Last Thursday I went in for my weekly ultrasound; Susan came with me for support. I did not realize that they were going to do a biophysical profile on the girls. In summary, this is a series of tests the girls go through to determine the uterine environment. The biophysical profile is done to determine if a baby needs to be delivered immediately or if the baby is happy where he/she is. Naturally, I was a little anxious because I was not mentally prepared for them possibly having to be delivered immediately. Thankfully, Susan was there for support because I definitely needed someone!
The ultrasound tech started the test to observe how the girls were doing. They did great; however, they were not doing "fetal breathing". The tech explained that it was not a big deal because it depends on the time of day that they did it. However, she did another test that determined that everything was okay. I should also mention that I had waited in the waiting room for over an hour, and it was way passed my lunch time. For the conclusion of the biophysical profile, I had to do an hour long non-stress test. Susan and I were very hungry by this point. A non-stress test consists of having a monitor on to monitor the baby's heartbeat and contractions. In my case I had two heart monitors on and a contraction monitor. I had to click a button every time I felt one of the babies move. The nurses were looking for their heart rates to increase when they moved. The girls passed the biophysical profile, so they are happy where they are.
We quickly learned that I was having contractions every one to four minutes! I knew I had been having back pain, but I assumed that that was pain from carrying around two babies. I had the receptionist page my perinatologist because I could not get in contact with my primary care provider, and I really did not want to drive an hour home if I was having regular contractions! He said that I needed to go up to the labor and delivery floor, so Susan and I quickly went up there. I thought to myself that I better not be in labor because I haven't eaten lunch! They checked me and decided that I needed to walk an hour to see if things would progress. I thought that there was no way I would be able to walk an hour!!! The nurse gave me some graham crackers and a 7-UP to help with my hunger. For those who have seen O Brother Where Art Thou, I seriously felt that it, "would only arouse my appetite without beddin' her back down". So Susan and I walked around for an hour!!!! Susan was injured from an accident a few days before, and I am so big that I have a very fierce waddle. Once the hour was up, I progressed almost a centimeter. It was quickly determined that I was not in active labor, but I needed to remain in Muncie just in case. Susan and I were finally able to eat!
James met us in Muncie once he got off from work (I didn't tell him what was going on until afterwards because I didn't want to worry him over nothing). The weekend became dedicated to getting the babies out! We walked around the neighborhood. I ate some papaya hoping to get the contractions working. We even went to the Indianapolis Zoo!! At my doctors appointment on Monday, I had only progressed another centimeter! The doctors then discussed inducing me. Who has heard of a twin pregnancy needing to be induced!!! These little girls are proving to be as stubborn as both of their parents are!
Yesterday I returned for another ultrasound. Baby B is estimated to be 6 pounds and 2 ounces. Baby A is estimated to be 5 pounds and twelve ounces. I have almost twelve pounds of baby inside me!!! My perinatologist walked in the room and said, "Why are you still pregnant!! There is no reason why a woman of your height should still be pregnant with twins". When I was hooked up to the fetal monitor, he even bent down and talked to my belly telling them that they needed to come out! The monitor showed that I am still having contractions, which I could have told them! lol. The induction is set for next week!!!!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Nursery
About two weeks ago, my mom came over and helped me finish the nursery. James did all of the hard labor of putting everything together, so I wanted to decorate it. However, I simply did not have the energy/stamina to do it by myself. Mom and I had a great time organizing everything, and it was nice seeing some of my old nursery decorations incorporated into the girls' room.
I have made it passed 36 weeks, so I am doing great! However with this unusually warm weather, I am not very comfortable. James and I had to actually turn the air conditioning on in the middle of March! What is even more unusual is that I am demanding a fan to sleep with (James usually insists on sleeping with a fan with me tolerating it). We are hoping the girls get here soon because we are getting very anxious to meet them!!
I have made it passed 36 weeks, so I am doing great! However with this unusually warm weather, I am not very comfortable. James and I had to actually turn the air conditioning on in the middle of March! What is even more unusual is that I am demanding a fan to sleep with (James usually insists on sleeping with a fan with me tolerating it). We are hoping the girls get here soon because we are getting very anxious to meet them!!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
34 Weeks
I am following the motto that every day counts with this pregnancy, and I am very excited to say that we have reached 34 weeks!!! I am very happy to have made it this far, and everything is going great.
At my ultrasound last week, we discovered that both of our girls have flipped and are now head down! When the ultrasound tech said that, I know I squealed with delight. My specialist said that he could count the number of times on his hand the number of times a twin has flipped from non-breech to breech this far along in a pregnancy, so let's pray they stay head down! Everyone seemed surprised that I did not feel them turn. I commented that there is so much movement that I can hardly tell what is what; the only thing I can usually tell is which baby it is. I also had my last pre-term labor testing. Everything came back negative, so that is great news too. The doctor appeared to be just as excited as I was with the progress of everything. He could not get over how great everything was going. I go back for my next ultrasound next week, and we will get an estimate of the girl's weights! He emphasized that the goal was definitely 36 weeks, which means that we could meet our girls in as little as two weeks! I'm personally hoping for 37-38 weeks. James and I went to child-birthing classes the passed two weeks, and we both found it to be informative. I discovered that I love to sit on birthing balls because it really helps my back! We also had some maternity pictures taken at Target for a great price, which we are very excited about getting.
I also went to my midwife yesterday. She was very excited that they were head-down because that meant she could possibly still be involved with the birth. I am measuring at 37 weeks, which is great. She asked me how I was feeling, and I said, "I feel like I am running out of room!!". My blood pressure was great, and I haven't had any swelling. She made a comment about how everything is going perfectly like there was only one baby in there! I told her that I could definitely tell there were two with all of the movement going on!
James and I moved a few weeks ago into a bigger apartment to make room for the girls. They have their own nursery, which I am slowly putting together. We love our new apartment. My favorite addition is the fact that we have a washer/dryer hookup!! When we purchased our washer/dryer, I went on a laundry cleaning frenzy. It was awesome!
At my ultrasound last week, we discovered that both of our girls have flipped and are now head down! When the ultrasound tech said that, I know I squealed with delight. My specialist said that he could count the number of times on his hand the number of times a twin has flipped from non-breech to breech this far along in a pregnancy, so let's pray they stay head down! Everyone seemed surprised that I did not feel them turn. I commented that there is so much movement that I can hardly tell what is what; the only thing I can usually tell is which baby it is. I also had my last pre-term labor testing. Everything came back negative, so that is great news too. The doctor appeared to be just as excited as I was with the progress of everything. He could not get over how great everything was going. I go back for my next ultrasound next week, and we will get an estimate of the girl's weights! He emphasized that the goal was definitely 36 weeks, which means that we could meet our girls in as little as two weeks! I'm personally hoping for 37-38 weeks. James and I went to child-birthing classes the passed two weeks, and we both found it to be informative. I discovered that I love to sit on birthing balls because it really helps my back! We also had some maternity pictures taken at Target for a great price, which we are very excited about getting.
I also went to my midwife yesterday. She was very excited that they were head-down because that meant she could possibly still be involved with the birth. I am measuring at 37 weeks, which is great. She asked me how I was feeling, and I said, "I feel like I am running out of room!!". My blood pressure was great, and I haven't had any swelling. She made a comment about how everything is going perfectly like there was only one baby in there! I told her that I could definitely tell there were two with all of the movement going on!
James and I moved a few weeks ago into a bigger apartment to make room for the girls. They have their own nursery, which I am slowly putting together. We love our new apartment. My favorite addition is the fact that we have a washer/dryer hookup!! When we purchased our washer/dryer, I went on a laundry cleaning frenzy. It was awesome!
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