Quick Update on the Girls!

I'm sorry I didn't post last months update. It's a busy time of the year around here!!

Last month's month appointment went as expected. I passed the glucose test! They took a peak at the girls and they were hanging out one on top of the other in a transverse position, which explains why I only felt movements above my belly button! I'll admit I've been a little freaked out about them being transverse but I've been doing research online and I'm prepared to try my own version if I have to, under the doctors care of course.

Today we are 1 week shy of 7 months. I've gained 30lbs so far, which I guess is good for twins?! I feel huge but I'm all belly.
My feet have started swelling so much that my toes look like vienna sausages. It's pretty scary looking. I'm also having issues with varicose veins, some in the most uncomfortable places. 


The girls are quite active all the time. There is never a down time between the two of them. Oh, and I'm pretty sure within the last couple of days that they have changed positions. I can feel movement and pressure much lower than I could before. It makes me excited BUT I'm starting to wonder if what I'm feeling are feet!!

Our next appointment in on December 30th. We are set up first thing in the morning for a growth scan followed by a RhoGAM shot in the butt. Good times! I can't wait to see the girls and how much they are growing. I'm really hoping I can talk the tech into taking a couple of 3D (or 4D) shots for B and C since they won't be able to make it down. 

I promise to update on time after our next appointment. 

20 Weeks! The Big Reveal!

I think I was just as excited as B and C for our 20 week appointment today. I remember what it was like for my first sonogram and couldn't wait for them to see everything for themselves! I was especially excited for C, being his first time seeing the babies.

I knew today's appointment would take a long time so I stopped at Chick Fil A on my way in for some breakfast. I had already downed a bottle of water but I wanted to do what I could to ensure the babies were active, so I grabbed a bottle of OJ too. Nothing like a full belly and bladder to get babies to move around... so I hear?!

I met B and C in the parking lot. I think B was shocked to see my big ole belly! :) We went upstairs to check in and were sent straight to ultrasound.
The tech was amazing! I really loved that she took the time to explain every single thing she was doing and answered all their questions, even the silly ones. I did my best to tell them what they were looking at too while paying a lot of attention to the measurements. I think I've been worried about one baby being bigger than the other or something.
The tech started with Baby A. She took her time measuring and explaining everything she was doing. The baby cooperated making it really easy to make out all the important parts she was measuring, including the sex. I noticed it when she was measuring the femur bone but I didn't say anything until B asked. I told her it was a GIRL and the tech showed them the obvious 3 lines!
Waiting for the sex on Baby B was brutal. We went through all the same measurements again and Baby B was just as cooperative as Baby A... thank goodness. As the tech was getting done B and C were glued to the TV. B blurted out that she saw something sticking out and tried showing C what she was looking at. I could tell that there wasn't anything sticking out and that Baby B was a GIRL too but I waited for the tech to show them. As soon as the she moved the wand B saw the 3 lines and shouted, "I see three lines!". They were both beaming ear to ear!
The whole scan was pretty entertaining. It was funny listening to B and C trying to make out everything on the screen and seeing C freak out a little when the tech "cut" the baby in half to measure the spine and heart. It took a while for him to get exactly what she was doing!
Overall, they are perfect. They both measured right on track for 20 weeks with Baby B measuring 1 day ahead of Baby A. They are around 10 ounces each and the size of cantaloupes with heartbeats in the mid 150's. The tech got some really great face shots and the babies look nothing alike, at all. I can't wait to see what they look like when they are born!!
They don't have names picked out. They only had boy names... but B said as soon as they decided she would share them with me. I don't think they plan on telling family until the babies are born.

The rest of the appointment went as normal. I left a urine sample and weighed in at 10lbs gained since last month. Of course Dr C was thrilled with the numbers but I'm not! That's 16lbs in 5 months. Ouch.
He went over the scans with B and C, which were perfect, and discussed Cord Blood Banking. We also went over the induction. Dr C said from the beginning he wouldn't let them go over 38 weeks but B wanted to know if he would go to 39 to decrease the chances of something being wrong, and to make sure they aren't born on Feb 29 with 2012 being a Leap Year. He agreed. So it looks like they will come the beginning of March. He wrote me a prescription for a support garment to help with the massive vessel swelling I'm dealing with. OUCH! I'm hoping it helps because I'm afraid these bad boys are gonna explode!
I go back in 4 weeks for the yummy glucose test... GAG!

When we were saying our goodbyes B touched my belly and said, "Bye Bye Babies!". It made me a little sad for her. It kinda sucks that she can't be with her babies right now and that she isn't going to get to feel them move or kick ( I won't see her again until they are born). I guess I'll just have to work on making some really great videos for her. :) 

16 Week Appointment

The last four weeks have been a whirlwind of changes for me. First,and best of all, the bleeding has stopped! I'm so glad, it really was annoying. Second, my belly exploded with roundness. Not just the cute bump you see below the belly button when you first start showing... but full on rounded belly from top to bottom! I've tried sucking in to see if I'm just crazy but it doesn't go anywhere. :) I can even feel Baby A moving up above my belly button. I don't remember any of my kids being so high, so early.

Third, entering the second trimester brought my appetite back with a vengeance! I can eat just about anything without getting sick and boy do I want to eat! My new favorite foods of choice are tomatoes, jalapenos, nachos, yogurt, and Lucky Charms. I'm also back to enjoying my one cup of coffee per day (minus the overload of sweetener).
Of course you can guess what this means, right? Yep! Weight gain! I'm up 6lbs in one month. BOO! Of course the doctor was happy, 6lbs in 4 months is great! Too bad it doesn't feel so great...

Last, my emotions are out of control! I hate that feeling. I like to be in control of my body and mind and that isn't at all possible right now, despite how hard I fight. I can cry about anything and most of the time I just have to let it happen. 

I also have these freak out moments where random, awful thoughts enter my mind and send me into a sobbing mess. 9 times out of 10 it has something to do with my children and fear of something awful happening to them. Add these crazy emotions to the wicked "real life like dreams" and at times, I feel like I'm falling apart.

Today's check up went as usual... urine sample and a sneak peak at the babies. This time they were both hanging out with their heads on the opposite sides of each other with their feet touching. They spent most of the appointment facing downward and being difficult so that we couldn't really see what sex they are but we didn't give up!
We started out with Baby A who wouldn't budge despite the nurse pestering him/her. So we moved on to Baby B. The nurse was pretty sure that we were looking at girl parts. The doctor said although you couldn't see the 3 lines you could see that there wasn't anything poking out. Going back to Baby A we were right in time to watch him/her cross it's legs! What a handful that kid is already! The doctor pushed and poked until he/she moved and said, "well, there are no boy parts there either!"
We checked heart rates so I could take a video of them to send to B. Baby A was 152 and Baby B was 154.
So verdict is, two girls! I'm not buying it! :) I'm still thinking that A is a boy. I guess we won't know until next month!

I called B and gave her the update on how awesome thy both looked and assured her that they were right on track without spilling the beans about what we saw, or didn't see. I told her that I didn't get 100% confirmation on the sexes and that I still believed it's one of each, which is what she thinks too.
Can't wait to see them again next month and see if we are right or if the doctor and nurse are right! 

  

12 Weeks!

12 weeks (and 3 days) today! I'm toting around a couple of peach sized babies now! I'm happy to report that I am no longer taking progesterone or estrogen! Yippie! I couldn't be more excited about that!! I had hoped that once I stopped taking them that I would start feeling better, and I do... minus the latest urinary tract infection and getting sick every time I eat. :) It's not nearly as bad as it was before. 

I still have some pretty major aversions. I'm trying to fight through it but I'm not having very much luck. I did manage to choke down two cups of coffee recently but they had to not smell like coffee and not taste sweet...? I can also handle Lemonade but it has to be freshly squeezed and not too sweet and even still... I've only had a couple of cups. Water is still my best friend.
I can't really claim any cravings either. I'm loving red meat, which probably makes B's head spin being that she is a vegan! I'm also digging Tex-Mex! but neither of them are things I feel like I "have" to eat. 

My belly is growing already. I keep thinking it's my imagination but my clothes say otherwise. I haven't gained any weight as of yet. Sure is going to be fun putting on 50lbs in 5 months. NOT!
I can also feel the babies move!! I've been able to for a couple of weeks now. It didn't start as little flutters like it did early on with my babies. Instead if feels like bowling balls rolling around in there. It's pretty cool. 

Joelie tagged along to the latest appointment on Wednesday. She was such a good little girl. We took the iPad and she just hung out while watching Dora. Once we were in the examination room she was fascinated with the feet covers... some bright floral print.
B opted out of the NT Scan so the appointment was pretty basic. They did a urine check and took a sneak peak of the babies. The doctor noticed the bleed, yes it's still bleeding, and said that it wouldn't interfere with the babies at all and that it should correct itself soon. Pretty sure I heard that a couple of months ago?

The babies looked perfect. The printer wasn't working so I wasn't able to get pictures. I'll do my best to describe what I saw... it was pretty cute!
Baby A is in a horizontal position. His (I think it's a boy) head is to the right with his legs stretched out toward Baby B. Baby B is in a vertical position, facing us. Baby A is moving and wiggling around like crazy! I knew he was a wild one!! He kept turning his head from side to side like he was saying no and kicking his legs out. What was sad is that every time he moved Baby B would throw her (I think it's a girl) arm up like she was scared... like a fast jerk motion. AW! It was so amazing seeing them both move around like that. 

I called B and gave her the update. I warned her that she's going to have her hands full with Baby A! She told me that her grandmother had named them This and That! So, I told her This was going to have her up all night! :)

Our next appointment is September 28th. 16 weeks! Dr C said we would try and get a sneak peak at genders before the "big" appointment in October! I can't wait!

My First Appointment w/ My Own Doctor

I searched online for hours reading reviews on Austin OBGYN's that delivered at a level III NICU and specialized in high risks pregnancies, just in case.
I found a place called Austin Area OBGYN's and was taken away by the great reviews. I called and told the scheduler answering the call that I needed someone that worked with twins. She told me that Dr. Cowan was the best and set me up with an appointment.
I was thrilled for today's appointment because B got to go with me. I can't begin to tell you how amazing the office staff treated both of us. They showed a lot of interest in our story and Dr. Cowan was so grateful for us choosing him to help in our journey. They made us both feel so comfortable.
 
The appointment took a while with most of the time being used for questions and answers. Both Dr. Cowan and his nurse were really thorough.

The bleeding from the clot hasn't stopped yet but is slowing down. During the ultrasound you could tell that it was much smaller than it was two weeks ago. Hopefully it'll be over soon!!
Only 7 more days on estrogen and progesterone and I'm thrilled! I'm hoping coming off of them will help with my feeling so ill. In the meantime... Zofran is my new best friend, the constipation side effect is not. 


The shock of the appointment was hearing Dr. Cowan tell me that he expected me to gain 50lbs! HUH, WHAT? Wow. Apparently studies show that more weight gain with twins increases odds of them  making it to full term vs being born early. Bring on the burgers and ice cream! 
Something else he mentioned is that no matter what they will not let the babies go to 38 weeks. He said that bad things happen after 38 weeks with twins. He also talked about vaginal delivery vs c-section. He told me that my odds were 60/40 of getting my vaginal delivery but he was on the same page as me. Guess we will see what happens. 
B opted out of the First Trimester Screen. I can't say I blame her. I wouldn't do it either.
I had my blood drawn, gave a urine sample, and they did a pap smear. Good times!





Now on to the fun stuff.... the ultrasound! It was so amazing!! The office had a 32 inch TV on the wall connected to the machine. It was so neat seeing the bigger picture. Right off the bat B picked up on the little fluttery heartbeats. So sweet! What was really cool is that they were both moving around. Baby A was even moving it's little arm buds up and down and you could clearly make out the head, face, and body. Baby B was a little wiggle worm too. I'm so so so happy B got to see them like that. They printed out pictures for her and made her a DVD to take home to C.
They were both measuring right on track with Baby B a tad bigger than Baby A. (Last time Baby A was bigger) The heart rates were not the same this time either! I was shocked!! Baby A was 174 and Baby B was 167. Did I say something about BOYS? I'm thinking C better watch out, he may end up with a house full of GIRLS! :)

Emergency Trip to the Fertility Clinic

Last night was scary for me. I stayed up late getting some clothes sorted and organized for a consignment shop that I'm doing in August. I started having cramps and pains in my lower abdomen and back. I decided to go to bed but before I could get settled I felt a gush of liquid and started bleeding. The bright red blood and cramps really scared me. I called Dr C and told her what was happening and asked what she wanted me to do. She told me to just go to bed and that she would call the fertility center here and get me in first thing in the morning.
I couldn't sleep. I couldn't get comfortable and my mind was racing. I just kept thinking about how unfair this would be for B and C and how I didn't want to call and tell her this was happening. She's suppose to be here in a few days for our first ultrasound and now everything was turned upside down.
I did end up sending her a text letting her know. I knew her phone would be off and hated the thought of that being the first thing she saw when she turned her phone on in the morning, but I had to tell her.
I got up this morning and the cramping had settled a bit but the bleeding was still there. I got a call from Dr C's office saying my appointment was at 10:15. Thank goodness I didn't have to wait too long to go. The waiting was killing me.
When I got up on the table I said a few silent prayers. Dr K came in and started the ultrasound. I couldn't make out anything right away but it didn't take long for me to see the flutters of a tiny heartbeat! He took measurements and they were spot on, 7 weeks. Heart rate was 136.  As he is moving things around I asked, "Just one?" He looks at me and says... "In sac number two"... Yep, 2nd baby had a perfect 137 heart rate and measured 6 weeks 6 days.
Both babies are perfectly fine. The bleeding is coming from a blood clot in the middle of the two sacs. Dr K said it's like a bruise and should correct itself over time. The only advice... no sex or nipple stimulation and followup with Dr C.
I kept constant communication with B through the visit and was thrilled to give her the good news. I'm so relieved that everything is okay and hope that this darn blood clot dissolves (or whatever it's suppose to do) soon!

TWINS! :) 

Do It Yourself.

I took Casey to the airport this morning for his flight to Zurich where he will be working for the next two weeks. I knew this day was coming for a while so I've had time to prepare, not only for being without him but for having to figure out another way to get my progesterone shots.
My friend offered to help and even enlisted her husband, he gave her shots when she was pregnant. While it was kind of her to offer I thought it would be a tad strange and maybe even inconvenient for everyone.
I thought I could always get Venus or Sequel to do it. Sure it would mortify them just having to look at my butt and send them into complete shock having to jab a needle into me... but it was an idea!?
In the end I decided to do it on my own. Why not? I watched a few videos on youtube (some of them were quite freaky) and figured if they could do it, so could I. So this evening I got all my stuff ready and headed to the couch. I searched my leg a few times to make sure I was indeed aiming at a muscle and I thought about how I needed to do this is one swift motion. I thought about it some more... and a little more. Finally I SLOWLY pushed the needle into my thigh. Ouch! I pulled back to make sure there wasn't any blood and there wasn't but I thought it'd be best to check again. Still no blood. I began pressing down on the plunger and OH MY GOSH! the pain shot down my leg and up my thigh. I can't even begin to explain what it felt like. I got up to walk and the pain was more intense. I ended up putting a heating pad on it in hopes that the pain would subside. It hasn't. I sure hope I can walk tomorrow.
I'm starting to have second thoughts about doing this myself and wonder if traumatizing my kids would be a better idea? :)
Only 34 more days of shots to go...