Birth Story (Ian & Owen 7/2/14)

I had a regular OB appt the morning of 7/2/14.  Having babies that day was not something I really was thinking about as I thought it would be another week or two.  So I got ready and drove myself to my appt.  I thought they would check my blood pressure, weight etc and I would meet with the dr for a few minutes and be on my way home.  I did feel a few stronger than normal contractions in the car on the way but didn't think much.  I had tons of BHs with my DS1 that did nothing so I assumed that was the case here.  I check in at the drs office and they take my weight & blood pressure.  During the blood pressure reading, I had a doozy of a contraction which they noticed me trying to breathe through it.  The blood pressure reading was much higher than normal.  They take me to a room and start monitoring one baby as their nst machine isn't set up for twins.  And then the dr does an internal check to find I am 3-4cm already!  Eek. I hadn't felt great the past two days but had no clue things were happening. I did wonder if my mucous plug was starting to fall out (but it wasn't bloody so I wasn't sure as I didnt have this happen with DS1.)

My dr said it looks like we will be having babies today! OMG! I had nothing with me. I hadn't packed a bag yet.  I went out in the waiting room to let my DH know. Come to find out I never told him I had an appt that morning.  Oops!  He works an hour south so he headed out immediately but the drs didn't want me waiting that long to get to the hospital.  I called a friend and thankfully she was able to come get me.  A nurse at the office was ready to take me if needed.  It's funny because I almost had my friend come to the appt with me but I was like no, it will probably be a routine appt.  I guess I was wrong!

We get the hospital and I was too uncomfortable to get into a wheel chair so I crazily walk and take the elevator to the 6 the floor. I hadn't taken a tour so this was my first time being on the l&d floor.  The dr at the hospital who will be doing the csection comes into the admin office & starts asking me questions. @ when I last ate, how many cms etc.  because both babies were breech, they said they couldn't wait the normal 6-8 hours from when I had eaten last. (Which was right before my appt.).  I get sent to triage, blood work is taken and prep is started. It was all so quick.  My DH gets there and they get him prepped to be in the OR with me.  I get taken down to the OR first where they do the spinal (the anesthesiologist was super) and before I know it, I am numb and babies are born.  I had some nausea during the surgery and developed the shakes as well.  The nurse anesthesiologist stayed with me while my DH took a few pictures and watched the NICU teams.  Both babies were whisked away to the NICU so I only saw them for a second.  I was sewn back together and taken to my room.

I am sure I am missing a few details but wanted to get as much down as I could. Next topics will be the hospital stay, recovery afterward and at day 16, having one still in the NICU! Hoping & praying he will be home soon!

My boys are here!

My boys arrived unexpectedly on Wednesday 7/2/14 at 35w2d.  We welcome Ian James and Owen Paul.  Ian was 6 lbs 7 oz at delivery. (5lbs 15oz today) and Owen was 5lbs 2oz  at delivery (4lbs  14oz today).  They arrived via csection as both were breech.  Both were sent directly to the nicu.  Ian was observed overnight and stayed in our room last night.  Owen is still in the nicu.  He had fluid in his lungs and they weren't quite mature enough.  He is on cpap but doing a little better each day.  They started feelings today through a tube.  And it looks like he is jaundiced as well.  Poor little guy.  Hope he will be home by Wednesday for daddy 's birthday.

34w3d Growth Scan

I had another growth scan today and my boys are looking good.  Just wish I felt as good as they look. They are very big boys - baby a estimated to be 5lbs 12 oz and baby b 6lbs 11oz.  Yes, 12 1/2 lbs of baby.  No wonder I am so incredibly uncomfortable & can barely move without feeling lots of pain.  It is crazy at my DS1 was only 7lbs 4 oz at 39w6d.  My OB did say yesterday that I measured 44w along so I was expecting big but I was still surprised.

 And unfortunately both are still breech right now, which means a csection is most likely in my near future.  I knew it was highly probable but hearing they were still breech today has freaked me out a little.   Well, more than a little.  I realized I am not as prepared for it as I should be.  I want them to be healthy & arrive safe but a csxn scares me tremendously.  I have only ever had my gall bladder removed & that was laproscopic.

I stopped working last Friday and have pretty much been resting since then.  I can barely move without feeling these shooting pains in my leg.  I have been ordering supplies online and catching up on tv shows.  I still have to figure out how to decorate the babies room. I am stumped on what I want to do. Whatever we do it will be very simple.

~ 27 days or less until I get to meet my boys. Hopefully I will have an actual scheduled date after my next OB appt next Wednesday.

Two Years...

Today is our two year angelversary from losing our little boy.  It has been a day full of conflicting emotions.  Sadness & tears mixed with it being Father's Day & also being grateful for our current pg. I have thankfully been able to relax much of the day and am going to make it through in one piece.  I just can't believe it has been two years.  Missing my Ethan but looking forward to meeting my twins in 5 weeks or less.

MFM Ultrasound

Thank you so much for the comments asking how things went on Tuesday!! I appreciate it very much! Things have been crazy this week.  I have a hard time posting from my phone and I do not get onto our laptop very often.  I am so pleased to say our ultrasound went well this past Tuesday.  Boys look really good and the MFM calculated their size difference to be only 7%, which is much better than 18% the OB calculated it to be!  The tech at the MFM actually wondered if my OBs office made a typo when they were completing the report as the measurements each took were not all that different. Just thankful all looks good.  Just wish I felt as good as they look!  This pregnancy is definitely taking its toll on my body!  It is probably a combination of having twins, being almost 42 and not being in the best shape of my life prior to getting pg.  Just trying to take it day by day!!

30w5d today = )  The MFM told me that average delivery for twins is between 35 and 36 weeks, and the max time before induction or scheduled c-section is 38w.  He said that if I were to go into labor before 34 weeks, they would try to stop it so that I could be given steroid shots to help the babies' lungs but they will not try to stop it after 34 weeks.  Hoping & Praying my little guys stay cooking inside for at least 3w2d!!!  I also found out that I will be switching from Lovenox to Heparin at 34w as well.  This will allow me to have a safer epidural and delivery so this is another reason I hope and hope these little guys stay inside until 34w as I am not sure what will happen if I go into labor while still on lovenox.

I am still working.  I have at least one more week to go and then I will go week by week whether I can make the commute, work 1/2 days or try to work from home.  As much as working from home sounds nice, the chair at my desk at work is actually more comfortable than any chairs at home. So we shall see.  I hope to work as long as possible so I have more time after they arrive.  I especially hope that I can work at least two more weeks as in two weeks my parents are coming to stay with me while my DH travels to Mexico for work.  Ugh!  My DH is the lead for a project related to his work that is being completed here & at a plant in Mexico, and the first build for the project is going on in two weeks.  Unfortunately, his manager can not be there due to other responsibilities so my DH has to go.  I just told him that he needs to be able to at any point in time hop on a plane to come home if needed.  I am thankful my parents are available to help me but I am a little stressed about them being here for a whole week.  I just have to remember to breathe!

Happy Saturday to everyone!! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!

29w2d Update

Another four weeks has gone by. Hard to believe.  We had another growth scan yesterday and it was so good to see my boys.  They both turned and are now breach with their heads right next to one another!! I have been a little short of breath this week and I imagine this is why!!!  Babies are measuring BIG at 3lbs 10oz and 3lbs.  No wonder I am uncomfortable.  My DS1 was 7lbs 4 oz at 39w6d!  Crazy my boys are almost the same combined right now.

Everything looked good except there is one possible concern.  They were only 2% different in size 4 weeks ago and now they are 18% so Baby Bs growth has slowed considerably compared to Baby A.  As a result, I am being referred to a MFM for a more in depth u/s.  They have better machines than my obs office and can check placenta & blood flows better.  My OB wasn't really too concerned but said it is better to be safe.  I totally agree.  My appt is next Tuesday! Hoping & praying everything is OK!

25w3d growth scan

I am continuing to do a terrible job about keeping up here!

We had a growth scan today and everything looked very good!  It was amazing to see my boys.  They are both almost 2 pounds each and in the 55-60th percentiles.  My dr was very pleased with how everything looked.  I unfortunately had an internal check done to look at my placenta (ouch!!) but it is no longer low lying which is great!!  Both boys were head down today (which I know can change) but it gives me hope that may be we can try for a vaginal delivery!! I would love not to have a c-section if at all possible.  I will of course do what is best for the boys but I am very scared of a c-section.  Not 100% sure why but I am.

I also had the 1 hour GD test today (can i say that stuff is GROSS!!).  Hoping & praying to pass this one and not have to do the 3 hour test but I will not be the least bit surprised if I do.  I had to with my DS1 so I am expecting to here as well.

Next appt in 2 weeks and next scan in 4 weeks.  Cant wait to see my boys again!  I cant stop staring at the pictures we do have! I am so in love <3 nbsp="" p="">
Next decisions will be when I should ask my manager if I can start working from home.  The commute (an hour each way) is getting harder and harder for me, especially the drive home.  I am going to see how the next two weeks go and then if needed at my next appt, I can get a drs note.  I talked to the dr today and he said they would be happy to write one and help me out in any way.  I am not ready to go on leave yet as I hope to work as long as possible.  I want as much time with the boys after they arrive and I only get up to 12w total.  And we have to be careful since they are on a waiting list at my DS1 school and last we knew they couldnt get in until September.  We need to ask again what the status is!  That will also help to determine when I should try to work until.  Of course I would stop today if I needed to!! 

19w3d anatomy scan!

We had our anatomy scan today and everything looked good with our two BOYS!! That is right, we found out both are boys!! Life is going to be crazy -- it would be any which way but 3 boys in one house!! = ) They both measured a few days ahead at 19w6d - baby A was estimated to be 11 oz and baby b 12 oz. One item the dr did mention is that I have a low lying placenta but he said it should resolve itself as most do! But he also mentioned with twins there is a high chance of c-section anyways as the stars have to align to have a vaginal delivery.  The dr said that I will deliver no later than 38 weeks so I am a tiny bit over 1/2 way if I go at 38 weeks --  more than half way if I go any earlier!  At one moment, time seems to be going by fast and at the next moment, it seems really slow!  There is still a long way to go. My biggest hope & wish is to bring the two babies home safely in our arms this summer!

Now to decide on names!! This will be fun but harder than in the past!  We want two names that go together well but not too well, if that makes sense!  We shall see!

Next appointment in two weeks.  Not sure when my next u/s will be though!!  Happy Thursday! = )

16w Update

I have not been very good about updating this space.  Today is 16w (per my transfer date) and 15w5d per the due date they have given to me. I had a routine OB appointment today and it was boring (which I know is a GOOD thing).  No ultrasound unfortunately as they were so busy catching up from having to cancel appointments last week with the storm.  I almost broke down in tears in the exam room as I have not seen my babies since 9w (and I am getting close to the point where we lost my last pg.)  I think the dr felt bad so he did ask but there just wasn't room in the schedule.  So he agreed to me coming back in 2 weeks (where I can ask for a quick peak) and then our anatomy scan 2 weeks after.  He said that it is best done around 19-20 weeks so I agreed. I was hoping to have done at 18w but I do remember my OBs in Michigan saying the same thing with my little guy.  As much as I wanted to push back, I didnt.

We received news a few weeks ago that our MT21 results were all normal.  Yippie!!  So excited to hear that!  And we also found out that we are having at least one BOY!!  The MT21 only looks for the presence of y chromosomes but can not tell if both babies have them.  It can only tell if at least one is a boy or if both are girls.  So, the surprise continues until we have the anatomy scan (unless I can get a sneak peak in 2 weeks.)

Now is the challenge of telling our families.  I am excited to tell my DH's family but not so excited to tell mine.  My parents are going to FREAK and I do not anticipate a warm reception.  A friend suggested getting it over with just like pulling off a band-aid.  I know we need to soon but I am scared! It is a shame that I am not happy about sharing our news!

My OB did push me today to think about a plan on when to stop the Lovenox that I am on (which is 2 times a day) and switch to heparin.  I think I did this at 36 weeks with my little guy but he said we might want to think about earlier with twins.  I honestly had not thought that far yet.  I still cant believe that I am 16 weeks.
I think once I get through the next month and have the anatomy scan, I may be able to start to let my guard down a little & plan for things.  It is just so hard!  I desperately need work clothes and I went to the mall today after my appointment (as I had today off with the holiday).  I stood outside the maternity store and just couldnt get the courage to go in.  First it was empty with no customers & 2 sales people (which I do not like) but also I was nervous to spend the money.  I chickened out, went to Target but they did not have anything worth getting.

I should get going!  Happy Monday!!!