31 weeks! Each baby is the size of four navel oranges. It's been four weeks and one day on modified bed rest. I am going stir crazy but hanging in there.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
31 week twin belly
31 weeks! Each baby is the size of four navel oranges. It's been four weeks and one day on modified bed rest. I am going stir crazy but hanging in there.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Good appointment today! 3D ultrasound pics
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| Baby B |
Baby A weighs 4 lbs (60th percentile). You can see her 3D shot with her sister's butt sticking right into her face.
Baby B weighs 3 lbs 13 oz (55th percentile). She is breached though. The specialist said there is a chance she could flip still. A chance. But as of right now, we are looking at C-section most likely.
Both heart beats looked good in the 150s.
The specialist said at this point, even being 3 cm dilated, there is still a chance I could make it to 37 weeks. Or I could go sooner. It's hard to say. But with the steroid shots and both girls weighing in so well he said it would be a really good outlook. So that made me fee a lot better.
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| Baby A |
Just taking it easy and staying off my feet as much as possible.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
A brief hospital stay...
Just got discharged from Fairview Hospital. It's been a dramatic couple of days.
I had a check up with my doctor on Wednesday. I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She decided it was time to get the steroid shots. Since I've been having some contractions on and off, she wanted to admit me to the hospital so they could make sure I was able to get the two steroid shots in without going into labor. She also did a quick ultrasound (#12) and both babies looked good - though baby A is really, really low which is causing a lot of the pressure and dilation (she is trying to escape!)
I had my first steroid shot at the hospital (which is given in the butt and hurts!) and then they hooked me up to the monitor. I was having a lot of contractions (every two to three minutes) which was making the doctors nervous. They did another vaginal check on me and I was 3 cm dilated. At that point that started giving me various medicines to stop/slow the contractions. The first one didn't work, but procardia finally was able to slow the contractions. At that point, the main goal was to keep me from going into delivery before I could get the next steroid shot (they have to be given 24 hours apart). Anyway, by 11 pm, the contractions were finally easing down. I had a lot of contractions again around 4 am and they almost had to give me another med but they stopped after an hour. Did not get much sleep last night obviously.
Today was pretty low key. They finally took me off the IV and monitoring device and then I just had to wait around until I got the second steroid shot. I got discharged around six and I'm back home now. Still on bed rest, still doing the home monitoring twice a day.
I think the hardest part of the hospital stay was that when I got there at 4, I hadn't eaten since lunch at one not realizing they would put me on a clear liquids only restriction! That was torture! They finally let me eat real food around 10 am the next morning. Jello, warm broth and Popsicles were not cutting it!
Doctor is optimistic that I can probably make it to 32 weeks but skeptical I'll make it to 34. At this point, every day we can hold on makes me feel a little better. I'll be 31 weeks on Saturday. And now that we've had the steroids, the babies' lungs will be good and strong. We'll see what the specialist says tomorrow.
The good news is that every time they monitored the babies, the girls are active with strong heart beats. Now if they could just stay put a little longer....
I had a check up with my doctor on Wednesday. I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She decided it was time to get the steroid shots. Since I've been having some contractions on and off, she wanted to admit me to the hospital so they could make sure I was able to get the two steroid shots in without going into labor. She also did a quick ultrasound (#12) and both babies looked good - though baby A is really, really low which is causing a lot of the pressure and dilation (she is trying to escape!)
I had my first steroid shot at the hospital (which is given in the butt and hurts!) and then they hooked me up to the monitor. I was having a lot of contractions (every two to three minutes) which was making the doctors nervous. They did another vaginal check on me and I was 3 cm dilated. At that point that started giving me various medicines to stop/slow the contractions. The first one didn't work, but procardia finally was able to slow the contractions. At that point, the main goal was to keep me from going into delivery before I could get the next steroid shot (they have to be given 24 hours apart). Anyway, by 11 pm, the contractions were finally easing down. I had a lot of contractions again around 4 am and they almost had to give me another med but they stopped after an hour. Did not get much sleep last night obviously.
Today was pretty low key. They finally took me off the IV and monitoring device and then I just had to wait around until I got the second steroid shot. I got discharged around six and I'm back home now. Still on bed rest, still doing the home monitoring twice a day.
I think the hardest part of the hospital stay was that when I got there at 4, I hadn't eaten since lunch at one not realizing they would put me on a clear liquids only restriction! That was torture! They finally let me eat real food around 10 am the next morning. Jello, warm broth and Popsicles were not cutting it!
Doctor is optimistic that I can probably make it to 32 weeks but skeptical I'll make it to 34. At this point, every day we can hold on makes me feel a little better. I'll be 31 weeks on Saturday. And now that we've had the steroids, the babies' lungs will be good and strong. We'll see what the specialist says tomorrow.
The good news is that every time they monitored the babies, the girls are active with strong heart beats. Now if they could just stay put a little longer....
Saturday, May 4, 2013
30 week twin belly
Well we made it to 30 weeks! Babies are the size of a head of cabbage, weighing in at/almost/just over three pounds (depending on which pregnancy app you are consulting). They are doing all kinds of acrobatic moves in there too.
Today marks three weeks one day of bed rest. It's been a much better week though after getting the negative FFN. A lot less stressful. I am still testing for contractions twice a day and taking it easy. For the most part, I am having one to three contractions an hour (which I can't really feel), with four or more sometimes. I just hydrate, lay down and re-monitor when that happens and the number always goes down below four.
We are having new carpeting installed in the basement/upstairs on Wednesday/Thursday which means we'll be able to put the nursery together next weekend. Darren and his dad painted the nursery dressers and spray painted the handles so it is looking good. I can't wait to get the baby stuff out of the living room and dining room and start to have a somewhat organized house back. My sister and cousin Jackie also came over and did some cleaning for me which was super nice and makes me feel less guilty about not being able to do anything.
I also finished Lost Season 2. Here are my thoughts: What will happen to Michael and Walt? What will the others do with Kate, Jack and Sawyer? Will Hurley and/or Syed somehow save them? What happened when Desmond blew up the hatch? Are Mr. Eckles, Lock and Desmond still alive? What was the deal with Desmond's ex girlfriend tracking for an electromagnetic abnormality? Do I like Jin or do I think he's an ass? Why did Charlie do his best to be such a weirdo/jerk this season, yet why did Claire still kiss him? How come Libby was at the crazy hospital with Hurley, and why did they kill her off so quickly? What is the Dharma initiative anyway? Who are the others?
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| Not a maternity dress! |
We are having new carpeting installed in the basement/upstairs on Wednesday/Thursday which means we'll be able to put the nursery together next weekend. Darren and his dad painted the nursery dressers and spray painted the handles so it is looking good. I can't wait to get the baby stuff out of the living room and dining room and start to have a somewhat organized house back. My sister and cousin Jackie also came over and did some cleaning for me which was super nice and makes me feel less guilty about not being able to do anything.
I also finished Lost Season 2. Here are my thoughts: What will happen to Michael and Walt? What will the others do with Kate, Jack and Sawyer? Will Hurley and/or Syed somehow save them? What happened when Desmond blew up the hatch? Are Mr. Eckles, Lock and Desmond still alive? What was the deal with Desmond's ex girlfriend tracking for an electromagnetic abnormality? Do I like Jin or do I think he's an ass? Why did Charlie do his best to be such a weirdo/jerk this season, yet why did Claire still kiss him? How come Libby was at the crazy hospital with Hurley, and why did they kill her off so quickly? What is the Dharma initiative anyway? Who are the others?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Twin Ugg boots!
My mom's friend Anne gave us two pairs of Ugg boots for the girls. The twins will be way more fashionable than their mama!
How cute are these?
How cute are these?
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Negative FFN! No Steroids Needed!
Well after not the greatest news at our appointment yesterday, the FFN test came back negative! Huge shock and awesome surprise. This means I have less than a 1% chance of delivering in the next two weeks. The doctor is going to keep me on bed rest for now and continue the home monitoring, but I won't need the steroids. Huge sigh of relief!
Barr babies are trying to give their mommy gray hair through a series of mini panic attacks. Glad we bought some time though!
http://www.ffntest.com/info/understanding_result/if_negative.html
What a Negative Test Result Means
A negative test result means you have a less than 1% chance of giving birth in the next two weeks,1 which can give you peace of mind and can help you avoid unnecessary drug treatment, bed rest, and hospitalization. This knowledge can provide reassurance so you can get on with your current activities without worry and you don't need to cancel plans unnecessarily.
What you can do next
After the test, if you still have symptoms or concerns, talk to your doctor — the test can be repeated as often as every two weeks from weeks 22 to 35 of your pregnancy. Also, be sure that you know the symptoms of premature labor and what to watch for.
Barr babies are trying to give their mommy gray hair through a series of mini panic attacks. Glad we bought some time though!
http://www.ffntest.com/info/understanding_result/if_negative.html
What a Negative Test Result Means
A negative test result means you have a less than 1% chance of giving birth in the next two weeks,1 which can give you peace of mind and can help you avoid unnecessary drug treatment, bed rest, and hospitalization. This knowledge can provide reassurance so you can get on with your current activities without worry and you don't need to cancel plans unnecessarily.
- The vast majority of women will get a negative test result, indicating that no fetal fibronectin is "leaking" into the vagina
- A negative test result gives you 99.2% assurance that you will not deliver in the next two weeks
What you can do next
After the test, if you still have symptoms or concerns, talk to your doctor — the test can be repeated as often as every two weeks from weeks 22 to 35 of your pregnancy. Also, be sure that you know the symptoms of premature labor and what to watch for.
Monday, April 29, 2013
29 week check up
Saw the doctor again today. Appointment was okay.
I am 1 cm dilated and 60 percent effaced (cervix is thinning). This isn't great news, but you can stay at 1 cm dilated for a while before delivery. As a precaution though, I am going to get steroid shots tomorrow and Wednesday to help develop and mature the babies' lungs. The doctor said its very possible I could still make it to 35 or 36 weeks, or I could deliver sooner. The unknown factor makes me so nervous!
Again, for now my goal is 32 weeks. I'm still on bed rest and drinking lots of fluids. If I can make it to 34 weeks, the chance of any long term problems for the babies would basically be non existent and its possible they wouldn't have any (or a lot) of NICU time. Before that though, the doctor said plan on them staying in the NICU until their due date (which is July 13!) Trying not to think about that though.
I am 1 cm dilated and 60 percent effaced (cervix is thinning). This isn't great news, but you can stay at 1 cm dilated for a while before delivery. As a precaution though, I am going to get steroid shots tomorrow and Wednesday to help develop and mature the babies' lungs. The doctor said its very possible I could still make it to 35 or 36 weeks, or I could deliver sooner. The unknown factor makes me so nervous!
Again, for now my goal is 32 weeks. I'm still on bed rest and drinking lots of fluids. If I can make it to 34 weeks, the chance of any long term problems for the babies would basically be non existent and its possible they wouldn't have any (or a lot) of NICU time. Before that though, the doctor said plan on them staying in the NICU until their due date (which is July 13!) Trying not to think about that though.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
29 week twin belly
Babies are the size of butternut squashes!
So happy to make it another week. Hanging in there but so sick of bed rest and worrying. We'll find out more at the doctor's office on Monday.
So happy to make it another week. Hanging in there but so sick of bed rest and worrying. We'll find out more at the doctor's office on Monday.
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Friday, April 26, 2013
Bed Rest Blues
Today makes two weeks of modified bed rest. My overall opinion of bed rest is that I do not like it.
I am so bored. There is only so much TV a girl can watch. I have almost finished the first season of Lost. I know I am about ten years behind the times, but hey. Here are my thoughts: What's up with the hatch? And those numbers? Is there a T-rex on the island? Is Charlie going to discover the heroin and relapse? What's up with Claire's baby? Why is the Korean husband guy (Jin?) such a jerk? How come Lock can walk now? Are Kate and Jack going to hook it up or what? So many questions.
It's also hard b/c there is so much that needs to be done before the babies come. I can't even go to the store to return a few things. And I need to find a diaper bag and pick out a nursing bra and tank. Obviously I am a big fan of online shopping but some things you need to be able to see in the store.
I've been able to at least sort and wash the baby items. Every day I prepare a load for Darren and then he brings them upstairs after they are washed. I've been sorting everything into bins by age group and I have all the blankets, bibs, burp cloths, slings, car seat covers, sheets, etc. washed. So that's something.
So it's been exactly two weeks since the positive FFN test. From what I've read online, a positive means you have a 30 to 50% chance of going into labor in the two weeks following a positive. Luckily we are now at that two week mark and no labor. I'm not really sure what that means then moving forward. Guess we'll find out when we see the doctor on Monday. For now, I keep hooking up to the monitor twice a day. I usually have one to three contractions in an hour, though I did have seven once (I had to drink water, lay down, and re-test, and the second test only showed one luckily.). The goal is to stay under four an hour.
Being a hormonal pregnant women (times two) and having to worry every day about going into early labor is tough emotionally. I am just so scared and nervous every single day and freaking out over every little sensation in my body. At least the girls are moving a lot. I've been doing kick counts where you track how many times you feel movement. The goal is to feel ten kicks in an hour. I usually feel ten kicks in less then fifteen minutes, one time it only took a minute and a half. So they are good and active.
29 weeks tomorrow. If I could make it to 32, I would be so happy. 35 would be better though. And 37 would be even better than that. I just don't want my little ones to have to be in the NICU for weeks on end.
I am so bored. There is only so much TV a girl can watch. I have almost finished the first season of Lost. I know I am about ten years behind the times, but hey. Here are my thoughts: What's up with the hatch? And those numbers? Is there a T-rex on the island? Is Charlie going to discover the heroin and relapse? What's up with Claire's baby? Why is the Korean husband guy (Jin?) such a jerk? How come Lock can walk now? Are Kate and Jack going to hook it up or what? So many questions.
It's also hard b/c there is so much that needs to be done before the babies come. I can't even go to the store to return a few things. And I need to find a diaper bag and pick out a nursing bra and tank. Obviously I am a big fan of online shopping but some things you need to be able to see in the store.
I've been able to at least sort and wash the baby items. Every day I prepare a load for Darren and then he brings them upstairs after they are washed. I've been sorting everything into bins by age group and I have all the blankets, bibs, burp cloths, slings, car seat covers, sheets, etc. washed. So that's something.
So it's been exactly two weeks since the positive FFN test. From what I've read online, a positive means you have a 30 to 50% chance of going into labor in the two weeks following a positive. Luckily we are now at that two week mark and no labor. I'm not really sure what that means then moving forward. Guess we'll find out when we see the doctor on Monday. For now, I keep hooking up to the monitor twice a day. I usually have one to three contractions in an hour, though I did have seven once (I had to drink water, lay down, and re-test, and the second test only showed one luckily.). The goal is to stay under four an hour.
Being a hormonal pregnant women (times two) and having to worry every day about going into early labor is tough emotionally. I am just so scared and nervous every single day and freaking out over every little sensation in my body. At least the girls are moving a lot. I've been doing kick counts where you track how many times you feel movement. The goal is to feel ten kicks in an hour. I usually feel ten kicks in less then fifteen minutes, one time it only took a minute and a half. So they are good and active.
29 weeks tomorrow. If I could make it to 32, I would be so happy. 35 would be better though. And 37 would be even better than that. I just don't want my little ones to have to be in the NICU for weeks on end.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Baby shower!
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| Diaper cake made by my mother in law! |
My sister was in charge and did a great job of getting everything together. She got a lot of help from the rest of the family with the decorations and food so it was a group effort!
There were so many cute little girl outfits from everyone. It makes me so excited for the girls to get here and dress them up.
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| The food table (sans food). |
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| Dr. Seuss Thing 1 and Thing 2! |
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| Dr. Seuss theme. |
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| Twin facts, home made cake pops and baby bottle center piece. |
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| Costco cake - so yummy! |
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| Twin bassinet with my childhood Cabbage Patch twin dolls. They were a bit dirty, ha. |
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| Chair for bed rest girl. |
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| Presents! |
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