Birth Story

I haven't posted in about 4 months, and I apologize. Life has been amazingly hectic, but for a good reason. I was looking back at my notes and found this excerpt: 

It is amazing how everything happened today.

I was running late for my biweekly appointment. I was rushing to get myself ready, took a shower, fed my daughter and the dogs. When my husband got home I asked him to take her to daycare. He dropped me off at my appointment, dropped her off, and came to the OB office.  Normally he doesn't go to Friday's appointments. But since he took my car, he decided to join me. The wait was abnormally long. I was increasining becoming impatient and ready to throw a pregnancy tantrum. The ultrasound went well. The girls looked good with lots of movement. B was still breech. 

When the dr came in to review everything she wasn't going to check how far I was dilated. I was so bummed. I wanted her to check in hopes to be dilated to maybe a 5 since I was 4cm a month ago. Thankfully  she changed her mind at the last minute. When she checked she had the look of surprise. My thoughts were maybe that I shrank... Not sure why I would have that idea. To our surprise she told me I was at an 8. 

That was when we headed to the hospital. 

No contractions, well at least nothing significant, just the normal twinges I've felt the entire time. They gave me an epidural, just a light dose and broke my water. I also had to go on antibiotics since they didn't do the strep b test. So about 2hours later I started having contractions. They moved me to the OR. It was very bright and uncomfortable. Talk about being exposed! My ob was so sweet as to offer a blanket while the doctors and nurses prepped everything. My OB briefed the on-call ob on my delivery. Since I wanted to have a vaginal birth with baby B breech, there were some complications that couldn't have arose. 

Let the pushing commence. Out comes baby A super easy. They tried to maneuver baby B, but she just kept moving away from them. So she came out breech. Her little legs are black and blue.  

Baby A weighs 4.12 lbs and baby B is 5.7. 

Both are in the nicu right now. Baby b wasn't breathing very well. Since she came out breech, her lungs and everything didn't get a chance to squeeze the fluid out. She has a little fluid on the lungs. She has a feeding tube since she can't breath well and oxygen. 

Baby As blood sugar dropped, but that is because her little body is using everything it has to regulate her temp. She is a very loud screamer. 

I am so blessed to have had such an easy delivery. However, it did break my heart to see them in the nicu. I did get to kangaroo care both of them. They are so peaceful in my arms and I wish they could stay there forever. 

33 weeks and Top 3 Things People Say...

33 Weeks

I apologize for not blogging in a while. Only a few of you understand how exhausted I have been. Just like every singleton pregnancy is different, every twin pregnancy is just as different. There are many pregnant women with twins who carry full term and have energy. I am definitely NOT them. I am not a great blogger!

What is new in the development?

Movement/Position: All over. They are in a 69 position, but B flips all over the place. Though, she is often feet down. She sticks her big out all the time causing some significant discomfort. It didn't bother me at first… but now that she is bigger it looks like a freak show and feels even stranger. A always has her little feet moving around the middle of my belly, right around where her sister's head is. Kicking her in the face… :) 

Ultrasounds: Are twice a week now. The last one was on Tuesday and A's head looks like it is ready to pop out at any minute. We can't get any good pictures of them anymore.  *Sad face*

Size: Not sure on an accurate weight. The last weight was taken 3 weeks ago: 3.9 and 3.6 lbs. Im feeling like they are more around 6 lbs now! The next weight will be taken next week.

Cervical exam: 4cm dilated and posterior. Posterior is a good thing, it means the head is still back far enough I guess… 

Contractions: Yes. Mostly Braxton Hicks. However, last night I had a series of them every 2 minutes for 40 seconds. It only lasted about an hour and subsided so I could sleep. I do think I dilated more because of some very light blood this morning. God knows I will go into the hospital at a 9 and not feel a thing! I did confirm with my OB that the babies will not just fall out like I keep imagining. :) 

Csection or Vag?: Thankfully, my dr is strong on Vag deliveries. However, she is the only dr at that office that believes that for twins because she is the only one that has experience in breech vag babies as long as A is vertex. I prefer a vag delivery, but if she is not on call or is unable to come and the babies are still opposite then I am doing a csection. I do NOT want a double whammy! 

Sleep: Exhausted all of the time. Today is the first day I have had some type of energy in a few weeks. Maybe evidence that labor is around the corner? I don't sleep much at night because I am usually up to pee and have random contractions… so much fun!

Mood: I am moody most days, but some days I am very calm. 

Top 3 Things people say that piss me off  ruffle my feathers:

1) "WOW! You look like you're due any day!"

My response (not necessarily out loud): Yep, and my water is going to break right now. Better get the broom!

2) "You are really going to have your hands full!" 

My Response: What do you mean? They don't take care of themselves?

3) "You better sleep NOW!" 

My Response: How about you try sleeping with two moving babies in your belly, contraction, having to pee, pee, contraction, pee, more moving, can't get comfy, contraction, pee… 

Here are some funny pics:

29 weeks- That's embarrassing!

So I'm sitting here at the lab for my 3 hr glucose test. I'm hungry and thirsty, but can't have anything! Definitely getting a chipolte salad after this!

I forgot to tell you yesterday that at my last checkup my cervix dropped from 1.9 to 1.7. The babies still look good though. They are no longer going to be looking at my cervix and will fo an FFN test next week to see if I am going to go into labor. Here is a link to read more. FFN

I've had a few random contractions since then, so it is probably lower now.  It was pretty neat to see them "breath" and use their lungs during the ultrasounds. I've had 4 rounds of steroids to increase their lungs, so we are hoping for healthy babies! 

Ok, ready for the embarrassing stuff? Men, do not read further! 

I don't see any men reading this, but I had to put that disclaimer in... 

1) weight gain- not a big deal and not too embarrassing, but at 28 weeks I had gained 47 lbs. I didn't mean to listen, but the dr said it and I stuck my fingers in my ears like a preschooler and lalalalaed. Pretty mature, right?

2) The need for diapers- Adult ones. Before I used to feel myself pee when I would sneeze, cough, or move fast. Now, it just comes like a leaky focet and I don't know! Lovely, huh? 

3) The bowels- either stopped or continuously flowing. Take that for what it is... 

4) hungry- I'm so hungry. I was so excited at the beginning when I search info about multiple pregnancies. Many people said they had no room to eat. Well apparently, I made room and can eat every 5 minutes. I even wake up at 1am hungry. Guess everyone's pregnancy is different?

5) Emotional train wreck! Everything makes me cry, mad or laugh... 

6) Spider veins... EVERYWHERE! 
7) Thinking- can't form a complete thought without a million other thoughts racing through my brain. I cannot seem to form a logical thought. It was bad before, but... Oh crap, I forgot what I was going to say. 
8) Huge veins- Everytime I look at my belly, I think of all of the river channels that run through the Amazon.

This is what my belly looks like. Ill post a "real" belly picture next week.

29 weeks- Plus1 3rd Bday!

29 weeks

It has been a while, not because I haven't been thinking of you... I have. I haven't wanted to blog because I am an emotional wreck! ICEBERG, RIGHT AHEAD!

Oh yea... EMO! No sleep and hormones makes for a very miserable pregnant woman.

I do not mind the lack of sleep. I am used to that. It is when the babies are in strange positions and push against every wall in your belly that makes it horrible. Don't get me wrong... I am so happy that I am still pregnant, but there is a tiny part of me that wishes I would go into labor soon.

Last night, I was in the "bear" position for about 40 minutes to get some relief. It worked! I was able to sleep more than 30 minutes consecutively. 

My Plus 1's 3rd Birthday Bash!

We did a pirate theme this year and it was a BLAST! It was difficult getting things ready while I am supposed to be on bed rest, but we managed and I'm still pregnant!

Here are a few pictures:

Originally I used 2 plastic table cloths, one pink and one black. I just cut slits in them and made the hubs hang them up. But with the little kids running around, the pink one fell off. Black still looks good!

The treasure chest was sitting by the front door. A friend of mine made the chest for our wedding a few years ago and we just filled it up with pirate gear. 

Here are the snacks. Shark bait= gold fish, cannon balls= grapes, pirate booty= pirate booty, and gold= round tortilla chips (I messed up the nacho cheese! Who does that?) I thought I saved the food signs to attach it here, but I didn't. :( 

Pirate hook game. First, I decorated the board. I poked holes in the large piece of card board. The hooks have a loop in the back, so I tied string to the loop and attached the string to the back with tape. Rings- I forgot about the rings, so I made some out of aluminum foil. 

Her amazing aunt and uncle made the "plank". I originally wanted to have a blue plastic table cloth under it with "shark fins", but she the hubs set it up the construction paper shark fins kept blowing over. Im sure it would have worked it I would have used a heavier card stock. The blue table cloth turned into the "water" at the end of the plank. 

We filled the sand pit with "treasure"; dollar store rings, mardi gras beads, and gold coins. 

For the cupcakes I just had the kids make their own. A friend of mine made chocolate shells and pirate themed candies as toppers for the cupcakes. I gave each kid a few to choose from. I crushed up graham crackers and they were able to use that as "sand" on top of their cupcake. They were able to put their own sprinkles and frosting on as well. It was a blast! I think each girl had 2 or 3 cupcakes. :) 

Gotta love pinterest!

I plan on posting tomorrow, so keep a look out for that!

26 weeks- 1.9 cm

Went in for a transvag ultrasound today thinking maybe this would be my last ultrasound. It isn't!

First of all, the twosies look great!

A is measuring 2lbs 3 oz and in the vertex position. 

B is measuring 2 lbs 6oz and also in the vertex position. She went from breech to vertex and I didn't feel it. Like a ninja!

Cervix went from a 2.8 to 1.9. The doctor said she wants me on modified bedrest still, but I am putting myself on full. When I was on full, my cervix didn't move. The perinatologist suggested full the last time I saw her and she has more experience than my doctor. So I'm going full and will only be up for 2 hrs a day. Babies need to cook!

What has been going on this week? 

These hips don't lie: some incomfortable pain in my right hip. Possibly because B is now pushing against it? 

These boots were made for walking: Walking? I feel like they are just going to pop out down there. I admit that I have done too much this week. I haven't walked much, but have been sitting upright a lot. When I do walk, it feels like a ton of bricks between my legs. 

Contraction-traction-: I've had a few, maybe I could count on my hand the amount of contractions I've had this past week, the painful ones. I remember one in particular when my Plus 1 was home. I laid down on the couch and it started. I was trying to focus and she came over "mommy mom mamma mommy" I said, "what baby?" She wanted breakfast!! Well, I told her she needed to wait. She didn't like that, so she woke up her daddy. I felt really bad when I asked her to leave me alone, mommy hurts. :( 

The contractions feel like how my periods felt before I had Ava. Like the kind that 800-1000mg of naproxen would cure. Thankfully, I have 1 or 2 at a time and they disappear, but are these 1 or 2 causing the progression in my cervix? Or was it from sitting up or from the constipation last week?

Funneling a tunnel: I have felt something going on in the vajayay. Apparently the funneling is causing that feeling of something being in there. Nice, huh? 

25 Weeks

25 Weeks

I havent posted in 2 weeks! I am so sorry... Bed rest must be sooooo much fun!

Haha... Seriously, bed rest is kind of nice. Difficult to get used to and probably not ideal with a 3 year old, but I am resting!

Last week I went in for an ultrasound and everything came back fine. The babies are beautiful and my cervix didn't move from the spot it was at before. My OB did send me in to get a round of steroid shots to help the lungs develop (celestone I think is the name). The first one, Wednesday, hurt like hell. The following day's shot wasn't so bad. I had to keep all profanity to myself because I had my little Plus 1 with me. She was AMAZING during the entire 2 hour process.

I was not, however, ready for the side effects of the shot. First thing I noticed were my cheeks. They were bright red, like I was a drunken Irish girl or just kissed by the sun. The next thing I noticed was the restlessness. I wanted to sleep, but my heart raced and had other plans. I would lay down or even slightly at a decline and it felt like all of the blood in my body went to my neck and I couldn't breath. When I would fall asleep, I was quickly awaken by the sound of my snore!! Talk about annoying... 

My scalp was super itchy... GROSS, I know! But that usually happens to me when I eat something I'm allergic to. My Boobs.... They turned red as well! Swelling? YEP! Needless to say, I am not a fan.

Time for TMI talk- Since I had the shot, I cannot have a comfortable BM and it is killing me. I usually go several times a day with no issues. Now I am only going once daily or every couple of days. I can't stand it. I feel sooooo stopped up. However, it isn't hard when it comes out- just the process is difficult, if you get my drift. I drink a ton of water and eat lots of fiber. I even tried eating dairy, cheese and ice cream, to help clean me out... No go! This is the most ANNOYING feeling ever! I really think Baby A's head is just blocking everything... SO I am going to try some yoga poses and see if I can't move her.

There really isn't anything new this week, except I do have some tips for surviving bed rest with a toddler/preschooler.

1) If you are able to, send them to daycare/preschool/babysitter. It makes your daily naps and couch lounging more peaceful. They do not like to see you relaxing. 

2) Groom yourself daily. Take a shower, do your hair and makeup, dress comfortably. This will lift your spirits and put you in a good mood to do nothing. 

3) Catch up on your reading. Most of the classics are free on your reader, if you have one.

4) Take interest in new shows/movies. I really haven't developed this yet, but I have caught up on some movies on Netflix.

5) Join those mommy/baby boards. Find groups that fit your interests. For me, I joined boards about twins. Just a warning- some women get really RUDE and obnoxious... Deal with them how you wish, but don't let them piss you off. The crazy women have not graced their presence in some of those boards. 

6) If you do have a tablet, invest in some apps that will entertain your child. 

7) Do not feel bad that you are not giving them your undivided attention and keeping them engaged. This is a time for you to relax and keep cooking those babies! Most kids will understand that mommy cannot move too much if you explain it to them. Mine understands and will let me lay on the couch. Unfortunately, she will NOT let me fall asleep. Every 5 minutes I hear "Mommy, Mom, Momma, Mom , Mom, Mommy, Mommy..." Sounds like that little baby from that silly cartoon show. 

8) If your child wants you to do something with them, see if you can somehow manuvoer the situation so that you can still lay down. I have a coffee table by the couch, so if she wants me to color or play with playdoh I can lay on my side and still work with her. 

9) Have a reading time with your child. Pick a few books for the day. Try not to pick the same ones daily. There are only so many times I can read The Hungry Caterpillar and 101 Dalmatians before I want to go crazy!!

10) Don't worry about the crazy messy house. Try not to... It will get cleaned when it gets clean. If you can, have your child help clean. Sometimes I tell her that she needs to pick up her toys before we watch a movie or read a story or have lunch... Try to make it game, "Pick up all of the yellow toys." If the mess is too much, invite friends and family over. They will be more than happy to help.

11) Keep healthy snacks and drink accessible to your child. Otherwise you will be up more than you intended catering to their munchies. 

Well, my eyes are crossing which means it is time for bed!  Feel free to add more!

Here are the twosies at 25 weeks. 

22/23 weeks

22/23 Weeks

These past two weeks have been pretty adventurous. Let me break it down:

• Last week I would wake up every morning around 3:30 to contractions that we painful, like I was going to start my period. I would track them on my nifty app and they would go away after an hour or so. They would happen periodically throughout the day as well. I started to get worried about it Saturday. I did a little research and came across a thing called Prodormal labor. It describes exactly what I had with my Plus 1. Women will contract and dilate to 3 or 4 cm and will stay there. One article described it as being like a feeling when you get a cold sore, that tingling before the sore comes. I haven't had one of those, but maybe it could be like that feeling before you get sick or the way your skin feels before you get a zit. It is the body just getting ready. Some women have it, some don't. Anyways, could be what I am experiencing. Actually, I know it is!
• I started to "google" how to stop preterm labor. I was in the downward dog and bear yoga positions all Sunday. I did come across magnesium supplements to stop preterm. I should have known! A few hours after I took the supplements the contractions stopped and I felt amazing. I woke up at 3am this time with no contractions. It was nice. I knew from the beginning that I was deficient in something. I just didnt know what. I suspected it was magnesium. I asked my doctor, not knowing that all of the bloodwork they tested for doesn't test for magnesium because it is absorbed by your bones. I told them I am deficient in something mainly because of my nails. Horribly brittle, uncharacteristic. Anyways, took it and haven't had many issues since!!! Do some research on magnesium in pregnancy, twin pregnancies, and in general health. It does amazing things. It is a natural muscle relaxer, protects your heart, lungs, digestion... This mineral is amazing. I'm starting to wonder if I was deficient for the first pregnancy and that would cause prodormal labor and why her teeth are horrible and her nails are brittle despite the amounts of calcium she intakes. 
• In just one week of taking magnesium I have noticed some substantial things. 
• First is the obvious, contractions. I NEED to take 500mg in the morning and 500 at night to keep contractions at bay. As soon as I try to experiment with taking less or staggering them throughout the day, I have contractions. Interesting that I told a nurse this and she called them Braxtons... I'm sorry, but I am very familiar with Braxtons. Not Braxtons at all, especially when you lose your mucus plug. She didn't know anything about me, so I just laughed. 
• Back to the mags. Another difference that I see in just one week are my nails! They are starting to grow back. And they are strong! 
• My dizzy spells are gone. I was getting dizzy constantly sitting or laying down. It was annoying. I haven't been dizzy in a few days. 
• I can sleep! It is so nice to be able to sleep through the night without waking up in pain or being uncomfortable. 
• Back to the mucus plug thing... I am pretty sure it came out a week ago, the day I started the magnesium. When this happens, it usually doesn't mean much and it grows back. It is normal for it to come out during prodormal labor.

Now, I am pretty confident that these babies will make it to at least 36 weeks. I would like to go longer of course, but we will see what happens!

How are the twosies?

Size: 1lb 3 oz each

Heart beats:153 and 155

Positioning: Baby A is head down with her feet by my left rib cage. Baby B is breech with her head on my right ribs, he feet are by her head and her butt is in her sister's face. 

Movement: Lots of movement. I love it. A and B are on different schedules already. Ill feel A for part of the day, then B will wake up. Occasionally, I feel both.

Cravings: PSL from Starbucks... It is officially FALL!

Nothing else interesting is going on because I am on bed rest. It is actually very uncomfortable sitting up, so I can't spend much time on the computer. I do lay in bed on the iPad often. 

I will post a picture tomorrow!