Ultrasound 24 weeks

We had a really good ultrasound appt. Everything is right on track so far. Both babies this time weigh 1 lb 7 ozs. Still on track with what a single baby would be at 24 weeks. I think to myself.....they are going to get HOW much bigger??? I feel huge now. lol Their heartbeats were 148 beats/minute. I told Nick I swear the girl is getting bigger because my belly button seemed to have shifted to the right for a few days. lol It centered again. Was kinda funny though because she did catch up and they are the same now. It is really hard to get a good look at them now. There are arms and legs everywhere and it's hard to tell which baby they are attached to. They are also much closer now. Last time the boy was crossing over to the middle and sitting on her head. This time the girl was over the middle on his head. They are positioned the same as last month. The girl is head up and the boy is head down. They have always been opposite so far. Her feet are very low and there is no wonder I feel like she's going to kick out of me. lol They are busy little babies in there. Moving constantly. That's the other reason it's so hard to catch good pictures of them. Here are the main Yea God's of the day.......my cervix is still long, there is plenty of fluid in each sac, each placenta looks healthy, blood flow through the umbilical cords is good, the babies are the size they should be, and their hearts are beating beautifully with all 4 chambers.
Boys Hand

Boy XRated View

Boy Profile

Girl laying on Boy's head

Girl's head and belly

24 weeks

We got to talk to the high risk consultant there and ask questions. I'm going to try and write down what she told us before we forget. She told us more in a few minutes then anyone so far. She talked really fast but was very frank and honest with us. She said she went to the same docs we're going to for both of her babies. She said they deliver a lot of twins. She said that contractions with twins are normal at this stage. Basically my body thinks I'm 30 some weeks pregnant because of size and it's reacting. She said WE WILL end up going to the doctor/hospital because of contractions with twins and to expect it to happen. Your body will think it's time before it's time because of the size of your uterus. She said to go to the hospital if I have four or more contractions in an hour or if they become more painful, she said obviously go if there is blood or leakage. If I end up at the hospital and my contractions keep coming they will give me a medication to make them stop. I forget the name of it but she said it's a miserable med for the mom and makes you sick but most times it stops labor. Then I'd be sent home once they are under control. She said the big goal is to make it to 34 weeks. If I deliver before 34 weeks I'll have to be given steroids to help speed the development of the babies lungs as they try and hold off labor until it gets to them. That's 10 weeks! She made the comment that I'm still at the comfortable stage now. lol I thought that was funny.....I can't even imagine how this is going to progress. She said YOU WILL GET HUGE! We also talked to her about c-sections vs vaginal delivery. She said people in York for the most part are only trained to deliver vaginally if both are head down. They could both be that way and stay that way through delivery or the 2nd baby could turn causing me to have one vaginally and one by c-section. She said that's the worse case because you're body will be exhausted from the first birth and will have a much longer recovery for the surgery of the 2nd baby. She also said sometimes the first baby is born and the second one goes into distress and it's heart rate lowers causing them to have to do an emergency c-section. Then she said if I go into preterm labor, the c-section will be the best. Then there are the scheduled c-sections, basically if I end up so miserable they may schedule the c-section for the health of both me and the babies. In that case she said that 34 weeks is the key to hold out for. She said recovery and overall scheduled c-sections have the best outcome. There is less infection and you're well rested going into the surgery and there is less stress. Nick keeps saying I should insist on a scheduled c-section. In many ways it would be much easier. She said the babies can turn up until the end. They will have less room to move as the weeks pass but it depends on when my body decides it's had enough. She said in a single pregnancy usually at 34 weeks or so the baby usually assumes position for delivery and they might not make it to assuming the position. She said to pay attention to when I'm having contractions. Contractions can get worse from lack of water, not emptying your bladder enough, too much time on your feet and stress. She said to get used to sitting for as much as I can while I do things. She said I shouldn't be roaming the mall at this point or be on my feet for any length of time. She also said sometimes there is nothing you can do to stop it, your body may not be able to handle the weight anymore and it may not have been anything you did or didn't do. Nick asked about bed rest and she said absolutely not unless I go into preterm labor and it's the only way to keep them in before 34 weeks. She said that is old school thought and bed rest is actually very risky. You can get blood clots that are fatal. It's crucial you move around just make sure there is lots of sitting as well. Good thing is even at 24 weeks, the babies have a chance of survival outside the womb now. The longer they can stay in there the healthier they will be.

Saturday I had three contractions right in a row and it was right after a ligament episode. I was kinda a mess. I thought the ligament pain was done and we needed to get to a youth meeting so I jumped in the shower and the pain started again and then the contractions all in the shower. Nick was taking a nap so he didn't hear me. I couldn't put weight on my right leg and I think I just panicked causing the contractions. Then I get out and had a nosebleed in BOTH sides of my nose. I was thinking seriously.....STOP. lol

I've been having the sciatic nerve pain, lower back pain and pain in my right side. Mom said she'd pay for me to have a pregnancy massage and now I'm at the point where I want to try one. I have that scheduled for the 25th. We'll see how that goes. The lady told me it relaxes the mother and in turn relaxes the babies and can prevent preterm labor. I don't know if she was feeding me a line but the doctor did recommend it as being very helpful.

First Contraction

I had my first contraction yesterday morning. It was really strange. I was still in bed and all the sudden my whole belly got tight and hard. It didn't hurt at all which was even stranger. I just laid on my left side until it passed. It lasted about 30 secs or so. I called the docs to ask when I should be concerned and they said if I have 4 in an hour or start having them every 15 mins to call them.

We had our first labor class last night. I was really hoping there would be another couple expecting twins but there wasn't. There are a lot of people in the class and all but 2 are expecting boys. I felt rather ridiculous trying to do the stretching. I can't breath when I bend because it pushing my uterus into my lungs. I didn't realize how much flexibility I've lost either. Nick really wants to get a birthing ball. lol It actually was the most comfortable option for squatting. What a ridiculous scene that was. Pregnant women and their "coach" squatting in different positions. Almost all the women in the class are due April 20th. lol hmmm.....was happened 9 months before? There were a few due in March and the rest were other days in April. We had to go around and introduce ourselves, tell our occupations, due date, sex of the baby, names if we have them picked out, and our biggest concern including birth through when the babies are 18. lol I get all nervous with that stuff. Nick says he does too but you can't tell with him. I get all shaky and red and forget the questions. I was amazed that there was only one couple that didn't know the sex of their baby. Everyone finds out now. I honestly don't know how you'd not know if it's a boy and you have an ultrasound later on. It's pretty obvious!!!

I've gained around 15lbs now which is normal weight gain for a single pregnancy now. I doubt I'm going to gain the 50lbs they talked to me about unless some serious gaining starts happening. I'm anxious to see if the babies are still on track. As long as the babies are on track I don't think they will be concerned. So far they have been taking what they need from me.

23 Weeks and counting!

I finally felt the girl move from the outside of my belly tonight. It was starting to concern me how much I feel the boy and rarely feel the girl. When I do feel her kick it's very light. Tonight she was kicking like a champ. :) I always feel her very low and many times she puts pressure on my bladder to the point that I have to go to the bathroom right away. She usually moves within a few minutes thank goodness.

Nick and I registered at BabysRUs. That was completely overwhelming. I was glad I got advice from Nancy ahead of time. There is so much stuff and lots of choices for everything. Nick and I have no clue. lol The employees there told us to register for more than we think including formula and diapers because you'll get coupons for the things you register for. I was surprised that Nick was picking all kinds of stuff....I was freaking out with him and that scanner. He was out of control. lol

I'm getting anxious again for the next ultrasound. Feb 12th. I really want to know how these babies are laying. I think they still move a lot though. They will measure my cervix on the ultrasound again and hopefully it will still be in good shape. I wish the docs appts and the ultrasounds weren't in the same week. It seems like so long in between. I want to know everything is okay, more often. My twin books say I should be going every 2 weeks after 20 weeks to be checked and the docs I go to won't increase it unless there is a problem. They say that because you also get an ultrasound, that's someone seeing you twice a month. The docs appts and ultrasounds have always been a few days apart which seems kinda silly to me. I still don't feel comfortable with all these different docs and it makes me nervous that they treat my high risk twin pregnancy the same as all the others. I'm looking forward to seeing another doc this time. I'm hoping I get to speak this time and ask some questions. I'm going to try and get Nick to go along. He's good at asking questions and supporting me that way. He's also been very helpful and thoughtful with me since it's been much harder for me to do simple things.

Bending over to pick things up can be difficult. the way down isn't bad. It's getting back up. lol My socks are getting harder and harder to put on. I wish it was flip flop weather. lol But then I'd have to somehow paint my toes. I would love to get a pedicure about now. Mom said she'd pay for me to get a pregnancy massage but I'm still scared to call and schedule it. I don't know why but I feel weird with someone touching me. Nick just said it better be a woman. Well duh...but even some strange woman touching me seems strange. The more I hurt though the more I am changing my mind. The doc told me it could really help. I've been loading on the cocoa butter and so far I haven't seen any stretch marks. I'm afraid to say that too soon though because I'm sure I have lots of stretching to go. I do have that strange line down the center of my belly. I read about it and they have some long fancy name for it but it's where your abdomen muscles separate to allow room for the growing uterus. Pretty crazy. It's a mystery why that changes your pigment but they say it shows up in darker skinned women more often. My belly button is pushing out and my belly is nice and tight like a brand new volleyball only bigger. I pretty much have realized that my body is no longer my own. Babies have taken it hostage. Hormones do some crazy things. My feet are bigger I swear. My shoes are tight. I told Nick this and he didn't believe me. It's not just an excuse for new shoes. I've been wearing my clogs every day anyhow but I know people who say their feet grow a shoe size and don't return after pregnancy. That would stink, I like my shoes and we can't afford to replace them. :( Heartburn is showing up everyday now. The preview for the Ben Stiller movie about throwing up in your mouth isn't near as funny to me anymore. Laying down makes it worse but I can't prop up and sleep on my side. It's quite the dilemma. Getting in and out of bed has become a sport. There is an exact way it must be done to prevent ligament freak out. I have to have everything available for the night. Heating pad, tylenol, belly wedge, extra pillows to prevent rolling and for between my knees, water, eye drops because I can't take my dry eye medicine now and of course saline drops for my nose since I get so stuffed up. I rotate from left side to back. Left side is supposed to be the best for the babies. It allows the babies to access the most oxygen and nutrition. I lay that way until my hip starts to ache then I switch to my back until I start throwing up in my mouth or my back hurts, then back to the side again. My ultrasound tech said I won't be able to lay on my back for long because the weight of the babies with cut off my blood flow and I'll pass out if I do. She said doing what is comfortable is usually best for the babies and the only thing that will eventually be comfortable will be left side laying. Believe it or not I do get some enjoyment out of this most times. I feel the babies kick a lot when I'm still before I FINALLY fall asleep. lol Physically I've just been really tired. I slept 12 hrs last night. I don't remember turning my alarm off. I'm still making two trips to the bathroom at night. The trips seem more urgent now then before. lol My legs and belly are red like they are sunburned. Blood flow going crazy. I can always feel my own heart beating in my chest. I've had low blood pressure so far which is really good. Hope it stays that way. I've not had much of an appetite though. I thought by now I'd eat a lot. I have a lot of feeling sick in my stomach days still but at least they no longer lead to throwing up. I get dizzy spells when I stand too long. I just don't know how I'll feel day to day. My back has been hurting more and more but not lower back as much as my rib area. I'm really thankful I haven't had too much pain that way. And THANK THE LORD I haven't had long episodes of the ligament pain lately. I get sharp pain every now and again but it only has been lasting minutes instead of hours. At this point I feel pregnant for sure but I'm not miserably uncomfortable and that I'm thankful for! I can still laugh at most of it.

I'm starting to have crazy dreams of things happening and Nick not being around. Then I wake up panicked. I do need to get more comfortable calling the docs and asking questions. I did this past week and they did put my mind at rest.

We start our child birth/baby care classes this Thursday. I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully that will answer a lot of my questions. I started reading another twin book that my mom got me that has been really good.

Time for bed.

The Moving Belly

I'm seriously getting a kick out of this moving belly of mine. It makes me laugh. The boy is kicking harder and harder. I had Nick feel and he kinda got freaked out by it, it gave him the chills. lol He said it was weird like he's not only kicking now but sliding his arms or legs along my belly. He's been getting up into my ribs too. At this point i can stretch and make it feel better. They both kept me up last night moving around. I don't know why but the girl has always been much more subtle. At my last ultrasound it wasn't that she wasn't moving because she was moving just as much as he was. For some reason he seems to kick to the outside of my belly and I feel her kicking lightly towards the inside against my organs. I'm curious how they are positioned now. Nick did finally get to feel her kick but you have to be very still and hope your hand is in the right spot. With him you can SEE where to put your hand and he kicks many times in the same spot so he's easy to catch.

I started drawing my tree on the wall in chalk. I have to wait for Nick to be home to work on it since I'm on a ladder. I'm anxious to paint it and get things moving. I've been working a lot on freelance now and I haven't had any free time to do anything. I'm still sleeping a lot which doesn't help either. I can still seem to need to get 10-11 hrs of sleep at night. I woke up this morning starving. I still feel sick on the first thing I eat in the morning. If I could take naps I could better manage the long period without food but I've never been able to nap. It should be interesting to see how I do once the babies get here.

I went to the dentist for a cleaning yesterday and they were all excited about the twins. I'm beginning to learn that scheduling appts is going to be interesting. I never really had to worry about it before. When do I schedule appts during the day? What will I do with two babies? Can't exactly bring them to the dentist. lol Mom said I just have to line up people to watch them.

I still have this sinus infection so I'm going to try another kind of antibiotic and hoping that will kick it.

Hospital Tour, More Episodes & a Moving Belly

Thursday we had the ole hospital tour. I was anxious to see what it was like. Nick was impressed with how much they explained. It was an hour tour with a bunch of big bellied women walking every where. Was kinda a funny site to see. It's interesting how women carry differently. There were all shapes and sizes of belly. I felt huge for 21 weeks...but they all had one baby in there. We were told where to go when we are in labor. South elevators to the 4th floor and the emergency room if we feel it's urgent. (who doesn't feel it's urgent?) Anyhow, they check you to see if you're dilated and depending on how many much they may send you home again or send you to a labor room. The labor rooms and maternity rooms all have a place for the baby. Healthy and "of weight" babies are with the mothers in her room. I thought that was really nice. There is also chairs/couches that pull out into beds for the "support person". They talked about all the accommodations they have in the labor room for all the different positions women like for labor. I was getting a kick out of watching Nick's face. Birthing balls, stirrups, and other things that sounded interesting. lol We saw where the recovery was for c-sections. This area was not near as nice. A big room with curtains to divide the beds. We went to see the NICU (intensive care) entrance. On the wall in the hallway were success stories of preemies who are now older. We saw 4 kids from our church on there. Two sets of twins from the same family. I started feeling sad thinking about how mostly likely our babies will end up in there and not in the room with us. If they are under 5 lbs, they will be in the NICU. It kinda stuck with me the whole tour thinking about it. We are really blessed that York Hospital has one of the best NICU's in the area. I also know they took very good care of Jacob, our friends son who was born at 30 weeks. We'd love for them to be born at a healthy weight. I know it can happen but I also am trying to be realistic in what I've been told and how the babies will run out of room to grow towards the end and I don't have a lot of extra room to give them. Nick has accepted that they will have to be there. Right now the babies are right on track. They are both the size of a normal single pregnancy. Around 28 weeks they say that changes with twins and they will then measure and weigh less. We pray for their health and that they will be born healthy every day and that's all we can do. We know God loves them more then we do and he's got their delivery already planned, we just have to trust Him.

This ligament is not cooperating in the stretching of my belly. I've never really experienced intense pain like it before. When it strikes there is nothing I can do to make it feel any better. Friday morning it woke me at 5 and lasted 3 hours this time. It hurt so bad I just cried the whole time. I would have taken the pain medicine had I had it filled. I still don't feel comfortable taking something that strong though. I felt bad for Nick. There is nothing he can do but watch. Afterwards it leaves me exhausted and sore for at least a day. I had another episode last night that lasted only an hour thank the Lord. We tried something different this time. I sat up in a chair beside the bed with pillows behind me with my heating pad. It still is very painful but sitting up prevents the extra pulling it takes to lay back. I don't know if it made the episode shorter or not but I'll try it again. I can endure an hour without breaking down in tears, it's the 2-3 hour ones that break my will and make me feel completely helpless and frustrated. I've heard so much advice that it's starting to frustrate me. There is no amount of breathing, tylenol or heating pads that make it better. It's not sore muscles, it's the ligament. We're just praying the episodes don't last longer or happen more often as time goes on. Is this prep for labor or what?

This is the fun part. Now 22 weeks pregnant, I can see things moving in my belly. I was sitting at Youth Group with the kids last night and the boy was kicking, I looked down and my shirt was moving. Hannah sitting beside me saw it too. It was during the lesson and it was killing me not to be able to show Nick. He was across the room. I feel the girl kick too but hers are much softer and she tends to kick at my organs while he kicks the outside of my belly. I'm anxious for another ultrasound but it's not until Feb 12th.

I got referrals for a massage therapist and chiropractor from my doctor. I've heard massages can do wonders. I haven't had much back pain considering. I have pain in the middle left side of my back more then the lower back. I also know when to wear my support. I usually have pain under my belly though from the weight and the support helps.

Docs Appt. Jan 18, 2008

Still loving strawberry milk.

It's been a week. Today I'm finally feeling relief from both the sinus infection and the ligament pain. AMEN. I think it kinda gave Nick and I a little wake up call of how I might not be so mobile over the next few months. I really think the coughing made the pain linger longer. So I'm hoping not to have another 2 days like that. Who knows though........there is lots of stretching to go.

I walked out of this docs appt in tears. I was so frustrated. I had all these questions to ask and the doc was not listening. Seeing a new doctor every appt is not agreeing with me. I really have trouble getting comfortable with docs as it is and I'm beginning to not like this rotation of 8 different docs. This doc was a man and he walked in talking. He never introduced himself and he was clearly in a hurry. He wouldn't make eye contact with me and I didn't get a chance to ask questions. He was very blunt with me. He said my ultrasounds look good and right now they are transverse in position. If they are both head down we're going forward with natural delivery and if not then you'll have a c-section. He just kept talking. I told the nurse that took my blood pressure that I've been having a lot of dizzy spells like I'm gonna pass out. My blood pressure has been really good though. This time it was 100/80. It's always been about there even pre-pregnancy. She said with carrying twins it is common for that to happen because of how much of my blood they are using. Then the doc asked me what these spells were like and he didn't even let me answer. He pushed me back on the table to measure me and I told him to stop. Laying back is one of the most painful things right now with this ligament and it sent sharp pain into me. He acted all shocked but I couldn't get a word in the warn him. I told him what I'd been experiencing and he quickly told me there is nothing they can do and I might as well get use to it. I'm small and having twins and it isn't going to get any better. I then told him the other doctor recommending a pregnancy massage therapist and/or chiropractor. So he said he'd get the nurse to get those references and he'd call in a prescription for tylenol with codeine to my pharmacy. He walked out and left. I didn't get a chance to ask him anything and I don't know if I want to take something that strong. I think the frustration of pain and his bluntness brought me to tears. I know it's gonna be painful and I don't expect it to be easy but I need to be able to ask questions. It's pretty scary for a first pregnancy to be high risk and I need their help. I know ultimately God is gonna take care of me and I just need to focus on that.

The good news.....I weighed 111 despite the cold and lack of appetite. The babies are right where they should be growth wise. Their heartbeats were 142 and 148. When she listened to the heartbeats, you could hear them moving around in there. It amazes me how much I feel them move. If it's not one it's the other.

I'm so ready for the cribs to get here and to be feeling better to work on the nursery. I got 2 bumpers to be able to match fabric to. I'm trying to save money by not buying bedding. Mom said you never use the quilts anyhow. So I got some solid soft bumpers and I'm thinking we'll get sheets and crib skirts separate and then my idea is to make headboards for the cribs and wrap them in fabric of some kind to give it character. Maybe I'll scan my sketches and post them here later.

Nick felt our boy kick!

Last night as we were waiting in the docs office, the boy was kicking pretty consistently in one spot so I had Nick see if he could feel it and he could even through a thick sweatshirt. It seems with twins everything happens early. My books say I should just now be feeling them kick and I did at 15 weeks. Then they say another few weeks before Dad can feel them from the outside and at 20 weeks he can. I suppose there is less cushioning in there.

I broke down and went to the family doctor after having this cold for a week and sore ribs from coughing. He said my lungs sound okay but that I had a nasty sinus infection. So I'm on amoxicillin antibiotic. I'm hoping that works because pre-pregnancy it never did, I'd always have to get something else. I'm not sure what all is safe to take antibiotic wise during pregnancy. I just hope this works. He warned me it would most likely take the whole 10 days to get rid of. Benadryl is giving me some sleep at night. :) I can't take sudafed. :( It makes my heart race. I was up at 2am sketching out ideas for the nursery. lol The goal is to find a creative way to keep costs down and still have something neat. Mom ordered us 2 cribs from Target and I'm excited about that. It will give us an idea of space in the room. The room is only 10 x 10 so it's gonna be tight. I have a feeling one crib with 2 babies is gonna be in our room for the first few months. Nick doesn't think that's necessary but I do. I want to wake up and be able to see them, otherwise I could see myself sleeping in the nursery on a chair.

I've stopped reading the regular pregnancy books and have focused on my 2 twin books. The regular ones just depress me by saying how awesome I should feel in the second trimester. I don't. I'm exhausted, short of breath, still nauseous on and off and frustrated by what no longer is easy. I suppose if I skipped to the third trimester chapter it would make more sense to me. The twin books are much more accurate with how I'm feeling and should be feeling now. People ask me when I'm due like it's any minute now. lol In stores, I see the eyes go to the belly and they make room for me or let me go first. I asked if AC Moore had round frames and the lady told me to stay there while she looked. It's kinda weird to me but nice. I mean to I look that huge and incapable of moving. lol It's nice to see people in York can be nice sometimes. lol

The good ole round ligament pain is not letting up. I haven't been able to stand today without sharp pain. I'm thankful that sitting gives me relief since the first episode I couldn't find a position that relieved it. I weighed 113lbs at the doctor last night so I've gained 13 so far. I don't have an appetite with this cold. I actually weighed a few pounds more before it hit. I'm trying to eat regardless of feeling like it. If I had access to a soft ice cream machine, I'd be in heaven. Frosties from Wendy's and mixed cones are my favorite right now. If I can get rid of this pain today, I might just have to make a special trip for my ice cream fix.

Other good news.........Nick FINALLY agreed on a girls name!!! That was starting to stress me out. He liked 2 and nothing else and didn't like anything I did. I was about shocked when I mentioned this one and he said he liked it. We had two boy names picked before we knew what we were having. It was really easy, we both agreed and liked them right away and even when we found out there was one boy, we both agreed on the name it would be. Now for middle names........

Oh and we're not telling anyone names because I want something to be a surprise when they are born. I don't know how Nick will hold out. He let one slip already to Jeremy and Nancy. He's not the best in the world with secrets, but I'm glad about that most times. :)