35 weeks

Second post today, so don't miss the post below.

Far Along: 35 weeks  with twins!

How big are the babies: Baby girl was 5 pounds 6 ounces and baby boy was 5 pounds 3 ounces on Tuesday. http://www.babycenter.com/average-fetal-length-weight-chart

Maternity Clothes: Yes - Pretty much dresses are the only comfy thing on this belly.

Weight Gain: 25 pounds.

Belly: Huge

Stretch Marks: Most definitely.

Sleep: I wake up every 1 1/2-2 hours to pee. I drive Shawn crazy getting up all of the time, but I wake up having Braxton Hicks because I need to pee.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing the babies are still perfectly healthy on ultrasound yesterday.

Movement: All of the time. Makes me smile a lot!

Symptoms: Sore boobs. Taking off my bra makes me cry. Acne on my neck, chest, etc. Hair growth on my belly. Major heartburn. Braxton Hicks..

Food Cravings: Tacos and Mexican food. I can't eat enough taco salads.  I had a burrito from Taco Bell Monday and I had a taco salad while in the hospital.  It wasn't too bad for hospital food.  I can eat more Mexican food now.

Genders: A boy and a Girl!

What I Miss: Not worrying about what I eat (deli, etc). Sleeping through the night. Not waddling. Having energy. Being able to walk through a store. Painting my toenails without leaving unpainted strips on the sides.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Meeting the babies. I don't want it to be too soon, but I can't wait. Soon!

Weekly Wisdom: Naps are great!

Milestones: Babies are over 5 pounds each now.  I now have mild preeclampsia.

Emotions: Major crying now.  I don't need a reason to cry.  I've probably cried AT LEAST 5 times today for no reason.

~Sam

Update

Remember I was having blood pressure issues and it was high at my NST on Friday?  I woke up Monday and my blood pressure was 161/98.  I called the Dr. and they made me come in to check for protein in my urine.  Unfortunately, the test strip they dip in says positive or negative, and mine said positive.  I had to be admitted and spent the night in the hospital so they could monitor my blood pressure and do a 24 hour urine test.  They needed to know just how much protein I'm spilling in my urine to determine if I have preeclampsia.  Let me tell you.  It's great fun peeing in a "seat hat".  Good times...  Not!

When I was admitted into the hospital Monday I said I was 34 weeks 4 days pregnant.  I asked if I would have to be transferred to Lafayette if the preeclampsia were bad to deliver.  I was told that I was close enough to 35 weeks that they would keep me.  I was immediately hooked up for an NST to make sure the babies were not under stress from my BP.  They were just fine.

Tuesday morning the Dr. came and visited me and said I would likely spend another night in the hospital because my blood pressure was very inconsistent.  The Dr. wants to play it extra safe because I am having twins.  At midnight it was 124/81.  At 4am it was 143/88.  At 6am it was 147/95.  It kept going up, but by 4pm, it started going back down.  It goes up in the morning and down in the evenings.  You would think it would be opposite.  Sleeping and resting should make it be lower.  Apparently, your blood pressure can fluctuate a lot in the early stages of preeclampsia.

The Dr. also told me that I'd be getting another NST and an ultrasound that morning.  I called Shawn to let him know and he came up to the hospital as soon as the kids were on the bus.  He wasn't there long when I was taken for the ultrasound.  With high blood pressure your fluid levels around the baby can lower and you can also have reduced blood flow to and from the baby.  The ultrasound tech did a very thorough check.  Their brains are fine, all 4 chambers of their hearts are fine, blood flow is fine, fluid level is fine.  It was a great ultrasound.  My blood pressure hasn't stayed up long enough to affect the babies.  Baby girl has moved, yet again.  Baby boy is still head down ready to go.  It was difficult getting measurements of his head because it is so far down in my pelvis.  She also had a lot of trouble getting an image of my cervix since he has it covered.  She did not do a trans-vaginal ultrasound, so I don't know how long it is now.  The ultrasound tech also had difficulties measuring both babies femurs to help determine their weight.  They are very cramped in there now.  They are all balled up in the fetal position.  She said baby boy is around 5 pounds 3 ounces and baby girl is around 5 pounds 6 ounces, but they could be off a little since they are so cramped now.  I have over 10 1/2 pounds of baby I am carrying around now!  Baby boy is head in my pelvis and laying to my right,  I don't think I realized just how big he is until the ultrasound.  He is in the fetal position, but still is up to my ribs.  Baby girl is now head down on the left.  For a while she was on the right.  She was transverse a lot.  Her head is beside her brother's shoulder.  She goes up to my ribs and curves around to the right towards her brother.  Both babies were still facing my spine, so no face shots.  We haven't seen their faces since 24 weeks.  :(  Facing my spine is a good thing though.  That's the way they need to be when they come out.  Now that she is head down, she should move in to position when baby boy comes out.  That's good to know.  Now she had better stay that way!

They also drew blood 3 times to check my kidney and liver function.  Those came back normal.  My 24 hour urine showed that I have a small amount of protein and ketones, which means I have mild preeclampsia.  I did not want to stay another night just for bp, so I begged the Dr. to come home.  I promised to check my BP every 4 hours and stay on strict bed rest.  I'm already on bed rest for my shortened cervix.  I was afraid they were going to try and keep me until I deliver with my blood pressure being so inconstant.  They let me go at 9pm last night.  At 8:45 I told Shawn he should take the kids home and get them to bed.  I didn't think they were going to let me go.  He said he didn't want to leave and have to turn around and come back.  I'm glad he waited!  As soon as they said I could go, the kids started packing up my stuff.  They missed me and wanted me home.

Sleeping in your own bed is so much better than sleeping in a hospital.  I hardly slept Monday night.  Last night I was out in no time.  I wake up at least every 2 hours to be.  I woke up at 12:30 last night and didn't wake up again until 4am.  I was having the worst contraction from holding it.  I had to go so bed I was afraid to roll over and out of bed.  I made it, but wow was that painful.  I was so tired I slept through it.

I love being pregnant and I love feeling these babies move, but I'm starting to stress out.  I can't wait for the babies to be here and this stage of pregnancy be over.  Preeclampsia can stay mild, it can gradually get worse, or it can rapidly get worse.  There is no reason why this happens.  The only
cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby/ies. Having multiples as well as a first pregnancy (technically my second, but first in the 3rd trimester) increases your risk of developing it.  I pray it stays very mild and the babies can stay in a little longer.  5 hours until midnight and I will officially be 35 weeks pregnant.

For the past 2 days, I've been a basket case.  All I feel like doing is sleeping and crying over everything. I mean, who cries at the beginning of Star Trek where Kirk's dad sacrifices himself to save him and his mom while she's in labor? Oh! That would be me.  I can sit here and cry for no reason.  I've had emotional moments this pregnancy, but not like this.  I wonder why I'm so emotional now.  Because we're getting close to these babies being here???

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!  Please continue to send them.  Now I'm on the couch with Zac and Abby while Shawn is driving home from work.   I love my family!!!  I will update later with my weekly picture.

~Sam

34 Weeks 2 Days

I had another NST (non stress test) yesterday.  I get them every Tuesday and Friday.  They are really boring.  Supposedly, they can take as little as 20 minutes.  Mine have never lasted under an hour.  All they do is wrap bands with heart monitors around my belly on each baby.  Then they put a third band around me at the top of my belly to measure contractions.  I usually have 3-5 contractions while I'm there.  I push a button every time the babies move.  They need to move so many times in an hour along with their heart-rates going up and down during those movements so they know the babies are not under stress.  Both babies have been fine every time we go.  It's getting harder and harder for baby boy to move.  He's head down and engaged, therefore there's not as much room in my pelvis for him to move.  Baby girl is transverse up high, so she has more room to move.

On Tuesday my blood pressure was something like 132/80 at my NST.  Yesterday when I got there it was 154/80-something.  By the time I left after an hour and a half of laying my top number was down to 138.  I've been tracking it and its been up and down.  I called L&D (labor and delivery) yesterday afternoon and asked them if my blood pressure got to a certain high, should I call or come in.  They said if my blood pressure got above 160, to call.  They may have me come in for another NST.  I worry I may be getting preeclampsia.  I have no other symptoms.  I'm not swelling and I don't have a headache, so maybe its just PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension).   We will find out Tuesday at my appointment if I have protein in my urine.  If I do, then it is preeclampsia.  Let's hope not.  The best thing I can do is stay on bed rest and keep checking my BP.

I called one of my cousins last night and she made me feel a lot better about it.  She developed preeclampsia at 30 weeks with both of her babies.  She was put on bed rest and the earliest she had a baby was 36 weeks 0 days.  She said bed rest is very important.  I'm already on bed reset and taking it seriously since my cervix has shortened early.

I know I need to make it to 35 weeks in order to have my babies in Logansport.  I'm 5 days away from that.  I hope to make it to 36 weeks at least.  We will see.  Send prayers and wish us luck!

The good news is the babies are developed enough that they wouldn't need the betamethasone steroid shots for lung development any more.  According to: http://www.webmd.com/baby/antenatal-corticosteroids-for-fetal-lung-development  "Many infants born at 33 to 34 weeks' gestation have sufficient lung maturity to breathe on their own. But considering the low-risk, high-benefit nature of this treatment, corticosteroids are typically used up to 34 weeks of pregnancy."

If the babies are gaining 1/2 a pound a week, baby boy should be around 4 pounds 15 ounces and baby girl should be around 5 pounds 9 ounces today.  Baby girl was gaining weight faster than baby boy, so she may be a little more and he may be a little less.  Unless, he hit the growth spurt that she hit, then who knows.  The ultrasound tech is predicting a pound difference by the time they are born.  

I also get tested for Strep B on Tuesday and checked for dilation.  Any predictions?  I've been on bed rest a week and a half and I've been having less contractions.  I have been, however, seeing tiny bits of my mucus plug off and on again the past 3 days.  I'm going to guess I'm only 1cm dilated.  Then again, I've never had a baby, so I don't know what to expect.  I'm no expert in this area.

Zac and Abby are doing great!  They are doing wonderful in school.  I'm so proud of them.  They make me a proud mama!  Right now they are sweeping the tile floors.  They know I can't get up, so they are extremely helpful.  When I do get up, they tell me to lay down.  They are so sweet!  They take care of me.  I feel so lucky to have them and Shawn.  My mom has also been a great help.  She has been coming over on the days Shawn works and putting supper in the crock pot for us.  She also took me to my NST's this week while Shawn was at work.  They are boring, but she kept me company.  She helps me run my errands.  I had to go to CVS after my NST yesterday to get thyroid medication.  Yesterday's crock pot meal was delicious.  She made vegetable soup with vegetables from her garden.  Fresh corn, carrots, potatoes, onions, etc.  I can't wait for leftovers!

I'm lucky to have so many people taking care of me.  I didn't realize how difficult a twin pregnancy can be until I started experiencing it.  Some women are lucky and have no issues.  Then there are some of us who have to take it easy to keep the babies in a little longer.

Take Care!

~Sam

Week 34

Far Along: 34 weeks (8 1/2 Months) with twins!

How big are the babies: Baby girl was 4 pounds 13 ounces and baby boy was 4 pounds 3 ounces a week and 2 days ago, so more than that.http://www.babycenter.com/average-fetal-length-weight-chart  I imagine baby girl is around 5 pounds 7 ounces and baby boy is around 4 pounds 12 ounces.

Maternity Clothes: Yes - Pretty much dresses are the only comfy thing on this belly.

Weight Gain: 23-25 pounds. I'm retaining water. My feet and ankles swell horribly by bedtime. I have no ankles. :-( Each baby should gain around 1/2 a pound a week now until they are born. That's 1 pound of baby a week! Being on bed rest is helping the swelling.

Belly: Huge

Stretch Marks: Most definitely.

Sleep: I wake up every 1 1/2-2 hours to pee. I drive Shawn crazy getting up all of the time, but I wake up having Braxton Hicks because I need to pee.

Best Moment of the Week: The nursery is complete!

Movement: All of the time. They both had the hiccups at the same time earlier. They've never done that before. Keep practice breathing babies.

Symptoms: Sore boobs. Taking off my bra makes me cry. Acne on my neck, chest, etc. Hair growth on my belly. Major heartburn. Better not forget the gas. Shawn likes to poke fun at how gassy I am. I still love you Shawn! Got to love hormones! I can't change positions without getting a Braxton Hicks contraction. I sit up, I get one. I sit down, I get one. I roll over, I get one. The babies move too much, I get one. It's crazy! I average 4 an hour, which is why the Dr. wants me to lay on a side all day. I'm guilty of not doing this every day. There's too much to do to lay around all day. They used to last 30 seconds to 1 minute. My belly now tightens for 1-2 minutes each time.

Food Cravings: Tacos and Mexican food. I can't eat enough taco salads.

Genders: A boy and a Girl!

What I Miss: Not worrying about what I eat (deli, etc). Sleeping through the night. Not waddling. Having energy. Being able to walk through a store. Painting my toenails without leaving unpainted strips on the sides.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Meeting the babies. I don't want it to be too soon, but I can't wait.  Soon!

Weekly Wisdom: Naps are great!

Milestones: Babies are over and almost 5 pounds each now.

Emotions: Still crying over everything. I also like to hug and squeeze Shawn and the kids for no reason. I keep telling the babies that mommy, daddy, and big brother and sister love them so much and can't wait to meet them! I also tell them that although we can't wait to meet them, they had better stay put for at least 3-4 more weeks. I'm still sappy.

~Sam

Maternity pictures

~Sam

Movement

Here are a couple of clips of the babies moving.  I took these clips on the 8th.  I posted them on Facebook, but forgot to add them here.  Watching my belly move like this is so fascinating to me.  I am going to miss this part once the babies are here.  I can't believe I'm 33 weeks and almost 3 days pregnant. (45 minutes until midnight)  Bed rest hasn't been so bad.  I get bored, but I've been getting a lot of sleep.  Hence, why I'm awake now.  I woke up today when Fed Ex showed up.  I was drooling on the couch.  I didn't drool like this until I got pregnant.  I hope that goes away eventually.  Shawn, Zac, and Abby are doing great.  The kids went camping and fishing last night with my parents.  They had fun.  They went a few weeks ago before school started.  They plan on camping and fishing again over Labor Day.  I'll stay home and sleep.  The nursery is coming right along.  I should post pics of it.  The walls are bare, but I think I want to put pics up of all of us and pics of the babies once they get here.  I've been thinking about some nursery decals.  We'll see.  I hope you have a great night!

Sam

Week 33

Far Along: 33 weeks (8 Months) with twins!

How big are the babies: Baby girl was 4 pounds 13 ounces and baby boy was 4 pounds 3 ounces 2 days ago, so more than that. http://www.babycenter.com/average-fetal-length-weight-chart 

Maternity Clothes: Yes - Pretty much dresses are the only comfy thing on this belly.

Weight Gain: 23-25 pounds. I'm retaining water. My feet and ankles swell horribly by bedtime. I have no ankles. :-( Each baby should gain around 1/2 a pound a week now until they are born. That's 1 pound of baby a week!  Being on bed rest is helping the swelling.

Belly: Huge

Stretch Marks: Most definitely.

Sleep: I wake up every 1 1/2-2 hours to pee. I drive Shawn crazy getting up all of the time, but I wake up having Braxton Hicks because I need to pee.

Best Moment of the Week: We got to see the babies on ultrasound this week.  :)  The nursery was finished today!  We get to fill it now.

Movement: All of the time. They both had the hiccups at the same time earlier.  They've never done that before.  Keep practice breathing babies.

Symptoms: EXTREMELY Sore boobs. Taking off my bra makes me cry. Acne on my neck, chest, etc. Hair growth on my belly. Major heartburn. Better not forget the gas. Shawn likes to poke fun at how gassy I am. I still love you Shawn! Got to love hormones! I can't change positions without getting a Braxton Hicks contraction. I sit up, I get one. I sit down, I get one. I roll over, I get one. The babies move too much, I get one. It's crazy! I average 4 an hour, which is why the Dr. wants me to lay on a side all day. I'm guilty of not doing this every day. There's too much to do to lay around all day. They used to last 30 seconds to 1 minute. My belly now tightens for 1-2 minutes each time.

Food Cravings: Tacos and Mexican food. I can't eat enough taco salads.

Genders: A boy and a Girl!

What I Miss: Not worrying about what I eat (deli, etc). Sleeping through the night. Not waddling. Having energy. Being able to walk through a store. Painting my toenails without leaving unpainted strips on the sides.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Meeting the babies.  I don't want it to be too soon, but I can't wait.  And getting the nursery finished.

Weekly Wisdom: Naps are great!

Milestones: Babies are over 4 pounds each now. Baby girl likes to lay transverse at my ribs. She likes to stick her butt up in the fetal position and push. She likes to make my belly lopsided a lot too.

Emotions: Still crying over everything. I also like to hug and squeeze Shawn and the kids for no reason. I keep telling the babies that mommy, daddy, and big brother and sister love them so much and can't wait to meet them! I also tell them that although we can't wait to meet them, they had better stay put for at least 3-4 more weeks. I'm still sappy.

~Sam

Ultrasound

I had another ultrasound today. Baby boy is measuring 4 pounds 3 ounces (23rd percentile). Baby girl is measuring 4 pounds 13 ounces (above 50th percentile). I'm carrying around 9 pounds of baby. I was also put on bed rest today. My cervix went from 36mm (3.6cm) to 22mm (2.2cm) in 4 weeks. Which explains why I lost a little of my mucus plug on Saturday. That means if I don't lay around, I have a 25% chance of the babies coming in the next 2 weeks. I will be 33 weeks on Thursday (2 days). My Dr. said I'm probably 1cm dilated, but didn't want to check because he didn't want to stir anything up. I get my Strep B test next time I go in 2 weeks and will check how far I'm dilated then. He doesn't want to wait any later than that. He said he doesn't see me making it to 38 weeks. Dr. wants to see me weekly after my appointment in 2 weeks. I had my first NST (non stress test). I have them every Tuesday and Friday now. Holy cow! The babies are going to be here before we know it. Baby boy is still head down pushing on my cervix making my pelvic area hurt. Baby girl is transverse up in my ribs. Now I know why I complain to Shawn daily about pelvic pressure and pain...  Too bad the bigger baby is going to come out second.  Assuming she flips correctly once brother comes out and I don't end up needed a c-section for her...

~Sam

Bragging

I just want to post about how amazing my husband is and how lucky I am.  He is such an amazing dad and husband!  Zac had an appointment yesterday at 9 am in Indy with his endocrinologist (growth doctor).  Shawn and the kids got up at 6.  Shawn quietly got ready then closed the bedroom door so I didn't hear him and the kids.  He wants me to get all the rest I can.  Isn't that just awesome?  I woke up at 7 and they left shortly after.  I wound up taking a nap from 10-11 since I had nothing better to do, lol.

After Zac's appointment, they needed to stop at Walmart and get some things.  While there, Shawn bought the kids new book bags and some school supplies.  They also stopped at Home Depot to get a few things we needed to finish the nursery.

On the way home, Shawn stopped and fed the kids at the Burlington Scoop and bought them ice cream.  He sent me a picture message.

I went and got my hair done and a pedicure while they were eating.  After I got home, Shawn mowed the yard, then we got in the pool.  The kids and Shawn played monkey in the middle.

Shawn heated up leftovers for supper, which he put in the crock pot the day before.  He served us all.

Tonight Shawn took the kids to Old Settlers in Delphi where they rode some rides and played some games.   http://www.cityofdelphi.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=394&Itemid=279

Shawn took the kids on the Starship Exodus where he has felt a little sick every since.  He then brought home fish from the fish fry there (Dan's fish fry).  Yum!

How did I get so lucky?  I feel so blessed when he takes care of us like this.  I'm 32 weeks pregnant today and Shawn and I don't want the babies to come too early, so he's taking care of all of us.  We are spoiled.  I love you, Shawn!!!!!

Week 32

Far Along: 32 weeks (8 Months) with twins!

How big are the babies: About 3.75 pounds according to:  http://www.babycenter.com/average-fetal-length-weight-chart  We'll find out more at our next ultrasound next week.

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Weight Gain: 21-23 pounds. I'm retainingwater now. My feet and ankles swell horribly by bedtime. I have no ankles. :-( Each baby should gain around 1/2 a pound a week now until they are born. That's 1 pound of baby a week!

Belly: Huge

Stretch Marks: Most definitely.

Sleep: I wake up every 2 hours to pee.  I drive Shawn crazy getting up all of the time, but I wake up having Braxton Hicks because I need to pee.

Best Moment of the Week: Watching the nursery being built. It's getting there. The only things left are carpet, and trim. That's it and we're done. Then I get to fill it!  Carpet is scheduled to be installed on Monday

Movement: All of the time.  One likes to punch my bladder and one likes to get up under my ribs.  I was standing beside my sister in law looking over her shoulder at a photo album.  She was in a lawn chair.  She made a comment about hearing the babies move the fabric of my dress.  It made me smile huge!

Symptoms: EXTREMELY Sore boobs. Taking off my bra makes me cry. Acne on my neck, chest, etc. Hair growth on my belly. Major heartburn. Better not forget the gas. Shawn likes to poke fun at how gassy I am. I still love you Shawn! Got to love hormones!  I can't change positions without getting a Braxton Hicks contraction.  I sit up, I get one.  I sit down, I get one.  I roll over, I get one.  The babies move too much, I get one.  It's crazy!  I average 4 an hour, which is why the Dr. wants me to lay on a side all day.  I'm guilty of not doing this every day.  There's too much to do to lay around all day.  They used to last 30 seconds to 1 minute.  My belly now tightens for 1-2 minutes each time.

Food Cravings: Tacos and Mexican food.  I can't eat enough taco salads.

Genders: A boy and a Girl!

What I Miss: Not worrying about what I eat (deli, etc). Sleeping through the night. Not waddling. Having energy. Being able to walk through a store.  Painting my toenails without leaving unpainted strips on the sides.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Meeting the babies and getting the nursery finished.  Our next ultrasound is next week too.  Zac and Abby get to go to one last ultrasound before going back to school.

Weekly Wisdom: Naps are great!

Milestones: Babies should be 3.75 pounds each now.  Baby girl likes to lay transverse at my ribs.  She likes to stick her butt up in the fetal position and push.  She likes to make my belly lopsided a lot too.

Emotions: Still crying over everything. I also like to hug and squeeze Shawn and the kids for no reason.  I keep telling the babies that mommy, daddy, and big brother and sister love them so much and can't wait to meet them!  I also tell them that although we can't wait to meet them, they had better stay put for at least 4-6 more weeks.  I'm still sappy.

~Sam