Thursday, April 29, 2010

33 Week Appointment

Our OB and hospital appointments were good yesterday. The girls passed their second NST, despite that the poor nurse had a hard time keeping Baby A on the monitor. She was getting REALLY frustrated. I only had a few minor contractions while I was there. Wish they could do my NST in the evening when the contractions are crazy.

There are trace amounts of protein in my urine and my feet are severely swollen (beyond normal swelling) so I'm being monitored for pre-eclampsia. So far my blood pressure has been perfect so we're hoping it stays that way.

I'm measuring 40 weeks. That explains why I feel as miserable as I feel. The girls are still head down. I'll be induced on June 1 (38w2d) if I haven't gone in to labor prior, but she expects I will deliver between 36 and 37 weeks. That's like 2.5 - 3.5 weeks away. Ack! I'm not ready! But at the same time, I am SOOOOOOO ready.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

32 weeks 4 days

It's been a good week. I think coming out of work has helped a ton. My contractions are WAY down. I went from 4-5 an hour to about 10-20 a day, depending on my activity level.

Had a great day yesterday with my mom. We went to Babies R Us to do some exchanges, then had a fabulous lunch. Then off to the hospital to see my friend's newborn and do my first NST. Both babies passed with flying colors. Did a swab to see if I'm leaking fluid, and so far, so good. Then we went down to see my OB for a quick ultrasound. Both girls are still head down - woohoo! From there we went to Pottery Barn Kids to pick up some shelves for the girls' room. I started to slide down hill quick from here so we headed home.

Today I got out and had lunch with my coworkers - so good to see everyone! I miss work...I really do!

Our maternity photos came in and we couldn't be more thrilled with them. I'm not going to post them here for the world to see, but if you send me an email or message me through FF, I'll send you the link. :)

So all in all, things are going very well. I'm feeling so blessed and so thankful for every minute of this, and I can't WAIT for Cailyn and Reegan to be in my arms!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

31+3 Appointment Update!

The girls are doing GREAT! Baby A is 4lbs 2oz and Baby B is 3lbs 12oz. BOTH girls are head down, so as of today I'm getting my vaginal delivery!!!!! Fluid was great, my cervix of steel was just over 4 cm (take THAT Braxton Hicks!), I'm measuring 38 weeks (and I feel EVERY bit of that!). The Peri said "we'll see you in 4 weeks if you're still pregnant". My OB is starting my NSTs next Wednesday so weekly visits, here we come! Great news from both doctors today!

We ordered our stroller today after test driving a few at a local boutique. We got a Baby Jogger City Mini Double in black. This thing folds up SO freaking small and you just grab these two straps and lift it (only 26 pounds) to fold it. It will fit perfect in my lil' Accord. And it fits through doorways and you can push it with one hand - so manueverable. LOVE it!

Moving right along! I'm so excited!

Monday, April 12, 2010

31 Weeks - Maternity Leave!

It's so surreal to me to have made it this far - wow, 31 weeks!

Friday was my last day of work. It was very bittersweet - quite an emotional day. I'm bored already, but it looks like I left right in the nick of time. We ended up in Labor & Delivery that night with contractions 10 minutes apart. Still no change to my cervix, and the Fetal Fibernectin swab was negative again, so I "should be" good for two more weeks. I just don't trust that test.

I've been taking it easy since then. In fact, we missed our Baby Basics class on Saturday because my uterus would not calm down. Still won't, in fact. We rescheduled for their May class, but I doubt I'll be up for it at that time - I'll be like 35 weeks then. I ordered a couple videos so that should help. Like my mom said - they didn't do classes then and my brother and I somehow survived.

Tuesday night we have Session 1 of our childbirthing class and Wednesday we have a breast/bottle feeding class. We also see the Perinatologist and OB on Wednesday. I can't WAIT to see the girls again!!!

Without further ado, here is the weekly development update. I've switched sources - Fertility Friend is much more thorough. ;-)

Your baby's total length is 18.9 inches (42cm) and she is perfectly formed! She measures about 11.6 inches (29cm) from crown to rump. All she has to do is fill out more. Your baby weighs almost 4 pounds (1800g). If she were to be born now, she would still need to be incubated as she has insufficient fat stores to keep it warm.

Your baby can distinguish between light and dark. Your baby can hear the outside world quite well now, and can also hear the sounds of your heartbeat, your digestion and the blood rushing in the umbilical cord. The pitch of women's voices are in the range babies are most able to hear over all the internal background noise. Your baby is already familiar with your voice and will be able to recognize it after birth.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Almost 30 week update

I have been a horrible blogger! Let me catch up here.

I had four fabulous showers between 25 and 28 weeks! One thrown by my mother-in-law, one at work, and two thrown by special friends. We feel really blessed for the gifts our girls have received. They will undoubtedly be THE best dressed twins! We've been filling in on necessities as needed and trying to get everything ready.

We had new carpet installed last weekend, and OMG, it is LOVELY! We still have to put everything away though, and that is taking a while. We put the girls cribs together on Sunday and brought in their dressers. I stood in the doorway and sobbed. It's so surreal to me to have baby furniture in a room that has been an empty hole in my heart for so many years. We have nothing on the walls yet, and lots of accessorizing to do, but here is a sneak peak!

Nursery

Nursery

Nursery

Saw my OB on Wednesday at 29w3d. The girls are doing well, and we are moving right along. Blood pressure is good and my weight is only up about 25 pounds. I am measuring at 36 weeks, but I'm apparently carrying small for twins - everyone has said that, and my OB agreed. I guess I'm getting lucky - it's the first time in my life that people have commented on how small I am! Here is the belly at 28 weeks - it's gotten a bit bigger since this.

28 Weeks

Baby A is head down and Baby B is still breech, so my OB is recommending a c-section. I'm not thrilled about it, but I'd rather do that then labor to deliver Baby A and end up with a c-section anyway for Baby B. So it looks like the girls will be born sometime between May 24 and May 28...Geminis...how fitting!

For now I'm still working. I think my last day will be April 9 or April 16. I'm trying to hold out as long as I can, but the back pain really makes it hard. After that, I plan on spending a lot of time floating on a noodle in my mom's pool!

I see my Perinatologist in 2 weeks, then the following week I start NSTs weekly at the hospital followed by a quick ultrasound at my OB's office. I have a feeling time is about to start flying by. I can't believe I'm going to have these girls in my arms in just 7.5 weeks!