The Twins are Here!

Baby B - Kaleb McCloud Zellmer - 12:43 pm 

Welcome to Our Wonderful World!

Jase Anderson Zellmer and 
Kaleb McCloud Zellmer

Baby A - Jase Anderson Zellmer - 12:29 pm

Happy Birthday!
September 3, 2013



BABY A  - Jase's Story

Jase Anderson Zellmer was born on 9/3/13 at 12:29 pm.  From the very moment we had entered the hospital the week before, the ultrasound showed that he was breech and entering my birth canal.  The doctor's told Brennon and I that he would not be able to switch the head down position for birth.  Because I was not 24 weeks yet, I was told that the doctors would not do a C-Section. They did tell me that when Jase was born, due to his size  - my body may not have dilated fully therefore, breech, his head would be stuck in the cervix and he would suffocate.  I continued to be told that this was the likely outcome.  On the day of birth, the doctor came in to my room around 10 am.  I knew that I was again beginning labor.  He asked me why we weren't doing a c-section for me and I responded that no one had given me that option as I was not yet 24 weeks.  He asked me about my NICU plan and I told him that although, I did not want my baby to suffer, I did want them to try and do what was possible for him to be intubated.  The first step would for them to have beating hearts.  The second step to overcome would be for them to be able to get the tiny breathing tube past his vocal cords and to his lungs and the third step would be for his lungs to be mature enough to support the vital organs.  The doctor told us that if NICU believed that there was a chance for viability he would be in support of the c-section. I told him I wanted to talk to NICU, have another ultrasound and then Brennon and I would make further decisions.  We met with the NICU doctor first, who although said that there was a slim chance babies would make it they would do everything possible at the parents request at 23 weeks.  There I had my answer.  Next for the ultrasound.  The tech was busy taking pictures of our babies.  Baby B now head down.  She checked on Jase.  Jase who was breech.   I heard her say - Baby A presenting vertex.  PRESENTING VERTEX - did I hear her say that correctly?  That is baby presenting head down.  The doctor looked at the tech and said are you talking about baby A?  The answer was no, Jase was no longer breech in my cervix.  The medically impossible had happened.  I remember crying and squeezing Brennon's hand thanking God once again for his miracle.    I wish you could have seen the relief as everyone gasped and the look on the doctor's face when the announcement was made.  The perinotologist and OB talked about the plan when the perinotologist asked at 12:15p,  "What are we doing here?  This girl is in labor!" I was rushed to OR where I took one glance around the room in anxious preparation.  The entire time praying that God has brought me to this point, that no matter what happened, he would bring me through.  I was praying that I would be able to deliver my boys with no complications.  The room seemed packed.  Not only was their my team of doctors and nurses and anesthesiologist, but also a team for each baby.  I remember preparing to push and I remember pushing.  I remember the sound of Jase being born but no cry.  I saw the hand off and we waited.  I remember the minutes seemed like hours, as I wondered if they were able to intubate Jase.  Our plan was deliver Jase and to cut the cord and wait, attempting to keep Kaleb in the womb - hours or even days, allowing him to grow more.

BABY B  - Kaleb's Story
This is where Kaleb's story of birth begins.  A few minutes after Jase was born, I heard the words, "Baby B's heartbeat is dropping.  We have to deliver the baby." My heart dropped and I began to pray for Kaleb.  The baby that I already loved so much.  I remember looking up at Brennon and seeing the  my fear mirrored in his eyes.  I remember praying out loud and asking God, "Why is this happening to us God?"  The doctor broke my water and I prepared to push.  As we began the process, I picked up bits and pieces of the the doctor's talking.  "He is coming out sideways.  I am going to have to push him back in."  I felt the OB try to turn the baby and then I began to push.  Where I was told to stop and the doctor attempted to turn Kaleb for the second time.  I remember the pain being pretty intense when trying to turn Kaleb.  After attempting to turn Kaleb a third time, it was decided that a emergency c-section was needed.  I remember the doctor yelling to get Brennon out of the OR.  I remember the doctor yelling, "Put her out now."  I remember the mask being put over my face and myself turning to the nurse on my right, and promptly saying, "I think the IV in my vein just blew."  While I was asleep, Kaleb was born via c-section at 12:43 pm on September 3, 2013.

I remember waking up in recovery.  I remember looking around the room wondering where I was.  I asked for a drink of water and I saw a familiar face.  It was the same nurse that I had had in recovery when I had my cerclage placed.  I remember looking at her - to afraid to ask about my babies, and scared to death of the answer that she would give me.  I knew it would be okay when I saw her smile.  She wouldn't be smiling if I was waking up to bad news.  I heard the words I was waiting for, "Congratulations, your babies are in the NICU."  Not baby but babies… both of my children had been intubated, they had beating hearts, and by the grace of God - My babies were alive.  I was taken upstairs, where I saw a very tired Brennon with a very happy look on his face. After 8 days of hospital bed rest,  I was able to take a shower and brush my hair.  The most exciting part of the day… I was able to go and see my boys.

I can't begin to tell you the emotions that I felt when I saw my tiny babies, hooked to a ventilator, eyes still closed and hooked to machines.  I remember thanking God for these tiny miracles and that for once I was able to look at my babies alive and breathing.  Kaleb so bruised from his entrance into this world.  Both babies so small but so perfect. Jase weighed 1 lb 2.7 oz and Kaleb weighed 1 lb 3.6 oz - I can't help but stare.  My babies are beautiful.  Brennon and I looked at each other - Our lives will never be the same again.  This is just another step in our journey….

OUR STORY IS TO BE CONTINUED!