25 Week Update(s)

Well, the appointments are coming every two weeks now, and soon to be every week. Wow - it is amazing how fast the time is going.

Last week, I had to go to Labor and Delivery for a quick check. I woke up in the morning with a lot of pressure, so when I called the Doctor's office and spoke with a nurse, she recommended that I go to L&D to get checked out.

After monitoring the babies heart rates, checking for contractions and doing some other (embarrassing) exams, it was determined that Baby A was most likely laying really low and causing the pressure. So after an hour or two, we were sent on our way. Thankfully, all was well.

Today we went in for our Growth Ultrasound to check the growth (duh!) of the babies. They did measurements of both babies' heads, bellies and femurs. The babies' heads and bellies were measuring in the 26 week range, and the femurs were measuring in the 27 week range. The u/s tech made a comment about how we're gonna have tall babies! Duh! ;-)

Once the measurements were completed, the u/s tech was able to estimate their weights. Baby A is estimated to weight 2lbs.; Baby B is weighing 2lbs., 2oz! Woohoo - those are some good size babies.

Which explains why I look like this:


Also entertaining during the u/s was watching the babies move around. Baby A is head down, the first one to exit during delivery (non-c-section delivery), with it's feet up near Baby B. Baby B is still transverse, laying long horizontal across my belly (babies are forming a 'T'). So during the u/s, we were able to see why Baby B is so cranky most of the time... Baby A's feet are kicking right into Baby B. It seems like Baby B is taking a beating on a regular basis from it's sibling. Hehe - poor Baby B.

Later in the day I went in for my 2 week OB check-up. I was seeing a different Doctor today since they recommend you schedule appointments with some of the other Doctors in the practice to get to know them too - cause who knows who will be "on call" when labor starts.

My weight was good (I guess); I am up 22 lbs (I think) now. My BP was good and there was no evidence of protein in my urine (sorry if that is TMI), which is good, since if there was protein, it could possibly indicate the start of pre-eclampsia.

So that's the update. Both babies appear to be doing well, as am I! I am just now starting to get more uncomfortable at night, and now that it is getting warmer out, I am noticing the swelling picking up. I am almost to the point of not being able to wear my wedding rings anymore. Boooo!

Next appointment is scheduled for June 11th - I'll be 27 weeks (and 2 days!) by then - whew - time is flying!

23 Week Update

Yesterday, we went in to see Dr. D for our regular check-up. The ultrasound results were in from last week and everything looks good on Baby B, well, except the "white spot" (aka: echogenic intracardiac focus) is still there. But neither Dr. D nor the ultrasound tech seem too concerned about it. So I am trying not to be either.
So far my weight gain has been good. I am up 18lbs., which I guess is a good thing. It is pretty stressful to see the numbers on the scale, but I am remembering that it is for the babies- and they need all they can get. Dr. D wanted me to gain 24lbs by 24 weeks (next week), but I don't think I am going to make that goal. To be fair, she only just told me about it the last appointment, so technically I had to gain 10lbs within 4 weeks... which I don't think is realistic. Gaining that much weight, that quickly will probably lead to stretch marks (eh!) and I want to do everything I can to prevent that!
I will be scheduling my 1 hour glucose test in 3 weeks - so wish me luck on that! Hopefully, I pass it, but if not, I then go in for a 3 hour glucose test... and if I fail that, well then I will most likely be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Dr. D informed me that because I am carrying multiples, I am higher risk for developing it. (Ah!)
My blood pressure was great at the appointment - 117/76. Woohoo! I am hoping it stays that low - but again I remember that I am at a higher risk for preeclampsia too. My, my... lots of higher risk issues are approaching.
What else - hmmmm... nothing really. We got to see both babies briefly again on ultrasound (we did see that Baby B had the hiccups - how cute!), mostly just so Dr. D could determine their positions to check their heart rates. Baby A's heart beat was easy to find and hear, and was 153 bpm. Baby B's heart beat was hard to find, of course, but each he/she is our stubborn one! After a few minutes of searching, Baby B checked in at 145 bpm.
Dr. D said that they will schedule an induction/c-section (depending on the positions of the babies) no later that August 25th (which is 38 weeks). So there you have it - these babies will definitely be making their appearance by then - if not sooner. I am really hoping they stay put that long so that the NICU time is minimal if not non-existent! We will see!

22 Week Update

How far along are you? 22 weeks exactly
How big is baby? Not sure - they haven't been measured since the u/s on April 14
Maternity clothes? Yes - oh, so much more comfortable!
Weight – Loss or Gain? As of my last appointment on April 20, I was up 14lbs. When I asked Dr. D about recommended weight gain (since I was overweight to start), she said my weight gain has been good so far. She did recommend that I gain 24lbs by 24 weeks, because after 24 weeks, the babies are taking up most of the room, thus I won't be able to eat as much.
Stretch marks? I am on the lookout for them... so far, I don't think I have any new ones.
Sleep: Depends on the night. Some nights I can't get comfortable at all and wake up every time I change positions, some nights I have to use the bathroom 3+ times a night, but the some nights I sleep heavenly!
Best moment this week: Seeing the babies again on u/s - this time Baby B was wonderful and cooperated for all the pictures!
Any Movement?: YES!! Yay! I'm feeling movement pretty regularly now, and the movement is noticeably stronger! I think Jim even was able to feel a kick from the outside today! Awww!
Food Cravings?: Nope - not really.
Food Aversions?: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In - though getting more shallow.
What do you miss: Sleeping on my stomach or back. Breathing normally - even just sitting still, sometimes it feels like I can't get a good breath!
What are you looking forward to?: Spending time with family this weekend! Happy Wedding Day Kristen and Graduation Day Paul!
What was the BEST part of this week? When Jim felt one of the babies move!
What was the WORST part of this week? Nothing really, though working always qualifies!
Milestones: Getting so close to vitality day (V-day) - if the babies are born after 24 weeks, there is a higher chance of survival with intense medical intervention of course. I am hopeful that I will make it to 24 weeks and beyond with no complications!

Big Changes in Just Two Weeks...

Check this out - the first picture was taken at 19 weeks... the second at 21 weeks. Whoa - there's no going back now!