Emily and Charlie have arrived!!

Born on February 28, 2014. 

Emily : 4lbs 10oz born at 1:48pm

Charlie : 6lbs 5oz born at 1:46pm

36 weeks = head of romaine lettuce!

I can not believe that I've made it this far! 

I've read so many statistics and stories of preterm labor (which still technically I'm preterm until next week). Mentally, I feel like now that I'm 36 weeks, I'm going to go into labor at any minute! 

I just wish it would hurry up and be Friday so that I knew what was happening inside my uterus!! I hate not knowing and hate waiting. 

I just hope that since I'm this far along, they won't have to spend any/a lot of time in the NICU and that she is ok. 

NST today, my blood pressure was elevated again. The nurse took it three times in a half hour, average being 136/89. The doctor on call wasn't too concerned so I didn't have to do any bloodwork. Just return on Friday. The babies were both reactive on the monitor and did fine. 

While I was in the waiting room, there was a baby born. The babys grandmother and aunt were there and crying. Too cute.. 

We met with the doctor scheduled to do my March 13 csection this morning. He was nice, trying to crack jokes also very serious. He did ask me how did I draw the short straw when it came to him doing my csection. I found that funny. My blood pressure was 140/80... Ugh. And my weight is up to 36lbs gained. Bill asked him if I'll make it to 3/13 and he said pregnancy is too unpredictable to guess. I have the BPP and NST this afternoon where I'll get my blood pressure checked again. 

BPP revealed low amniotic fluid surrounding the baby girl which goes along with what the doctor said last week about the placenta maybe not providing adequate nutrition. The amniotic fluid is ingested by the baby and urinated back out and the process starts again. So low fluid corresponds with low nutrient input and low urine output (from what I read online). The doctor felt it fine to see me next week so it wasn't too concerning today apparently. 

NST was normal. 

If I had to guess... We could meet our babies on 2/28/14. :-)

Does photo make my bump look big? Lol

35 weeks

It's my birthday and I'm 35 weeks today!

The NST was normal yesterday, the nurse said I was the easiest patient all day. 

The babies are the size of.... Honeydew melon!! 

I tried some "sleepy time tea" last night hoping to not wake up while sleeping. Did it work? NO! I woke up more. :-) I had a few nights of "comfortable" sleeping this weekend and now I'm back to "torture" sleeping. The babies are sticking out my sides that I have to sleep on, it feels like lying on a brick.. Only to roll over and be lying on another brick. Oh well. It'll be over soon, I know. Then I'll be recovering from surgery. I just want to be comfortable again! 

I'm off to a NST now.. 

34 week ultrasound

We had a busy morning on Friday at South Shore Hospital for our monthly ultrasound and NST. The ultrasound for the most part was normal. Because of the positions of the babies, the technician had a difficult time getting the appropriate measurements. They're currently breech and transverse again.  I had to roll over on my sides and twist and turn, it was an uncomfortable appointment. We didn't get any more ultrasound photos, I think the babies are too big for the probe to get any real images.

The baby boy measures 5lbs 13oz and the baby girl measures 4lbs exactly. Due to the large size difference and the fact that she is so small and in the 12% and he is in the 51%, the doctor is slightly concerned. He would like me to return this Friday for a BPP (Biophysical profile) to check the 5 parameters: breathing, mobility, muscle tone, heart rate and amniotic fluid. I will then return in 2 weeks on 2/28/14 for another growth scan. If at this time, there isn't much improvement in her weight or she is "dropping off the growth scale", delivery would be indicated sooner.

34 weeks, the babies are the size of cantaloupes! 

My nonstress test was normal today. My blood pressure was normal and I didn't hear about my bloodwork so it must be normal. I hit 34 weeks tomorrow! :-)

33 weeks pregnant and in a dress!!

I had my 34ish week appointment today. She was having trouble finding both heartbeats again because we weren't 100% sure of their positions so she did a quick ultrasound. Both babies are now transverse again! They're lying with their heads on the left and body and legs to the right. Ouch!! She felt the lumps that are their heads :-)

She is happy to see I'm moving along and almost at 34 weeks. After 34 weeks, a babies lungs are more mature and I don't any supplemental steroid injections. She said 35 weeks is even better and less chance of having to have them go to the NICU. 

However, my blood pressure was the highest it's been at 140/80 so I had repeat bloodwork for preeclampsia.. She will only call if its abnormal. If my blood pressure remains high, delivering sooner is a possibility. 

Busy week with more appointments, nonstress test tomorrow and on Friday, an ultrasound and nonstress test. I have an appointment for next Thursday with the doctor that is scheduled to do the csection. 

I went to my regular nonstress test (NST) yesterday at the hospital.

I mentioned to the nurse that on Thursday night, I had a few contractions. Contractions are normal to have but if I have more than 5 an hour, I'm supposed to call my doctor and see if I need to go to the hospital to be monitored. I had maybe three on Thursday night in one hour, I laid down and went to bed soon after.

While I was having the NST, I had some more contractions on the monitor which I didn't really feel. So.. a midwife came in to talk to me and had me do a FFN test which is a fetal fibronectin test. This test is to see if I have chance to be in labor or if I don't. It's a swab that checks for protein released by the placenta that acts like a "glue" for the fetus to tell when labor could occur. My test came back negative which meant that I have a 97% chance of not going into labor or delivering in the next 10-14 days. While I was there, she also wanted to check my cervix... turns out I am 1 1/2 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. This isn't really indicative of anything as she said people have be 1 cm dilated for a month or two and not be in or going into labor. She said I didn't have to be on bed rest yet. Dilation and Effacement Photo

So for now, I just watch and go back if the contractions happen again. I return on Tuesday anyway for another NST and Monday for my ob appointment. 

I have a feeling this will not my last trip to the hospital before my due date.. I guess it really is happening quick now! I have about 8 more shifts at work until my "quit date", ending the week of March 1. 

33 weeks photo!

33 Weeks

Pineapples!!! Wow.. 

39 more days at the most until we meet our babies. I woke up in a panic last night thinking of how much/little time is left before our lives are turned upside down. I'm hoping to never have that feeling again! Stress test was fine yesterday, I'll be going back on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

32 weeks - 2 heads of cauliflower or a squash

I called my doctors office yesterday and all of my blood work was normal. I mentioned the swelling and it's basically a coincidence that it happened all of a sudden. I had to take my wedding ring off yesterday morning because it was almost stuck on! :-( they told me to stay hydrated and elevate my feet daily. 

I had my first nonstress test today. It went well. I had a monitor for each baby placed on and a contraction monitor. The babies reacted how they wanted. They basically look for a baseline heartrate and make sure it elevates with movements and doesn't drop down far also. My doctor wants me to go twice weekly, I return on Saturday. The nurse discussed all the symptoms and reasons to call my doctors office if needed. 

In other news, I got a phone call today from my doctors office that my csection will be scheduled for March 13th. I am irritated because I gave two doctors I wanted to do the surgery and was scheduled with a doctor that I have not seen before. My doctor made it seem like she would be the one performing surgery or if not then Dr Lacey. It was unexpected to hear this! I asked why? And if I could please have the doctors that I wanted and she said she would look into it. 5 minutes later, the actual surgical coordinator called me back and said the doctor I am scheduled with is the only doctor available in my two week window between 38-40 weeks. I have an appointment with my doctor in a week or so and I'm going to ask her about it then. Otherwise, I'll plan on scheduling my next appointment with the new doctor so I can meet him prior to surgery. And if I go into labor before this date, who knows who will deliver the babies!!! 

almost 32 weeks!

I had a doctors appointment on Friday last week. She asked me the positions of the babies at the last ultrasound, which I told her. She then asked me, "Have we scheduled your c-section yet?" I was taken by surprise for a minute. As one would think! So we talked about that for a few minutes. Someone is supposed to call me to schedule this at 38 weeks. She "put in" that she wants to be the one who does it and asked me who my second choice is and that is Dr Lacey. It's getting real now!! My blood pressure was 120/88 which was borderline and up from what it has been. Also, I mentioned that I had a headache last week so she decided to run some bloodwork to rule out preeclampsia. She told me that they would only call me if it was abnormal, I haven't heard anything so far.

Saturday morning, I woke up and my hands and feet were swollen! I thought I had escaped that part of pregnancy as I hadn't had any issues thus far. I had to work on Saturday and it was super busy and so by the time I got home, I was really struggling with swollen feet and hands. It's been more of the same since then.

I'm going to call and ask about my bloodwork because I know swelling is also a sign of preeclampsia but it's also considered a normal part of pregnancy.

I start the nonstress tests tomorrow at the hospital and my doctor wants me to have them twice weekly.

I have been having trouble sleeping now too so I guess this is where all the fun parts of pregnancy start! Woohooo.

31 Weeks

BabyBump says the babies are the size of four naval oranges or a bunch of celery :-)

Just got back from our ultrasound. Both babies were uncooperative so I have no pictures :-( but baby boy is 3 lbs and 7 ounces and baby girl is 3 lbs and 1 ounce. The weight difference isn't concerning at this point but something to be watched. He is breech with his feet up in front  of his face and she is transverse so still not in the right position! Both were facing towards my spine.  The doctor said things could change but it gets less likely as time goes on. And no wonder why I'm so uncomfortable, her head and butt are actually under my ribcage, ouch! I have another ultrasound in a month on February  14.  I need a non stress test in two weeks. Just trucking along until then... 

Here is a picture I found of their position 

30 weeks

Wow... 30 weeks have gone by! The babies are the size of cabbages. I have less than 55 days left until 38 weeks. Huh?!?

Everything is going fine.

Driving is becoming more and more challenging, especially long trips. The baby girl is up under my right ribs and it gets quite uncomfortable when I'm stuck in one spot driving, especially when she is moving and stretching. 

I've been doing 100% receptionist work now and it is pretty boring but better than standing for 8 hours at a time. I also started my reduced schedule which is 7:30am to 12pm everyday. Let's just say the afternoons are boring. I can't really go out shopping or anywhere because its difficult to walk too much and carry much. I spend a lot of time watching boring and terrible tv shows and hanging out with the dogs. 

We have an ultrasound tomorrow, we will see where to go from there and what position the babies are in. 

These are our twin babies from our "Breastfeeding Basics" class at Isis Parenting on Saturday. Sadly, Isis has closed it's doors since the weekend. I was looking forward to going there once the babies were born because they did mom and me classes. I will have to find an alternative now. 

Baby Shower pictures!

Cute diaper cakes made by Betsy's coworker 

Attendees painted alphabet letters for the babies room

Reading suggested baby names. Ichabod was a big hit 

One of Bill's favorite onesies :-)

Twins shirt, "you go first. no, you go first!"

And this is how all the gifts fit into the nursery :-) 

lots of updates!!

So much has happened since my last post. Where to begin?

Last week, I discussed with my managers that working as a technician was becoming an issue as far as standing and restraining animals. By the afternoons, my back is really sore making it very uncomfortable and difficult to do my job effectively. We decided that I would cut back my hours slightly and change my duties at work. I am now working more of a part time schedule with more receptionist/phone responsibilities. I do miss doing technician duties but I'm happy that they're able to accommodate me for as long as I feel comfortable working. I did mention that it could be a few weeks, days, I'm just not sure.

We had our hospital tour on Saturday. It was nice to see where we are going to deliver. While we were there we saw the discharge of TWO sets of twins. That was really cool. We didn't get to see much action but we saw an example of a postpartum room that we will be in for a few days after delivery, they're very small! We were also told to not have anyone come to the hospital too early as once we get admitted and go through delivery, it will be at least two hours before there can be any visitors. So visitors are recommended to stay at home until notified. The maternity waiting room is also TINY, it holds about 10-15 people max and I feel like they did that intentionally so that people have nowhere to wait. Also, I already knew this but because we're having twins, I will have to deliver in the operating room regardless if we have a csection or not. I will be there between 2-4 days depending on what kind of birth I have. It makes the hospital seem less scary but seeing where we will be.

I had my baby shower on Sunday. It was organized by my sister in law, Mary and Bill's mom and stepmom, Betsy and Nancy as well as my mom. I was very happy that Bill was not only willing to attend with me but wanted to. It was a great day. We had a brunch type buffet. I was so happy to see everyone who came to celebrate with us. We received sooo many gifts that we couldn't fit them all into one car. Luckily, friends of ours were able to help transport them back to our house. As far as putting everything away, that's another story for another day. But for now, they are inside the house. :-) I am still receiving presents as of yesterday from people that were unable to attend or who weren't invited like my male boss at work. People are so generous when it comes to weddings and baby showers. It is so much appreciated.

I had a doctors appointment on Monday, it was very uneventful but I did get to see my regular ob/gyn doctor that has seen me for my yearly appointments. She had looked up my case before I came in and was so excited to hear about our IVF process.

I have an ultrasound next Friday at the hospital.

This week is 29 weeks!!!! The babies are the size of BUTTERNUT SQUASH. Wow.

Pictures from Bills building adventures

28 weeks

28 weeks = Chinese cabbage! :-)

I found out that I'm slightly anemia which I read is common for carrying twins. I have to take a slow release iron supplement along with my prenatal vitamins and vitamin D. Also the urine culture was normal. 

I've officially entered the THIRD TRIMESTER! woohoo! Nothing much new, growing and uncomfortable as usual, burning back pain. Maybe I'm starting to notice my feet are swelling slightly because my shoes sometimes feel tighter. 

My baby shower is this Sunday, January 5. I'm excited and nervous. My mom recently bought us a nice changing table/dresser from Target. And my dad bought us a rocking recliner! Rochelle sent us a double baby monitor and Nancy finished up with our larger registry items such as two awesome bouncer/swings, highchairs (one a shower gift from Lois), and our double stroller!! We are very lucky! Now to start organizing... :-) 

Here's what Bill is doing for fun today