be rushed up to Children's to have them. Chad and I did not want this at all. But he came back shortly after this and said that they were fine with keeping us at this hospital.

The doctor did inform us that we would need to do a c-section as baby B was breech. So they prepared me surgery. The next thing I know they were wheeling me off to the surgery room and Chad was putting on scrubs. I still didn't have time to worry or be scared as things were moving so fast. Then I was in the surgical room, they went to put in the spinal tap...this is when it finally sunk in and I started to get nervous. Thank goodness Chad came in about this time.

As I sat there waiting for them to begin I kept thinking, wow this is it. Our world is going to change. Then I started questioning things. Will my babies be okay, will they be healthy, is this too early to have them? Chad is more interested in watching them preform the c-section. He is standing up trying to look over the sheet, where they are preforming the procedure. All of a sudden I hear a cry...the first baby is born. Kendall Ann Dobbelaere, 17 inches long, 3 pounds 9 ounces, born at 7:56am. I ask Chad, can you see her does she look okay. He assures me that she is fine and they are checking her out. Then I hear the doctor say that the second baby is born. Sydney Lanette Dobbelaere, 17 3/4 inches, 4 pounds 3 ounces, born at 7:57am. I don't hear a cry, so I ask Chad if she's okay. He says yes. Chad then gets to cut the cords and takes some photos. He tells me that they are small, but look GREAT.

They bring the girls over to me to see them quickly, then they take them up to the Special Care Nursing, Chad follows. I have to stay in the surgical room so they can sew me up...which seems to take forever. Then I go to a recovery room, where I have to stay for an hour. All I wanted to do was see my babies. Finally, the time as arrived, they are going to wheel me to see my girls. When I finally see them, my whole world comes to a stop...they are the most amazing things ever! What a beautiful miracle!!!

The girls will remain in the Special Care Nursey for a while. They need time to grow and get stronger. They have no major issues. We are just very happy to hear they are doing well!