“Come here & let my babies sniff ya.”

From the Twin-Daddy:

Hunter-Gatherer considers his scent.

I have been told that on the big day I need to wear a button-up shirt.

The Sutter West birthing center believes in skin-to-skin contact immediately following childbirth.  At one time, hospitals would yank the baby, spank the baby, wipe him off, and stick him under some warming lights.  After lots of careful research they found out that if you take that same baby, wipe him off, make sure he can breath, and then lay him on his mother’s chest she will automatically regulate his temperature for him.  Moms will actually increase or decrease their own body temperatures to respond to the needs of the external child.  In a crazy twist of events, doing what comes naturally actually works better.

Where does that put me?  One of the things that babies do pretty well is sniff stuff.  As part of the bonding process, they want to sniff mom and anyone else they’re going to bond with.  When they sniff the same person again later and can hear their heartbeat, it makes them feel safe and soothed.

Picture my crazy life as we get two young boys fresh out of the tummy and I stop long enough to half strip so I can lay them on my chest.  It will be my Clark Kent moment as I toss aside my glasses, neck tie, and white shirt to change into SuperDad!

I suppose we will all sit there and sniff each other as a family.  I’ll have to warn the boys though, mom drools sometimes when she sleeps so it might be best to wear little rain hats.

Babies Countdown – The Double Header

We have reached 24 weeks today which puts us into the viability category.  Every day from here on out Alex and Dom enjoy better chances for a healthy and happy life.

105 days until September 2

• Monday, May 24th is an appointment with the Perinators.
• Thursday, May 27 is our next OB-GYN and 25 weeks.
• Thursday, June 3, Mary makes another appointment to test for gestational diabetes.
• Thursday, June 17 is Homefree Day. 90% of children born at 28 weeks survive and the odds only improve.
• Sometime in mid-July Mary gets fitted for her nursing bra and takes the super-sucker in for cleaning.
• Thursday, August 12 and we hit our goal of 36 weeks minimum. From here on the twins could come at any time.
• Thursday, September 2 and we reach 39 weeks.  The OB-GYN has said she doesn’t want Mary to carry beyond this date.
• Thursday, September 9 and we hit 40 weeks. This is our due date even if we know the twins will be here sooner.
• 2 weeks Post Delivery – Schedule a follow up appointment with the Lactation Lady.
• 4 Weeks Post Delivery – Look for baby smiles.
• After the Delivery – 4.5 months of the Twinsanity Interval.