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