Twins!

Oliver and Abigail have arrived!

Oliver Matthew Whitmer: 5lb 6oz

Abigail Whitmer: 4lb 1oz

Due to the onset of preeclampsia Erins OB decided to induce her. Erin was not thrilled about the idea of having pitocin - but that was still better than going straight to a c-section.

Here is the timeline of events (July 1 2010):

• 5:30pm : Pitocin started
• 5:30pm - 9:30pm : Erin had some very minor non-painful contractions.
• 9:30pm : Erins OB broke the water of Baby A (Oliver)
• 9:30pm - 10:40pm : Erin had some painful contractions.
• 10:40pm : Erins nurse checked her and we started the 'rush' over to the operating room.
• 10:47pm : One push and Oliver is born
• 10:51pm : Abigail is pulled out by her feet

Erin chose not to have an epidural and did an amazing job. I'm very proud of her. I can't image it very common to hear "that was easy" from a mother immediately after giving birth to twins.

Erin and Oliver are now home. The hospital insists on keeping Abigail a bit longer because of her size. They had said originally that she could come home Sunday which somehow became Tuesday (hopefully). They have no reason for keeping her beyond her size, which they believe requires observation. Nothing has been observably wrong with her. So the waiting and logistics of the situation have been very difficult.

Health wise Abigail is literally doing amazing for her size. She never once had a low temperature reading, blood sugar reading, or anything else. The test which they use to indicate jaundice showed her levels to be essentially zero. Everyone seemed very surprised that a baby her size can be as healthy as she is.

Oliver is also very healthy. His temperature did drop after they gave him a bath, and his blood sugar levels were not quite as good as those of Abigail. His jaundice indicators were still very low (again not as low as Abigail). He was discharged on Saturday along with Erin. The hospital wasn't as concerned with him because his weight is more normal than Abigail's. He is doing wonderful here at home.