32 Weeks

I have a lot to say but I'm still trying to process everything that happened during yesterdays appointment. I'm not quite ready to talk about it. So until I am, here is a small update:

We had a growth scan to check on the girls. They are in similar positions still. Baby A, Hudson is head down and facing sideways toward the front. Baby A, Macy-Dean is footlong breech facing forward. We were able to get some cute shots of her this time.

Hudson is still measuring a tad smaller. She is 4lb 3oz and 32 weeks 1 day (right on track). Macy-Dean is 4lbs 11oz and 33 weeks 2 days.

Here are some pictures; 

Hudson

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

Hudson

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

Macy-Dean

29 Weeks, 3 Days

I wasn't too thrilled about going to the doctor Friday. I had to postpone my "normal" visit due to being out of town for the Holidays and then I got a call a week or so later saying Dr C would be out on the day I was coming in. I tried to rebook but couldn't because I HAD to get in and get my RhoGAM shot plus they were behind on doing the growth scan and didn't want to reschedule it. So off I went Friday morning bright and early.

I must admit, I like going in early when there is hardly anyone there and things move along quickly. I was taken straight back for the scan. 
The tech started with Baby A. She is head down and resting right on top of my cervix. Just in the right position! I sure hope she stays there!! She is absolutely adorable and made sure to show off for us. The tech was able to get pictures of her swallowing and a pretty decent 3d picture (the placenta is in front of her so it was a bit challenging).
All of her measurements were perfect and right on target.

Baby B is breech. Her head is right under my boobs and her body stretches all the way down to my pelvic bone. She is facing my spine so getting a good face shot of her was impossible. She is very active and was during the scan but she wouldn't turn her face for us. We did get a shot of her neck and you can see her fat rolls!! So cute! 
Her measurements were perfect too and a little ahead of target.

Here's the breakdown:
                                            Baby A: EDD is 03/14 and she weighs 3lbs 
                                            Baby B: EDD is 03/08 and she weighs 3lbs 4oz 

The tech checked my cervix, fluid levels, and the placentas. All three looked great! She also made a DVD and printed lots of pictures for B and C! 


The rest of the appointment went as expected. I got my RhoGAM shot and talked to the "doctor" in charge. She didn't actually introduce herself but after speaking with her i'm 99% sure wasn't a real doctor.
Anyway... I brought up some concerns about frequent contractions and worrying about them actually making progress since Baby A is head down and right on top of my cervix. She answered with some ramblings about women fearing that the baby will fall out when they poop. I just decided that it would do no good at all for me to talk to her. :) Instead we focused on what we did for Christmas and New Years Parties. Good times.

I did notice that Dr C already has an induction scheduled for February 28th. B asked him to hold off until March but it doesn't appear that he listened to her. Hopefully everything goes as planned and they can agree to meet in the middle. :)

Our next appointment is Jan 18th (32 weeks). I'm due to have another growth scan. I'll start going every two weeks after that and Dr C will start checking progress at 36 weeks. I will admit that I'm concerned about the contractions and have a fear that they are changing my cervix. I've had a bit of bloody show for the last couple of days. So... I may ask that they check and progress at our next appointment just to ease my mind.

Overall everything is going great. I'm excited that we are nearing the end! I can't wait for B and C to hold their girls and meet them for the first time!
I'm over the weight gain already and can't wait to get rid of the extra weight. B actually sent me a 3 month gym membership to use after the girls are born for Christmas! I'm really excited about it!
I'm also over the leg cramps and numbness and tingling in my arms, hands, and legs. Talk about uncomfortable!
Carrying twins isn't the same or nearly as easy as carrying a singleton. There is never a dull moment, one is always moving, and forget about sleeping soundly. I slept on my tummy through all of my single pregnancies, all the way up to the very end. The only way I can sleep with these girls is on my back. I miss having a good nights sleep.

Oh... and I learned at the last appointment that I have had the babies backward, so Baby A... isn't the wild one, it's really Baby B!
Here are some pictures: 

                                                                       Baby A Face

                                                                       Baby B Leg

                                                                 Baby B Neck Rolls

                                                                  Baby A Swallowing

                                                                 
Oh and I found out about B's baby shower and sent a couple of things to her. I had to make sure she was okay with sharing the girls names before I posted pictures. Here you go!

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! :)